Long-term sexual abuse reforms, financial updates highlight EC meeting
NASHVILLE (BP) – At its meeting Feb. 19-20, the Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee adopted a reduced Cooperative Program Allocation budget, deemed four churches not in friendly cooperation with the SBC and learned of the potential launch of a new non-profit organization to manage long-term sexual abuse reforms.
Alabama Supreme Court rules frozen embryos are ‘children’
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (BP) – The Alabama Supreme Court ruled last week that frozen embryos are “children” for the purposes of a wrongful death lawsuit. The decision reverses two lower court rulings.
Goal of new organization is ‘abuse-free family of churches,’ ARITF chair says at press conference
NASHVILLE (BP) – In a press conference Tuesday afternoon (Feb. 20), the SBC’s Abuse Reform Implementation Task Force chairman Josh Wester reiterated that the ARC, a new organization he announced to the Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee the night before, would be an independent 501(C)(3), separate from the Southern Baptist Convention.
ARITF to unveil sexual abuse prevention, response curriculum in June
NASHVILLE (BP) – In an update to members of the Southern Baptist Convention’s Executive Committee Monday night (Feb. 19), the SBC’s Abuse Reform Implementation Task Force introduced a new curriculum designed to help churches navigate steps for the prevention of sexual abuse as well as the response when it happens.
Kentucky Supreme Court: Statute of limitations changes not retroactive for previously time barred claims
FRANKFORT, Kentucky (BP) – The Kentucky Supreme Court has ruled that a law passed in 2017 changing the statute of limitations imposed on sexual abuse cases “does not provide for the revival of time-barred claims” against third parties.
2024 SBC entity ministry reports now available
NASHVILLE (BP) – The Southern Baptist Convention’s 2024 Ministry Report is now available online. The report provides organizational and financial details about the SBC’s entities.
Barber discusses sexual abuse, Law amendment, other issues at FBC Jacksonville
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (BP) – In a conversation spanning nearly 90 minutes and covering many much-discussed topics in Southern Baptist Convention life, SBC President Bart Barber answered questions from Pastor Heath Lambert at First Baptist Church of Jacksonville. Lambert had solicited questions from church members, and they were submitted in advance.
Georgia Baptist leader Thomas Hammond withdraws from EC consideration
SUWANEE, Ga. (BP) – In an email to the Georgia Baptist Mission Board’s executive committee on Tuesday (Jan. 23), GBMB Executive Director Thomas Hammond revealed that he had been selected as the candidate to lead the Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee but had withdrawn his name. The search team had kept the candidate’s identity confidential.
Debate surrounds 2021 email from former SBC attorney regarding Pressler case
NASHVILLE (BP) – An email revealed on X (formerly Twitter) Jan. 19 shows an April 2021 update from a former Southern Baptist Convention attorney to his client, then-SBC EC executive vice president.
U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Southern Baptist, addresses March for Life rally
WASHINGTON, D.C. (BP) – Addressing a crowd he called “a beautiful picture of America,” U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson laid out his philosophy for the American pro-life movement in a speech at a rally just prior to the 51st annual March for Life Jan. 19.