# Southern Baptist Convention leadership social policy shifts > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/southern-baptist-convention-leadership-social-policy-shifts > Updated: 2026-10-05T14:56:59.000Z. Sources: 5. Developments: 2. Willy Rice, President of the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC), has initiated efforts to address social and theological issues through denominational policy and political engagement. Initially, Rice proposed an amendment to the Baptist Faith & Message to include an article on gender and human sexuality. The proposal seeks to define gender as a fixed biological matter and marriage as a union between one man and one woman. The SBC Executive Committee is expected to vote in February on whether to present this amendment to messengers for potential adoption. Following this proposal, Rice called on pastors to engage in the political process ahead of midterm elections. He identified abortion, the definition of marriage, gender identity, and immigration as key theological and political issues that religious leaders should address from the pulpit to fill a vacuum in public debate. ## Timeline ### 2026-10-05: Southern Baptist Convention President urges pastors to engage in politics Southern Baptist Convention President Willy Rice is urging pastors to address theological and political issues like abortion, marriage, and immigration ahead of the midterm elections. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/southern-baptist-convention-president-urges-pastors-to-engage-in-politics ### 2026-09-28: Southern Baptist Convention President proposes gender and sexuality amendment SBC President Willy Rice has proposed adding an article to the Baptist Faith & Message to address gender and human sexuality, seeking to formalize traditional views on marriage and biology. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/southern-baptist-convention-president-proposes-gender-and-sexuality-amendment --- Cite as: Southern Baptist Convention leadership social policy shifts. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/southern-baptist-convention-leadership-social-policy-shifts