sex abuse
Southern Baptist President J.D. Greear says ‘black lives matter’
By Adelle M. Banks — June 9, 2020
(RNS) — Greear also called for new clergy to be trained in preventing sex abuse and he challenged Southern Baptists not to be divided by the U.S. presidential election.
Southern Baptist Convention president’s church policies questioned
By Adelle M. Banks — June 2, 2020
(RNS) — J.D. Greear said his church found that Bryan Loritts ‘did not attempt to protect the abuser or discourage victims from pursuing justice’ at another church.
When saints fall
By Thomas Reese — February 25, 2020
(RNS) — I can forgive sins of weakness, but I am not ready to forgive Theodore McCarrick, Vanier, Harvey Weinstein and other men who are alleged to have abused their power to prey on the vulnerable.
Senior pastor candidates, interim pastor out at Willow Creek
By Emily McFarlan Miller — January 30, 2020
CHICAGO (RNS) — Elders have released the final two senior pastor candidates they were considering to replace founding pastor Bill Hybels, who retired early in 2018 amid allegations of sexual misconduct and abuse of power.
Willow Creek confirms abuse allegations against Hybels’ mentor Gilbert Bilezikian
By Emily McFarlan Miller — January 28, 2020
CHICAGO (RNS) — Willow Creek Community Church confirmed that a mentor of former pastor Bill Hybels has been accused of sexual misconduct.
United Methodist #MeToo complaint against Bud Heckman settled
By Emily McFarlan Miller — January 3, 2020
(RNS) — A United Methodist clergyman accused of sexual misconduct has ‘retired under complaint,’ ending the denomination’s judicial process against the Rev. Donald ‘Bud’ Heckman.
Jules Woodson: Andy Savage’s reported return to pulpit is ‘not OK’
By Emily McFarlan Miller — October 29, 2019
(RNS) — Andy Savage reportedly is planning to start a new church in Memphis, Tennessee.
United Methodist clergyman accused of sexual misconduct, says UMNS report
By Emily McFarlan Miller — October 17, 2019
(RNS) — Four women have accused the Rev. Donald “Bud” Heckman — a United Methodist elder who is well known in interfaith circles — of sexual harassment, misconduct and abuse, according to the United Methodist News Service.
At Caring Well conference, SBC leaders hear criticism of abuse response
By Jack Jenkins — October 5, 2019
DALLAS (RNS) — The Caring Well conference on sexual abuse in the Southern Baptist Convention devoted its second and third days to hearing from critics of the denomination's response to victims.
In Dallas, Southern Baptist leaders gather to address church abuse
By Jack Jenkins — October 4, 2019
DALLAS (RNS) — The 'Caring Well' conference will hear from church leaders, prominent advocates for abuse survivors and survivors themselves in the wake of scandals that have rocked the denomination over the past two years.
Controversial Founders Ministries video leads to board resignations, #MeToo concerns
By Adelle M. Banks — August 2, 2019
(RNS) — According to statements from two board members, the inclusion of Rachael Denhollander in the trailer released July 23 appears to have been a particular sore point.
The Village Church sued for more than $1 million over alleged abuse at church camp
By Emily McFarlan Miller — July 29, 2019
(RNS) — A young woman who was allegedly sexually assaulted by a youth minister at a church camp when she was a child is suing the Village Church for more than $1 million for gross negligence and the emotional distress the abuse has caused her.
Willow Creek plans reconciliation service to move on; Hybels not involved
By Emily McFarlan Miller — July 23, 2019
CHICAGO (RNS) — In what they said would be their last public statement about the allegations of sexual misconduct against founding pastor Bill Hybels that have torn apart Willow Creek Community Church, the church’s elders called on Hybels to repent and the church to gather for a service of worship and reflection.
LaKeesha Walrond, new black woman seminary president breaking ‘glass ceilings’
By Adelle M. Banks — June 27, 2019
NEW YORK (RNS) — The new president of New York Theological Seminary talked about her diverse student body, her concerns about child sexual abuse and her support of open-mindedness among her students.
Southern Baptists face sex abuse crisis with litany of lament
By Adelle M. Banks — June 12, 2019
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (RNS) — Following along on large screens around the Legacy Arena, women, men, pastors, lay people and survivors took turns reading words drawn from the biblical books of Psalms and Lamentations.
