COLFAX, La. (BP) – Daryl Stagg, 60, a Southern Baptist associational mission strategist (AMS) serving dozens of churches in north central Louisiana, is jailed on 12 counts of felony sex crimes, the Grant Parish Sheriff’s Office reported. Stagg previously served as a Director of Missions at the Harmony Baptist Association in Sedalia, Mo., from 2012-2018, according to his LinkedIn profile and Missouri Baptist Convention records. Stagg is charged with three counts each of first-degree rape, … [Read more...]
ARITF pivots, moves away from Guidepost Solutions
CHARLESTON, S.C. (BP) – Abuse Reform and Implementation Task Force chair Marshall Blalock announced Tuesday (April 4) the task force will no longer recommend Guidepost Solutions to establish and maintain a database for those credibly accused of sexual abuse. Messengers approved the creation of a “ministry check” website at the 2022 SBC Annual Meeting in Anaheim, Calif. The move comes after continued concerns were expressed by Southern Baptists to the ARITF in connection to a … [Read more...]
Johnny Hunt sues SBC, EC and Guidepost
NASHVILLE (BP) – Longtime pastor and former SBC President Johnny Hunt has filed suit against the SBC, the SBC Executive Committee (EC) and Guidepost Solutions. The suit seeks unspecified damages related to allegations of defamation and the invasion of privacy based on accusations made against Hunt in the 2022 Guidepost report stemming from an investigation into the alleged mishandling of sexual abuse by the SBC EC. Hunt filed the suit in U.S. District Court in Nashville on March 17. Hunt … [Read more...]
Southern Baptist EC’s net assets ‘cut in half’: More-than-$6 million loss related to SBC’s abuse reform, DOJ investigation
EDITOR’S NOTE: This article includes reporting from Baptist Press and The Baptist Paper. NASHVILLE – The Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) Executive Committee (EC) lost $6,704,285 in net assets during the 2021-2022 fiscal year – a trend that auditors called “unsustainable.” “The assets have been cut in half,” said EC member Monte Shinkle, emeritus pastor of Concord Baptist Church, Jefferson City. “We dropped $6 million this past year. We have $6 million left … it doesn’t look good.” EC … [Read more...]
ARITF recommends Guidepost Solutions to build ‘Ministry Check’ database
EDITOR’S NOTE: This article includes additional reporting from Pathway staff. NASHVILLE (BP) – The Abuse Reform Implementation Task Force (ARITF) announced it has made a recommendation to the SBC Credentials Committee to utilize Guidepost Solutions in establishing and maintaining a “Ministry Check” website database for those credibly accused of sexual abuse. Contract negotiations are underway, according to ARITF Chairman Marshall Blalock. He gave the task force’s update to the SBC … [Read more...]
ARITF meeting with SBC Credentials Committee, abuse survivors
NASHVILLE (BP) – The SBC Abuse Reform Implementation Task Force (ARITF) issued an update on Friday afternoon (Feb. 10). It’s the group’s second update of the year. The update says group members have met with leaders across the SBC, including members of the SBC’s initial Sexual Abuse Task Force. Among other actions, they report work on “evaluating current and potential resources for every level of training and education so that we may identify, revise and create the most effective and … [Read more...]
Sills files defamation suit against SBC, Lyell, others
MOBILE, Ala. (BP) – A former Southern Baptist seminary professor and his wife have filed suit against the SBC and 10 other individuals and entities connected to the SBC, including Jennifer Lyell and Guidepost Solutions. In a filing made in the Mobile, Ala., Circuit Court, David and Mary Sills allege “defamation, conspiracy, intentional infliction of emotional distress, negligence, and wantonness concerning untrue claims of sexual abuse” initiated by Jennifer Lyell. The news of Sills’ … [Read more...]
Department of Justice opens investigation of Southern Baptist Convention
NASHVILLE – The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has begun a federal investigation into the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) and its Sex Abuse Task Force Report. The SBC’s Executive Committee (EC) announced on Aug. 16 that it had received a subpoena to compel production of certain records related to the investigation/report performed last year by Guidepost Solutions. Although no other SBC entities had announced receipt of subpoenas at press time, the DOJ investigation is expected to … [Read more...]
Convention leaders respond to DOJ investigation of SBC
NASHVILLE (BP) – The Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee has been informed that the United States Department of Justice has initiated an investigation into the SBC that will include “multiple SBC entities,” according to an Aug. 12 statement from all SBC entity leaders and SBC President Bart Barber. “Individually and collectively, each SBC entity is resolved to fully and completely cooperate with the investigation,” the statement said. The announcement comes two months … [Read more...]
SBC president names MBC’s Nelson as member of new sexual abuse task force
NASHVILLE (BP) – Southern Baptist Convention President Bart Barber has announced the members and leaders of those making up the Abuse Reform Implementation Task Force (ARITF). Included as a task force member is Missouri Baptist Convention President Jon Nelson, lead pastor of Soma Community Church, Jefferson City, Mo. Messengers to the annual meeting in Anaheim tasked Barber, pastor of First Baptist Church in Farmersville, Texas, with the responsibility as part of the approved … [Read more...]
SBC’s EC: ‘Crickets’ on hiring pro-LGBTQ firms
For those familiar with a rural lifestyle, the night time sound of crickets scraping two textured body parts together can be a soothing respite from the clamor of a busy day. The insects develop quickly when warm weather arrives and adults appear and begin “singing” and mating in late spring, continuing until June or early July when they finish laying eggs or die off. “Crickets” has also become a term to describe peoples’ silence, usually when caught unexpectedly, following a grievous … [Read more...]
Blalock, Keahbone to head Abuse Response Implementation Task Force
NASHVILLE (BP) – Two Southern Baptist pastors with recent leadership experience in addressing sexual abuse in the SBC will fill similar roles with the Abuse Response Implementation Task Force (ARITF). Marshall Blalock, pastor of First Baptist Church in Charleston, S.C., will be chair while Mike Keahbone, pastor of First Baptist Church in Lawton, Okla., will serve as vice chair, SBC President Bart Barber announced today. “Both of these pastors are well-respected by Southern Baptists, … [Read more...]