In just a few days the Executive Committee (EC) will present their annual report to the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) and at least a portion of that report will be embarrassing for them. The official EC response to my motion regarding a possible conflict of interest related to the previous SBC law firm has been published… and it is utterly laughable. The Background I offered the first motion to be brought to the floor of the SBC last year in Nashville regarding what I, and some others, believed to be an apparent conflict of interest concerning our convention’s legal counsel. … [Read more...] about A Devastatingly Deficient Defense: The Sad Response to my “Conflict of Interest” Motion From the Executive Committee
A More Trauma-Informed Ministry [Guest Author: David Hughes]
The Southern Baptist Convention is in, as my pastor described it, a season of sifting. After the Houston Chronicle broke the news of hundreds of sex abuse cases involving clergy and ministry workers of various kinds, the messengers of the SBC sent a clear message: we want truth. Soon sex abuse cover-up (and abuse in general) was a key battleground in the social conflict engulfing evangelicalism and the SBC. After several skirmishes and the SBC skipping a year due to the pandemic, the messengers once again sent a clear message in 2021 with the establishment of the Sex Abuse Task Force. We want … [Read more...] about A More Trauma-Informed Ministry [Guest Author: David Hughes]
Thoughts about Guidepost and the SBC SATF [Guest Author: Marshall Blalock]
[[Marshall has agreed to allow SBC Voices to repost his Twitter thread regarding his thoughts on the SBC SATF and the recent controversy regarding GuidePost Solutions.]] If anyone was looking for an excuse not to deal with sexual abuse and mistreatment of survivors within the SBC, Guidepost Solutions provided the perfect cover yesterday with their “pride” month tweet. I was both disappointed and stunned. A couple of thoughts about this: Guidepost is a multinational secular company that specializes in corporate investigations. They are not a Christian company although they routinely work … [Read more...] about Thoughts about Guidepost and the SBC SATF [Guest Author: Marshall Blalock]
Overlooked: SATF “challenges” for state conventions
Try not to yawn. This isn't as controversial and contentious as the database or survivor fund (delayed until next year) but may be more helpful in addressing the sex abuse issue. The Sex Abuse Task Force issued five "challenges" to state conventions. State conventions are in a better position to handle many issues with churches because (a) they are closer to them, and (b) there are actual evaluations of churches before they are allowed to be a part of the state convention. No church has to affiliate with a state convention but almost all do. Here are the things the SATF requests of the … [Read more...] about Overlooked: SATF “challenges” for state conventions
The Invisible Enemy Killing Your Congregation
Pastor, what if I told you there was a mostly unseen enemy that is harming your flock and potentially hijacking your ministry to them? — In the late 1800s it was a massive gamble to get surgery. Many would survive the initial procedure but would contract a deadly infection from the surgery that would lead to their demise. It was so bad that at one point they considered outlawing surgery altogether. What was happening? While not nearly as efficient as our laser procedures in the 21st century, 19th-century surgery was not as archaic as you might imagine. They knew how to effectively … [Read more...] about The Invisible Enemy Killing Your Congregation
Upcoming Event for Virginia Pastors & Messengers: Zoom Call with Rachael Denhollander, Monday, 2:30pm EDT
Virginia SBC Messengers Meeting with Rachael Denhollander Pastors Adam Blosser and Brent Hobbs are hosting a Zoom meeting with SBC Sex Abuse Task Force advisor Rachael Denhollander for pastors and church leaders, and those serving as SBC messengers. The meeting is an opportunity to hear more information about the recommendations from the SBC Sexual Abuse Task Force that will be presented at the SBC Annual Meeting in Anaheim, CA. You can read about the recommendations here. You will have an opportunity to hear from Rachael and ask questions you may have about the recommendations. Please … [Read more...] about Upcoming Event for Virginia Pastors & Messengers: Zoom Call with Rachael Denhollander, Monday, 2:30pm EDT
Richmond, we have a problem (Christopher Cole)
“What are you doing listening to that?” I was 15 in the fall of 1984, in my second year at a missionary kid (MK) dormitory and blissfully naïve of my offense. My mistake was playing a cassette of American folk and children’s songs sung by “Uncle Mac.” My interrogator was one of my MK “cousins”, though in truth we were more like siblings since we’d all known each other in a tightly compressed community of missionary “aunts”, “uncles” and cousins since we were babies. Mac’s smooth North Carolina accented voice sang Appalachian mountain music accompanied by his skillful autoharp playing in the … [Read more...] about Richmond, we have a problem (Christopher Cole)
Cosplaying the Conservative Resurgence has Casualties (K.V. Paxton)
The battle lines were set. The warriors were clad in outfits straight out of Middle Earth. With weapons and shields in hands, their adrenaline was pumping. The moment came, and they charged at one another and fought hard that day. Many brave men and women fell into the dust and dirt – casualties of war. When the dust settled and the victory had been won, all the fallen stood up, dusted themselves off, and headed to Applebee's. This is what it is like to Cosplay for Live Action Role-Playing. Those who participate know they are not in a real war, and they know they are not characters in Lord … [Read more...] about Cosplaying the Conservative Resurgence has Casualties (K.V. Paxton)
How would you handle a sexual misconduct investigation?
Most people — including pastors and church leaders — have little experience conducting investigations into sexual harassment complaints or other allegations of misconduct. In my HR career, I have conducted or advised on many. One of the most egregious ways of mishandling an investigation is to fail to start one. The Guidepost report brings to light many of these failures. One that every SBC church leader could learn from is the failure of the Counseling Pastor (CP) at FBC Woodstock to take appropriate action in 2010 when he first learned that Dr. Hunt had engaged in sexual misconduct. You … [Read more...] about How would you handle a sexual misconduct investigation?
Mississippi Pastor to be Nominated for First Vice President
MAY 31, 2022 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Magee, Miss. — Rev. Brad Eubank, pastor of First Baptist Church of Petal and an abuse survivor who came forward to SBC leaders in 2014, will be nominated for the 1st Vice Presidency of the Southern Baptist Convention at the annual meeting scheduled for next month in Anaheim, Calif. Eubank, whose story of abuse was included in the recent Sexual Abuse Task Force report, will be nominated by fellow MIssissippi pastor, Dr. Adam Wyatt of Corinth Baptist in Magee. “As Southern Baptists seek to address the horrifying realities outlined in the Task Force … [Read more...] about Mississippi Pastor to be Nominated for First Vice President