Alabama leaders ‘saddened,’ ‘grief-stricken’
Alabama Baptist leaders issued a joint statement May 23 in response to the Guidepost Solutions report released by the Southern Baptist Convention Sexual Abuse Task Force on May 22.
The statement reads as follows:
“We are saddened and grief-stricken concerning the reports of cases of sexual abuse and how they were handled. This is a time of deep lament and sorrow. Most of all, this needs to be a time of prayer.
“We join many others in praying for the survivors of sexual abuse. No one should ever have to experience this kind of deep betrayal and violation.
“For years now, Alabama Baptists have forged a partnership with MinistrySafe to train pastors and church leaders so that churches can be safe places.
“On Friday, May 20, State Board of Missions trustees voted to add $200,000 to enhance that offer of training for our family of churches as we continue this ministry effort.
“In addition, the State Board of Missions website has for many years made resources available to help churches and leaders prevent, deal with and protect others from sexual abuse.
“We urge our Alabama Baptist family to continue to pray God’s blessing and healing for the survivors, and we are also praying for current leadership of the Southern Baptist Convention.”
Signed by:
- Buddy Champion, president of the Alabama Baptist State Convention, chair of the Alabama Baptist Executive Committee, and pastor of First Baptist Church Trussville.
- Greg Corbin, chair of the Alabama Baptist State Board of Missions and pastor of Lakeside Baptist Church in Birmingham.
- Craig Carlisle, chair of the Sexual Abuse Task Force of the Alabama Baptist State Convention and director of missions of Etowah Baptist Association (Gadsden area).
- Melissa Bowen, vice chair of the Sexual Abuse Task Force and retired attorney, Prattville.
- Rick Lance, executive director of the Alabama Baptist State Board of Missions.
.. My heart breaks for the victims of these horrible atrocities both those in the report [and] the many that have yet to even speak up. I am committed to pray for each of you and your families. I’m sorry isn’t even sufficient. …
Southern Baptists must now decide that we are willing to put in the work to begin the long road of trying to regain the trust of those who have understandably lost faith in our convention. I am willing. God help us all to repent and return to the Lord and to start a new path forward of choosing to do right every chance we get.
Pastor Brad Williams
First Baptist Church, Hazel Green
Protecting people from all forms of abuse is of utmost priority. May God bring comfort to all victims of abuse and bestow justice upon those who abuse or harbor abusers.
Chris Crain, Executive director
Birmingham Metro Baptist Association
No more cover-up. No more turning a blind eye. Let action begin to “clean house” in our denomination.
Pastor Alan Floyd
Cottage Hill Baptist Church in Mobile
Guidepost suggestions being reviewed
- Form an Independent Commission and … a permanent Administrative Entity to oversee comprehensive long-term reforms concerning sexual abuse and related misconduct within the SBC.
- Create and maintain an Offender Information System to alert the community to known offenders. Make it available to churches on a voluntary basis.
- Provide a comprehensive Resource Toolbox including protocols, training, education and practical information.
- Create a voluntary self-certification program for churches, associations, state conventions and entities based on “best practices” to bring awareness to, and enhance prevention of, sexual abuse.
- Improve governance controls, including the use of enhanced background checks, Letters of Good Standing and Codes of Conduct to voluntarily strengthen hiring standards and improve governance.
- Restrict the use of non-disclosure agreements and civil settlements … unless requested by the survivor.
- Adopt a “Declaration of Principles” setting out fundamental standards regarding how sexual abuse allegations will be handled at every level of the SBC and how those who report will be treated going forward.
- Acknowledge those who have been affected by SBC clergy sexual abuse, through both a sincere apology and a tangible gesture, and prioritize the provision of compassionate care to survivors through providing dedicated survivor advocacy support and a survivor compensation fund.
From page 14 of the Guidepost report. The Sexual Abuse Task Force will work with these recommendations to determine what to present to messengers.
(Read the full report at tabonline.org/satf-report.)
Worship and lament aren’t mutually exclusive.
Tara Leigh Cobble
The Bible Recap podcast, Day 138
The appalling findings exposed by the report are heartbreaking. Yet what would be infinitely more horrific is failure to enact strategic initiatives that eradicate sexual abuse within Southern Baptist churches and systems. In the days and weeks and months ahead, may the Father give us all strength and courage and resolve to do what is right.
Sandy Wisdom-Martin
Executive director, National Woman’s Missionary Union
There are not adequate words to express my sorrow at the things revealed in this report. I am grieved to my core for those who have suffered sexual abuse in Southern Baptist contexts, both for those named in this report and the many who are not. I thank God for the courage and persistence of the survivors and advocates who brought the Southern Baptist Convention to this moment. Amid my grief, anger and disappointment over the grave sin and failures this report lays bare, I earnestly believe that Southern Baptists must resolve to change our culture and implement desperately needed reforms. The time is now. We have so much to lament, but genuine grief requires a godly response. I pray Southern Baptists will begin preparing today to take deliberate action to address these failures and chart a new course when we meet together in Anaheim.
SBC President Ed Litton
I took my daughter to school most every day K–5 and never once thought about her possibly being shot while at school. My wife and I have served churches for 35 years, and I never once thought about a fellow pastor abusing her. I hate those thoughts have to be in our minds today.
Craig Carlisle, Director of Missions
Etowah Baptist Association
Once again, I start a post with these words: I am heartbroken. The tragedy in Uvalde, Texas, is heart-wrenching and mind-blowing. The majority of people in this world cannot conceive the mentality that would cause a young man to walk into a school and begin shooting innocent children. The horror. The evil. The pain. Tragedy after tragedy. Our country has been hit by so many evils. Our only hope is not in politicians or legislation. Our only hope is the Healer. Our only hope is to turn to the Father and beg Him, in an attitude of godly sorrow that leads to repentance, to change our hearts so that He can then use us to change our culture. The answer is in His people acting like His people, living like His people, and talking like His people. Love one another — that’s what He says. … Pray that He will give us the strength to do what He requires.
Pastor Ben Hayes
First Baptist Church Dadeville
Pray with us for the victims and their families, the children and teachers who have faced unimaginable trauma, the community of Uvalde and for Southern Baptists as they respond to urgent needs in the coming days. #PrayersForUvalde
Dear Church Family,
Early Monday morning (May 23), I read [about the Guidepost Solutions report] concerning the handling of abuse by the Southern Baptist Convention.
Monday afternoon, I printed the entire report (tabonline.org/satf-report) and managed to wade through the first 50 pages of the 288-page report and to review the other pages.
What I have read angers me, nauseates me and frustrates me beyond my ability to communicate. I can honestly say I had no idea, but this is wrong (Matt. 18:6). This cannot be tolerated.
In the days ahead, we need as a convention to implement care for these victims, encourage prosecution where applicable, remove anyone connected to any abuse or cover-up and overhaul accountability structures. Page 14 of the report offers eight key recommendations. (See sidebar, this page).
As churches we must do background checks for staff and leaders, and heaven help us if we don’t listen to and hear those who have been abused and take appropriate steps to remove offenders and to protect the flock.
I do not have a massive following on Facebook or Instagram. I don’t even have a Twitter account. I have been your pastor for almost 19 years and have been a shepherd for over 40 years.
You are a loving, compassionate, missions-minded congregation that is and has been generous in missions and Cooperative Program giving. While I will never be president of the convention, I am, as pastor of this generous, missions-minded congregation, calling for immediate and ongoing action in the [SBC]. We are now aware that wrong has been done.
Now it is time to do what is right. It is never the wrong time to do the right thing.
God has done some great work through the SBC, but to think that Jesus needs us or can only work through us is heresy.
For today, please remain calm and pray. In the days ahead, let’s watch what happens and make future decisions with clear, Spirit-led hearts.
Pastor Roland P. Brown
Golden Springs Baptist Church, Anniston
From the Twitterverse
@jdanielatkins
It’s completely possible to hold to both autonomy AND accountability.
@joeyhanner
God, continue to reveal the sin that so easily entangles. Bring to the light what has been done in the dark, break our hearts for the broken-hearted and heal the innocent as you restore and renew. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
@DrKBlackwell
Now isn’t the time for passing blame, explanations, platitudes and disingenuous placating. It is time we as Southern Baptists grieve, pray, soul search and sit in the ashes. It is our worst moment … it can be our greatest moment.
@kevinwilburn
There is no problem, there is no sin, there is no challenge, there is not anything beyond the ability of God to take our worst and redeem it and use for His glory.
@johnthweatt
Last night the report disgusted me … it angered me … it made me simply ashamed of our convention leadership. This morning I came to the office … ready to study, ready to preach and once again recommitting myself to accountability, holiness and purity.
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