Autonomy and Clergy Sex Abuse

By William Thornton
SBC Plodder
November 29, 2012

http://sbcplodder.blogspot.com/2012/11/autonomy-and-clergy-sex-abuse.html

Southern Baptists have no real power when it comes to removing even the most offensive pastors from their church staff positions. No associational missionary, no state convention executive, no Southern Baptist Convention CEO, no megachurch pastor - no one compels even the smallest SBC church in the handling their church matters.

So, what should be done when a local church affiliated with a Southern Baptist association, state convention, or national SBC has as their pastor a man who has credible accusations of and pending charges for child sex crimes?

Such is the question raised concerning a pastor and Baptist church in Missouri that is affiliated with a local Baptist association, the Missouri Baptist Convention, and the SBC.

The story is reported by a local television station:

Missouri pastor remains in pulpit after sex crimes allegations

The pastor faced child sex crime charges in 2010 that resulted in one charge dropped and acquittal on the other. There are two new charges against the pastor.

Some people in his church are openly supportive of the pastor. Others associated with his former church are aghast at it all.

The Missouri Baptist Convention has issued a statement that provides an explanation of local church autonomy and the high standards for church leaders. It then says:

We're aware of the situation at First Baptist Church, Stover, and are in contact with the association's director of missions, who is working closely with the pastor and the church. While we respect the independence of the local church and have no direct authority over it, we are deeply grieved by the allegations. We pray that the courts will administer justice fairly and swiftly, and that there will be healing among the wounded church members. We also pray that the church members will have the wisdom, grace and courage to act biblically in their dealings with their pastor. The biblical qualifications for pastor as spelled out in 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1 are clear that a pastor must be above reproach — and even above suspicion. God is gracious to forgive all sins — even grievous sins — and we should be forgiving as well if and when our leaders suffer moral failures. At the same time, we should understand the Lord holds leaders in the church to a higher standard that, when violated, disqualifies them from continuing in their leadership role.

But there is a glaring omission in this article. With child sex abuse by clergy being so prominently reported and discussed for the past decade or more, how could a state convention possibly issue any statement that fails to include anything about the alleged victims of an accused abuser?

Not a syllable.