Delegates at the denomination’s convention voted overwhelmingly to finalize the ousters of one of its largest churches, Saddleback, and a small church in Kentucky, despite impassioned appeals from their leaders.
Some conservatives in the evangelical denomination fear a liberal drift, and are set to vote on a strict ban against women in church leadership. Two churches are appealing their expulsions.
Matt Chandler of the Village Church in suburban Dallas received a standing ovation after his leave, part of a period of turmoil among evangelical churches.