tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3874123597623259718.post6686462599929880244..comments2024-03-17T16:21:14.907-05:00Comments on Stop Baptist Predators: Local church autonomy: Theory or Reality?Christa Brownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04560409585720043015noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3874123597623259718.post-71220578189356357542009-12-21T19:39:08.434-06:002009-12-21T19:39:08.434-06:00Theory!Then why did they not let local authority g...Theory!Then why did they not let local authority govern issues made in 1993?<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />iAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3874123597623259718.post-60017445194741286452009-12-21T11:20:05.660-06:002009-12-21T11:20:05.660-06:00"But since the SBC has no legal hierarchical ...<i>"But since the SBC has no legal hierarchical arrangement with its affiliated congregations, it could not force those affiliated churches to submit to the review board."</i><br /><br />I don't see it as a matter of "force." I see it as a way to provide clergy abuse survivors with a place to which they can safely report abuse to trained professionals who will receive them with compassion and who will provide at least some reasonable expectation that their reports will be responsibly considered. As things now stand, Baptist clergy abuse survivors have literally nowhere to turn when their claims are outside the period for criminal prosecution, which most are. I also see the review board, <i>not</i> as a way of forcing congregations "to submit," but as a way of providing congregations with a valuable resource -- both as a resource for expertise and as a resource for information.<br /><br />You're right in saying that a church could still choose to keep a pastor who was credibly accused of sexual abuse and could even choose to disaffiliate from the Southern Baptist Convention if it wanted. That's exactly why the creation of a denominational review board wouldn't interfere with local church autonomy. But if a review board found that the pastor was credibly accused of sexual abuse, at least the congregants would be warned, and other churches would also have that information in the event the pastor tried to move to a new congregation. Furthermore, if a church's pastor was found to have been credibly accused of sexual abuse, and the church chose to keep him anyway, I expect the church's insurance carrier might also put some pressure on the church (i.e., by refusing coverage or making their coverage a lot more expensive).<br /><br /><i>"Obviously, the Methodists and Catholics are in a different situation, legally.</i><br /><br />Actually, I wish this reality were a whole lot MORE obvious. A lot of people seem to think that because they see more Catholic cases in the news, it means there are more Catholic clergy perpetrators. But it doesn't. People are more aware of Catholic cases because their overt hierarchical structure makes lawsuits much easier, which means that more lawsuits get pursued, which in turn provides the media with something they can write about. Meanwhile, people simply don't hear about most Baptist cases because the cases don't get pursued in civil lawsuits, and even when they do, they typically settle out very fast before there is media coverage. With Catholic cases, the media can also write about the institutional decisions of Catholic review boards, which again is a possibility that just doesn't exist in Baptist life, and so Baptist cases stay more hidden.Christa Brownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04560409585720043015noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3874123597623259718.post-18851664707910901292009-12-21T00:49:27.078-06:002009-12-21T00:49:27.078-06:00I agree with Professor Ammerman that the SBC is &q...I agree with Professor Ammerman that the SBC is "hierarchically functioning."<br /><br />Although, I have a hunch that Ammerman would also be willing to recognize that there is a real difference between having a hierarchical polity and functioning like a hierarchy.<br /><br />Theoretically, the SBC could in fact set up a review board. But since the SBC has no legal hierarchical arrangement with its affiliated congregations, it could not force those affiliated churches to submit to the review board. Of course, the SBC could threaten to disfellowship such a church. However, the church could very well choose to disaffiliate (rather than be disfellowshipped) and then what? <br /><br />Obviously, the Methodists and Catholics are in a different situation, legally. <br /><br />There are obviously many steps that the SBC can take - steps that they have thus far rejected. I tend to think though that IF Southern Baptists find the conviction to address clergy sexual abuse; they will have to do so differently than other organizations that do in fact have a legal hierarchical structure.<br /><br />I also tend to wonder whether a top-down strategy in to combat abuse is the best approach to take in Baptist life. Denominational leaders may never accept moral responsibility. A grassroots effort may be more effective. Granted, there might not be a groundswell of support for a bottom-up strategy but this might be the only strategy that has potential for success. Don't look for real leadership from Nashville. And at the end of the day, without a grassroots effort, it will be blogs like this one and the Bob Allens of Baptist journalism who are making a real, meaningful effort.AJCnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3874123597623259718.post-4309746303817620672009-12-20T08:46:53.988-06:002009-12-20T08:46:53.988-06:00People and websites who EXPOSE these kinds of issu...People and websites who EXPOSE these kinds of issues and other issues like those written at, purifythechurch.com, wartburgwatch, stopbaptistprediators.com, fbcjaxwatchdog, newbbcopenforum, ministerswatch. ministersexposed, and others sites concerning today's Church,......are my heroes. Seriously.<br /><br />Thank all of you for having the courage to bring issues to light concerning those with the Baptist Mafia and others who use GOD to further personal causes and agendas. And there are many!<br /><br />It does make a difference and I personally, along with many others I know, appreciate you!Dr Whonoreply@blogger.com