A report published by the Houston Chronicle on February 10, 2019, raised the issue of sexual abuse as it relates to the Southern Baptist Convention and its participating churches. The report was disturbing in its content, but we support any effort to bring truth to light and to ease the suffering of victims of sexual abuse, their families, and their churches.
“We agree that Southern Baptists—and all cooperating church groups—need to be vigilant in seeking to prevent predators from serving in positions of leadership or influence in churches, in protecting children and others from sexual abuse, and in reporting incidents of abuse to the proper authorities as soon as they come to light,” said Nate Adams, Executive Director of the Illinois Baptist State Association (IBSA). “Also important are the doctrines of justice, mercy, forgiveness, and healing. Incidents of sexual abuse require faithful and judicious ministry of all these biblical concepts,” Adams said.
IBSA strongly recommends that all churches employ a rigorous screening process when interviewing potential staff or volunteer workers for their ministries. This includes fingerprinting for FBI background checks, thorough examination of the Sex Offenders Registry maintained by the Illinois State Police, and thorough consultation with a variety of personal references including previous employers, churches and local Baptist associations in which the applicants may previously have served.
Participation by churches in the state association (IBSA) is voluntary, in keeping with the autonomy held by churches in accordance with Baptist ecclesiology. The state and national organizations are not “over” the local congregations: local churches make their own decisions and are responsible for their own actions.
Related: Paper’s sexual abuse report leaves SBC’s Greear ‘broken’
As one national leader pointed out, Southern Baptist churches do not have bishops, but are a priesthood of believers. That means all believers in Jesus Christ are personally responsible to God, and as church members are responsible to and for each other. As such, we all must take care to protect each other, especially children and the vulnerable. In addition, when local church leaders become aware of abuse or the potential for abuse, they should deal swiftly and legally with the perpetrators. When asked for references, church leaders should of course be forthright and completely truthful.
Reading the published reports, we grieve with those suffering the effects of sexual abuse. As Scripture says, we weep with those who weep. We encourage all who minister to them to share the healing love of Jesus Christ. For those who lead local Southern Baptist churches, we urge the care modeled by Jesus Christ as the Good Shepherd, who lay down his life to protect his flock.
IBSA has a list of resources for screening workers, preventing sexual abuse in church ministries, and reporting to legal authorities when abuse happens. IBSA regularly offers training and encouragement in these areas. See the list posted on our website at www.IBSA.org/childprotection.
IBSA also offers counseling through its not-for-profit ministry, The Baptist Children’s Home and Family Services. Pathways Counseling service has offices in 12 locations across Illinois.
Please direct media inquiries to:
Eric Reed
Associate Executive Director for Church Communications
Illinois Baptist State Association
3085 Stevenson Drive
Springfield, IL 62703
(217) 685-1387
EricReed@IBSA.org
OR
Nate Adams
Executive Director
Illinois Baptist State Association
3085 Stevenson Drive
Springfield, Illinois 62703
(217) 391-3108
NateAdams@IBSA.org
For IBSA churches seeking resources and training, contact:
Mark Emerson
Associate Executive Director for Church Resources
Illinois Baptist State Association
3085 Stevenson Drive
Springfield, IL 62703
(217) 391-3136
MarkEmerson@IBSA.org