A prominent Southern Baptist layman is seeking a gag order in a lawsuit alleging sexual abuse, saying pretrial publicity jeopardizes his ability to receive a fair trial. Paul Pressler, architect of a strategy credited with a rightward shift in leadership…
Judge says employment interference lawsuit against NAMB can proceed
A federal judge in Mississippi has turned down a request to dismiss a lawsuit against the North American Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention on religious liberty grounds. Senior U.S. District Judge Glen H. Davidson ruled Jan. 18 that…
Pressler claims statute of limitations defense; his accuser adds slander claim
Retired Judge Paul Pressler says a lawsuit accusing him of sexual abuse, which he denies, is time-barred by the statute of limitations.
Missouri Baptist Convention wins lawsuit against two breakaway entities
After 15 years of litigation, a state judge ruled Sept. 27 that trustees of two Missouri Baptist Convention entities violated their own articles of agreement when they acted unilaterally to choose their own successors instead of those nominated by the MBC.
‘Ministerial exception’ not a shield for wrongdoing, former Baptist leader says in lawsuit
A Southern Baptist Convention entity cannot hide behind the separation of church and state to avoid liability for wrongful termination and defamation, claims the latest argument filed in a dispute in federal court.
NAMB denies defaming former state convention exec
The Southern Baptist Convention North American Mission Board denied defaming or interfering in the employment of a former Baptist state convention executive director in a response filed May 18 to a lawsuit in federal court. NAMB attorneys claimed former Baptist…
Former state exec sues NAMB for libel, interference in business relationships
A former Baptist state convention leader who claimed last year his firing was orchestrated by the head of a Southern Baptist Convention agency has filed a defamation lawsuit alleging, among other things, his picture was displayed at the welcome desk…
Campaign raises funds for Baptist gathering
A nonprofit organization has launched a GoFundMe campaign to help the National Baptist Convention make up a $65,000 tourism grant lost after an atheist group filed a lawsuit questioning the use of taxpayer dollars to support the group’s annual session…
State convention wins case against breakaway agency
A state appeals court has upheld a lower court’s decision voiding the Missouri Baptist Foundation’s 2001 decision to move to a self-perpetuating board of trustees. A three-judge panel of the Western District Court of Appeals in Kansas City, Mo., ruled…
Church denies negligence in abuse lawsuit
By Bob Allen A Southern Baptist church in Georgia denied allegations of negligence in a lawsuit alleging child sexual abuse by a former church volunteer later named as youth pastor. A civil lawsuit filed in Toombs County Superior Court alleges…
Lawsuit says church’s abuse cover-up caused suicide
By Bob Allen A Texas Baptist church is facing a multi-million dollar lawsuit filed by parents claiming sexual abuse by a youth minster in the 1990s led to their son’s death by suicide. A lawsuit filed in Dallas County District…
Quadriplegic NAMB missionary receives $26 million settlement after crash
By Bob Allen A North American Mission Board student missionary paralyzed in a 2009 rollover crash has been awarded $26 million in a settlement with the Southern Baptist Convention entity’s insurers. Lawyers representing 27-year-old Jeremy Vangsnes — an All-American collegiate…