Baptist News Global
Sections
  • News
  • Analysis
  • Opinion
  • Curated
  • Storytelling
    • Faith & Justice >
      • Charleston: Metanoia with Bill Stanfield
      • Charlotte: QC Family Tree with Greg and Helms Jarrell
      • Little Rock: Judge Wendell Griffen
      • North Carolina: Conetoe
    • Welcoming the Stranger >
      • Lost Boys of Sudan: St. John’s Baptist Charlotte
      • Awakening to Immigrant Justice: Myers Park Baptist Church
      • Hospitality on the corner: Gaston Christian Center
    • Signature Ministries >
      • Jake Hall: Gospel Gothic, Music and Radio
    • Singing Our Faith >
      • Hymns for a Lifetime: Ken Wilson and Knollwood Baptist Church
      • Norfolk Street Choir
    • Resilient Rural America >
      • Alabama: Perry County
      • Texas: Hidalgo County
      • Arkansas Delta
      • Southeast Kentucky
  • More
    • Contact
    • About
    • Donate
    • Planned Giving
    • Letters to the Editor
    • Advertising
    • Ministry Jobs and More
    • Transitions
    • Subscribe
    • Submissions and Permissions
Support independent, faith-based journalism. Donate
Search Search this site

Clergy sex abuse: why the SBC’s ‘studying it’ response isn’t enough

OpinionChrista Brown  |  December 7, 2018

But we are sick and tired of hearing your song
Telling how you are gonna change right from wrong,
’Cause if you really want to hear our views,
You haven’t done nothin’
– Stevie Wonder

Since last July when Southern Baptist Convention president J.D. Greear announced the formation of a sexual abuse study group, people have been asking me, “Do you think they’ll finally change things?”

Often, I hear a note of hopefulness in the question and remember when I too might have believed that such an announcement meant Baptist officials were rising to the task of addressing clergy sex abuse. Not anymore. After 12 years of hearing the stories of survivors of Baptist clergy abuse, I’ve learned that, on this subject, the words of Baptist leaders are worthy of wariness.

SBC officials say they’re “studying it.” So what?

First, let’s remember that SBC officials have sung this “studying it” song before. Their prior 2008 “study,” with its seemingly predisposed do-nothing result, left many of us Baptist abuse survivors with a healthy measure of skepticism.

“But this is a new generation of Baptist leaders,” people say, and true enough, there are some younger faces. However, this is not a problem of old-guard versus new-guard.

“Decades of institutional patterns will not be changed by simply repopulating the same inadequate structures with new faces, no matter how well-intentioned they may be.”

The problem is that the SBC system fosters a climate for abuse and cover-ups because it lacks effective structures for clergy accountability and for information-sharing among congregations. Decades of institutional patterns will not be changed by simply repopulating the same inadequate structures with new faces, no matter how well-intentioned they may be.

Second, it’s not even clear exactly what SBC officials are “studying” this time around. The details of their process are not transparent, and some of their remarks provide little reason for confidence. It’s hard to imagine that these leaders will be able to remediate effectively their own institutional failures when, so often, they avoid even speaking of them. For example, Executive Committee chairman Mike Stone claimed there had “never” been any “hesitancy about addressing these issues” in the SBC, and said it was engaging the study because of the increased emphasis on sexual abuse “in the culture and in the media.” Executive Committee interim president Augie Boto talked about the study as a way “to address evil, human failure and the consequences of sin.”

These explanations simply ignore the reality of what most clergy sex abuse survivors experience. When confronted with the common problem that their claims are no longer subject to criminal prosecution, survivors often attempt to report abusive clergy within the SBC only to encounter, not merely “hesitancy,” but stonewalling, silencing, shaming and blaming. It’s not some generic “evil” that further traumatizes survivors; it’s the specific horror in how church and denominational officials respond to them.

Third, this is a denomination that doesn’t even provide a “safe place” office to which survivors can report clergy sex abusers. Without such an institutional structure, the SBC’s study will necessarily be incomplete and seriously flawed. The SBC will never come to grips with how widespread the malignant rot of clergy sex abuse really is until it affirmatively welcomes the voices of abuse survivors.

Fourth, if SBC officials want a study with credibility, they need to get out of the driver’s seat and turn it over to outside experts. And note, I’m not talking about the kind of experts who view the abuse issue through the lens of keeping a church, ministry or denominational entity safe from liability exposure. I’m talking about the kind of experts who view the issue through the lens of keeping children safe.

How much “studying it” does it take?

Over a decade ago, insurance data informed us that Baptists likely have as big of an abuse problem as Catholics, and some experts say evangelicals are “worse than Catholics” in how they respond. Yet, despite these realities, denominational officials have refused to intervene.

“It’s not some generic ‘evil’ that further traumatizes survivors; it’s the specific horror in how church and denominational officials respond to them.”

So now, after what has already been way too many years of denominational do-nothingness, “studying it” is no longer an acceptable response. Besides, how much “studying it” does it take for SBC officials to understand that they’re placing children at risk when their standard reply to those reporting clergy predators is to pontificate about polity? And surely it’s obvious that, when someone asks “how to turn in a pedophile,” it helps no one when denominational officials respond “this matter is not in the scope of our role, authority or ability.” Every time Baptist officials make such self-serving, do-nothing responses, they increase the probability that more kids will be sexually abused.

And how much “studying it” does it take to realize that the standard practice of giving only neutral job references, even after a pastor is credibly accused of abuse, places other kids at risk?

And really, how much “studying it” does it take to know that a man should not be able to remain in the pulpit of an SBC-affiliated church – for over a decade now – after he has admitted to having sex with a church teen “between 20 and 40 times.”

Rather than a timid “studying it,” action is needed.

SBC officials need to take immediate action. They need to create structures that will reach out to clergy sex abuse survivors, that will implement effective accountability processes for clergy, and that will cooperatively facilitate the sharing of information about credibly accused clergy.

Rather than delaying action for another two years with yet another inherently flawed, in-house study, SBC officials would do better if they would work to implement the recommendations of the $342 million Australia study on institutional responses to child sexual abuse. This much-lauded, 5-year, comprehensive study concluded with numerous recommendations for improving the safety of children, including recommendations for improved record-keeping and information sharing in religious organizations. Specifically, Recommendation 16.58 urged that religious organizations consider establishing “national registers … to help affiliated institutions identify and respond to any risks to children that may be posed by people in religious or pastoral ministry.”

This recommendation meshes with what SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, first requested of SBC officials in 2006 in urging the creation of a denominational system for record-keeping on clergy sex abuse reports and for informing congregations about credibly accused clergy. It meshes with what Oklahoma pastor Wade Burleson proposed at the 2007 SBC annual meeting when he moved for the creation of a denominational database of clergy sex abusers. And it meshes with what a new generation of survivor advocates have been urging since last June – i.e., that an SBC database of clergy sex abusers is “needed today.”

For far too long, officials of the country’s largest Protestant denomination have done nearly nothing to effectively address clergy sex abuse. The time for action is overdue, and the SBC’s version of “studying it” does not suffice.

 


OPINION: Views expressed in Baptist News Global columns and commentaries are solely those of the authors.
Tags:clergy sexual abuseSBC
Christa Brown
More by
Christa Brown
  • Get BNG headlines in your inbox

  • Featured

    • How American exceptionalism is killing America

      Opinion

    • Join Ryan Burge and Mark Wingfield for a free webinar on the ‘nones’

      News

    • When pastors change churches during a global pandemic, it takes creativity and perseverance

      News

    • It’s up to the Senate now to fix our democracy

      Opinion


    Curated

    • Public policy leader Weston Ware dies at age 88

      Public policy leader Weston Ware dies at age 88

      April 12, 2021
    • Panel advances bill to let Arkansas teachers talk creationism

      Panel advances bill to let Arkansas teachers talk creationism

      April 9, 2021
    • Are LGBTQ students at Christian schools discriminated against? A lawsuit, scholarly studies say yes.

      Are LGBTQ students at Christian schools discriminated against? A lawsuit, scholarly studies say yes.

      April 8, 2021
    • A Georgia church, kicked out of the SBC for allowing gay members, wants to make sure ‘everybody’s welcome’

      A Georgia church, kicked out of the SBC for allowing gay members, wants to make sure ‘everybody’s welcome’

      April 8, 2021
    Read Next:

    De La Torre calls for ‘badass believers’ to decolonize Christianity

    NewsJeff Brumley

    More Articles

    • All
    • News
    • Opinion
    • Curated
    • Join Ryan Burge and Mark Wingfield for a free webinar on the ‘nones’

      NewsBNG staff

    • It’s up to the Senate now to fix our democracy

      OpinionElder Lee Harris

    • De La Torre calls for ‘badass believers’ to decolonize Christianity

      NewsJeff Brumley

    • Here’s something to try on for size: Talk about things that are ‘more-than-human’

      OpinionCody J. Sanders

    • Another Friday night, another Supreme Court rapid ruling on churches and COVID

      NewsMark Wingfield

    • Would Jesus wear $800 sandals?

      OpinionTerry Austin

    • Now Beth Moore is taking on patriarchy in the church

      NewsMark Wingfield

    • When pastors change churches during a global pandemic, it takes creativity and perseverance

      NewsJeff Brumley

    • Angry man with bulldozer severely damages Dellanna West O’Brien School in Liberia

      NewsGrace Thornton

    • Where is Mike Huckabee?

      OpinionRobert P. Sellers

    • American Christianity in China also imports gender bias and Calvinism

      AnalysisRick Pidcock

    • We cannot now close our border to those fleeing the horror we helped create

      OpinionChris Conley

    • That time I went to the school board meeting to speak against banning books

      OpinionMark Wingfield

    • Chip Gaines writes about building a network of support and not being constrained by conventional wisdom

      NewsMaina Mwaura

    • What I found hidden in my mother’s Bible after her death

      OpinionKim Brewer

    • Months after two hurricanes, vaccinated volunteers finally heading to Lake Charles

      NewsJeff Brumley

    • Four ways to help others through grief and mourning amid social isolation

      OpinionJacob George

    • Ministry jobs and more

      NewsBarbara Francis

    • Understanding human capital makes volunteer recruitment easier

      AnalysisBrian Foreman and Justin Nelson

    • Contrary to what you’ve heard, study finds churches thrive with racial diversity

      NewsCynthia Astle

    • CBF Benefits Board names executive vice president and COO

      NewsMark Wingfield

    • A few good men?: Promising Young Woman and the culture of abuse

      OpinionGreg Garrett, Senior Columnist

    • In state legislatures, a push against trans teens, for churches as ‘essential’ and seeking to define ‘religious freedom’

      NewsMark Wingfield

    • I knew the truth about women in the Bible, and I stayed silent

      OpinionBeth Allison Barr

    • How American exceptionalism is killing America

      OpinionRichard T. Hughes

    • Join Ryan Burge and Mark Wingfield for a free webinar on the ‘nones’

      NewsBNG staff

    • De La Torre calls for ‘badass believers’ to decolonize Christianity

      NewsJeff Brumley

    • Another Friday night, another Supreme Court rapid ruling on churches and COVID

      NewsMark Wingfield

    • Now Beth Moore is taking on patriarchy in the church

      NewsMark Wingfield

    • When pastors change churches during a global pandemic, it takes creativity and perseverance

      NewsJeff Brumley

    • Angry man with bulldozer severely damages Dellanna West O’Brien School in Liberia

      NewsGrace Thornton

    • Chip Gaines writes about building a network of support and not being constrained by conventional wisdom

      NewsMaina Mwaura

    • Months after two hurricanes, vaccinated volunteers finally heading to Lake Charles

      NewsJeff Brumley

    • Ministry jobs and more

      NewsBarbara Francis

    • Contrary to what you’ve heard, study finds churches thrive with racial diversity

      NewsCynthia Astle

    • CBF Benefits Board names executive vice president and COO

      NewsMark Wingfield

    • In state legislatures, a push against trans teens, for churches as ‘essential’ and seeking to define ‘religious freedom’

      NewsMark Wingfield

    • What we missed most about in-person church, what’s coming back and what’s likely to change

      NewsJeff Brumley

    • If you want to help the poor, first understand their humanity

      NewsJeff Brumley

    • Second Easter during pandemic brings greater sense of hope nationwide

      NewsMark Wingfield

    • In Tigray, Ethiopia, six months of pain, suffering and disaster

      NewsAnthony Akaeze

    • Ryan Burge sifts the data to paint an evolving portrait of the ‘nones’

      NewsJeff Brumley

    • Transitions for the week of 4-2-21

      NewsBarbara Francis

    • 25 faith-based schools named in LGBTQ discrimination case against Department of Education

      NewsMark Wingfield

    • Less than half of Americans now claim a formal congregational membership

      NewsJeff Brumley

    • Ministry jobs and more

      NewsBarbara Francis

    • Virginia interfaith leaders explain how other states could abolish death penalty just as Virginia has done

      NewsJeff Brumley

    • New data on COVID vaccine efficacy is good news for faith leaders seeking to be influencers

      NewsMark Wingfield

    • Georgia mom is an advocate for organ donation because her son is one of the longest-living heart transplant recipients in the nation

      NewsJeff Brumley

    • Arkansas allows medical providers to deny service based on a provider’s own ethics or religious beliefs

      NewsMark Wingfield

    • It’s up to the Senate now to fix our democracy

      OpinionElder Lee Harris

    • Here’s something to try on for size: Talk about things that are ‘more-than-human’

      OpinionCody J. Sanders

    • Would Jesus wear $800 sandals?

      OpinionTerry Austin

    • Where is Mike Huckabee?

      OpinionRobert P. Sellers

    • We cannot now close our border to those fleeing the horror we helped create

      OpinionChris Conley

    • That time I went to the school board meeting to speak against banning books

      OpinionMark Wingfield

    • What I found hidden in my mother’s Bible after her death

      OpinionKim Brewer

    • Four ways to help others through grief and mourning amid social isolation

      OpinionJacob George

    • A few good men?: Promising Young Woman and the culture of abuse

      OpinionGreg Garrett, Senior Columnist

    • I knew the truth about women in the Bible, and I stayed silent

      OpinionBeth Allison Barr

    • How American exceptionalism is killing America

      OpinionRichard T. Hughes

    • The end of American exceptionalism

      OpinionSteve Sullivan

    • To live into Easter, we need to keep writing a new song

      OpinionLaura Mayo

    • How to find resilience for the long run of COVID, as we’re ‘almost there, but not quite yet’

      OpinionPaula Mangum Sheridan

    • George Floyd’s murder: Knowing what cannot be unseen

      OpinionWendell Griffen

    • The habits of churches that need resurrection

      OpinionBrett Younger

    • Consider the trees: A Holy Week reflection on looking up

      OpinionRick Pidcock

    • Baylor, Baptists and slavery: A way forward

      OpinionGreg Garrett, Senior Columnist

    • Admitting our part in ‘Good’ Friday

      OpinionSteve Sullivan

    • Why I’ll remember 2021 as ‘The Year with Two Easters’

      OpinionTyler Tankersley

    • Holy Week 2021: Justice, gospel and cups of cold water

      OpinionBill Leonard, Senior Columnist

    • Through Scripture, understanding that my speech is a form of prayer

      OpinionEarl Chappell

    • This Holy Week, let us ‘go in peace’

      OpinionCurtis Ramsey-Lucas

    • Seeing gun violence as a pro-life issue

      OpinionShane Claiborne and Michael Martin

    • A Holy Week reflection on justice and the Cross

      OpinionDavid Gushee, Senior Columnist

    • Public policy leader Weston Ware dies at age 88

      Curated

      Exclude from home pageBNG staff

    • Panel advances bill to let Arkansas teachers talk creationism

      Curated

      Exclude from home pageBNG staff

    • Are LGBTQ students at Christian schools discriminated against? A lawsuit, scholarly studies say yes.

      Curated

      Exclude from home pageBNG staff

    • A Georgia church, kicked out of the SBC for allowing gay members, wants to make sure ‘everybody’s welcome’

      Curated

      Exclude from home pageBNG staff

    • Faith leaders call for elimination of Senate filibuster

      Curated

      Exclude from home pageBNG staff

    • Joe Biden is not planning to solve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict

      Curated

      Exclude from home pageBNG staff

    • Christian nationalism is a barrier to mass vaccination against COVID-19

      Curated

      Exclude from home pageBNG staff

    • Celebrity lineup to read King’s anti-war speech on assassination anniversary

      Curated

      Exclude from home pageBNG staff

    • Montana House backs bill on religious challenges to rules

      Curated

      Exclude from home pageBNG staff

    • Georgia faith leaders to leave water bottles around Capitol in protest of new voter laws

      Curated

      Exclude from home pageBNG staff

    • Vatican makes moral case for supporting people displaced by climate change

      Curated

      Exclude from home pageBNG staff

    • Baylor partnership brings Baptist Standard archive online

      Curated

      Exclude from home pageBNG staff

    • Survey: Most Americans know Biden is Catholic, far fewer know Harris’ religion

      Curated

      Exclude from home pageBNG staff

    • Georgia’s new GOP election law draws criticism, lawsuits

      Curated

      Exclude from home pageBNG staff

    • At nationwide rallies, Christians stand up for Asian Americans

      Curated

      Exclude from home pageBNG staff

    • Appellate court arguments set for Charleston church shooter

      Curated

      Exclude from home pageBNG staff

    • Franklin Graham unfazed after evangelical base blasts him for encouraging vaccines

      Curated

      Exclude from home pageBNG staff

    • Shooter at Kansas Jewish centers appeals death sentence

      Curated

      Exclude from home pageBNG staff

    • Like Beth Moore, many women preachers have had to break free to follow God’s call

      Curated

      Exclude from home pageBNG staff

    • Texas health care provider ordered to pay former employees for mandating prayer and religious discussions

      Curated

      Exclude from home pageBNG staff

    • Many QAnon followers report having mental health diagnoses

      Curated

      Exclude from home pageBNG staff

    • Final vote results show major setback for Israel’s Netanyahu

      Curated

      Exclude from home pageBNG staff

    • “We are complicit”: Only some churches are offering real reparations and repentance for slavery

      Curated

      Exclude from home pageBNG staff

    • Pope Francis reduces cardinal wages as Vatican finances struggle due to pandemic

      Curated

      Exclude from home pageBNG staff

    • Growing number of Southern Baptist women question roles

      Curated

      Exclude from home pageBNG staff

    Conversations that Matter.

    © 2021 Baptist News Global. All rights reserved.

    Want to share a story? We hope you will! Read our republishing, terms of use and privacy policies here.

    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Instagram
    • LinkedIn
    • RSS