Baptist church ordains transgender woman

In what is likely a first, Calvary Baptist Church in Washington, D.C., has ordained Allyson Robinson, who was previously ordained as a man, to the gospel ministry.

The transgender woman, who attended George W. Truett Theological Seminary and pastored a church in Central Texas as a man, has returned to the pulpit.

Allyson Robinson began June 23 as transitions pastor at Calvary Baptist. The calling is temporary—helping with preaching, mentoring, and pastoral care duties along with the deacons until the church names a longer-term intentional interim pastor—probably this fall.