SBC Task Force Allowed To Begin Investigation: a Rough Start

The Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee voted 44 - 31 in favor of a motion put forward by Pastor Jared Wellman that allows for full transparency in the mission of the SBC Sex Abuse Task Force. 

It’s start, but my goodness, it’s been a rough start.

This summer at the 2021 SBC Annual Convention, a task force was formed to investigate sexual abuse and the mishandling of sexual abuse in the SBC. In particular, how sexual abuse scandals have been handled by the Executive Committee. This comes on the heels of several sexual abuse scandals that have rocked the SBC, namely the report of at least 700 sexual abuse victims in the convention as reported by the Houston Chronicle as well as other whistleblowers and testimonies of abuse. 

Further, the SBC messengers (representatives from SBC local churches) mandated that this task force and the third-party firm they hired would have full access and that the Executive Committee would offer full transparency. Part of this transparency that was specifically mandated by the messengers was waiving attorney-client privilege. This waiving is considered a best practice during similar investigations as this kind of legal privilege has often been used as tool to hide incriminating evidence that would otherwise be found.

Though the SBC messengers and the local churches they represent are historically understood to be the authority in the SBC, some among the SBC Executive Committee, as well as their allies, have worked hard to protect their attorney-client privilege. There has been multiple meetings in which motions to adopt the will of the messengers have failed while the final discussion on the matter has been postponed again and again. There is some nuance to why some Executive Committee members have stood firmly against full transparency, though most arguments have centered around a desire to ensure their financial duties to the SBC are upheld. Further controversy ignited when the social media accounts of the Executive Committee posted hotly debated content without the approval or even knowledge of most of the actual Executive Committee members. 

There has been much drama and other publications have covered the ongoing issue extensively. I am only scratching the surface. 

Today I am just glad that the Task Force will be able to begin its job. Though this is excellent news, it’s very disheartening that it took this many meetings to reach this still very much split decision. Southern Baptists should take note of the roll call of votes when it comes to deciding who will remain on this committee. Though I’m sure some “no votes” had good intentions, good intentions aren’t good enough. Further, I cannot, in good conscience, believe that all involved truly have good intentions. Even today, power players are attempting to counter the standing vote with underhanded technicalities. According to Pastor Griffin Gulledge:

What Jim Gregory is attempting to do is say that the meeting was *solely* limited to his report and that the vote just taken to waive privilege was out of order. This is dirty parliamentary politics, an attempt to throw out the previous vote. The goal is to delay delay delay.

Brothers and sisters, let’s stop it with these games. Let there be transparency. 

When I say that the Task Force is now being allowed to begin its job, I’m picking my words carefully. Today’s vote, though a victory for justice and transparency, is just the beginning. The real fight is just beginning in the SBC and only God knows where things will go. 

As an aside, I am particularly grieved that reluctance (and sometimes downright obstruction) to ensure transparency in the SBC has been so closely associated with conservative theology. As a theological conservative, it’s distressing to see issues such as sexual abuse, racism, and medical science politicized to such a degree.

I leave you with the words of Pastor Grant Gaines. I echo his thoughts. Though I thank God for this step in the right direction, it’s just the start. 

It’s wild that it would take all this just to get an investigation STARTED. Years of survivors telling their stories. Multiple contentious EC meetings. Resignations. A groundswell of pressure from across the convention. Just to START investigating. I’m glad it has begun, but the real test is going to be implementing the reforms that are suggested based on what the investigation finds. If it took all this just to get started, think about what it will take for us to actually make the needed changes.