abuse
Jules Woodson and tech exec team up to help abuse survivors get therapy and heal
By Bob Smietana — September 13, 2022
(RNS) — A new nonprofit called Help;Hear;Heal plans to fund counseling appointments for abuse survivors.
Department of Justice to investigate Southern Baptist sexual abuse
By Bob Smietana — August 12, 2022
(RNS) — News of the federal investigations comes several months after the nation's largest denomination passed new reforms aimed at addressing abuse.
Saddleback elders say no ‘pattern of abuse’ found in investigation of new pastor
By Bob Smietana — July 13, 2022
(RNS) — Saddleback’s elders mentioned there had been conflict at the church previously run by their new pastor but said ‘disappointment and hurt are not the same as abuse.’
Patriarchy and purity culture combine to silence women in the Southern Baptist Convention – and are blocking efforts to address the sexual abuse scandal
By Julie Ingersoll — June 14, 2022
(The Conversation) — Accused men were protected by the SBC while the women who dared to speak up were called sluts, adulteresses, Jezebels and even agents of Satan. A scholar of evangelicalism writes about this culture.
SBC leader warns that trying to prevent abuse will destroy the mission
By Bob Smietana — June 2, 2022
North Carolina lawyer Joe Knott said the SBC should focus on fighting sin rather than addressing issues like abuse.
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.
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.
SBC pastor Willy Rice dismisses deacon and Florida ‘faith adviser’ over past
By Bob Smietana — April 4, 2022
(RNS) — Rice had been a leading candidate for SBC president — during a year when an investigation into how the denomination handled abuse is underway.
SBC President Ed Litton on racial reconciliation, SBC decline and his own failings
By Bob Smietana — March 3, 2022
(RNS) — The Alabama pastor hopes to spend time focused on racial reconciliation and getting Southern Baptists ready to respond to an abuse report in his last few months in office.
SBC President Ed Litton won’t run again — to focus on racial reconciliation instead
By Bob Smietana — March 1, 2022
(RNS) — Litton will become the first SBC president in four decades to not seek reelection after his first one-year term.
Southern Baptist leaders stress unity, trust during drama-free meeting
By Bob Smietana — February 22, 2022
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (RNS) — During Monday's meeting, Baptist leaders tried to put the divisive tone of past meetings behind them.
Willie McLaurin, interim Executive Committee leader, is SBC’s first Black entity head
By Adelle M. Banks — February 1, 2022
(RNS) — ‘My prayer is that this season will bring healing and unity to our Convention,’ said the new interim president of the Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee.
