Ministry Sexual Abuse

“There is no evidence that Bryan Loritts discouraged anyone from reporting sexual abuse when he was pastor at a Memphis church, according to an independent review launched by his current employer, The Summit Church.” - BPNews

On Prov. 15:12 “It would do us well, as institutions and individuals, to consider what areas of our lives and our systems that we’re not willing to run towards the microscope. If we’ll listen to our anger it can help us. Often it is those truth-tellers which stir us up to anger that will give us the key to understanding our blind spots.” - SBC Voices

“Top leaders address divides in the denomination at the first in-person Executive Committee meeting in a year.” - C.Today

Related …

“…the North Carolina megachurch helmed by Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) President J.D. Greear, has hired an independent firm to investigate concerns regarding Pastor Bryan Loritts, a recent hire from Tennessee. At Loritts’ previous church, his brother-in-law engaged in sexual abuse, was prosecuted, and served jail time” - C.Leaders

“The Church of England failed to protect children and young people from sexual predators for decades, preferring instead to safeguard its own reputation, and created a culture where abusers were able to hide, an independent report said Tuesday.” - C.Leaders

“A manual providing guidance on hiring staff members and selecting volunteers is the latest Southern Baptist resource designed to help churches prevent sexual abuse…. The free guide, which is available at caringwell.com/hiring, describes itself as ‘a first step for church leaders on what to consider’ when seeking, screening and choosing staff or volunteers.” - BPNews

“A LifeWay Research study found more than 1 in 10 Protestant pastors say someone on church staff has sexually harassed a congregation member at some point in the church’s life.” - F&T

Arkansas Baptist State Convention (ABSC): “Plaintiff Fields incorrectly claims that the ABSC was in control of the church and the pastor and therefore should have known about and prevented the alleged abuse. … The ABSC denies ever exercising any control over Millcreek or any other Arkansas Baptist church.

“…complementarians such as myself should be the first to recognize the responsibilities and dangers of authority because we recognize the God-intended asymmetries between men and women in the church and the home.” - 9 Marks

The school found out about 2001 allegations two weeks ago, but the victim, Shielagh Clark, reported other assaults to the school in 2005. A BJU spokesman said “the university failed by not encouraging Clark to go to authorities at that time.” Clark did file a report with the Hyde Park Police Department in 2005….