NASHVILLE (BP) In their board conference March 21, trustees of the Ethics & Spiritual Liberty Fee voted to re-designate $250,000 toward the Abuse Reform Implementation Undertaking Force as it wraps up its get the job done in response to the mandate offered by the messengers.
People money were initially established aside following the 2021 SBC Annual Conference when a movement requested the ERLC employ the service of an outside group to oversee an audit and assessment of sexual abuse inside of the SBC. When leaders from the Sexual Abuse Activity Pressure and ARITF achieved out to the ERLC in the next many years to ask for a pause in the audit and assessment, the ERLC agreed, holding individuals resources in reserve.
Furnishing the $250,000 to the ARITF will enable it with the next section of applying what messengers overwhelmingly have asked for at several SBC once-a-year conferences, ERLC president Brent Leatherwood told trustees during the assembly, which was held virtually.
Carrying out so, he continued, would make certain the ERLC keep on[s] enjoying the supportive job that we have experienced with them for the previous quite a few decades. This will not only be constant with our ministry assignment it will align with what is named for in the [2021] movement.
ARITF Chairman Joshua Wester noted the undertaking forces gratitude for the ERLCs steadfast assistance for abuse reform.
For quite a few decades, the ERLC has stood at the forefront of our Conventions attempts to raise recognition, modify the tradition and treatment for survivors of sexual abuse, Wester reported. This most current act of generosity will only reinforce our capacity to progress this do the job between Southern Baptists.
A motion at the 2023 SBC Once-a-year Assembly in New Orleans by Maryland pastor Keith Myer requested that the SBC Business Manual be amended to inquire the ERLC to support churches and entities in responding to abuse. The motion was voted down by ERLC trustees, but Leatherwood built clear it wasnt above disagreement to its sentiment.
He is a robust voice for abuse reform and another person who understands the determined want that we have in our Conference to fight abuse, Leatherwood explained of Myer. Not only did I thank Keith at the time when he made this movement, I wholeheartedly concur with it.
However, Leatherwood went on to spotlight the ERLCs operate as a result of spots this sort of as the Caring Effectively Initiative, the Church Cares curriculum and Caring Well Sunday.
We naturally perspective [response to sexual abuse] as part of our ministry assignment, and we consider it a privilege to do so. Thus, it doesnt always call for any type of an modification, he explained.
Awards presented to Strode, Smith
Longtime Baptist Push contributor Tom Strode was offered the Richard D. Land Distinguished Services Award for his job in journalism, mainly via his 32 several years as BPs Washington bureau chief.
Initially hired by Land less than the ERLCs predecessor, the Christian Daily life Commission, Strode ongoing his work of informing Southern Baptists about innumerable political and community policy regions for many years.
Previous BP editor Artwork Toalston, a co-worker for 23 many years, claimed Strode gave a spine of integrity to Baptist Push that distinguished it in both of those the denominational and secular media contexts. He noted with clarity on the sanctity of existence, bioethics, religious liberty and other general public affairs fears pertinent to Southern Baptists.
However his tales uniquely included a couple of succinct paragraphs for Baptists recognition of opposing factors of see and for their proponents to recognize that Baptist Press, and consequently Southern Baptists, experienced taken care of them with fairness and respect.
When describing Strode, existing BP editor and SBC Govt Committee Associate Vice President of Conference Information Brandon Porter explained, Tom Strode is not only an exemplary journalist but also an exemplary male of God. Southern Baptists have been blessed to have Tom symbolize them. His integrity, humility, wisdom and kindness have been acknowledged by all who labored with him and examine his content articles. Toms operate ethic and grace below a deadline set an illustration for all who worked with him.
When I pause to feel about mentors who have experienced the best impression on my existence, Tom is at the prime of the checklist, said Elizabeth Bristow, ERLC push secretary. Sick never ever forget about my time serving as an intern in the BP office my junior 12 months of university and obtaining to include Supreme Court docket hearings and press conferences at the National Press Club. Tom was normally so gracious, client, approachable, and I discovered so significantly from him that semester.
Congressman Chris Smith (R-NJ-4) was introduced the John Leland Religious Liberty Award.
Smith was cited for much more than four a long time as a primary advocate for worldwide religious flexibility and endeavours for boosting worldwide recognition more than spiritual persecution. Just one of the 19 letters the ERLC issued in 2023 was in guidance of Smiths resolution with regards to violations of religious flexibility in Nigeria and for that country to be selected a Country of Certain Problem.
A fully commited Roman Catholic, Smith also routinely traces up with Southern Baptist sentiment on pro-existence issues as effectively as legislation to fund being pregnant centers and to struggle human trafficking.
(EDITORS Observe – Scott Barkley is national correspondent for Baptist Press.)
