Meeting for the first time in 2019, the IBSA Board of Directors reviewed and passed a “Statement of Principles Concerning Sexual Abuse” on March 26 at the IBSA Building.
Recent news coverage by the Houston Chronicle and other media outlets has revealed hundreds of cases of abuse by Southern Baptist ministers and volunteers. Following the revelations, Southern Baptist Convention President JD Greear proposed a Statement of Principles concerning sexual abuse. The Board’s Administrative Committee recommended the full IBSA Board express its support of the statement, which the Board did unanimously. Greear asked state conventions to adopt the statement in conjunction with the SBC stating they “are committed to partnering to engage the issue of abuse with compassion and care. Our desire is for churches and ministries in our states to become safe for survivors and safe from abuse.”
The three main principles of the statement are:
- Our state conventions will continue to address sexual abuse issues
- Our state conventions will care for abuse survivors
- Our state conventions will continue to prepare for abuse prevention
Watch for the April 15 issue of the Illinois Baptist for a full report on the March 26 spring meeting of the IBSA Board of Directors.