ANAHEIM, Calif. — Attorneys Jonathan Whitehead and Joshua Abbotoy released an article on The Federalist, June 13, advising caution as Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) messengers here consider recommendations from the SBC’s Sexual Abuse Task Force (SATF) during their annual meeting this week. The Federalist article responds to a previous article by Matthew T. Martens, an attorney and member of Capitol Hill Baptist Church in Washington, D.C., who urged Southern Baptists to accept the SATF’s … [Read more...]
Sexual Abuse Task Force modifies recommendations in advance of the annual meeting
NASHVILLE (BP) – Changes to the recommendations that Sexual Abuse Task Force members will present to messengers at next week’s SBC annual meeting will address the nature of third-party investigations at the church level, including funding and action toward churches that refuse to respond to an accusation. The changes came after hearing from Southern Baptists in the days following the initial presentation of the recommendations, said SATF Chair Bruce Frank in a video on June 8. “We are … [Read more...]
Send Relief offers $4 million to fund EC sexual abuse response, survivor care fund
ALPHARETTA, Ga. (BP) – Send Relief announced its intent June 8 to give $3 million to fund the proposed Sexual Abuse Task Force (SATF) recommendations for sexual abuse reform, and an additional $1 million to establish a survivor care fund to provide trauma care for survivors and trauma training for pastors. The $1 million would be allocated from Send Relief funds designated for its ongoing mission to protect children and families, according to a joint statement from Send Relief President … [Read more...]
Tennessee Baptist leader calls for break with Guidepost Solutions
EDITOR'S NOTE: This article first appeared on the website of the Tennessee Baptist and Reflector. It is written by Lonnie Wilkey and Chris Turner of the Baptist and Reflector. FRANKLIN — In response to a tweet by Guidepost Solutions supporting the LGBTQ+ community, Southern Baptists should “immediately break ties with Guidepost Solutions,” said Randy C. Davis, president and executive director of the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board. Guidepost Solutions posted the following statement to … [Read more...]
Brad Eubank to be nominated for SBC first vice president
MAGEE, Miss. (BP) – A Mississippi pastor has announced plans to nominate a fellow Mississippi pastor who is a sexual abuse survivor to serve in the role of SBC first vice president. Adam Wyatt announced his intentions to nominate Brad Eubank, senior pastor of Petal First Baptist Church in Petal, Miss., to serve in the role. “Brad’s conservative commitment to our convention and his passionate spirit of cooperation are exactly what our convention needs,” said Wyatt, pastor of Corinth … [Read more...]
UPDATE: Guidepost Solutions releases LGBTQ+ pride statement
EDITOR’S NOTE: This article was updated on June 7, June 10 and June 28. NASHVILLE – Guidepost Solutions – which released results of its investigation on the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) Executive Committee’s (EC) alleged mishandling of sexual abuse issues, May 22 – released a Twitter post saluting LGBTQ+ pride, June 6. The Guidepost LGBTQ+ pride message – written on Twitter above a rainbow image – reads, “Guidepost is committed to strengthening diversity, equity and inclusion … [Read more...]
Iowa church holds prayer meeting, seeks to recover after shooting
AMES, Iowa (BP) – Members and friends of Cornerstone Baptist Church are recovering after a shooting in its parking lot June 2 left three dead, including the shooter by his own hand. “… We are more than saddened by the events that transpired,” said a statement on the church’s website. “Our hearts break for all involved, and we are praying for everyone affected, especially the [families] of the victims.” The first summer gathering of the church’s collegiate ministry, The Salt Company, … [Read more...]
IMB President: EC proposals will cost IMB $4.5 million
EDITOR’S NOTE: This article includes additional reporting from Scott Barkley of Baptist Press, especially in the final section of the article. See further updates from June 8 here and here: According to International Mission Board (IMB) President Paul Chitwood, these updates have resolved his concerns about the IMB's loss of $4.5 million during the next 15 months. NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) Executive Committee’s (EC) proposals for funding abuse reform … [Read more...]
SATF recommends ‘Ministry Check’ database, Abuse Reform Implementation Task Force
NASHVILLE (BP) – A report issued Wednesday, June 1, from the Sexual Abuse Task Force (SATF) includes “challenges” for Southern Baptist groups toward better abuse prevention policies as well as two recommendations, including the formation of a website to maintain a record of those credibly accused or convicted of sexual abuse. Those challenges included the request for a $3 million allocation to fund the implementation of sexual abuse reforms over the next year. That allocation will come … [Read more...]
Retired Mobile, Ala., pastor falsely tied to SBC abuser list by local news outlet
MOBILE, Ala. (The Alabama Baptist) – Retired Mobile pastor Charles Brown, 79, has found himself navigating a situation he never anticipated — clearing his name for someone else’s misconduct. “In a three-minute news cast, 80 years of my life and ministry went down the tubes,” Brown told The Alabama Baptist on May 28 as he shared the devastation he has endured since a May 27 noon news story incorrectly reported by NBC 15 in Mobile. The correction reported by the station during the 5 p.m. … [Read more...]
Former EC vice president responds to Guidepost report in open letter
EDITOR'S NOTE: In response to the recent task force report, Roger “Sing” Oldham, who formerly served on the SBC executive committee as vice president for convention relations and communications, has released the following letter to SBC leadership, members of SBC sexual abuse task force, the SBC executive committee and various Baptist media outlets. The following was originally printed by the Tennessee Baptist and Reflector here on May 27. An Open Letter to Southern Baptist … [Read more...]
List of alleged, convicted sexual abusers released by SBC Executive Committee
NASHVILLE (BP) – A previously undisclosed list of alleged and convicted sexual abusers, compiled over several years unbeknownst to the Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee board, is now publicly accessible online. EC Chairman Rolland Slade and interim EC CEO/President Willie McLaurin announced intentions May 24 to release the list, just days after its discovery. It had been compiled by an unnamed EC staff member under the direction of former EC Vice President Augie Boto, … [Read more...]