Help Survivors Get to Anaheim

Hey Everyone!

At the June 2021 SBC Annual Meeting, the messengers overwhelmingly voted in favor of a 3rd-party independent investigation into the Executive Committee’s (EC) handling of sexual abuse cases.

The motion was wide in scope (2000-2021), but narrow in focus (EC Staff and Trustees), and stipulated that the EC would waive Attorney-Client Privilege and not interfere with the investigation or edit, redact, or adjust any findings.

On September 20-21, the EC deliberated this motion, and balked at waiving attorney-client privilege, defying the clearly established expectations of the 15,000+ messengers. This has the potential to undermine the credibility of the investigation, and prolong much-needed steps towards justice for sexual abuse survivors.

For too long, Survivors have been patient, gracious, and generous while the process has worked itself out. And each time, their hopes are dashed on the tragic reality that organizational optics often supersede the responsibility to care for, and show love to, them.

As an SBC pastor myself, I’m grieved for how we have failed them time and time again.

The time has come to cut down the “hedge of protection” around abuse(rs), and take much-needed steps towards justice for our beloved brothers/sisters.

The upcoming SBC Annual Meeting (June 14-15, 2022 in Anaheim, CA) can be a significant turning point. However, because of travel, lodging, and food costs; this trip will be cost-prohibitive for most of them.

This is where all of us can pitch in—let’s help shoulder the financial burden of our brothers/sisters in Christ so they can attend and let their voices be heard loud and clear!