Craig Carlisle’s concern since the day he became chair of the Alabama Baptist Sexual Abuse Task Force in November 2021 has been inertia — that nothing would change in the churches.
As director of missions for Etowah Baptist Association, he also understands the pivotal role an associational leader plays in communicating and connecting with local churches.
“I’m sharing with my fellow directors of missions (associational mission strategists) that ‘if this doesn’t become important to you, then it’s not going to be important to your churches,’” he shared.
Next steps
Carlisle and the full slate of SATF members are advocating for next steps following the report delivered during the November 2022 state convention annual meeting, a report compiled from a year of research and interviews with Cooperative Program-funded entities and auxiliaries in Alabama.
“I do not want that report to just go into the annals of history,” he said. “The work isn’t done. That was the beginning point and now it’s time to take it seriously and get our churches equipped.”
‘Continual implementation’
State Convention president Buddy Champion agreed and announced Jan. 6 his appointment of the same group to a new Sexual Abuse Advisory Task Force.
All eight members of the original task force accepted the invitation to serve in the new role, including Carlisle as chair and Melissa Bowen as vice chair (see full list below). They plan to meet in the coming weeks to determine specific assignments, but for the most part their purpose is to resource the churches, Champion said.
“This team has done such an excellent job, as the entities have, and really developed a heart for the situation,” he noted. “They want to make sure churches are equipped to follow through on the suggestions reported at the convention if they so choose. Implementation is where the work begins … and it’s more than an initial step or two, it’s continual implementation where we are diligent in what needs to happen.”
‘Liaison to churches’
“The team members are available to help churches, answer questions and share what they have learned,” he said. “They will serve as a liaison to the churches. If they can help or assist in any way, we want to do so. We hope it encourages churches to keep this as a priority — to protect the innocent and help the victims.”
Carlisle said he hopes the task force will be able to provide a template for associations on how to host informational gatherings and trainings across the state, especially after those living in and around Etowah County experience the first event of this kind in early February.
Upcoming symposium
Etowah Association is sponsoring Sexual Abuse Prevention Response and Care Training on Feb. 2 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at 12th Street Baptist Church in Rainbow City. No registration is required. Participants will hear from the local district attorney, sheriff, Department of Human Resources and counselors. Carlisle also will present the spiritual aspect of the situation.
“I’m glad the task force is going to remain together and continue to work toward the goal,” Carlisle said, noting allegations should be taken seriously.
“People don’t typically lie about abuse. It’s too embarrassing,” he added. “When an allegation is made, take it for the truth and don’t try to prove them wrong. Just focus on how to respond to them and let the authorities do the investigating. If the story were not to be true, it will come out.”
‘We can make a difference’
“We want our churches to be ready and watching for predatory behavior,” Carlisle explained. “If victims start coming out, we want the church to be prepared to help them and get them to trauma-informed counselors.
“We won’t be able to fix it all, but we can make a difference if we just make our people aware and be cautious and do what we need to do to make sure our churches are aware and loving for this crisis that we have.”
Carlisle and Champion both confirmed the task force will not need funding and will work in tandem with the Alabama Baptist State Board of Missions staff as needed, especially in support and promotion of the MinistrySafe scholarships offered to Alabama Baptist churches.
For more information or to set up a time to talk with and/or meet with task force members, contact Carlisle at craigc@etowahbaptist.com or 256-328-5757.
Sexual Abuse Advisory Task Force members
- Craig Carlisle, chair, director of missions for Etowah Baptist Association and a member of the Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee.
- Melissa Bowen, vice chair, retired attorney and member of First Baptist Church Prattville. Bowen also serves on the SBC Abuse Reform Implementation Task Force.
- Daniel Atkins, pastor of Taylor Road Baptist Church in Montgomery and president of the Alabama Baptist Pastors Conference.
- Kaye Farrow, retired Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) and member of Westwood Baptist Church in Alabaster.
- Abigail Jackson, 2019 graduate of Samford University, member of Dawson Memorial Baptist Church in Birmingham and is account manager for The Lollar Group in Birmingham.
- D’Linell Finley, pastor of Southlawn Baptist Church in Montgomery and professor at Alabama State University.
- Blake Kersey, pastor of First Baptist Church Decatur.
- Daven Watkins, pastor of First Baptist Church Pelham.
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