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...]
Send Relief establishes fund to support survivors of sexual abuse
ALPHARETTA, Ga. – Following the recent report that addressed how Southern Baptists have handled sexual abuse allegations in the past, Send Relief is seeking to be a part of the solution by establishing a survivor care fund. Send Relief, the compassion ministry arm of the Southern Baptist Convention of churches, committed $3 million in funding to the SBC’s Executive Committee ahead of the 2022 SBC Annual Meeting to be put toward the cost of implementing recommendations approved by … [Read more...]
Motions at annual meeting range from addressing sexual abuse reforms to entity responsibilities
ANAHEIM (BP) – Several motions presented at the annual meeting related to sexual abuse care and prevention in addition to other subjects of interest to Southern Baptists. One required extended discussion by messengers. That motion, brought by Joshua Scruggs of Bethlehem Baptist Church in Jacksonville, N.C., to abolish the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission, was defeated by a sizable margin. The Abuse Reform Implementation Task Force, yet to be formed by new SBC President Bart … [Read more...]
SATF shares expectations for implementation task force
NASHVILLE (BP) — The work of a yet-to-be-appointed Abuse Reform Implementation Task Force (ARITF) is likely to take years, with an initial report ordered to be given at the 2023 Southern Baptist Convention Annual Meeting in New Orleans next June. Marshall Blalock, vice chairman of the Sex Abuse Task Force (SATF) that recommended the new group, said guidelines are in place to allow as long as three years for some of the work. “We anticipated it would take the implementation task force … [Read more...]
SBC resolutions affirm rural missions, denounce prosperity gospel, address sexual abuse
ANAHEIM, Calif. (BP) – Resolutions affirming the mission field in rural America, denouncing the preaching of the prosperity gospel, calling for an end to the war in Ukraine, and addressing sexual abuse were among those adopted by messengers to the 2022 SBC Annual Meeting in Anaheim, Calif., June 14-15. Messengers approved language noting that Jesus “regularly identified Himself with rural and small places like Nazareth,” more than 75 percent of all towns and cities in the United States are … [Read more...]