WASHINGTON, D.C. (BP) – Last week, the SBC’s Sexual Abuse Task Force made several formal recommendations to the messengers for their consideration at the upcoming 2022 SBC Annual Meeting in Anaheim. Among them was a recommendation that an Abuse Reform Implementation Task Force (ARITF), in coordination with the SBC Executive Committee (EC), create a “process” for maintaining a Ministry Check list of pastors, denominational workers, and volunteers who are “credibly accused” of sexual abuse. … [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...]
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...]
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...]
MBC Sexual Abuse Response Team releases statement on Guidepost report
EDITOR'S NOTE: The Missouri Baptist Convention's (MBC) Sexual Abuse Response Team released a statement, May 26, responding to Guidepost Solutions' report regarding the Southern Baptist Convention's Executive Committee. The MBC's Sexual Abuse Response Team was established by the MBC Executive Board during their March 7-8 meeting. The Response Team's complete statement follows below: Dear Missouri Baptists, During the March 7-8 Executive Board meeting the Board created the Sexual Abuse … [Read more...]
Executive Committee sets up hotline for abuse claims
NASHVILLE (BP) – A hotline has been established to allow those affected by sexual abuse within Southern Baptist churches. The number is 202-864-5578. According to the joint statement from the SBC Executive Committee, Guidepost Solutions and the SBC Sexual Abuse Task Force, “Since the release of the Guidepost report on Sunday, the SBC Executive Committee, Guidepost Solutions, and members of the Sexual Abuse Task Force have been fielding calls from survivors regarding allegations of sexual … [Read more...]
MBC Executive Director provides statement on SATF report
EDITOR'S NOTE: The following provides a statement from Dr. John Yeats, MBC Executive Director, regarding the May 22 release of Guidepost Solutions’ report to the SBC’s Sexual Abuse Task Force (SATF) on alleged mishandling of sexual abuse complaints by the SBC Executive Committee. Background Guidepost Solutions, the independent firm contracted to investigate alleged mishandling of sexual abuse complaints by the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) Executive Committee, on May 15 submitted its … [Read more...]
Hunt resigns from NAMB, named in Guidepost report
ALPHARETTA (BP) – Longtime pastor and SBC leader Johnny Hunt resigned from his position at the North American Mission Board (NAMB) on May 13, according to a statement from NAMB President Kevin Ezell. Hunt served as the senior vice president of evangelism and leadership since August 2018. He led prominent Southern Baptist church First Baptist Church in Woodstock, Ga., from 1986 until his appointment at NAMB. Hunt was mentioned in the report from Guidepost Solutions released Sunday (May … [Read more...]