Sexual abuse advisory team currently in ‘assessment phase’
A Southern Baptist initiative to develop resources for churches to combat sexual abuse will receive $250,000 from Cooperative Program overages, the SBC Executive Committee voted last week.
The 2017-18 allocation budget for the Cooperative Program (Southern Baptists’ main method of funding ministry and missions) had a goal of $192 million. That number was surpassed Sept. 21, and the Executive Committee voted to send the first $250,000 of overage toward the sexual abuse study commissioned by SBC President J.D. Greear.
The study is in partnership with the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission. ERLC Executive Vice President Philip Bethancourt said last week the study is currently in the “assessment phase,” to be followed by phases devoted to resource development and implementation.
Related:
>LifeWay Research found two-thirds of pastors say the #MeToo movement has made their congregations more empathetic toward those experience sexual or domestic violence. One-third of pastors say their churches are more confused about the issue.
>Preaching in Alabama, former Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary President Paige Patterson also commented on the #MeToo movement. Patterson’s employment at Southwestern was terminated last spring following controversial comments and alleged mishandling of sexual assault allegations.
Southern Baptist volunteers mobilize after Florence
Disaster Relief teams moved into Lumberton, N.C., last week to begin serving meals to victims of Hurricane Florence. The North Carolina town, left a virtual island after torrential rains, is also a staging ground for Illinois Baptist volunteers who will assess needs and offer support to people displaced by the hurricane.
Related:
>Christianity Today paints a picture of the multi-denominational response to natural disasters like Hurricane Florence.
LifeWay employees safe after shot fired at building
Police are investigating an incident at LifeWay Christian Resources’ offices in downtown Nashville after a bullet shattered a fifth-floor window Sept. 20. No LifeWay employees were harmed, the agency confirmed.
Sources: Baptist Press, LifeWay Research, The Christian Post, Christianity Today