In light of the recent sexual abuse scandal within the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC), of which our church is a participating member, the elders felt obliged to communicate a response to our church family. Part of that response involved amending our church’s bylaws to clarify the church discipline process for a pastor, including the removal of the senior pastor. However, bylaws aren't meant to be a policy and procedure manual that details how a church will care for abuse survivors and prevent abuse. Thus, our work is not done. Today's blog seeks to further explain why the elders felt a response was necessary and to inform my readers of additional actions we’re taking to accomplish our scriptural goal to “aim at what is honorable not only in the Lord’s sight but also in the sight of man.” (2 Corinthians 8:21)

First, as the primary agent for spreading the gospel, the church should do everything within its power to protect that sacred cause. The world has nothing but contempt for those who would condemn the sexual sins of others while tolerating their own. For example, one Tweet responding to the Southern Baptist report quipped, “If the SBC hated abusers as much as they do gay people…we wouldn’t be having this conversation.” It’s our desire to be a transparent community of faith whom those on the outside can respect and where they will feel welcome.

Secondly, as a pastor I’ve always felt that the church’s greatest asset is her children, and that steps should be taken to ensure their safety within every sphere of church ministry. While our policies have remained sufficient for twenty years, they are mainly focused on the protection of children. However, children aren't the only victims of abuse. Therefore, the elders will be reviewing our current policies alongside recommendations made in the SBC's Caring Well guide to discern whether they need updating and to address any new gaps. We do not want to entertain a mindset that assumes “it could never happen here.”

Frankly, sexual predators target churches for numerous reasons. For one, they offer access to children. Moreover, churches that don't practice their policies make themselves easy targets. Christians can oftentimes be naïve as well, choosing to extend “cheap grace” to offenders rather than report the behavior. Therefore, we want to implement policies and procedures that guard the safety and welfare of all our people--and especially our children. If there ever should arise an accusation within the church, our policies should help us meet it with compassion and action to protect the survivor, comply with state laws, and remain faithful to the Word of God.

Finally, I believe that the Lord is able to bring beauty from ashes and that he has already begun to create in thousands of churches across the country a greater pursuit of holiness. And by God’s grace, out of that pursuit a deeper sense of responsibility, accountability, and humility will grow. In recognition of our collective failure, let us pray that God will heal the broken and restore those scarred by the wickedness that would sanction, ignore, cover up, or dismiss abuse in any form.