Ministry Sexual Abuse

During a recent podcast, Barber expressed his thoughts on staffing the Abuse Reform Implementation Task Force - C.Index

“The work of a yet-to-be-appointed Abuse Reform Implementation Task Force (ARITF) is likely to take years, with an initial report ordered to be given at the 2023 Southern Baptist Convention Annual Meeting in New Orleans next June.” - BPNews

“Now is a good time for pastors both inside and outside the SBC to assess how they’re protecting their people and to implement improvements. Here are some ideas” - Lifeway

“Now, abuse survivors and Southern Baptists leaders wait to see whether the momentum and historic stances will result in meaningful change in the nation’s largest Protestant denomination.” - C.Today

A few of the many articles on the event: C.Today, RNS, BPNews

“…three key changes address future third-party investigations. One clarification is that those investigations will be launched by the local church or other Baptist body, rather than giving the impression of a top-down approach. Churches or groups requiring financial assistance to hire an outside firm will be able to apply for grants” - BPNews

“Seven survivors of sexual abuse in … (SBC) have issued a joint statement calling for four reforms to be implemented immediately. Among the actions … are the creation of a restoration fund for survivors and the funding of a memorial devoted to all survivors and named in honor of Christa Brown.” - C.Leaders

“Reforms would include a website to track abusers and hiring staff to respond to abuse allegations.” - RNS

“While the GARBC is distinct from our far larger and more influential SBC cousins, we dare not merely curse the darkness of these sins. We must take a good, long, hard look at ourselves.” - David Strope

“The Charles Brown on the list is not the Charles Brown who retired from Government Street Baptist Church in Mobile earlier this year after nearly 45 years as pastor.” - BPNews