We, the SBC Voices Editorial Team, repost here for your consideration Dr. Bart Barber's response to the report of the SBC Sexual Abuse Task Force. For the original source, click here. For the SBC SATF documents, click here. Bart Barber May 25, 2022 For Immediate Release I have now read the complete text and the appendices of the May 15, 2022, document from Guidepost Solutions entitled, “Report of the Independent Investigation: The Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee’s Response to Sexual Abuse Allegations and an Audit of the Procedures and Actions of the Credentials … [Read more...] about Response to the Sexual Abuse Task Force Report [Guest Author: Bart Barber]
My Statement Regarding the SBC/EC Investigation Report by Tiffany Thigpen
If Southern Baptists are to have any pure witness, the best way forward is to not only state their belief in scriptures, but to show it in action. These action steps could not only become a way forward, but also could allow a model for other denominations and organizations to follow. The SBC wants to be known as a Missions Organization and prides itself as a missionary sending powerhouse, though it seems it is often forgotten that the mission field includes its local congregations, and its own members. If you aren’t protecting those in your own backyard mission field isn’t it … [Read more...] about My Statement Regarding the SBC/EC Investigation Report by Tiffany Thigpen
Our 86 member Executive Committee and sex abuse in the Convention
I join my colleagues here in expressing sorrow and lament for so many victims of horrible abuse in churches and entities of our convention. We may differ on some aspects of recommended changes but not on that. _____________________ Last year after some disastrous Zoom meetings many were calling for the SBC Executive Committee to revert to relative obscurity, to be led by an efficient administrator and to return to properly and quietly carrying out their responsibilities. With the Sex Abuse Task Force, Guidepost investigation, report, recommendations, and reactions, it appears that the … [Read more...] about Our 86 member Executive Committee and sex abuse in the Convention
A prayer of lament for the SBC
Editor's Note: The following is a prayer of lament Mary Demuth prayed 3 years ago at the SBC annual meeting. It is reposted here with her permission Our majestic, sovereign, empathetic, beautiful Father in heaven, we repent of how we have failed to love those who struggle in our midst, and we recognize your holy rumblings in this midst of the sexual abuse crisis. We have not always wept with those who weep. We have not always crossed the street with the Good Samaritan, inconveniencing ourselves for those who bleed. We have sometimes preferred our institutions and systems to … [Read more...] about A prayer of lament for the SBC
Removing Trustees: Is This a Dam to Breach?
I sat and listened, a few years ago, as a couple of angry trustees of SWBTS tried to remove my friend Bart Barber and the rest of the officers of the SWBTS BoT after they courageously removed Paige Patterson from office for insubordination, misconduct, and other offenses. I was on Bart's side of that issue and strongly opposed, with about 97% of the room, the removal motion. Last year, I was discussing with a group of people the idea of a motion to remove at least one EC trustee, possibly more. I know that Bart disagreed with the actions, attitudes, and positions of these trustees, but when … [Read more...] about Removing Trustees: Is This a Dam to Breach?
My Statement on the Guideposts/SATF Report (Jessica Alldredge)
To My Fellow Southern Baptists: My name is Jessica Alldredge. I am a survivor of sexual abuse within the SBC. My situation as a survivor is a bit different from some of the other stories you have heard. So many of my brothers and sisters suffered abuse and then faced terrible treatment by those in the SBC when they tried to report what happened to them. However, I never needed to report. My mom was paying attention, she could tell something was off and kept her guard up. She ended up catching the perpetrator, Dennis Hale, in the act of abuse. Because my mom was aware, she was able to … [Read more...] about My Statement on the Guideposts/SATF Report (Jessica Alldredge)
Breaking News from the Executive Committee
I was just informed that two members of the Executive Committee, Neal Hughes & Hoyt Savage, have already announced their intention to the full board to nominate Andrew Hunt and Philip Robertson respectively for the positions of Chairman and Vice Chairman of the Executive Committee. This CANNOT be allowed to come to fruition. Both candidates were “No” votes on all 3 of Jared Wellman’s motions to waive privilege. Please consider contacting your state’s EC member and urge them NOT to place those men in these important positions of leadership on the EC. I understand that this election will … [Read more...] about Breaking News from the Executive Committee
Rachael Denhollander Statement on SBC SATF/Guidepost Report
I watched the movie “Spotlight” the night I testified against Larry. It was the first time I’d been able to bring myself to see it. To this day, I can’t describe the emotions that flooded me watching that story unfold. The survivors who spoke up at so great a cost – I remembered watching their stories unfold in real life during the Catholic abuse crisis and deepening my understanding of what it would take to stop Larry, and how to do it. The scene where the newspapers are flying off the press and remembering the day it was my face on the front page instead. Watching legal counsel for the … [Read more...] about Rachael Denhollander Statement on SBC SATF/Guidepost Report
A Real-life #SBCtoo Parable
The following video is from a non-SBC church service on May 22, 2022, recorded on Facebook Live. Evidently, the church cut its live feed when this took place. While it is not an SBC church, the 14 minutes or so seem to be a parable illustrating all that has gone on in the SBC World during the sexual abuse scandal. (if the link doesn't pop up immediately - it works for me - try this hyperlink) (I retried this video in a different format - hopefully this will work better). Consider the following: 1. The abusive pastor minimized his sin while confessing. After the service, … [Read more...] about A Real-life #SBCtoo Parable
There’s Only One Thing We Can Do
I was at the convention in 1995 when we came face to face with the grievous sin we'd committed for 140 years, a sin that was at the root of the founding of our convention - racism. We stood as one to recognize this sin, to admit that slavery, segregation, racism, and white supremacy which had been such a part of the SBC since the days of its Founders were evil, a wickedness that shamed the name of Christ, hindered the Gospel, and had no place in the life of a community of believers. We did the only thing that we could do when such sin is realized. We repented. It is an argument for another day … [Read more...] about There’s Only One Thing We Can Do