Southern Baptists Vote to Address Sex Abuse in Churches

 ========= Old Image Removed =========Array
(
    [_wp_attached_file] => Array
        (
            [0] => 2019/06/IMG_3815-scaled.jpg
        )

    [_wp_attachment_metadata] => Array
        (
            [0] => a:6:{s:5:"width";i:2560;s:6:"height";i:1175;s:4:"file";s:27:"2019/06/IMG_3815-scaled.jpg";s:5:"sizes";a:14:{s:6:"medium";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:20:"IMG_3815-336x154.jpg";s:5:"width";i:336;s:6:"height";i:154;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:5:"large";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:20:"IMG_3815-771x354.jpg";s:5:"width";i:771;s:6:"height";i:354;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:9:"thumbnail";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:20:"IMG_3815-140x140.jpg";s:5:"width";i:140;s:6:"height";i:140;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:12:"medium_large";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:20:"IMG_3815-768x353.jpg";s:5:"width";i:768;s:6:"height";i:353;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:9:"1536x1536";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:21:"IMG_3815-1536x705.jpg";s:5:"width";i:1536;s:6:"height";i:705;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:9:"2048x2048";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:21:"IMG_3815-2048x940.jpg";s:5:"width";i:2048;s:6:"height";i:940;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:9:"wbhm-icon";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:18:"IMG_3815-80x80.jpg";s:5:"width";i:80;s:6:"height";i:80;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:13:"wbhm-featured";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:20:"IMG_3815-600x338.jpg";s:5:"width";i:600;s:6:"height";i:338;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:20:"wbhm-featured-square";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:20:"IMG_3815-600x600.jpg";s:5:"width";i:600;s:6:"height";i:600;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:18:"wbhm-featured-home";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:20:"IMG_3815-677x311.jpg";s:5:"width";i:677;s:6:"height";i:311;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:22:"wbhm-featured-carousel";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:20:"IMG_3815-470x216.jpg";s:5:"width";i:470;s:6:"height";i:216;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:28:"ab-block-post-grid-landscape";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:20:"IMG_3815-600x400.jpg";s:5:"width";i:600;s:6:"height";i:400;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:25:"ab-block-post-grid-square";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:20:"IMG_3815-600x600.jpg";s:5:"width";i:600;s:6:"height";i:600;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:14:"post-thumbnail";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:20:"IMG_3815-125x125.jpg";s:5:"width";i:125;s:6:"height";i:125;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}}s:10:"image_meta";a:12:{s:8:"aperture";s:1:"0";s:6:"credit";s:0:"";s:6:"camera";s:0:"";s:7:"caption";s:0:"";s:17:"created_timestamp";s:1:"0";s:9:"copyright";s:0:"";s:12:"focal_length";s:1:"0";s:3:"iso";s:1:"0";s:13:"shutter_speed";s:1:"0";s:5:"title";s:0:"";s:11:"orientation";s:1:"0";s:8:"keywords";a:0:{}}s:14:"original_image";s:12:"IMG_3815.jpg";}
        )

    [_media_credit] => Array
        (
            [0] => Sherrel Wheeler Stewart
        )

    [_navis_media_credit_org] => Array
        (
            [0] =>  WBHM 
        )

    [_navis_media_can_distribute] => Array
        (
            [0] => 
        )

    [_imagify_optimization_level] => Array
        (
            [0] => 0
        )

    [_imagify_status] => Array
        (
            [0] => error
        )

    [_imagify_data] => Array
        (
            [0] => a:2:{s:5:"sizes";a:1:{s:4:"full";a:2:{s:7:"success";b:0;s:5:"error";s:52:"Backup failed: The backup directory is not writable.";}}s:5:"stats";a:3:{s:13:"original_size";i:0;s:14:"optimized_size";i:0;s:7:"percent";i:0;}}
        )

)
1662256412 
1560326399

Pastors at the Southern Baptist Convention on Tuesday enacted new measures to address a sexual abuse crisis in the church. The vote makes it easier to expel churches that mishandle abuse cases. The actions come after recent reports unveiled decades of sexual abuse in the church.

Abuse victims shared their stories on panels and at a protest rally at the group’s national annual meeting this week in Birmingham.

The Rev. J.D. Greear, president of the Southern Baptist Convention, says he’ll present a detailed plan today to address the issue.  Delegates are expected to vote on that plan afterwards.

Susan Codone, an abuse victim who grew up near Birmingham, says not much has changed since she was abused by her youth pastor at a church camp when she was 14.

“What I do want you to know that my youth pastor served in churches in Birmingham until his death in 2017,” she says. “That is 33 years of unimpeded ministry in this town.”

When she went to tell her senior pastor about the abuse, he also abused her, she says; both men threatened to harm or kill her if she told anyone.

Greear says he’s committed to addressing the sex abuse issue. The topic was a major focus in his 45-minute address on Tuesday.

“This is not a distraction from the mission, brothers and sisters. Protecting God’s children is the mission of the church,” he says.

Greear also talked politics. Most Southern Baptist evangelicals are aligned with Republicans on key issues, including abortion and homosexuality. But Greear warned against getting too caught up in partisan politics.

J.D. Greear , president of the Southern Baptist Convention, speaks during the annual meeting in Birmingham on Tuesday, June 11.

Sherrel Wheeler Stewart,WBHM 90.3 FM
J.D. Greear , president of the Southern Baptist Convention, speaks during the annual meeting in Birmingham on Tuesday, June 11.

“When we tie our message too closely to a political platform, we put an unnecessary obstacle in the way of the gospel for half of our mission field,” Greear says.

He encouraged members to focus on their traditional values over political party and strategy.

Kim Kirkland, a delegate, or messenger, to the conference from Mississippi, says she agrees with Greear on eliminating sexual abuse in the church.

“The church has to stand up and protect those who are in our congregations – especially children,” she says. “That’s important.”

Samuel Rodriguez, pastor of the First Hispanic Baptist Church in Savannah, Ga., says for him it comes down to honor and respect.

“God wants us to live honorable lives and respect others,” he says.

The Greater Birmingham Convention and Visitors Bureau projects the gathering will have an $18 million economic impact on the city.

Editor Note: Sherrel Wheeler Stewart is a member of a church affiliated with the Southern Baptist Convention and the National Baptist Convention.

 

 

Trump administration illegally froze billions in Harvard funds, judge rules

The ruling is a legal victory for Harvard but the White House says it will appeal the decision.

How Trump’s latest crypto launch enriches his family

The president and his sons made $5 billion on paper as their cryptocurrency started trading — highlighting the extraordinary degree to which they are personally profiting from Trump's return to the Oval Office.

Florida working to end vaccine mandates

Florida lawmakers will vote whether to repeal a law that requires children to receive vaccines for polio, diphtheria, measles, and mumps before entering school.

Epstein survivors join with lawmakers in calling for full release of government files

Standing in front of the U.S. Capitol, a group of eight survivors shared emotional stories of abuse and demanded more transparency from Congress on the government's investigation into Jeffrey Epstein.

President Trump floats deploying National Guard troops to New Orleans

President Trump said the White House is considering whether to deploy National Guard troops to Chicago or a place with a governor who would welcome them, like New Orleans.

In a brawl over right-wing TV, Newsmax sues Fox News

Right-wing TV news outlet Newsmax sued Fox News on antitrust grounds, alleging the conservative media powerhouse had illegally sought to suppress its smaller rival's growth in cable news.

More Arts and Culture Coverage