J.D. Greear
Southern Baptists approve amendments dealing with sexual abuse, racism
By Adelle M. Banks — June 11, 2019
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (RNS) — At their annual meeting, Southern Baptists approved constitutional amendments aimed at dealing with abuse. If approved again next year, the amendments would allow the nation's largest Protestant denomination to remove churches that mishandle allegations of abuse or misconduct.
Women sex abuse survivors tell Southern Baptists: ‘Our family is sick’
By Adelle M. Banks — June 11, 2019
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (RNS) — One woman, who said she was abused by her youth pastor and then her senior pastor, said the intervention of a trusted adult is crucial for survivors.
Southern Baptist president says racial insensitivity shows disregard for the gospel
By Adelle M. Banks — June 10, 2019
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (RNS) — 'The gospel teaches us that there’s only one kind of person: human,' said J.D. Greear.
Southern Baptist report condemns ‘epidemic’ of abuse, looks at ways to assist victims
By Adelle M. Banks — June 8, 2019
(RNS) — The 'Caring Well' report also summarizes a range of next steps to address the issue for years to come, including educating congregations about abuse, preparing them to help survivors and fostering abuse prevention.
Southern Baptist leaders plan to remedy ‘insufficient’ approach to abuse claims
By Adelle M. Banks — June 3, 2019
(RNS) — Their denomination’s Executive Committee may also vote to create a year-round Credentials Committee that will consider complaints about churches mishandling abuse or 'discriminatory behavior on the basis of ethnicity.'
Southern Baptist executive group urges caution before investigating church abuse
By Adelle M. Banks — February 26, 2019
(RNS) — The work group determined that six on Greear’s list require 'no further inquiry,' three should be investigated and one is not a Southern Baptist congregation.
Southern Baptists should investigate churches that cover up abuse, says SBC president
By Bob Smietana — February 18, 2019
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (RNS) — While blaming the abusers, SBC President J.D. Greear called on the convention as a whole 'to repent of a culture that has made abuse, cover-ups, and evading accountability far too easy.'
For Southern Baptists, sex abuse prevention is a local matter
By Yonat Shimron — February 15, 2019
DURHAM, N.C. (RNS) — Only larger, better-resourced Southern Baptist churches have policies in place to protect children from abuse.
Southern Baptist leaders vow to improve addressing sex abuse after papers’ report
By Adelle M. Banks — February 11, 2019
(RNS) — 'I am committed to doing everything possible to ensure we never make these mistakes again,' Southern Baptist Convention President J.D. Greear said in response to an investigation by Texan newspapers.
As Southern Baptists mull executive vacancies, will diversity play a role?
By Adelle M. Banks — February 6, 2019
(RNS) — Two former SBC presidents, joined by a Las Vegas pastor, took the unusual step of sending a letter to the search committee for the new president of the SBC Executive Committee, inquiring about the breadth of efforts to fill the position.
Seeking unity, J.D. Greear assumes Southern Baptist presidency
By Adelle M. Banks — July 16, 2018
(RNS) — The first Generation X president of the nation’s largest Protestant denomination said he wants to focus more on what all Southern Baptists embrace than what divides them.
J.D. Greear is ready to give Southern Baptists a makeover
By Yonat Shimron — June 6, 2018
DURHAM, N.C. (RNS) — If he wins the presidency next week, he will be the youngest SBC leader in two generations and usher in a more urban, entrepreneurial spirit, eager to transcend partisan divisions.
A reckoning for Southern Baptists, and an opportunity
By Jacob Lupfer — June 1, 2018
(RNS) — The daily drumbeat of bad news about SBC leaders has set the stage for the denomination’s annual meeting in Dallas this month. Will the meeting accelerate a decline? Or could it be the start of a revival? Our columnist's advice: Don’t write off the Southern Baptist Convention.
Evangelicals and refugees: Care first, conversion maybe later
By Adelle M. Banks — June 24, 2016
(RNS) 'We feel like as a church our first step is to serve and to do that not so that they’ll become Christians, but because we are Christians,' one pastor said.
Prominent pastor: “The Spirit inside of you is better than Jesus beside you”
By Jonathan Merritt — December 17, 2014
Mega-church pastor J.D. Greear has been quietly amassing influence among conservative evangelicals. Now, he's making waves with a new book about the Holy Spirit.
