NASHVILLE, Tenn., May 30, 2019—Russell Moore, president of The Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention, commended a new proposal announced today that would establish a new standing credentials committee to assess claims of sexual misconduct against Southern Baptist churches.
In response to the proposal, Moore said:
"This proposal for a standing credentials committee is an excellent step in addressing issues related to church sexual abuse. No one policy in a church or in a denomination is enough, but this is a monumental advance, as part of a larger, concerted effort at education, equipping, and response. As Baptists, we cooperate together on the basis of shared doctrine and a shared mission. Having a better process for helping us to know when a church is or is not in friendly cooperation is positive and healthy. That's especially true when it comes to churches that are negligent, or complicit, in the abuse of vulnerable people. I am grateful to work with SBC President J.D. Greear, SBC Executive Committee President Ronnie Floyd and others on addressing, together, this crisis. This is not a one-year issue, but an ongoing project requiring constant vigilance and reform. I am thankful for this great move in such a direction, and I support it wholeheartedly."
The full proposal—which will be considered by the Executive Committee of the Southern Baptist Convention next month at its June 10 meeting—can be accessed at Baptist Press at this link.
