abuse
Southern Baptist youth pastor and National Guard chaplain suspended after arrest on solicitation charges
By Bob Smietana — July 13, 2021
(RNS) — Fairfield Baptist Church in Tennessee says it is shocked by the arrest of the church's youth minister and will cooperate with authorities.
SBC president Ed Litton announces task force to oversee Executive Committee abuse review
By Bob Smietana — July 9, 2021
(RNS) — At their annual meeting in Nashville last month, Southern Baptists directed their new president to appoint a task force looking into claims that Baptist leaders mishandled abuse allegations.
Can a tender-hearted president solve the Southern Baptists’ trust problem?
By Bob Smietana — June 23, 2021
(RNS) — The nation's largest Protestant denomination is based on voluntary cooperation by more than 40,000 churches. That cooperation is threatened by growing distrust of national leaders.
Southern Baptists approve abuse task force, say abusive pastors should be banned
By Bob Smietana — June 16, 2021
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (RNS) — The task force will address concerns Southern Baptist leaders have mistreated abuse victims and mishandled allegations of abuse.
Southern Baptist Executive Committee hires Guidepost Solutions to review Moore allegations
By Bob Smietana — June 11, 2021
(RNS) — SBC leaders have been accused of trying to delay attempts to deal with abuse and of mistreating abuse survivors.
‘Preserve the base’: Leaked audio of SBC leaders shows reluctance on dealing with sex abuse
By Bob Smietana and Adelle M. Banks — June 10, 2021
(RNS) — Recordings released by a prominent pastor highlight dispute over how to handle abuse allegations in the nation's largest Protestant denomination.
Guidepost report: Bryan Loritts mishandled abuse allegations at former church but did not cover them up
By Bob Smietana — March 31, 2021
(RNS) — A new report shows how much churches still need to learn about dealing with abuse.
Jennifer Lyell wanted to stop her abuser by telling her story. Instead, her life fell apart.
By Bob Smietana — March 18, 2021
(RNS) — When pastors or churches talk about misconduct as a ‘moral failing’ instead of abuse, they send a message that victims and survivors are partially to blame.
Ravi Zacharias ministry to change focus to supporting evangelism and abuse victims
By Bob Smietana — March 10, 2021
(RNS) — The nonprofit founded by the disgraced evangelist Ravi Zacharias announced plans to trim its workforce and alter its focus.
Bible teacher Beth Moore, splitting with Lifeway, says, ‘I am no longer a Southern Baptist’
By Bob Smietana — March 9, 2021
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (RNS) — The famed Bible study teacher said she no longer feels at home in the denomination that once saved her life.
Appeals court rules in favor of Pressler accuser, says abuse lawsuit can go forward
By Bob Smietana — March 1, 2021
(RNS) — A former aide to retired judge Paul Pressler has alleged that the Southern Baptist leader had abused him for decades.
Southern Baptists expel four churches for abuse and LGBTQ membership
By Bob Smietana — February 23, 2021
(RNS) — Denominational leaders also accepted a report on the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission but took no action.
Ravi Zacharias posthumously defrocked, ministry suspends fundraising after abuse report
By Bob Smietana — February 19, 2021
(RNS) — Ravi Zacharias International Ministries has shut down fundraising as it deals with the fallout from a report about its founders. Several overseas offices of RZIM have also been affected by the report. RZIM Canada has announced it will shut down.
SBC president JD Greear’s church launches inquiry into past actions of Bryan Loritts
By Bob Smietana — January 22, 2021
(RNS) — Questions have been raised about how Loritts handled accusations that his brother-in-law secretly videotaped women in a church bathroom.
God is Grey’s Brenda Davies receives cease and desist from Christian parenting experts
By Kathryn Post — July 31, 2020
(RNS) — Stelle Jacobson characterized her father Matt Jacobson's corporal punishment as “110% into an abuse category” and said the abuse has resulted in her feeling unsafe around men.
