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	Bellevue Ousts Minister Moral Failure Report to Be Specific By James Dowd Commercial Appeal [Memphis TN] January 23, 2007 http://www.commercialappeal.com/mca/local/article/0,2845,MCA_25340_5298182,00.html Bellevue Baptist Church has fired longtime minister Paul Williams, following an internal investigation into what church leaders described as a "moral failure" that occurred nearly two decades ago. Details have not been made public by the church and Williams has not been formally charged with any wrongdoing, but the incident allegedly involves sexual abuse of a child 17 years ago. A statement issued Monday afternoon announced the church's personnel committee, acting on the recommendation of the investigation committee, voted for the termination. There is no severance package. Williams, who could not be reached for comment Monday, had been employed at the 30,000-member Cordova church for 34 years. Most recently, he served as minister of prayer and special projects. Detailed findings, including recommendations to the church about policies and procedures, will be presented during the evening worship service on Sunday. "There will be a thorough explanation as is appropriate with regard to the sensitivity of the situation and legal boundaries," said Bryan Miller, head of the deacons and former chairman of the personnel committee. "We also want to emphasize our support for anyone who may have felt victimized by the situation and provide counseling." Church leaders said no other allegations have surfaced, but therapy will be made available free of charge to any members who may have been abused. "Some people may have felt they were hurt or victimized as a result of interaction with him," said David Coombs, administrative pastor. "We want to minister and help any member of our church family who may have been affected in that way." The report on Sunday will be explicit and specific, Coombs said, and it will address the nature of the incident. "We've not come across any immoral activity between Paul Williams and any church member," said Jim Barnwell, communications director for the church. "We're fully prepared to do whatever it takes to process this and help in the healing of our church family." After Williams was placed on leave, the incident sparked controversy and made national news following accusations that church leaders did not take the proper steps in reporting the matter. "I don't think it's right because it took them so long to do anything about it," said Jim Haywood, a Bellevue member who launched a Web site last year that has been critical of church leaders. "This information was out there and Steve Gaines knew about it and he held onto it." Gaines, Bellevue's senior pastor, came under fire after admitting he learned about the alleged incident last June. Bellevue members learned about the alleged indiscretion when it was announced during the Dec. 17 services that Williams had been placed on paid leave due to a "past, but highly concerning moral failure." Following the announcement, church leaders launched an investigation and Williams was banned from the campus and not allowed to perform any ministerial duties. But for some, that action came too late. "This should have been dealt with in June, when it was first discovered," said David Brown, a former Bellevue member and coordinator of the local chapter of the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP). "Anytime there is suspected abuse, it must be reported." The full report will be on the church's Web site, bellevue.org, after the announcement Sunday evening. And even though Williams is no longer employed by the church, ministers say there will be no effort to bar him from worshiping there. "We welcome everyone to our worship services," Coombs wrote in an e-mail sent Monday evening. "We would not ban anyone from our worship services." -- James Dowd: 529-2737
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