The very thing Southern Baptist leaders have said for decades cannot be done tops the list of recommended actions from the independent firm that investigated allegations of mishandling sexual abuse cases. Guidepost Solutions says the Southern Baptist Convention should “form…
Guidepost report documents pattern of ignoring, denying and deflecting on sexual abuse claims in SBC
A few key leaders of the Southern Baptist Convention’s Executive Committee repeatedly worked to stall, deny and control information about sexual abuse within the nation’s largest non-Catholic denomination, according to an independent investigation released Sunday, May 22. And almost coincidentally…
The tragic tale of a sexual abuse case, a deacon ordination and the quest for control of the Southern Baptist Convention
We have written three drafts of a news story you’re not going to see published. Instead, I’m going to use this analysis column to explain how exceedingly complicated it is to address the challenges of sexual abuse and politics in…
Abuse case against Pressler may proceed, Texas Supreme Court rules
A sexual abuse lawsuit against Southern Baptist leader Paul Pressler may proceed, despite claims by Pressler that the statute of limitations has expired, according to an April 1 ruling by the all-Republican Texas Supreme Court. News of the ruling first…
Dear Willy Rice: We’re sorry to hear how you’ve been treated
Dear Willy, We’re sorry. We know we don’t know each other but we’re your brothers in Christ. As former Southern Baptists, we’re deeply sorry about how you have been treated over the past few days. We don’t understand the complexities…
Willy Rice no longer a candidate for SBC presidency
Three days after preaching a sermon in which he defended a deacon recently removed from church leadership because of confessed sexual abuse 17 years ago, Willy Rice announced April 6 he no longer will stand as a candidate for the…
In Sunday sermon, SBC presidential candidate defends deacon he removed over past ‘abusive’ behavior
In a sermon preached Sunday, April 3, Southern Baptist Convention presidential nominee Willy Rice publicly addressed the controversy that followed his April 1 announcement that his Florida church had removed one of its deacons after a pastor from another state…
SBC presidential candidate Willy Rice removes deacon over past ‘abusive’ behavior
In a video statement released April 1, Southern Baptist Convention presidential candidate Willy Rice acknowledged that a deacon has been removed from service in his church because the man “committed a sexual sin that could also be described as abusive”…
Litton and McLaurin urge SBC Executive Committee toward compassion and Christlikeness
The Southern Baptist Convention must address its “stains” of racism and tolerating sexual abuse, President Ed Litton told members of the SBC Executive Committee Monday night, Feb. 21. He spoke just hours after a group of sexual abuse survivors held…