While all eyes seem fixed on the EC meeting next week, a significant step in addressing sexual abuse in the SBC took place this morning at the ERLC trustee meeting. In June, a motion was made at the SBC annual meeting calling for an “audit and assessment of sexual abuse within the SBC.” That motion was referred to the ERLC whose trustees met in Nashville this week. The executive committee of the ERLC (not to be confused with the SBC Executive Committee) recommended to the full board both a statement of support in response to the motion and initial funding and first steps in implementing the … [Read more...] about ERLC Trustees Initiate an Assessment of Sexual Abuse in the SBC
3 Commitments for Leading Your Church to Address Sexual Abuse
Last week at #SBC21, messengers sent a clear message that we want our denomination to address the issue of sexual abuse and stand with survivors. As many survivors have pointed out, our decisions made at the annual meeting must be followed up by meaningful action or what we said is just words. Coming home, most messengers have little impact in what will happen at the denominational level with our committees, trustee boards, and entities. But you DO have the opportunity to take meaningful action at YOUR church. This post is meant to give you a starting point for you to address the issue of … [Read more...] about 3 Commitments for Leading Your Church to Address Sexual Abuse
Why the referral of the sexual abuse audit to the ERLC is a good thing — explaining the process and the rationale
Before I made the motion this morning, I shared the strategy and language of the motion to a few key survivors and advocates including Christa Brown and Rachael Denhollander. I otherwise kept both the strategy and the motion private so as to prevent bad actors in the Convention from strategizing against it. Because I did that, many survivors believed that the motion would come to a vote. Although I knew that it would not, I did not correct that understanding, because to do so would have revealed the strategy and leave it vulnerable to potential foul play. The ultimate goal is not an … [Read more...] about Why the referral of the sexual abuse audit to the ERLC is a good thing — explaining the process and the rationale
Motion to Investigate the SBC Executive Committee: Full Text
Grant Gaines I move that the Southern Baptist Convention, meeting June 15-16, 2021, in Nashville, TN, ask the newly elected president of the SBC to appoint a task force within 30 days of the date of this Convention that shall be comprised of members of Baptist churches cooperating with this Convention and experts in sexual abuse and the handling of sexual abuse-related dynamics. This task force shall either assume oversight of the third-party review announced previously by the Executive Committee or initiate a separate third-party review. Said task force shall ensure that the … [Read more...] about Motion to Investigate the SBC Executive Committee: Full Text
Standing with Survivors: Motion for an audit and assessment of sexual abuse in the SBC
I made the following motion during the first introduction of new motions in the Tuesday morning session. Here is the full text. My name is Todd Benkert, Messenger from Oak Creek Community Church in Mishawaka, Indiana I move to request the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission to hire an outside organization to oversee an audit and assessment of sexual abuse within the SBC. The organization shall be authorized to receive and assess, over the next three years, both reports of sexual abuse and allegations of mishandling abuse, from voluntarily participating … [Read more...] about Standing with Survivors: Motion for an audit and assessment of sexual abuse in the SBC
Addressing the SBC Abuse Crisis — A Needed Next Step
Next week, during the Executive Committee report, Southern Baptists will have the second opportunity to vote to amend our constitution and address the issue of sexual abuse. The constitutional amendment we will voting is worded to provide accountability for churches to respond well to sexual abuse. Thus far, however, the newly founded credentials committee has proved to be ineffective in responding to reports of mishandling of abuse. So to survivors, what it looks like is a big fat nothing. And they’re not wrong. There is no database, not yet any real accountability, and known abusers continue … [Read more...] about Addressing the SBC Abuse Crisis — A Needed Next Step
Pastor Ed Litton to be nominated for SBC President
Yesterday, Baptist Press reported that Fred Luter will nominate Alabama pastor Ed Litton for SBC President this summer in Nashville. Litton becomes the third announced nominee along with SBTS president R. Albert Mohler and Georgia pastor Mike Stone. In his announcement, Luter cites his relationship with Litton that grew from pursuing racial reconciliation together, but even more so his shared commitment to evangelism and discipleship. Luter explains, “That’s why I am honored to nominate Ed Litton as the next president of the Southern Baptist Convention. With Ed’s commitment to the Great … [Read more...] about Pastor Ed Litton to be nominated for SBC President
SBC Voices Interview: Keith Getty talks to pastors about SING! Global, Small Church Worship, Covid-19, the importance of family, and more
Recently, SBC Voices editor Todd Benkert spoke with modern hymn-writer and worship leader Keith Getty. In connection with this interview, Getty Music is doing a give-away for our audience. The first SBC pastor to email joni@gettymusic.com will receive a free registration to SING! Global 2020. Also, even if you don't win, everyone who emails will receive two new modern hymns from Getty Music. Be sure to mention SBC Voices in your email. ______________________ The following is a transcript of the Interview: Todd Benkert: Hey, I'm Todd Benkert, I’m the pastor of Oak Creek Community … [Read more...] about SBC Voices Interview: Keith Getty talks to pastors about SING! Global, Small Church Worship, Covid-19, the importance of family, and more
Critical Race Theory and Intersectionality: A useful analytical tool or a dangerous ideology (or both)?
The debate in the Southern Baptist world about Critical Race Theory and Intersectionality (CRT/I) continues. As new questions and possible actions about Resolution 9 emerge, many are asking the question: Is CRT/I a useful analytical tool or a dangerous ideology? I submit that it is both. Previously, Albert Mohler has spoken forthrightly about the issue and Owen Strachan has recently written a series of posts on the issue and they are helpful in demonstrating the origins of CRT/I and the dangers of adopting its worldview. Others react even more strongly and see the issue generally, and … [Read more...] about Critical Race Theory and Intersectionality: A useful analytical tool or a dangerous ideology (or both)?
This Little Light – A reflection on Christa Brown’s Story
At the #CaringWell conference last week, Rachael Denhollander recommended that Southern Baptists read Christa Brown’s book, This Little Light: Beyond a Baptist Preacher Predator and His Gang.[i] I read the book after receiving a copy at the For Such a Time as This rally at the SBC Annual Meeting in Birmingham at the recommendation of a friend. I too commend the book to you. This Little Light was released 10 years ago, a year after the SBC Executive Committee declined to create a database of credibly accused sex offenders (considering a motion originally made by Wade Burleson). In the book, … [Read more...] about This Little Light – A reflection on Christa Brown’s Story