The Sexual Abuse Task Force recommendations, Psalm 139 Project, and a shortage of baby formula
By / Jun 3

In this episode, Brent and Lindsay discuss the Sexual Abuse Task Force recommendations, the Psalm 139 Project teaming up with former NFL player Ben Watson, and the baby formula shortage. They also discuss the debates on the Hill about gun control, and weeping with those who weep. 

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  • Dobbs Resource Page Prayer Guide | Right now, the Supreme Court is considering a major Mississippi abortion case called Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization. The ERLC and other pro-life organizations filed an amicus brief in this case urging the Supreme Court to overturn the disatrous Roe v. Wade decision. Members of our team also joined pro-life advocates on the steps of the Supreme Court when oral arguments were heard last December. As we approach the Supreme Court’s final decision in June of this year, it’s important for Christians to pray for this landmark case and begin preparing our churches to serve vulnerable women and children in a potential post-Roe world. Download our free prayer guide at ERLC.com/Dobbs.
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A lament in response to sexual abuse in the SBC
By / May 23

The tragic reality of those who have been abused, marginalized, and stonewalled by many in the Southern Baptist Convention, as revealed by the Sexual Abuse Task Force report, is cause for deep lament and grief. In the midst of this dark moment, our first response is to cry out to the Lord. He alone can bring the comfort that survivors long for, bring abusers and enablers to perfect justice, and purify his church. Below is a sample prayer that you can use in your individual prayer life or with your church as you cry out for the Lord’s grace and mercy during such a horrific time. 

——–

Father,

How long, O Lord, will the wicked succeed? How long will the ones who should be trustworthy, who should protect, bring harm while using your name as a cover? How long will an understanding of you and your Bride be harmed by the wickedness of sexual abuse? How long will the picture of a shepherd that should reflect your perfect justice and love instead be perverted, bringing fear and causing unspeakable trauma?

We are grieving, Lord. We are saddened and angered by the sin that has infected your church and that has been allowed to fester for so long. We lament the betrayal by those who should have been trustworthy. We agonize over the ones who should have been respected, protected, and cherished but have been grievously violated and ignored.

Lord, may you act to protect the vulnerable, cleanse our churches of this heinous sin, and keep the abused safe. May you act to thwart the wicked who uses his power and relationship to harm others. May you bring all injustice and unrighteousness into the light and to account. Break our hearts for what has been exposed and what may not even be known yet. Root out these sins and expose the fullness of the truth to the light. May all see the deception associated with abuse and not fall for the grooming tactics employed by those who are deceivers. May you comfort the afflicted and humble the ones in need of repentance. May you give us a steadfast resolve to hold abusers to account and encourage and walk alongside the abused.

May we step in and fight for the defenseless. May the government rightly bear her sword to judge the ungodly and the abusive. May you grant wisdom and strength to those in leadership to hold abusers and those who enabled it to account. May brothers and sisters step in to protect and care for the afflicted as they reflect your tender love and care for the most vulnerable among us. May your church be a picture of the safety and care that you have for your people.

May the afflicted see they are not alone. May they see you as you are—an ever-present help in trouble and a loving shepherd in the midst of a dark storm. Lord, you are good and active in the midst of this great darkness. Help us, your people, meet all of those affected by these revelations with love, grace, and care. Help us to meet tangible needs and stand beside those made in your image through the long haul. Help us to be faithful. And grant those who have endured abuse courage and strength as they walk this difficult path and seek safety and justice.

Lord, our words are not enough. Our hearts are broken. Sin has now been revealed for all to see. We plead with you to give us repentant hearts and a contrite spirit that will do what’s right, no matter the cost or how long it takes. 

In Jesus’ just and merciful name,

Amen 

SBC committees take votes related to sexual abuse
By / Sep 24

This month two SBC committees, the Executive Committee of the Southern Baptist Convention and the Board of Trustees of the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission (ERLC), held meetings in which they addressed concerns related to sexual abuse. 

During the recent 2021 Southern Baptist Convention Annual Meeting, a motion was made calling for an “audit and assessment of sexual abuse within the SBC.” That motion was referred to the ERLC. Acting ERLC president, Brent Leatherwood, said the ERLC was the appropriate entity to initiate the assessment, and that the staff were eager to begin work on the project. 

The trustees voted unanimously to move forward on the motion by saying, “We wholeheartedly support the intent of this motion and are committed to taking the necessary steps to secure the best oversight team and funding required to complete a comprehensive and thorough assessment, including the allocation of ERLC reserve funds to help offset the costs as needed.”

The ERLC board allocated $250,000 as a “first commitment” toward the project and assigned the ERLC staff with three tasks: 

  1. Present for approval by the full board an advisory committee with broad representation to help oversee and execute the study process;
  2. Begin working with other SBC entities and organizations to develop partnerships and funding for the study; and 
  3. Develop a scope of work, for approval by the full board, and gather proposals from qualified independent firms to complete the study.

At the Annual Meeting, the messengers of the SBC also called for an investigation into sexual abuse responses by and coverup within the Executive Committee of the Southern Baptist Convention (EC). Although the EC had commissioned its own independent inquiry through Guidepost Solutions, the messengers made a motion to transfer oversight of that investigation or launch an additional one to a new task force. On Sept. 9, 2021, the task force announced that Guidepost Solutions was retained to conduct the independent assessment and investigation regarding the EC. 

The mandate, as directed by the SBC motion, is that Guidepost will investigate:

  • Allegations of abuse by Executive Committee members
  • Mishandling of abuse allegations by Executive Committee members between Jan. 1, 2000, to June 14, 2021
  • Allegations of mistreatment of sexual abuse victims by Executive Committee members from Jan. 1, 2000, to June 14, 2021
  • Patterns of intimidation of sexual abuse victims or advocates from Jan. 1, 2000, to June 14, 2021
  • Resistance to sexual abuse reform initiatives from Jan. 1, 2000, to June 14, 2021


The messengers at the 2021 Annual Meeting instructed the EC to abide by the recommendations of Guidepost, up to and including the waiver of attorney-client privilege.

This week, the EC held its first meeting since the Annual Meeting in June. The EC is tasked with carrying out the work of the Convention and promoting the general work of Southern Baptists in the interim between the annual meetings. 

Although the EC does not control or direct the activities of Convention agencies, such as the ERLC or IMB, it reviews their financial statements and recommends the Convention’s annual operating budget. In addition, the EC receives and distributes the monies given in support of denominational ministries, acts as the recipient and trust agency for all Convention properties, and provides public relations and news services. 

The EC is composed of 86 representatives chosen from qualified states and regions. Officers of the EC are elected from these representatives. To carry out these duties, the EC also employs an executive and professional staff in its Nashville offices.

In this week’s meeting, following hours of deliberations, several significant actions occurred. A vote to waive attorney-client privilege failed 55-20, raising concerns the board had undermined the “will of the messengers.” The EC eventually authorized funding the Guidepost budget of $1.6 million. A request by the EC was also made for the Task Force and EC officers to agree on a contract in seven days, which will be September 28th. The motion said this was to be done “without waiving complete attorney-client privilege at this time” but is “being fleshed out through negotiation.”  

A motion was approved to get an outside legal option to look into the conflict of interest regarding the Convention and EC lawyers. The law firm Friday, Eldredge & Clark was retained to study these potential conflicts of interest in relation to the SBC’s legal counsel. Another law firm, Locke Lord, was also hired to aid with the forthcoming independent review. Additionally, the EC approved a motion to fund the SBC Executive Committee legal fees related to the independent investigation from the committee’s operating reserves. The approval was for up to $500,000 with the requirement that the Committee on Convention Finances and Stewardship Development must be notified when half the funds have been expended.

Why we should be cautious in using criminal or traumatic offenses to illustrate forgiveness
By / Sep 22

Let’s start this chapter by admitting that we like to use hyperbole — extreme examples to clarify our points. We Christians may be particularly fond of it when we’re illustrating an important theme of the gospel, such as forgiveness.

Is hyperbole bad? No, Jesus used it (Matthew 5:27–30). Can it be used poorly? Yes. But before we get to the problem, let’s consider the purpose of illustrations. We use illustrations to make points clearer. If illustrations don’t make our point clearer, then they’re not good illustrations — they’re distractions. Sometimes this just results in ineffective teaching. Other times, it can be harmful to those being taught.

Imagine a father explaining forgiveness to his son. He uses the illustration of when his wife (the child’s mother) forgave him for having an affair. The dad may be making theologically rich, well-articulated, and skillfully applied points about forgiveness. But the illustration is a distraction. All the kid can think is, “Are my parents getting a divorce? Are we going to have to move?”

This is what we frequently do when we use criminal or traumatic offenses1Most offenses that are criminal are traumatic, but not every offense that is traumatic is criminal. What needs to be understood here is that criminality (legal process) and traumatic nature (healing process) of recovery from hurts of these kinds are different from normal day-to-day offenses. as illustrations of what it means to forgive. When we recount the testimony of someone who has been raped, beaten, or similarly offended forgiving the person who abused them, we are putting every survivor who hears us in a comparable position as the son in the illustration above.

When, in a ministry context, we talk about someone forgiving their rapist, we are not providing legal or counseling advice on how to respond to the experience of rape. When we give an example of someone forgiving an abusive spouse or parent, we don’t explain what happens when you call Child Protective Services (CPS) or how to make a safety plan.2For guidance on how to pastorally care in these situations, consider lessons 2, 3, 5, 6, and 7 at https://churchcares.com.  But because survivors only hear their experience discussed in church as an illustration of forgiveness, they begin to think “just forgive” is the only guidance God has for them.

A good rule of thumb is don’t use these kinds of illustrations if you do not have the training or time in your sermon/lesson to provide substantive guidance on how to respond to a criminal or traumatic experience. If we are going to use illustrations of this emotional weight, we must be willing to devote the time the subject matter requires. It is pastorally irresponsible to do otherwise.

Illustrations with criminal offenses

When using an illustration or testimony involving a criminal offense, the following points would need to be made (this list is representative, not exhaustive):

  • It is right and God-honoring to report such an offense to the authorities (Romans 13), that is, the police.3If you want to understand more about how Romans 13 and 1 Corinthians 6 harmonize with each other, consider reading “Why Is It Inappropriate (and Dangerous) to Alert an Alleged Offender of Abuse before Calling CPS and/or the Police?,” bradhambrick.com, April 16, 2019. 
  • If children are not involved and the thought of reporting is hard, it is wise for a survivor to talk to a counselor experienced in working with abuse/rape survivors because these are legitimately difficult decisions.
  • Choosing to pursue legal action against criminal activity is not an expression of bitterness or unforgiveness.
  • Forgiveness is one part, and usually not the first part, of the healing journey after the experience of abuse or rape.
  • When you reach the point that forgiveness is the next part of God’s healing process for you, forgiveness does not mean trusting or placing yourself in the position to be vulnerable again. If the person who hurt you demands trust or leverages the Bible against you, they are continuing to be abusive.

These points take time in a sermon or lesson. Admittedly, they steal the thunder from a point about forgiveness. But realize, without these clarifications, the “thunder” of your message will be haunting to someone who has not had the opportunity to process their experience.

Illustrations with traumatic experiences

When using an illustration or testimony involving an offense that is traumatic, the following points would need to be made (this list is also representative, not exhaustive):

  • Painful memories are not the same thing as bitterness.
  • Hypervigilance after a traumatic experience is not the same thing as a lack of faith.
  • Flat emotions after a traumatic experience does not mean you’re unloving, apathetic, or not worshipping.4If you are unfamiliar with the common symptom clusters that frequently emerge after a traumatic experience, consider watching step 2 in this resource on trauma: “Post-Traumatic Stress (Seminar Videos),” bradhambrick.com, September 25, 2015
  • Seeing a counselor experienced in working with trauma survivors can help a survivor learn to manage the emotional fluctuations that often occur after a trauma.
  • Forgiveness does not erase memory. For offenses that are disruptive when remembered, Miroslav Volf’s book The End of Memory can be a helpful discussion of forgiveness.

Again, these kinds of points do break the momentum of your sermon or lesson. But to the person who has experienced the kind of things you are using as an illustration, that “momentum” feels like an avalanche. To the person who is learning to manage their trauma, slower is safer. If we are going to speak of their life experience, then we should do so with the tenderness that experience requires.

This chapter forces us to consider again where we began this book — forgiveness means someone has been hurt. Criminal and traumatic offenses mean that there are more consequences to this person’s pain.5If you are prone to the rebuttal, “But aren’t we all equally sinful? Criminal sin doesn’t need to be double-dipped in the blood of Jesus, does it?” I encourage you to read “We Are Equally Sinful. We Are Not All Equally Broken or Toxic,” bradhambrick.com, October 13, 2017, http://bradhambrick.com/we-are-equally-sinful-we-are-not-all-equally-broken-or-toxic/.  We need to take this into account when we teach on or talk about forgiveness.

Considering these things, take a moment to read Psalm 23:1-4:

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters.
He restores my soul.
He leads me in paths of righteousness
for his name’s sake.
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me. (emphasis added)

Why did I choose to emphasize the word walk? It is a pacing verb. It reveals the pace at which the Good Shepherd is willing to go. The Good Shepherd moves at the pace that is best for the sheep. The scary setting — the valley of the shadow of death — does not rush the pace. The health and ability of the sheep set the pace. Sheep with a limp traverse the valley more slowly.

If we are going to be accurate ambassadors of the Good Shepherd, we must prioritize our ministry efforts the same way. We cannot let our zeal for the destination cause us to harm the sheep who have been entrusted to our care. That is what this chapter has been about: helping us pace our illustrations about forgiveness to the needs of those who have been hurt.

Questions for reflection

1. When have you seen an illustration become a distraction? If it was around a sensitive subject, how did it detract from the care agenda of the person teaching?

2. How does the pacing verb “walk” of the Good Shepherd help you understand the pastoral significance in discussing criminal and traumatic offenses in the holistic manner recommended in this chapter?

Excerpted from Making Sense of Forgiveness © 2021 by Brad Hambrick. Used by permission of New Growth Press. May not be reproduced without prior written permission. To purchase this and other helpful resources, please visit newgrowthpress.com.

  • 1
    Most offenses that are criminal are traumatic, but not every offense that is traumatic is criminal. What needs to be understood here is that criminality (legal process) and traumatic nature (healing process) of recovery from hurts of these kinds are different from normal day-to-day offenses.
  • 2
    For guidance on how to pastorally care in these situations, consider lessons 2, 3, 5, 6, and 7 at https://churchcares.com. 
  • 3
    If you want to understand more about how Romans 13 and 1 Corinthians 6 harmonize with each other, consider reading “Why Is It Inappropriate (and Dangerous) to Alert an Alleged Offender of Abuse before Calling CPS and/or the Police?,” bradhambrick.com, April 16, 2019. 
  • 4
    If you are unfamiliar with the common symptom clusters that frequently emerge after a traumatic experience, consider watching step 2 in this resource on trauma: “Post-Traumatic Stress (Seminar Videos),” bradhambrick.com, September 25, 2015
  • 5
    If you are prone to the rebuttal, “But aren’t we all equally sinful? Criminal sin doesn’t need to be double-dipped in the blood of Jesus, does it?” I encourage you to read “We Are Equally Sinful. We Are Not All Equally Broken or Toxic,” bradhambrick.com, October 13, 2017, http://bradhambrick.com/we-are-equally-sinful-we-are-not-all-equally-broken-or-toxic/.

The Light Shining in the Darkness
By / Dec 17

The floodgates began to open up in October 2017 with the phrase “Me too” on Twitter. Exhausted and fueled by the injustice of abuse and the devastation of enduring years of cover-up, people began to share their accounts of sexual abuse and assault, which led to countless predators being brought to justice amid a powerful movement that continues today. 

Some of the stories that circulated in the media included the conviction of Harvey Weistein, a powerful film producer; the firing of Matt Lauer, the long-time co-host of the “Today Show,” in light of numerous sexual harassment allegations; and the trial and conviction of Larry Nassar, the USA gymnastics doctor, who was a serial child sexual abuser. 

Yet, for all the stories that made national headlines, there were countless other victims whose names may never be known but who courageously decided to share what happened to them and bring their abusers to account. Many of them revealed that abuse wasn’t just in the world but that tragically their victimization was tied to the church. As a Christian woman, I am horrified by what people have endured at the hands of those who should have kept them safe in Jesus’ name. This should not be so. 

The ERLC, together with the Sexual Abuse Advisory Group of the SBC, has continued working to try to prevent more terrible instances like this from happening in the future and to care well for victims. That’s why we wanted to focus this issue of Light Magazine on educating and equipping Christians to stand against sexual abuse and advocate for the safety and care of those within our churches. 

This volume includes various resources that we pray will be used to help make our churches safe for survivors and safe from abuse, including an article by Travis Wussow, the ERLC’s vice president of public policy, that covers updates on the SBC’s ongoing work in this area; a piece by Justin and Lindsey Holcomb on how to protect your children from sexual abuse; and a reflection by Brad Hambrick, editor of the Becoming a Church that Cares Well for the Abused curriculum, on ministering to those who have experienced abuse. Most importantly, this edition contains personal testimonies from brave survivors who have chosen to share their experiences in order to benefit others. We welcome your feedback at [email protected] if you have questions or comments after reading this issue. 

Too many have been hidden in plain sight as victims of abuse, and it is our prayer that our powerful and compassionate Father would use efforts like this magazine to bring hope, help, and healing to the ones who should have received the dignity and respect they deserve as those made in God’s image. Though the work is plentiful, the road is long, and the obstacles are many, we must press on, offering support, care, and the love of our Savior, who will not allow his beloved to be overcome by the darkness. 

Lindsay Nicolet
Managing Editor, Light Magazine

Priorities for the Sexual Abuse Advisory Group
By / Nov 11

When Southern Baptists gathered in Birmingham in 2019, they showed their continued commitment to fight against sexual abuse in several ways, one being by passing a resolution on the evils of sexual abuse. In that resolution, Southern Baptists asked for forgiveness “for failing to cultivate a culture of protection for those in Southern Baptist churches and institutions who have been sexually abused.” They resolved “to create a culture where victims can not only share about their abuse with the assurance of protection, but also receive care while church leaders fulfill their obligation to implement policies and practices that protect against and confront any form of abuse in the future.” 

As SBC President J.D. Greear said at the same 2019 Annual Meeting, “Our efforts on abuse don’t end here in Birmingham. This is just the beginning of a long journey together.” In this vein and on behalf of the messengers’ resolve, the ERLC and SAAG are committed to creating a culture that is safe for survivors and safe from abuse by preparing churches, promoting convention-wide action, and protecting the vulnerable through state-level public policy. 

We recognize the need for a widespread change and understand that a cultural shift takes years of effort. We will continue to raise awareness and to train to help churches embrace the findings of the SAAG and the resources provided to help them be safe for survivors and safe from abuse. We will continue in the comprehensive effort to educate, saturate, and motivate Southern Baptist churches, entities, and leaders to embrace and incorporate the recommendations and findings of the study group to ensure widespread adoption. Over the next year, the ERLC in partnership with the SAAG will continue to work in this area in the following ways:

Preparing churches

Caring Well Challenge relaunch

The Caring Well Challenge is a unified call to action in the SBC that is an attainable and adaptable pathway to help churches enhance their efforts to prevent abuse and care for abuse survivors. Over 1,000 churches took the Caring Well Challenge last year and were provided with helpful free resources and valuable insights to guide them through the process. But the Caring Well Challenge was not a one-time event. Churches who participated will continue to need resources, training, and to have this important issue set before them. Other Southern Baptist churches will also benefit from taking the challenge for the first time. 

We have updated the challenge to allow churches to join at any time and receive resources and equipping over the course of the following year. We will continue to promote and emphasize the Caring Well Challenge in the year to come.

Development of new resources for churches and ministries

The Caring Well Report was a starting point for a collective response to sexual abuse. Several resources have been developed to meet those needs including the Becoming a Church that Cares Well for the Abused curriculum, the Caring Well Conference, the Introductory Guide to Caring Well, and the Caring Well Challenge. 

Over 1,000 churches have participated in the Caring Well Challenge in 46 states/territories and several countries including Australia, Canada, Japan, Kenya, Kuwait, and South Africa. Over 2,800 churches had assigned the Becoming a Church that Cares Well for the Abused curriculum at churchcares.com. While we are thankful to see churches utilizing these resources and growing in their care and protection for people in their care, we recognize there is more to be done. 

Over the next year we will continue to release new resources that address in detail specific topics raised in the Caring Well Report, such as the following: 

Digital Resources During COVID:

Knowing that the stay-at-home orders have led to a rise in domestic and sexual abuse, we have produced resources during this time to raise awareness and to equip the church:

Also, knowing people were at home and on social media, we’ve also continued to create new content and share past content and resources on our website and platforms on issues concerning sexual abuse.

Hiring Guide: 

This resource will help churches protect and care for their congregations well by helping churches create a screening framework for hiring staff and select volunteers. Employment laws vary from state to state. While there are principles that apply to every church or ministry, each church will have to consider their specific context to best implement effective policies and procedures. There is no one-size-fits-all approach to making a church a safer place for children. This guide is designed to provide a starting point for church leaders who are working to implement effective hiring and screening policies to help prevent future abuse.

Reporting Guide: 

The Becoming a Church that Cares Well for the Abused curriculum provided an appendix with all the state reporting guidelines. As state laws have changed since it was released, an updated version is needed. In addition, we will be providing principles on reporting that are true no matter your location.

Responding to a Disclosure Resource: 

The Becoming a Church that Cares Well for the Abused curriculum and Introductory Guide to Caring Well contain a helpful starting point for the first steps a church should take when an individual discloses that sexual abuse or assault has occurred. Our goal is to extend and expand on that starting point to provide additional resources for churches who are seeking to care well for survivors and to ensure their churches are safe from abusers. This resource will discuss independent investigations, working with law enforcement, communications with church members, and protecting the survivor’s agency through this process.

Light Magazine:

The ERLC will be dedicating one of its bi-anual issues of Light Magazine to the topic of abuse. The issue will feature testimonies from survivors and articles written by experts on various topics related to abuse to continue to inform and equip churches and lay leaders.

Camp Counselor Recruiting Guide:

This resource will help churches protect and care for their congregants who attend overnight and day camps throughout the year. Camp environments present unique challenges to keeping congregants safe from abuse; this guide will provide a starting point for churches when recruiting camp counselors and other camp staff who will be responsible for children and minors.

VBS Volunteer Recruiting Guide:

Many churches around the country host or participate in Vacation Bible Schools during the summer months. This provides a great ministry environment for reaching our communities, but also necessitates implementing policies and procedures to keep children safe. This resource will help churches create policies or identify gaps in their existing policies to make these ministry opportunities safer from abuse. 

Promote convention-wide action

Caring Well Conference

In 2019, the ERLC hosted its national conference to confront the issue of abuse. The Caring Well Conference welcomed more than 1,500 attendees to Dallas, Texas, on Oct. 3-5. Participants listened to survivors, learned from experts, and left equipped to strengthen their churches’ engagement on the issue. These great resources are available as a free resource for churches to be equipped. Further, at caringwell.com, we have created a suggested training calendar for watching these talks as a church or leadership team. This suggested plan includes discussion questions.

Emphasis Sunday

Step seven of the Caring Well Challenge includes the call to dedicate a Sunday service to talking about abuse. While the commitment to safety and excellent care persists, congregations need to know the progress their church has made in making their churches safer for survivors and safer from abuse. This service provides the opportunity to do four things:

  1. Equip congregations to understand what the Bible says about abuse and the refuge God wants his church to be.
  2. Allow churches’ Caring Well teams to review the outcomes from each of the elements in the Caring Well Challenge.
  3. Acknowledge the continued need for growth in this area. We want to always be improving in how we prevent and care for the abused.
  4. Pray for those who are still healing from abuse and that God would allow the effects of the Caring Well Challenge to be lasting in the churches that participated.

We have provided resources at caringwell.com to help churches prepare for this Sunday and will continue to create resources to help churches implement this.

Protect the vulnerable

Federal public policy advocacy

Advocating for national laws and regulations that better protect churches and ministries from sexual abuse remains a top priority for the ERLC. The ERLC continues to explore federal policy changes that will protect children and hold abusers accountable.

State public policy advocacy

The ERLC, in conjunction with the Sexual Abuse Advisory Group, encourages Southern Baptist leaders and congregants to assess the laws surrounding sexual abuse within their respective states to evaluate if any additional legislation is needed to both ensure that survivors of sexual abuse have access to justice and that future abuse is prevented.

Texas Statute

Texas has recently enacted a law aimed at allowing churches and nonprofits to share the credible information they have about alleged abuse. Southern Baptist leaders in Texas crafted and passed HB 4345 giving immunity from civil liability to churches or other nonprofits that in good faith report allegations of sexual abuse to an individual’s current or prospective employer.1H.B. 4345, 86th Leg., Reg. Sess. (Tex. 2019). This allows church leaders to warn future employers about a potential predator by sharing a former employees’ sexual abuse and misconduct allegations without being sued. 

Missouri Bill

HB 1446 was introduced in the Missouri legislature by Rep. Doug Richey, who also serves as Senior Pastor of Pigsah Baptist Church, a Southern Baptist church in Excelsior Springs, Missouri.2H.B. 1446, 100th Gen. Assem., 2nd Reg. Sess. (Mo. 2019). The Missouri Baptist Convention supported the legislation.3“Bill filed to protect churches, target predators,” The Pathway (Jan. 2, 2020); Ben Hawkins, “Mo. House bill enables churches to fight abuse,” The Pathway (Mar. 25, 2020). The bill was heard in committee but did not pass the Missouri legislature in 2020, in part due to legislative disruptions caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Series of White Papers

The ERLC published a series of white papers focused on state policy issues related to sexual abuse such as sharing information between nonprofits, mandatory reporting, child protection, clergy abuse, and statute of limitations. 

The first is Facilitating Abuse Disclosures by Non-profits. Using the work already done in Texas and Missouri, the paper addresses perpetrators moving from church to church with near impunity. Abuse often goes unabated because perpetrators assume churches and nonprofit organizations will not share credible information about alleged abuses with future employers out of fears of being sued for defamation. While it is imperative for churches to protect the vulnerable whether they are shielded from liability or not, implementing legislation according to the recommendations in this white paper can facilitate abuse disclosures and protect churches who do the right thing.

The ERLC, in partnership with the SAAG, will continue to pursue the aforementioned priorities in the coming year to serve Southern Baptists. Many of these items are long-term initiatives we have engaged and will continue to engage for several. There will be continued efforts. This is not the end of our work on this subject, but only the beginning. We will continue to advance this important work, supported by Southern Baptists because we must do everything we can to protect the vulnerable and care for the survivors among us.

State Policy White Paper: Facilitating Abuse Disclosures by Nonprofits
By / Oct 30

In response to the revelations of a sexual abuse crisis in American society and recognizing that such abuse has occurred in Southern Baptist churches, Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) President J. D. Greear commissioned a Sexual Abuse Advisory Group (SAAG). He tasked the group with considering how Southern Baptists at every level can take discernible action to respond swiftly and compassionately to incidents of abuse, as well as to foster safe environments within churches and institutions.

Responding to the mandate from the messengers to the 2019 SBC meeting in Birmingham, who urged “churches and their leaders to develop partnerships within their communities to serve the abused, calling on government officials to strengthen laws and maintain justice and protections for the vulnerable in our society,” the ERLC in partnership with SAAG has studied various state-level legal mechanisms to confront sexual abuse. 

This white paper is a part of a series focused on state policy issues related to sexual abuse. The ERLC encouages Southern Baptist leaders and policymakers to assess the laws surrounding sexual abuse within their respective states to evaluate if new legislation is needed or would be helpful to ensure that survivors of sexual abuse have access to justice and that future abuse is prevented.

Liability for Disclosing Sexual Misconduct

The welcoming environment of most churches and nonprofits and their need to rely on volunteers to run their ministries makes many churches “soft targets” for abuse. When sexual predators are caught or suspicions arise as to their malevolent intent in one congregation, predators will often pack up and move on to the next soft target. And most alarmingly, many perpetrators are able to move from one church to another with near impunity. During investigative reporting into sexual abuse within Southern Baptist churches, the Houston Chronicle “found dozens of instances in which church leaders apparently failed to disclose concerns about former employees who applied for jobs at other congregations.”

This abuse pipeline from one church to another must be shut down. 

A part of this abuse pipeline rests in the confidence that perpetrators have that churches and nonprofit organizations will not share credible information about alleged abuses with future employers. This is because employers, even when they have credible information about alleged abuses, are reluctant to share that information out of a fear that the accused abuser will sue for defamation. Every circumstance is different, but perpetrators are aware of this legal issue and exploit it to their advantage.

Texas has recently enacted a law aimed at allowing churches and nonprofits to share the credible information they have about alleged abuse. Southern Baptist leaders in Texas crafted and passed HB 4345 giving immunity from civil liability to churches or other non-profits that in good faith report allegations of sexual abuse to an individual’s current or prospective employer. This allows church leaders to warn future employers about a potential predator by sharing a former employees’ sexual abuse and misconduct allegations without being sued. 

While it is imperative for churches to protect the vulnerable whether they are shielded from liability or not, a law such as this can make it easier for church leaders to do the right thing. Pastor Ben Wright, chairman of the Texas Ethics and Religious Liberty Committee of the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention, commented, 

This legislation will not solve the entire problem, but it will eliminate one obstacle. It will enable our convention of more than 2,600 churches to say that when you act in good faith, when you do what you need to do, you can do it without fear because the state of Texas stands behind you.

Sample Statute: Texas

This bill was authored and introduced by Texas state Senator Scott Sanford, who in addition to serving in elected office is Executive Pastor of Cottonwood Creek Church in Allen, Texas, a Southern Baptist church. The bill was passed by the Texas Legislature in 2019 and is now a part of Texas law.

Statute Text

Sec. 84.0066.  LIABILITY FOR DISCLOSING SEXUAL MISCONDUCT.  (a)  A charitable organization, or an employee, volunteer, or independent contractor of a charitable organization, acting in good faith, is immune from civil liability for any act to disclose to an individual’s current or prospective employer information reasonably believed to be true about an allegation that an individual who was employed by or served as a volunteer or independent contractor for the charitable organization or its associated charitable organizations:

(1)  engaged in sexual misconduct;
(2)  sexually abused another individual;
(3)  sexually harassed another individual; or
(4)  committed an offense under any of the following provisions of the Penal Code:

(A)  Section 20A.02(a)(3), (4), (7), or (8) (sex trafficking of persons);
(B)  Section 20A.03 (continuous trafficking of persons), if based partly or wholly on conduct that constitutes an offense under Section 20A.02(a)(3), (4), (7), or (8);
(C)  Section 22.011 (sexual assault) or 22.021 (aggravated sexual assault); or
(D)  Chapter 21 (sexual offenses) or 43 (public indecency).

(b)  Immunity from civil liability under Subsection (a) applies in relation to an allegation described by that subsection that was required to have been reported as abuse under Chapter 261, Family Code, only if the allegation has been, at the time of the act to disclose, previously reported to an appropriate agency under Section 261.103, Family Code.

(c)  An individual is not immune under this section from civil or criminal liability for:

(1)  disclosing the individual’s own conduct that constitutes:

(A)  sexual misconduct;
(B)  sexual abuse of another individual;
(C)  sexual harassment of another individual; or
(D)  an offense under any of the following provisions of the Penal Code:

(i)  Section 20A.02(a)(3), (4), (7), or (8) (sex trafficking of persons);
(ii)  Section 20A.03 (continuous trafficking of persons), if based partly or wholly on conduct that constitutes an offense under Section 20A.02(a)(3), (4), (7), or (8);
(iii)  Section 22.011 (sexual assault) or 22.021 (aggravated sexual assault); or
(iv)  Chapter 21 (sexual offenses) or 43 (public indecency); or

(2)  acting in bad faith or with a malicious purpose in making a disclosure described by Subsection (a).

Notes

  • Disclosure based on reasonable beliefs are protected: The language of the statute is designed to protect a disclosure that is based on reasonable belief: “information reasonably believed to be true.” This is an intentionally low threshold and is not tied to a defined evidentiary threshold, for example a preponderance of the evidence standard. However, as described below, the disclosures must be made in good faith.
  • Bad faith or malicious disclosures are not protected: A provision is included that specifically denies protection under the statute for disclosures made in bad faith or for a malicious purpose.
  • Applies to employees, volunteers, or independent contractors: It is important to include more than just employees, because nonprofit organizations and churches may deal with situations that involve volunteers and those who are not formally employed by the organization. This is a crucial element of the legislation to include in other states.
  • Types of behavior and misconduct covered by the statute: The scope of sexual crimes covered under the statute include sexual misconduct, sexual abuse of another, sexual harassment, and then refers to a number of offenses under the Texas Penal Code, including sexual assault, aggravated sexual assault, sex trafficking, public indecency, and other sexual offenses.
  • Inclusion of “sexual misconduct”: The term “sexual misconduct” is not defined by the statute and is not a reference to another portion of the Texas Penal Code. This term is intentionally broad, as the purpose of the statute is to facilitate sharing of information that will protect the public.
  • Limitation to properly reported situations: Subsection (b) includes a limitation on the applicability of the statute to misconduct that was properly reported to the authorities, if reporting was required under Texas’ sexual abuse reporting statute. This provision was not included in the introduced version of the bill and was added during the committee markup process in response to testimony offered by a member of the survivor community. The rationale for this provision is that organizations should not benefit if they did not follow the law when the incident took place. Although this is an understandable rationale for such a provision, it should be noted that this will serve as a deterrent to sharing information about past abuse, which is the core purpose of the statute.

Sample Bill: Missouri

HB 1446 was introduced in the Missouri legislature by Rep. Doug Richey, who also serves as Senior Pastor of Pigsah Baptist Church, a Southern Baptist church in Excelsior Springs, Missouri. The Missouri Baptist Convention supported the legislation. The bill was heard in committee but did not pass the Missouri legislature in 2020, in part due to legislative disruptions caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Bill Text

537.049. 1. No charity, nonprofit organization, religious organization, or church, or persons acting on behalf of a charity, nonprofit organization, religious organization, or church, shall be held civilly liable for any communication regarding an individual made directly to another charity, nonprofit organization, religious organization, or church, or persons acting on behalf of a charity, nonprofit organization, religious organization, or church, to the extent the communication concerns an allegation that the individual has:

(1) Engaged in sexual misconduct;
(2) Sexually abused another individual;
(3) Sexually harassed another individual;
(4) Committed any sexual offense under chapter 566; or
(5) Engaged in conduct affecting the individual’s fitness for religious ministry, but only in the case of a communication to a church or religious organization or persons acting on behalf of a church or religious organization.

2. Immunity from civil liability under subsection 1 of this section applies in relation to an allegation described in subsection 1 of this section that was required to have been reported as abuse under sections 210.109 to 210.183 only if the allegation has been, at the time of the act to disclose, previously reported to the children’s division within the department of social services under section 210.115.

3. An individual is not immune from liability under this section for:

(1) Disclosing the individual’s own conduct; or
(2) Any communication made with actual malice while making a disclosure described in subsection 1 of this section.

4. This section does not replace, limit, or alter any other defense or privilege available to a person based on communications.

Notes

  • Institutions disclosing sexual misconduct are protected: The statute protects organizations from civil liability in disclosing sexual misconduct by employees and representatives. This protection covers: charities, nonprofit organizations, religious organizations, and churches. The language of the statute also includes those who are representing these religious organizations to ensure that the reach of the statute is broad enough to encompass potential loopholes that predators may attempt to exploit. 
  • Disclosure about an individual’s own conduct is not protected: Those who are not immune to civil liability under this statute will include individuals who disclose their own sexual misconduct. 
  • Bad faith or malicious disclosures are not protected: A provision is included that specifically denies protection under the statute for disclosures made in bad faith or for a malicious purpose.
  • Covered allegations: The statute lists the following as sex crimes that are covered: sexual misconduct, sexual abuse, sexual harrasment and assault, and any offense that is commited under Missouri state law. 
  • Inclusion of “sexual misconduct”: The term “sexual misconduct” is not defined by the statute and is not a reference to another portion of the Missouri Code. This term is intentionally broad, as the purpose of the statute is to facilitate sharing of information that will protect the public.
  • Fitness for ministry provision: This provision is intended to ensure that fitness for ministerial service is protected discussion between two churches. The scope of this language is somewhat broader than sexual abuse, and this provision ensures that independent, congregationally governed churches are permitted to share information about ministerial fitness for prospective pastors and church leaders.
  • Limitation to properly reported situations: Subsection (2) includes a limitation on the applicability of the statute to misconduct that was properly reported to the authorities, if reporting was required under Missouri’s sexual abuse reporting statute. The rationale for this provision is that organizations should not benefit if they did not follow the law when the incident took place. Although this is an understandable rationale for such a provision, it should be noted that this will serve as a deterrent to sharing information about past abuse, which is the core purpose of the statute.

What is the Caring Well Hiring Guide?
By / Aug 31

“We thought our daughter was safe in the church youth group.” 

“We trusted him. He went to our church and knew our family.” 

“We had no idea the music pastor had a history of complaints at past churches.” 

“With so much on my plate as a single mom, I was thankful to have a man investing in my son. I had no idea the devastation he was causing and the ongoing trauma he would cause.”

“My marriage was failing, and I thought the pastor would be a safe place to turn for counsel. He took advantage of me when I was most vulnerable.”

Churches should be a place of refuge for the most vulnerable. But out of a desire to trust others, to encourage service, and because of a need for volunteers, churches can sometimes quickly place people in positions to fill necessary spots. This can put the vulnerable in danger, especially children and youth. In this way, wolves have entered the flock in sheep’s clothing.

One step churches can take to ensure that staff and volunteers are suitable for the positions in which they serve is to implement a methodical process to recruit and screen employees. This often takes time. It quickly fills slots to have someone show up to church, receive a cheap background check, and start serving right away, but making careful hiring decisions is an important way to protect the flock.

As Pastor Vance Pitman said when he joined the Shepherding the Flock panel at the 2019 Caring Well Conference, “Jesus had some very strong language for those who did not care for the smallest and the least of these. He said it would be better to tie a millstone around your neck and to throw it in the sea than to be a stumbling block to one of these little children. . . . We can’t afford not to do this in the day and age we are living in.” 

What is the purpose of the Hiring Guide?

Churches want to hire well and want to protect the vulnerable in their midst. The Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission, in partnership with the Sexual Abuse Advisory Group, has created the Caring Well Hiring Guide to provide a resource for churches to protect and care for their congregations well as they hire staff and select volunteers.

What are the practices in hiring or selecting volunteers that will help you see red flags and screen out those who should not be working with children? The Hiring Guide walks church leaders step by step through creating a screening framework. Whether you’re a small church who is considering the hiring process for staff and volunteers for the first time or if you are reviewing existing policies, this guide will walk you through practical steps to hire well.

Who is the Hiring Guide intended for?

This guide will help anyone responsible for hiring staff or selecting volunteers at a church or ministry. It could be especially helpful to executive pastors, children and student ministers, human resources directors, or volunteer coordinators. But it can be widely distributed to those beyond those positions. Those on the team not directly responsible for hiring could benefit from reading this resource, since the principles in this guide will help your full staff to create an environment that is safe for survivors and safe from abuse. Sharing the guide with your team will be one more way to reinforce how seriously your church takes protecting the vulnerable. Sharing this resource also allows for more individuals in the church to be aware of red flags or grooming practices and to speak up when they see something concerning.

What does it cover?

This resource covers everything from recruitment to the training of staff and volunteers. It includes sections on the following topics:

  • Written applications
  • Background checks
  • Reference checks
  • Internet checks
  • Interviews
  • Orientation and training

It answers questions such as such as:

  • What is helpful to include on written applications?
  • Are all background checks created equal?
  • Who should provide references?
  • What are red flags to watch for when interviewing a candidate?

As churches seek to be a refuge to the most vulnerable, this free new resource will help them evaluate their current processes to ensure that they are doing everything they can to screen staff and volunteers to protect those in their care. As Samantha Kilpatrick, a former prosecutor and attorney explains, “While the church has no control over the evil intent of the perpetrator, the church does have control over its ministry areas, how they operate, and who is eligible to serve in those ministries. The church must do everything in her power to lower the risk of sexual abuse and assault . . .” 

To learn more about screening staff and volunteers, click here to receive your free Hiring Guide today.

ERLC hosts conference to equip churches to confront sexual abuse
By / Oct 4

Churches should be a refuge for those who have experienced abuse. But, too often, survivors haven't found the protection they deserve and the care they need from the church. 

Although a strong and responsive church community can and should be a source of healing and comfort for a survivor of sexual violence, when churches fail, the effects are devastating. When abuse has been mixed with twisted theology or survivors have been met with skepticism or shame within their church community, the effects on their faith can be devastating.

The sexual abuse crisis in American society and in the church—represented by the #MeToo and #ChurchToo movements—prompted SBC President J. D. Greear to commission a Sexual Abuse Advisory Group within the denomination. The group was tasked with “considering how Southern Baptists at every level can take discernible action to respond swiftly and compassionately to incidents of abuse, as well as to foster safe environments within churches and institutions.”

This summer the ERLC and the SBC’s Sexual Abuse Advisory Group launched a new initiative called Caring Well designed to confront church sexual abuse. Caring Well provides churches with a simple, adaptable, and attainable pathway to immediately enhance their efforts to prevent abuse and care for abuse survivors. In addition, the initiative published a curriculum to equip churches called Becoming a Church that Cares Well for the Abused.

As part of the Caring Well initiative, the 2019 ERLC National Conference is presenting Caring Well: Equipping the Church to Confront the Abuse Crisis at the Gaylord Texan on October 3-5. This event features survivors, experts, pastors, and advocates who will seek to equip Christians on the subject of abuse and related issues to empower their churches in the process of becoming safe for survivors and safe from abuse. Some of the speakers include Beth Moore, Rachael Denhollander, Jackie Hill Perry, J.D. Greear, Kay Warren, and many more. 

You can watch a free simulcast of the conference at Live.ERLC.com. A schedule of the sessions that will be shown on the simulcast is posted below.

Friday Sessions

8:30-9:30 a.m. Breakout Session 1

  • Panel: Learning from Survivors: The Truth about What Helps and Hurts in the Healing Process – Trillia Newbell (moderator), Susan Codone, Kelly Rosati, Mary DeMuth, Andrew Schmutzer

10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. Morning Session

  • Facts vs. Myths: Understanding Who Child Sexual Abusers Actually Are – Gregory Love
  • Survivor Story – Jennifer Michelle Greenberg
  • Skillful Screening – Kimberlee Norris
  • Panel: Protecting the Vulnerable: Understanding The Church's Role in Preventing Abuse – Phillip Bethancourt (moderator), Samantha Kilpatrick, Carol Hogue, Kimberlee Norris

1:30-2:30 p.m. Breakout Session 2

  • Practical Steps for Abuse Prevention, Part 1: Improving Awareness and Understanding the Grooming Process – Gregory Love

3:00-4:00 p.m. Breakout Session 3

  • Practical Steps for Abuse prevention, Part 2: Effective Screening and Prevention Policies and Practices – Kimberlee Norris

4:30-5:30 p.m. Breakout Session 4

  • Practical Steps to Becoming a Church that Cares Well for the Abused – Brad Hambrick

7:00-9:25 p.m. Evening Session

  • Walking with the Broken: Caring Well for Friends and Family who Have Experienced Abuse – Jamie Ivey
  • Winter Inside the Church and Hope for Spring – Boz Tchividjian
  • Panel: Becoming a Church that Cares Well for the Abused – Brad Hambrick (moderator), Diane Langberg, Karla Siu, Leslie Vernick, Chris Moles

Saturday Sessions

9:00-11:45 a.m. Morning Session

  • Suffering and the Heart of God: How Trauma Destroys and Christ Restores – Diane Langberg
  • We Too: How the Church Can Respond Redemptively to the Sexual Abuse Crisis – Mary DeMuth
  • Restoration and the Cycle of Abuse – Herbie Newell
  • What Is a Girl Worth?: A conversation with Rachael Denhollander and Russell Moore on the Church's Abuse Crisis

Note: The simulcast of the event is provided by Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.

7 updates on the Sexual Abuse Advisory Group’s ongoing efforts
By / Sep 10

The SBC Sexual Abuse Advisory Group (SAAG) has continued to work diligently throughout the summer. As SBC President J.D. Greear said at the 2019 annual meeting, “Our efforts on abuse don’t end here in Birmingham. This is just the beginning of a long journey together.” In an effort to keep Southern Baptists up to speed on the Advisory Group’s efforts, here is a brief update on recent developments.

“Sexual Abuse and the Southern Baptist Convention” event

The ERLC hosted a Monday night panel, “Sexual Abuse and the Southern Baptist Convention,” at the SBC with guests Beth Moore, Rachael Denhollander, Susan Codone, Russell Moore, and J.D. Greear. At the event, Codone shared for the first time publicly her story of being abused by clergy as a youth in a Southern Baptist church. She called the entire Church to be a part of the solution to this problem, saying, “All of us can look for predators. All of us can look for grooming behaviors. All of us can help vet new hires and hold leaders accountable. All of us can educate each other about the ramifications of sexual abuse in the church and the life-time effects of trauma.” This candid conversation set the stage for other important developments that happened at the annual meeting related to abuse.

SAAG report

The Sexual Abuse Advisory Group report at the SBC, given by J.D. Greear and Russell Moore, included a time of lament, responsive reading, and prayer with different survivors and advocates participating in the programming. In the report, Greear said that to see progress occur on this issue, we must have the right heart, public statements, partnerships, training, resources, governing documents, future efforts, and a unified call to action. This report has continued to shape the work of the Advisory Group’s ongoing efforts.

Actions at the SBC annual meeting

Movement in several of the areas Greear addressed occurred at or surrounding the annual meeting. A resolution was passed on the evils of sexual abuse. In it, the SBC asked for forgiveness for failing to cultivate a culture of protection for those abused; acknowledged that local church autonomy should not be used as a reason for failing to act in order to protect the people it serves; and further acknowledged sexual abuse is a "sin to be disciplined in the context of the church, but also a crime to be prosecuted in the context of civil government."

The SBC bylaws were also changed in Birmingham to approve a standing Credentials Committee tasked with addressing situations when churches mishandle issues like abuse or racism. Additionally, a constitutional amendment, once affirmed by a second vote next year in Orlando, Fla., will make it explicit in SBC governing documents that you cannot be a church in friendly cooperation with the SBC if you mishandle abuse. 

Church Cares curriculum

The Advisory Group partnered with the ERLC and LifeWay to release Becoming a Church that Cares Well for the Abused, a video-based curriculum that brings together top experts from various fields to help leaders understand and embody compassionate care for abuse survivors. The PDF handbook and videos are all available for free at churchcares.com. Thanks to the generosity of LifeWay, every attendee at the annual meeting received a hard copy of the curriculum handbook. Over 1,000 churches have already begun to use the curriculum since it launched.

Caring Well report

Just before the convention, the SAAG released an extensive written report of their findings. As part of the report, the Advisory Group listened to and learned from hundreds of survivors of sexual abuse, church leaders, and national experts in this field. The report includes the personal testimonies of many of those survivors. This report aims to begin to educate Southern Baptist churches on the abuse crisis, equip them to care well for survivors, and prepare them to prevent abuse.

Caring Well Conference

The ERLC will host its national conference next month to confront the issue of abuse. The Caring Well Conference will welcome more than 1,500 attendees to Dallas, Texas, on October 3-5. Participants will listen to survivors, learn from experts, and leave equipped to strengthen their churches’ engagement on the issue. In addition to a free live stream, scholarships are available to attendees who cannot afford the cost of registration thanks to the generous funding provided by the SBC Executive Committee. Following the event, any surplus proceeds will be reinvested in the ERLC’s ongoing work on abuse, and all conference content will be available for free. 

Caring Well Challenge

Last month saw the launch of a pilot program for the Caring Well Challenge—a year-long initiative for churches to immediately enhance their efforts to prevent abuse and care for abuse survivors. The 750+ churches participating in this pilot group will enable the SAAG to refine and strengthen the challenge as it’s prepared for other churches to participate in it in the future. This unified call to action has been encouraged by all of the SBC entities, the Women’s Missionary Union, around 90% of the state conventions, all of the seminaries, and 10 of the Baptist colleges and universities. The goal is to equip churches to be safe for survivors and safe from abuse. Churches can sign up for the challenge and receive resources and support at caringwell.com.