Southern Baptists
Southern Baptist abuse task force requests $3 million for reforms, ‘Ministry Check’ website
By Bob Smietana — June 1, 2022
(RNS) — Reforms would include a website to track abusers and hiring staff to respond to abuse allegations.
Southern Baptist list includes hundreds of cases of abuse, beginning in the 1960s
By Bob Smietana — May 27, 2022
(RNS) — Southern Baptist leaders began compiling the list in 2007, when the convention was considering creating a database of abusers. That idea was rejected but an SBC staffer continued to update the list for years.
For abuse survivors like Jules Woodson, the Indiana pastor video is all too familiar
By Bob Smietana — May 25, 2022
(RNS) — In a dramatic viral video, an abuse survivor confronted a pastor for abusing her, starting when she was 16. In the video, the pastor admits his sins but the congregation still sides with him.
How the ‘apocalyptic’ Southern Baptist report almost didn’t happen
By Bob Smietana — May 24, 2022
(RNS) — A recently released report detailed how Southern Baptist leaders mistreated abuse survivors and tried to protect their institutions. The investigation that led to the report almost died numerous times.
SBC Executive Committee, repenting for handling of abuse, disowns lawyer’s 2006 letter
By Bob Smietana — May 24, 2022
(RNS) — At a meeting Tuesday (May 24), Executive Committee members promised to lament, listen and learn as they respond to a report on abuse.
Southern Baptist leaders mistreated abuse survivors for decades, report says
By Bob Smietana — May 22, 2022
(RNS) — A blockbuster report found that SBC lawyers worked for years to protect the institution and demonized abuse survivors and accused a prominent pastor of abusing a colleague's wife.
Jesus saved Beth Moore’s life. Twitter blew it up. A new memoir will tell the story.
By Bob Smietana — April 26, 2022
(RNS) — Moore's memoir, 'All My Knotted-Up Life,' is due out from Tyndale in 2023.
Why Vance Pitman, megachurch pastor, resigned as top leader at his Las Vegas church
By Bob Smietana — April 19, 2022
(RNS) — The former megachurch pastor hopes to focus on helping church planters, especially in the American West.
Southern Baptists pivot to address church sexual abuse at the state level
By Bob Smietana — November 9, 2021
(RNS) — A series of state conventions have set up committees to address the issue of abuse in Southern Baptist churches.
Two evangelical seminaries sue to block vaccine mandates, citing religious freedom
By Bob Smietana — November 5, 2021
(RNS) — Al Mohler, president of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, said he has encouraged people to get vaccinated but opposes mandates.
Can anyone lead the Southern Baptist Convention forward?
By Bob Smietana — October 19, 2021
(RNS) — Ronnie Floyd joins a growing list of SBC leaders who resigned due to controversy.
Ronnie Floyd, SBC Executive Committee chief, resigns, citing damage to his reputation
By Bob Smietana — October 14, 2021
(RNS) — Floyd’s plans to unite Southern Baptists around evangelism and missions were overshadowed by controversy.
SBC committee waives privilege after bitter debate, moving abuse investigation forward
By Bob Smietana — October 5, 2021
(RNS) — ‘We deserve what is coming for us as a people,’ said Tiffany Thigpen, abuse survivor.
Beth Moore and Russell Moore share laughter, regrets at Nashville church
By Bob Smietana — September 10, 2021
NASHVILLE (RNS) — At a Nashville church, the former Southern Baptist leaders spoke about leaving the SBC and keeping the faith.
Faith-based disaster relief groups balance COVID safety with speedy response to Hurricane Ida
By Bob Smietana — August 31, 2021
(RNS) — The surge in COVID-19 rates makes responding to disasters like Ida more complicated.
