Some Illinois Baptist leaders expressed surprise but are hoping for a godly outcome in a federal investigation of the Southern Baptist Convention’s handling of sexual abuse claims. “It caught me by surprise,” said Adron Robinson, an Illinois representative on the SBC Executive Committee (EC), while also urging prayer for justice. IBSA Executive Director Nate Adams said further exploration by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) seemed to be a natural next step.
But observers outside the SBC and representatives of abuse survivors question whether the extensive report on abuse claims produced by Guidepost Solutions at the direction of the SBC’s Sexual Abuse Task Force (SATF) uncovered only the “tip of the iceberg.”
The DOJ probe was revealed in a statement by the EC on Friday. The EC confirmed it had received a subpoena from the Justice Department and was complying with the request for documents. The statement was signed by the heads of the EC, six Southern Baptist seminaries, two mission boards, Lifeway Christian resources, and the Woman’s Missionary Union, which is an auxiliary—eleven entities in all. The leaders all pledged cooperation in the investigation, but apparently none have been contacted yet.
The Department of Justice would not confirm the SBC statement.
“While we are aware that the SBC has made certain confirmations about this matter, the U.S. Attorney’s Office does not confirm or deny the existence of an investigation,” David Boling, a spokesperson for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Tennessee, said in a statement quoted by the Tennessean newspaper. “Also, grand jury matters are secret and we do not comment on whether or not a case may be before the grand jury,” Boling added.
In other words, no one can say for certain how deep the investigation will go or how long it will last. A DOJ investigation of the Catholic Church in Pennsylvania begun in 2018 produced one arrest in 2020 and is still ongoing.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for Southern New York is also involved in the SBC investigation. Guidepost Solutions, which documented abuse claims in its 288-page report released in May, is based in New York.
That report may serve as a resource for the federal investigation, said Boz Tchividjian, an attorney for abuse survivors, but “they just touched the tip of the iceberg and then they stopped.” He told the Tennessean, “It’s so systemic and so prevalent and I’m hoping that this process with the DOJ will maybe give a greater voice to many of the survivors.”
Tchividjian is founder of GRACE, a ministry addressing abuse, a former prosecutor in Florida, and grandson of Billy Graham.
“I hope people measure their expectations,” he said. “I think it’s a good thing that they (the SBC) are being subjected to the civil authorities… But we just don’t know.”
Hope and prayer in Illinois
EC staff met with trustees and state convention leaders in separate online sessions to explain the statement and the EC’s compliance with the DOJ subpoena, but little else was made public. Of the eleven SBC entities and the auxiliary, nine told our reporting partners at The Baptist Paper they have not received any subpoenas at this time. Response from the remaining two is pending.
“It’s not surprising to me that the Department of Justice is performing this investigation, given the transparent disclosure of so much information through the SBC’s own self-study earlier this year,” IBSA’s Adams said. “Anyone to whom sexual abuse is reported carries a responsibility to the victim and to justice and prevention. This responsibility to protect and care for the vulnerable comes not just from the government but from God’s word.”
EC trustee Robinson from Country Club Hills offered a hopeful response.
The first ever federal investigation of the SBC may have surprised Robinson, “but after wrestling with it, my pastoral response is just to trust God.” He pointed to the fiery trials forecast in 1 Peter 4:12. “I trust this is just another way for God to reveal his glory, and as a believer, I’m definitely not afraid of someone finding out the truth.”
In contrast to Tchividjian’s view, Robinson said Guidepost did a very thorough investigation and “dug up everything they could.” He does not expect new revelations. While urging patience, Robinson expressed hope that the investigation will not be prolonged.
“Pray for wisdom for all our entity heads and leaders” who may be involved with a probe, the Illinois pastor said, “and pray for justice to be done. God is a God of justice and righteousness.”
Meanwhile, Robinson, who is chairing the EC presidential search team, said he has received no negative response from any candidates who have expressed interest in leading the denomination’s central operations hub. Actions by previous EC leaders including former President and CEO and Ronnie Floyd and Attorney August Boto were the subject of much of Guidepost’s report.
The search team is receiving resumes through August 26 to replace Floyd, who resigned in October as the Guidepost investigation was contracted.
On the homefront
The federal investigation does not extend to state conventions.
In Illinois, IBSA continues examining its abuse reporting policies and ministry to abuse survivors. An Illinois task force was established by Adams prior to the release of recommendations by the SATF in June.
“I know our network is becoming even more vigilant and comprehensive in its efforts to equip churches in this area, and to protect both vulnerable people and underprepared churches from sexual predators,” Adams said. “We are also learning more about what it means to respond to victims with heightened sensitivity and meaningful help.”
In five recommendations adopted by messengers at the 2022 SBC Annual Meeting in Anaheim, the SATF urged development of trauma-informed counselors for victims and churches. IBSA has identified several such counselors in the state in its abuse ministry plan which is in development.
“There is still much to do,” Adams said, “but I believe churches and church networks are awakening to the magnitude of the need, especially in today’s culture, and are committed to doing whatever it takes to ensure the safety of all.”