Updated Wednesday, June 11, 2008

Citing local church autonomy, Executive Committee says no to sex offender database

By Drew Nichter

Kentucky Western Recorder

INDIANAPOLIS - Recognizing Southern Baptists' "belief in the autonomy of each local church," Morris Chapman announced that the Southern Baptist Convention's (SBC) Executive Committee would not support the creation of a database of sexual offenders in SBC churches.

"Southern Baptists believe that the local church in New Testament times was autonomous, and thus our local churches are autonomous," the president of the SBC Executive Committee said in his address to messengers at the SBC annual meeting in Indianapolis.

The matter of a sex offender database was referred to the committee at last year's SBC annual meeting in San Antonio. Oklahoma pastor and former International Mission Board trustee Wade Burleson requested a feasibility study for such a registry "in order to assist in preventing any further sexual abuse or harassment" in Southern Baptist churches, as stated in the motion.

However, in its report to messengers, the Executive Committee noted, "it would be impossible to assure that all convicted sexual predators who ever had a connection with a Baptist church would be discoverable for inclusion on such a list." The report also stated that a Baptist-only database would likely omit sexual offenders coming to SBC churches from other denominations.

The committee recommended SBC churches access the U.S. Department of Justice's national sex offender database, calling it the best resource for protecting congregations against employing known sex offenders.

By and large, the Executive Committee stood on the position that the autonomy of the local church superseded any jurisdictional authority the convention may have to create a sex offender database, explaining that there are numerous SBC entities and resources already in place to assist churches in thwarting sexual predators.

"The convention's role is to encourage, empower and educate local churches as to how to best do their local work to protect our precious children," Chapman said.

The committee's action comes nearly a month after Prestonwood Baptist Church's Joe Barron was arrested and forced to resign his position as minister to married adults over his alleged involvement in an online underage sex sting. Chapman referred to the Prestonwood incident and applauded Pastor Jack Graham's swift action on the matter.

Likewise responding to critics who suggest that the Executive Committee's action on the sex offender database is insufficient, Chapman cited SBC resolutions passed in 2002 and 2007 supporting thorough punishment of sexual predators.

"Never let it be said ... that we are anemic in the fight against sexual abuse," Chapman said. "To say so is a false accusation."

In other Executive Committee-related business, messengers:

¥ Approved the 2008-2009 SBC operating budget, which included a line item for Global Evangelism Relations. When asked about the item from the floor, Bob Rodgers, Executive Committee's vice president for Cooperative Program and stewardship, called Global Evangelism Relations a new initiative born out of the SBC's withdrawal from the Baptist World Alliance in 2004. Rodgers said the initiative's goal is "to continue to develop relationships and fellowship with Baptists around the world."

Chapman later introduced former SBC President Bobby Welch as strategist for Global Evangelism Relations. Welch called the initiative an "iron-clad demonstration" of the SBC's obligation to make "global relationships for the future."

He also emphasized that the new program is not intended to interfere with the work of the North American Mission Board or International Mission Board. Global Evangelism Relations "will always have a view to be a complement and encouragement" to both entities, Welch said.

¥ Approved a recommendation to encourage all SBC entities, churches and new church plants to involve, engage and create more ministries for people with disabilities.

¥ Approved a 2008-2009 Cooperative Program allocation budget of $205,716,834, an increase of more than $5.1 million from the current budget.

¥ Approved three future convention sites: Nashville, Tenn., in 2013; Baltimore in 2014; and Nashville again in 2019.