Skip to content
  • The Alabama Baptist
  • The Baptist Paper
  • The Alabama Baptist
  • The Baptist Paper
  • Log In
  • Subscribe
  • Renew
  • Donate
  • The Alabama Baptist
  • The Baptist Paper
  • The Alabama Baptist
  • The Baptist Paper
  • Log In
  • Subscribe
  • Renew
  • Donate
The Baptist Paper
Search
Close
The Baptist Paper
Search
Close
  • Latest News
  • Trending
  • Your state news
  • Classifieds
  • Request a free trial
  • Latest News
  • Trending
  • Your state news
  • Classifieds
  • Request a free trial

Latest details on federal investigation of SBC

  • August 15, 2022
  • Jennifer Davis Rash
  • Latest News, National News, SBC, Sexual Abuse Investigation Archive
(Photo by the The Baptist Paper)

Latest details on federal investigation of SBC

Members of the Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee will hear more details today related to the Aug. 12 announcement of a federal investigation into the SBC. The special called meeting has been reported as an information-only discussion and not open to the public, but more details related to the EC’s next steps in a variety of areas are anticipated in the coming days.

The Aug. 12 news report and accompanying statement by SBC entity and auxiliary leaders and SBC president Bart Barber (see below) does not indicate when SBC EC leaders first learned of the United States Department of Justice investigation but does state the investigation will include “multiple SBC entities.” The DOJ also has not released any information on the topic.

The work being done by federal prosecutors is technically only fact-finding in nature at this point. Its purpose reportedly is to determine whether any criminal activity allegedly occurred by any individual or group (beyond those already convicted of crimes) that appears in the sexual abuse report released by Guidepost Solutions. The Guidepost report was the culmination of the 2021 SBC messengers’ call for a third-party investigation into the SBC EC’s handling of sexual abuse.

According to the DOJ’s website, evidence obtained by the prosecutors in cases such as this one will be presented to a grand jury, and the grand jury will in turn vote on whether indictments should be issued.

At press time, the EC is the only group confirmed to have received a subpoena from the DOJ so far, and no individuals from the EC have been subpoenaed, according to an EC spokesperson. Also confirmed is that the EC subpoena is for access to a full, unredacted version of the so-called “secret list” of ministry leaders allegedly charged with and/or convicted of sexual abuse crimes, which was maintained by previous EC staff members, as well as access to supplemental materials from Guidepost.

Along with contacting the EC, The Baptist Paper has reached out to each of the 11 other entities and one auxiliary (WMU). All responded and most confirmed no subpoena has been received. Two entities pointed back to the joint statement released Aug. 12 by SBC leaders. It states the following:

Collective response released Aug. 12 from SBC leaders

The SBC Executive Committee recently became aware that the Department of Justice has initiated an investigation into the Southern Baptist Convention, and that the investigation will include multiple SBC entities.

Individually and collectively each SBC entity is resolved to fully and completely cooperate with the investigation. While we continue to grieve and lament past mistakes related to sexual abuse, current leaders across the SBC have demonstrated a firm conviction to address those issues of the past and are implementing measures to ensure they are never repeated in the future. The fact that the SBC Executive Committee recently completed a fully transparent investigation is evidence of this commitment.

We recognize our reform efforts are not finished. In fact, those efforts are continuing this very moment as the recently announced Abuse Reform Implementation Task Force begins its work and as each entity has strengthened its efforts to protect against abuse. Our commitment to cooperate with the Department of Justice is born from our demonstrated commitment to transparently address the scourge of sexual abuse.

While so many things in the world are uncertain, we can be certain that we serve a mighty God. Nothing, including this investigation, takes Him by surprise. We take comfort in that and humbly ask you be in prayer in the days and weeks ahead.

Specifically, we ask God to grant wisdom and discernment to each person dealing with the investigation.

Daniel L. Akin, President, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary

Jason K. Allen, President, Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary

Bart Barber, President, SBC

Paul Chitwood, President, International Mission Board

James K. Dew, President, New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary

Hance Dilbeck, Jr., President, Guidestone Financial Resources

Kevin Ezell, President, North American Mission Board

Adam W. Greenway, President, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary

Jeff Iorg, President, Gateway Seminary

Brent Leatherwood, Acting President, Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission

Ben Mandrell, President, Lifeway Christian Resources

Willie D. McLaurin, Interim President, SBC Executive Committee

Albert Mohler, Jr., President, Southern Baptist Theological Seminary

Sandra Wisdom-Martin, Executive Director, Woman’s Missionary Union

Share with others:

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Email

Latest News

  • ABSC employee honored for service, named Arkansan of the Day
    ABSC employee honored for service, named Arkansan of the Day
    March 20, 2023/
    0 Comments
  • First Person: The beauty of country churches
    First Person: The beauty of country churches
    March 20, 2023/
    0 Comments
  • Rashional Thoughts: Trickle-down effect of better listening skills might surprise us
    Rashional Thoughts: Trickle-down effect of better listening skills might surprise us
    March 20, 2023/
    0 Comments

Sign up for the Highlights

Get all latest content delivered to your email a few times a month.
Email is required Email is not valid
Thanks for your subscription.
Failed to subscribe, please contact admin.

Related Posts

ABSC employee honored for service, named Arkansan of the Day

Sitting in a red rocking chair in front of a group of at least two dozen second graders, Bob Fielding recently read the students the

white concrete church near green trees under blue sky and white clouds during daytime

First Person: The beauty of country churches

I was reared in a good ole country church called Six Mile Baptist. You have seen churches just like it: gravel driveway and parking lot,

Rashional Thoughts: Trickle-down effect of better listening skills might surprise us

I’ve been evaluating my verbal communication style lately. What I think I’m saying seems to get lost between my mouth and the other person’s ears.

Bible Studies for Life Sunday School Lesson for March 26

Jesus Opened My Eyes to the Truth John 9:1–7, 32–33, 35–38 To my surprise, the exam questions before me during my third year of college

Want to receive news highlights throughout the week? Sign up here!

Email is required Email is not valid
Thanks for your subscription.
Failed to subscribe, please contact admin.

About

  • Our Story
  • Our Team
  • Our Partners
  • Advertise and Promote
  • Classifieds
  • Contact us
  • Our Story
  • Our Team
  • Our Partners
  • Advertise and Promote
  • Classifieds
  • Contact us

Explore

  • State-specific news
  • Archive
  • Opinion pieces
  • Sunday School lessons
  • Persecuted Church
  • Podcasts
  • Videos
  • State-specific news
  • Archive
  • Opinion pieces
  • Sunday School lessons
  • Persecuted Church
  • Podcasts
  • Videos

Submissions

  • Story suggestions
  • Your Voice/Letter to the Editor
  • Photos / Videos
  • Corrections/other
  • Submission Policy
  • Story suggestions
  • Your Voice/Letter to the Editor
  • Photos / Videos
  • Corrections/other
  • Submission Policy

Subscribe

  • Subscribe
  • Renew subscription
  • Gift a subscription
  • Start a new member subscription
  • Start a new group subscription
  • Start a new subscription at the group rate
  • Hosted Church
  • Manage your group
  • Manage your account
  • Request free trial
  • Subscribe
  • Renew subscription
  • Gift a subscription
  • Start a new member subscription
  • Start a new group subscription
  • Start a new subscription at the group rate
  • Hosted Church
  • Manage your group
  • Manage your account
  • Request free trial
The Baptist Paper
Address:
3310 Independence Dr.
Birmingham, AL 35209
Copyright © 2023 TAB Media Group
  • Privacy/Terms of Use
  • Help
  • FAQ
  • Privacy/Terms of Use
  • Help
  • FAQ

Email:
news@thebaptistpaper.org

  • Latest News
  • Trending
  • Editorials
  • Archive
  • Your state news
  • Opinions
  • Podcasts
  • Videos
  • Persecuted Church
  • Submit your news
  • Photo Galleries
  • Latest News
  • Trending
  • Editorials
  • Archive
  • Your state news
  • Opinions
  • Podcasts
  • Videos
  • Persecuted Church
  • Submit your news
  • Photo Galleries
  • Our Team
  • Manage your group
  • Manage your account
  • Subscribe
  • Start a new subscription at the group rate
  • Advertise and Promote
  • Classifieds
  • Hosted Church
  • Donate
  • Contact us
  • Our Team
  • Manage your group
  • Manage your account
  • Subscribe
  • Start a new subscription at the group rate
  • Advertise and Promote
  • Classifieds
  • Hosted Church
  • Donate
  • Contact us

Log Out?

Lost your password?

Log In

Lost your password?

Log in

Become a part of our community!
Forgot your password? Get help
Privacy/Terms of Use

Reset password

Recover your password
A password reset link will be e-mailed to you.
Privacy/Terms of Use
Back to
Login
×
Close Panel