Gentle Reader,
I had planned to write about something else, but after observing the SBC meetings last week (from afar, both geographically and theologically) that plan has gone by the wayside.
Why do I care about the goings on of the Southern Baptist? It’s not my denomination. Not my theological tradition. In fact, it’s arguable that the SBC isn’t even part of and/or doesn’t even have a theological tradition, as the group arose out of some Baptists desire to maintain slavery. Additionally, in some SBC sub-circles I’m basically a heretic because I’m a lady pastor and my denomination baptizes babies. (We also baptize adults. We like all the baptisms. Let the grace of God flow onto everyone). But nevertheless I care because of the influence the SBC has in the broadly evangelical world/culture here in the United States. Tell me what denominational publishing house can even come close to competing with Lifeway? None.
You’ve probably been touched by the SBC without knowing it. Ever gone through a study written by Beth Moore? (She has of course left the SBC and become involved in Anglicanism, the great-great-uncle or cousin three times removed of the Church of the Nazarene). Have you listened to a sermon preached by Charles or Andy Stanley? Read an interview with Al Mohler? Maybe all of these names are meaningless to you, but even if you haven’t directly interacted with their work you have interacted with pastors, authors, pundits, and online influences who have been shaped by them, in both positive and negative ways.
What the SBC does trickles down into churches everywhere. They’re great at the marketing. Great at the publishing, as I noted above.
Not great in caring for victims and rooting out abusive leaders.
It became clear several years ago that the SBC has a widespread problem. Women (and some men) began to share their stories of abuse – sexual, physical, and spiritual – at the hands of church leaders. Some are pastors. Some aren’t. All were (and in some cases, remain) in positions of authority. Very little has been done to cut this cancer out of the denomination.
Instead, the most important topics at this year’s meeting were making sure to (again) affirm that women can’t be pastors (unless they happen to be single women serving as missionaries in foreign countries whose people are not white…but let’s not look too closely at that). To keep pushing the aims of the “conservative resurgence” that began in the 1980s, when many decided that wedding the Church to the political right was the way to go, any potential consequences be damned. (Answering an objection in advance: I’d say the same thing if it was marriage of the Church and the political left). To debate the merits of Calvinism again.
Five years ago then-SBC president JD Greear told reporters that more than 700 victims were known, and that he was sure there were more.
And then the SBC did nothing.
When the Catholic Church did nothing, there was a large and absolutely correct public outcry.
So this is me, a voice that carries very little weight, crying out. Telling my SBC brothers and sisters that there is no excuse for this. None. You’re stressed out about women preachers? How about being stressed out by those who are perpetrating abuse?
Further, there is no “restoration” for abusive leaders. They are disqualified the second that they harm another person. Repentance and forgiveness is real, thank God. But anyone who hurts another person while at the same time preaching the Gospel – no. That person is done. They do not ever need to be in a pulpit or leading a youth group or anything else with positional and relational authority.
Again, the influence of the SBC is wide and deep. So I care. But it’s not the only reason I care. My gut twists at the suffering that so many are enduring because they can’t escape it. Or worse still, because they think God ordained it. The SBC is big. Headlines herald declining numbers, but there are still almost 13 million people officially involved and counted. I am heartsick over how many live under a dark cloud that has no Jesus in it at all.
Am I saying that people in the SBC aren’t saved? Aren’t Christians? No. That would be just as foolish as me saying that no Catholic is saved, no Methodist is saved, no Quaker is saved. There are many faithful believers who are involved in all kinds of churches. Am I saying that my denomination has no problems? Definitely not. All I am saying is that huge messes require huge clean ups. You don’t get to turn your attention to something else until you’ve dealt with that.
So deal with it, SBC.
There is no excuse.
GRACE AND PEACE ALONG THE WAY,
MARIE
Image Courtesy of Danny G