Southern Baptist Convention
Southern Baptists apologize to abuse survivors and urge criminalizing pastoral abuse
By Bob Smietana and Adelle M. Banks — June 15, 2022
ANAHEIM, Calif. (RNS) — For the second day in a row, Southern Baptists meeting in Anaheim called for action to address the issue of sexual abuse after years of delay.
Bart Barber elected president of Southern Baptist Convention in runoff election
By Adelle M. Banks — June 14, 2022
ANAHEIM, Calif. (RNS) — The election was one of the closely watched aspects of the two-day meeting, during which messengers, or delegates, addressed a sexual abuse investigation.
Southern Baptists overwhelmingly approve abuse reforms amid contentious first day of meetings
By Adelle M. Banks and Bob Smietana — June 14, 2022
(RNS) — ‘We have guests with us and many of them have suffered much,’ Southern Baptist President Ed Litton said. ‘We thank those survivors for being with us today.’
Slideshow: Opening Day at the SBC annual meeting in Anaheim
By Kit Doyle — June 14, 2022
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.
#ChurchToo revelations growing, years after movement began
By Peter Smith and Holly Meyer — June 13, 2022
(AP) — In recent weeks #ChurchToo has seen an especially intense set of revelations across denominations and ministries.
Saddleback Church backs Rick Warren successor despite allegations
By Bob Smietana — June 12, 2022
(RNS) — Questions have been raised about the leadership style of Andy Wood, pastor of Echo Church in San Francisco, days after he was announced as Warren's successor.
Robin Hadaway, SBC presidential candidate, favors balance in handling abuse claims
By Adelle M. Banks — June 10, 2022
(RNS) — At a forum of candidates for Southern Baptist Convention president, Hadaway spoke of the ‘fine line’ between addressing those who are abused and those being accused.
Bart Barber, SBC presidential candidate, on past, future action to address abuse
By Adelle M. Banks — June 10, 2022
(RNS) — Barber said his approach as a church leader regarding reports of abuse allegations is to tell his staff: ‘Call the police first and then let me know.’
Tom Ascol, would-be SBC president, worries churches have lost hold of the Bible
By Bob Smietana — June 10, 2022
(RNS) — Ascol has long argued Southern Baptist churches are filled with people who believe they are Christians but really aren't — a belief shaped by growing up with an abusive father who was also a church deacon.
When Southern Baptists meet next week, anything could happen
By Bob Smietana — June 10, 2022
(RNS) — The nation’s largest Protestant denomination meets next week in the wake of a major report on abuse and continuing polarization.
Calls for SBC to cut ties with Guidepost Solutions greet firm’s Pride month tweet
By Bob Smietana — June 8, 2022
(RNS) — Despite the controversy over Guidepost and its support for LGBTQ+ equality, SBC leaders continue working on reforms to address abuse.
The SBC, Animal Farm & Disneyland + Jonathan Merritt
By Roxanne Stone — June 8, 2022
Roxy Stone and guest host Jonathan Merritt discuss their Southern Baptist upbringings and how it feels to watch your childhood denomination go so off the rails.
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.
Sex, belonging and the Southern Baptists
By Brian D. McLaren — June 2, 2022
(RNS) — We need to coin a new Latin phrase for our religious lives: Caveat fidelis, ‘Let the believer beware.’
