Georgia Baptist Convention shuns woman preacher

Metro Atlanta

Georgia Southern Baptists approved a policy Nov. 11, 2008, aimed at diminishing the role of churches led by women pastors -- a slap at Decatur First Baptist church, which is led by a woman, Julie Pennington-Russell.

The Georgia Baptist Convention adopted a policy Nov. 11 to reduce the role of women-led churches in their organization. The policy would apply to one Georgia church, Decatur First Baptist. Here Julie Pennington-Russell (right), pastor at the Decatur church, talks with Sarah Bell before the main service Sunday.

Julie Pennington-Russell prepares for the 11 a.m. service in her office Sunday. Under the new policy, the Georgia Baptist Convention could refuse donations from the church and remove the church's voting rights in the organization.

Mark and Adrienne Howard, new members of Decatur First Baptist, talk with the pastor after the Fresh Start service on Sunday. It was the first service led by Pennington-Russell since the Nov. 11 decision by the Georgia Southern Baptist organization.

The Rev. Julie Pennington-Russell is senior pastor of the 2,700-member Decatur First Baptist Church. So far, no action has been taken against the church. Members indicate they would be happy to affiliate with a different Baptist group, the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship, a national organization for moderate Baptists, which accepts women as pastors.

Pennington-Russell came to Decatur First Baptist in 2007 from Calvary Baptist Church in Waco, Texas, where she is shown preaching.

In this 2007 photo, Julie Pennington-Russell leads a communion service at a retreat in Texas.

Here, Pennington-Russell meets with a family before a baptism.

Julie Pennington-Russell visits an orphanage in Nairobi, Kenya.

Decatur First Baptist is known for its large annual yard sale that raises money for youth missions.

In the 12th annual yard sale, held in 2007, about 50 youth representatives helped shoppers through the front and side lawns of the massive grounds at 308 Clairmont Avenue.

The sale even included pianos. Here, Shaniya Carr, 2, of Decatur, tries them out.

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The Georgia Baptist Convention adopted a policy Nov. 11 to reduce the role of women-led churches in their organization. The policy would apply to one Georgia church, Decatur First Baptist. Here Julie Pennington-Russell (right), pastor at the Decatur church, talks with Sarah Bell before the main service Sunday.

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