Abuse survivors and their advocates have long called for the creation and funding of an independent investigatory body in the SBC and staffed with experts on sex abuse. Part of the task of such a committee would be to investigate “credible reports” of abuse in SBC churches. So far as I know, no SBC leader supports this proposal.
Yesterday, Al Mohler, president of our oldest seminary, announced nominee for president of the SBC, and one whom many would say is the SBC’s most visible spokesperson, made a statement to the public about an SBC pastor, SBTS grad and adjunct professor. The statement is at the end of this article.
Actions that involved SBTS were taken based on the “credible accusations of misconduct”. Neither Mohler nor any other SBC leader can direct any church to take action on the matter. It is significant that the SBC Executive Committee’s enhanced Credentials Committee now has the task to “make inquiries” of a church over their handling of an abuse accusation. The results of the inquiry would lead to a decision about the church being excluded from the national SBC.
Looks to this observer that this is a case the Credentials Committee will be forced to consider. Also, since Mohler has tweeted on the matter, I’d be shocked if Baptist Press failed to carry this story. We will see. Seth Brown of the Biblical Recorder has several tweets that provide context @dsethbrown
It should be noted that the matter is one of “allegations” as Mohler puts it. There is nothing Mohler, the Executive Committee, or any other SBC body or individual can say or do to disqualify any individual from serving any SBC church. Churches make their own decisions as do seminary and other SBC entities.
As is usually the case, the matter came to be public knowledge by means of social media. Mohler and SBTS picked it up and acted upon it in short order.
In the past such things might be whispered among knowledgeable SBCers. Now, they are shouted early and often.
And thanks to the commenter who noted my mistake on Seth Brown. Fixed it.
This is good. The downside is that Mohler is not afraid to use his platform to speak out. He has had the pu8blic microphone for decades and knows how to use it (good for him and I hope he uses it whenever needed). Many churches – church leaders – other no-names do not have such a platform or do not know how to use the one they have. Mohler’s job would not be in jeopardy due to his speaking out. A local church Pastor’s probably would. It seems we could use a helpline to walk Pastors…. churches through a process… Read more »
2 Questions: 1. Will the the credentials committee open an “inquiry” relating to each church calling the accused that the complaintants named as having been notified of the accusations since 2002? 2. Is The senior pastor at the church where these events took place in 2002 – and are alleged to have been reported to – still in southern Baptist ministry? If so his current church, imo, ought to be gathering information and asking him some questions. As to This Wesley Feltner guy ( despite his denials of all the complaints asserted – but still based on what he has… Read more »
I may have missed part of what Feltner has said so far, but I believe the following statements represent an accurate characterization of his response. “I agree with some of the facts alleged in the statements and deeply regret the hurt I might have caused to the women. But some of the allegations are not true and do not reflect who I was 17 years ago nor who I am today.” “The Bible directs God’s people to take their grievances first to the person accused and, if that person won’t listen, to try again and bring a witness; and if… Read more »
And…there it is, a prompt and detailed story from Baptist Press. Includes new comments.
http://www.bpnews.net/53884/pastor-accused-of-abuse-top-candidate-at-tenn-church
The enhanced and empowered Credentials Committee is, I believe, in the process of creating guidelines and policies for their work. I have no idea where they are in this but it is a complicated matter.