Conflicts of interest are a bear, and sooner or later, the bear almost always bites. Three years ago, I wrote a mild-mannered column raising concerns about a potential conflict of interest issue involving Rachael Denhollander’s abuse-related work within the Southern…
Baptists have learned how to pass the buck on abusive clergy
Sexual predators in our midst have gotten a pass for far too long. While part of this is due to victimology, I believe a larger piece of this equation is a misunderstanding of the perpetrator. How many times will we…
Conflicts of interest and ‘dual roles’ undermined SBC abuse investigation
Across four years of Southern Baptist clergy sexual abuse research, investigations and debate, one name continually rises to the surface: Rachael Denhollander. The woman who began the public accusations against USA Gymnastics team doctor Larry Nassar in 2016 has played…
BWA, CBF and ABCUSA working together on Caribbean aid
The Baptist World Alliance and its partners must help rebuild Caribbean communities devastated by Hurricane Melissa and speak up about the human causes of catastrophic storms, said Karl B. Johnson, chairman of the Baptist World Alliance. “We have to commit…
Matt Queen’s return to the pastorate sends a message
In October 2024, Matt Queen pled guilty to lying to the FBI in a sexual abuse investigation, and now, just a year later, Queen has been hired as associate pastor at a prominent Southern Baptist church. At the time of his crime, Queen…
SBC Cooperative Program giving declines yet again
Giving to the Southern Baptist Convention’s Cooperative Program unified budget has declined in seven of the past 10 years, with receipts for the year just ended being 4.4% less than a decade ago. The SBC Executive Committee released final fiscal…
David Sills won’t press case against Lyell’s estate
Since Jennifer Lyell is dead, David and Mary Sills will not seek legal damages against her estate but they will continue their litigation against the Southern Baptist Convention and 10 other people or entities. Sills, a former professor at Southern…
SBC leaders issue statement on ‘justice’ after Kirk’s murder
Southern Baptist Convention leaders released a “Statement of Lament and a Call for Justice” Sept. 13 in response to the assassination of far-right political advocate Charlie Kirk. Previous examples of SBC leaders issuing public calls for justice have related to…
Two new podcast episodes tell the stories of changing pastoral ministry
Fifty years ago, O.S. Hawkins and George Mason were not estranged in their affiliation with the Southern Baptist Convention. Both men attended Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas, and went on to become well-known pastors in large Baptist churches. But a fork placed…
Legendary Baptist missions leader Keith Parks dies
Keith Parks, who led global missions enterprises for both the Southern Baptist Convention and the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship, died Aug. 26 in Richardson, Texas, at age 97. Parks committed his long life to telling people all over the world about…
In Texas, is ‘shepherd’ another word for ‘pastor’?
The quest for absolute purity in opposing women carrying the title “pastor” is now dividing the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention, the conservative breakaway group formed in 1998. SBTC was formed as an alternative to the Baptist General Convention of…
SBC launches new sexual abuse helpline
After scathing criticism of its current sexual abuse hotline, the Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee launched an alternative help line Aug. 18. The announcement came from the SBC Executive Committee’s Office for Abuse Prevention and Response. The new hotline is…