The Abuse Reform Implementation Task Force (ARITF) released an update Thursday (Aug. 31) sharing details on their latest meeting in Dallas, Texas, which included “vetting the names and background information of potential sexual offenders reported to the SBC sexual abuse hotline for survivors to determine their eligibility for Ministry Check.”
It was the first in-person meeting since Southern Baptist Convention President Bart Barber announced changes to the ARITF earlier this month, the group reported. Noting the SBC abuse prevention website is “still a work in progress,” the task force emphasized the site “will serve as the online hub for abuse prevention resources across the SBC.”
For now, the ARITF said, the first names included on the website’s database “will be the names of credibly accused individuals who have been convicted of sexual abuse in a court of law or have had a civil judgment rendered against them deeming them liable for sexual abuse as defined above.”
The task force added they will “continue working diligently to develop standards and protocols for the inclusion of individuals from all four categories adopted by the messengers.”
In addition to vetting potential names and background information for the website, the task force noted they “worked to onboard new members, review ongoing initiatives and identify priorities for the year ahead.”
The site features “two key components,” the task force noted:
— Ministry Check, a searchable database of individuals credibly accused of sexual abuse.
— Ministry Toolkit, a toolbox designed to help churches protect children, students and adults.
‘Future home of all ARITF updates’
The task force also noted the website will “serve as the future home of all ARITF updates.” The task force will transfer “all prior updates to the new website.”
Southern Baptist messengers approved a motion during their 2022 annual meeting to establish and maintain a public online database of “pastors, denominational workers, ministry employees, and volunteers who have at any time been credibly accused of sexual abuse and who have been or are associated with a cooperating Southern Baptist church or entity.”
According to the adopted motion, the group noted, “the term ‘sexual abuse’ is defined by the SBC as any sexual act that could result in a criminal conviction or civil liability in the jurisdiction where it occurred.”
Needed tools, resources
The task force also are “working to create and augment the resources available in the Ministry Toolbox.”
“The Toolbox is designed to give churches the tools and resources needed to help prevent abuse and make them safe for the vulnerable,” they said. The ARITF also noted they have been working closely with the SBC Credentials Committee.
“We will continue working to ensure the Credentials Committee is equipped with the resources and guidance necessary to effectively perform its vital role in increasing accountability in our convention,” they said.
“We will also continue working with our national entities, state conventions, local associations, and churches,” the task force said, “to assist with the implementation of reform measures, including the recommendations, suggestions and requests, put forward to the messenger body in Anaheim, wherever possible throughout the convention.”
To see more ARITF updates, click here.
