For decades the SBC has avoided liability in criminal and civil actions involving churches or affiliated organizations by claiming they are all autonomous, self-governing organizations. But former Baptist Convention of Maryland/Delaware Executive Director Will McRaney claims in a new court document that lawyers representing NAMB turn that argument on its head.
One of the first of many sexual abuse lawsuits expected under a new California law targets Modesto megachurch
A survivor of childhood sexual abuse is suing a California church and her former youth pastor in one of the first of many lawsuits expected to be filed under a new law greatly extending the statute of limitations for child sexual abuse claims.
No speedy trial for Paige Patterson’s ‘break her down’ lawsuit
A woman who claims in a lawsuit that she was mistreated after reporting rape at a Southern Baptist Convention seminary won’t get her day in court before 2021.
Southern Baptist polity on trial in lawsuit appeal
A former Southern Baptist state convention leader claims the separation of church and state does not shield religious organizations from lawsuits over actions that would be illegal if committed by a secular business in a case before the Fifth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.
Southern Baptist megachurch denies liability in sex abuse lawsuit
Matt Chandler’s Village Church denied any wrongdoing in its response to a $1 million lawsuit stemming from the alleged sexual assault of an 11-year-old girl at a church camp in 2012.
Paige Patterson claims First Amendment defense in abuse lawsuit
Former Southern Baptist statesman Paige Patterson claimed a religious liberty defense, while denying the bulk of allegations in a lawsuit over his handling of sex abuse claims, in an answer filed Aug. 26 in federal court.
Lawsuit reveals details about Paige Patterson’s ‘break her down’ meeting with woman alleging campus rape
Details behind the “break her down” comment cited by trustee leaders in last year’s firing of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary President Paige Patterson emerge in a lawsuit now pending in federal court.
Amended lawsuit says SBC doing too little, too late, to prevent sexual abuse of children
A motion filed June 3 in a Virginia court says the Southern Baptist Convention is culpable in a multi-million dollar sexual abuse lawsuit against a member church.
Reversing course, judge dismisses former state exec’s lawsuit against NAMB
A federal judge has dismissed a lawsuit by a former Baptist state convention executive claiming job interference by the Southern Baptist Convention North American Mission Board, saying secular courts lack jurisdiction to delve into matters of religious doctrine.
Federal judge dismisses second lawsuit challenging Glorieta sale
A federal judge in New Mexico recently rejected an Arkansas couple’s second attempt to void the 2013 sale of Glorieta Conference Center by LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention.
Lawsuit says church missed child abuse caught on security camera
A South Carolina megachurch is under scrutiny after the arrest of a church volunteer reportedly caught on security video molesting 14 preschoolers in the last three months.
Attorney named in Pressler lawsuit under investigation for fraud
The attorney representing a man alleging sexual abuse by former Southern Baptist leader Paul Pressler is seeking a delay in court proceedings after police raided one of the parties named in a lawsuit originally filed in 2017. The Houston Chronicle…