Churches and Denominations Address Sexual Abuse Crisis

Churches and Denominations Address Sexual Abuse Crisis | [View online]( [Give Now]( Advertisement [Local Church Outreach]( [CT Pastors]( [Subscribe]( [More on Outreach]( Wednesday, February 20, 2019 Churches and Denominations Address Sexual Abuse Crisis You are probably aware that an expose of wide-ranging abuse in Southern Baptist churches [appeared]( recently in the Houston Chronicle. This has [prompted]( SBC president and pastor of Summit Church in Raleigh, North Carolina, J. D. Greear to [call]( for reforms: Among the actions Greear said he will take: More resources for churches to deal with sexual abuse; more background checks for SBC leadership groups and entities; and changes to the SBC bylaws that would allow for the removal of churches that show a "wanton disregard for sexual abuse." These stories have provoked sorrow and anger at the way vulnerable children are preyed upon by those who bear the name of Jesus. Hopefully, more and more denominations will start getting serious about instituting structural reforms to prevent abuse, report abuse to civil authorities, and provide care for survivors. [Church Hosts Forum to Discuss Abuse]( Local churches are also taking this issue seriously. One church in Austin, Texas, responded to this report by [hosting]( a forum discussing issues of abuse: Hillcrest Baptist Church in Austin organized an event Sunday [to] allow a place to talk about concerns the articles brought up regarding other churches around the country. Around 100 people attended. It was an opportunity for church leaders to communicate the policies that are already in place there to prevent abuse (criminal background checks, never allowing an adult to be alone with one child) and to answer questions about how to protect children and support survivors of abuse in the community. [Protecting Vulnerable Children from Abuse]( Maureen Farrell Garcia wrote a helpful piece, “[How to Spot Sexual Abuse in Your Church]( outlining several ways to spot abuse. So how do we learn to recognize potential threats? By listening to survivors who can inform us how abusers function, and by engaging research from experts who treat abusers, victims, and survivors. One other note: I have found prayer to be an essential part of dealing with sex offenders. Because sexual offenses are shrouded in deception, prayer can help prepare one to receive disturbing truths, practice discernment, and also help to illuminate and clear the darkness and confusion created by the abuser. You should also read Morgan Lee’s [overview]( of how churches around the country are responding to increased awareness of sexual abuse. Maybe a few of the examples she highlights will give you ideas for your own church. She writes, The #MeToo movement has spurred sermon series, hard conversations with staff, and revisions of sexual harassment policies. Congregants are sharing their own stories, sometimes for the first time. Pastors will be the first to admit it—many are facing uncharted territory. I hate that I have to write about this. I hate that this is an issue in a place where people should be safest: the church. I hate that the wicked prey on the vulnerable. But this reality should cause us to lament our own indifference to abuse and be vigilant about protecting those whom God brings into our congregations. [Daniel Darling] [Daniel Darling] [Daniel Darling](mailto:krohane@christianitytoday.com) Advertisement More from CT Pastors [Confronting Defensive People]( [Confronting Defensive People]( 7 steps to better conversations with tough talkers. Jim Van Yperen [Read More]( [Lord, Deliver Us from Passive-Aggressive Conflicts]( [Lord, Deliver Us from Passive-Aggressive Conflicts]( Every church has elephants in the narthex. Here are four ways to root them out. Pete Scazzero [Read More]( [Why People Get So Mad at Pastors]( [Why People Get So Mad at Pastors]( There's more going on than clashing personalities. Wayne Cordeiro and Francis Chan [Read More]( Related Newsletters [CT Pastors Newsletter]( Each weekly CT Pastors issue equips you with the best wisdom and practical tools for church ministry. [Sign Up Now]( [Small Groups Newsletter]( Inspire life-changing community with our free weekly newsletter and receive regular access to innovative training resources, Bible-based curriculum, and practical articles. [Sign Up Now]( Advertisement Follow Us: [Follow on Facebook]( [Follow on Twitter]( Need fresh, practical ideas for reaching your community? Each week, you’ll receive a wealth of invaluable ideas and resources for the outreach-oriented church leader. Local Church Outreach Delivered free via email to subscribers Weekly. [Subscribe]( to this newsletter. You are currently subscribed as {EMAIL}. [Subscribe]( to more newsletters like this. Manage your [email preferences]( or [unsubscribe](. Copyright ©2019 Christianity Today 465 Gundersen Drive, Carol Stream, IL 60188 All rights reserved. [Privacy Policy]( | [Advertise]( | [Subscribe to CT]( | [Give Now]( Christianity Today is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.