Today is when a long-awaited report is released with findings from an investigation into SBC leaders' response to sexual abuse w/in the last 2 decades.
Not knowing what this day or future ones will hold, I’m starting this thread to log updates, statements, articles, etc.
#SBC
Not knowing what this day or future ones will hold, I’m starting this thread to log updates, statements, articles, etc.
#SBC
The report is expected to be released at 1 p.m. PT at the website for the SBC sexual abuse task force: sataskforce.net
#SBC
#SBC
As we wait, I'll plug a few things I came across earlier this week in anticipation of the report's release. @RobDownenChron's story on what to know: houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-t… #SBC
Also, @CarolynMcCulley’s podcast interview with @RobDownenChron & @R_Denhollander. podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/wha… #SBC
Meanwhile, @bobsmietana has this thread of clips going.
https://twitter.com/bobsmietana/status/1528163084824719360
A quick history reminder about the path we took to today all the way back from June 2021.
The report containing the investigation's findings started with a successful motion at last year's annual meeting. From @KathsBurgess: tennessean.com/story/news/rel… #SBC
The report containing the investigation's findings started with a successful motion at last year's annual meeting. From @KathsBurgess: tennessean.com/story/news/rel… #SBC
After that, there was a debate on waiving attorney-client privilege. The executive committee ultimately voted to waive privilege. tennessean.com/story/news/rel… #SBC
Then there was fallout of that debate. tennessean.com/story/news/rel… #SBC
After these debates and the vote to waive privilege, Guidepost Solutions got to work and started interviewing people.
Here's a story we wrote in February about @ChristaBrown777 @Dave_Pittman passing along policy recommendations to the Guidepost team: tennessean.com/story/news/rel… #SBC
Here's a story we wrote in February about @ChristaBrown777 @Dave_Pittman passing along policy recommendations to the Guidepost team: tennessean.com/story/news/rel… #SBC
So, exactly what I started this thread for, we already have some Southern Baptist leaders preemptively issuing statements about the report. SBC President Ed Litton says, "This is not a time for hot takes or armchair quarterbacks."
https://twitter.com/EdLitton/status/1528423800467034112#SBC
And we have another media outlet preview to add to the other clips, this one from @spulliam: washingtonpost.com/religion/2022/… #SBC
So, with under two hours to go, we are seeing a lot of tweeting, media reports and I'm sure you're getting texts from this person, etc. It's a lot going on. And in two hours, a reportedly 300-page report will be dropping. As they say, that isn't small potatoes...(1/2) #SBC
I’m no reading psychologist, but I think with all this stimuli, it’s okay to zone everything out and read. And I say that as someone who plans to be tweeting about it. So, if you need to zone me or others out for some time, go right ahead. #SBC (2/2)
Why have a Friday news dump when you can have a Sunday news dump? Am I right? #SBC
Pastor Ronnie Parrott, who helped draft the motion that led to today's report, releases a statement, saying it's the "next step in embracing the renewal and reforms that we need to adopt to protect the vulnerable." #SBC
https://twitter.com/ronniep/status/1528457401904640001
We're getting pretty close to the time here. And what can you expect from me? Some tweets about the report and its contents. Meanwhile, I will try to note some reactions and responses. #SBC
Now, it's entirely possible it will be quieter as people read the report. Either way, I will be paying attention. I expect the forthcoming experience to be emotional, both peoples' individual experience but also the collective experience of reading it at the same time. #SBC
BREAKING per @DGrantGaines, here is a link to Guidepost Solutions' report: static1.squarespace.com/static/6108172…
MORE BREAKING: You can also be directed to the report at the task force's website. sataskforce.net
Here is the web page on the task force's website with a link directing you to the report: sataskforce.net/updates/guidep… #SBC
The fact that my twitter lists that have been feeding me tweets about the "sbc report" and the "sbc guidepost" today have gone quiet suggests that people are trying to access the report and might have started reading. #SBC
BREAKING: Southern Baptist Convention leaders perpetuated a cycle of abuse for two decades by ignoring reports of sexual abuse and dismissing recommendations for reform, enabling a culture that retraumatized survivors, a historic report revealed. tennessean.com/story/news/rel… #SBC
As this thread is to log the developments of this moment: @kateshellnutt w/ @CTmagazine; @RobDownenChron, @John_Tedesco w/ @HoustonChron; and @spulliam w/ @washingtonpost have also posted their stories. #SBC
There will be a lot to break down over time. But I will start with some key findings... tennessean.com/story/news/rel… #SBC
The report publicly details, for the first time, a credible allegation of sexual assault against former SBC President Johnny Hunt a month after his term ended in 2010. tennessean.com/story/news/rel… #SBC
High-ranking staff maintained a list with hundreds of names of ministers accused of sexual misconduct, but did nothing with it. #SBC tennessean.com/story/news/rel…
Meanwhile, leaders spoke poorly about abuse survivors behind their backs and downplayed the extent of the crisis. #SBC tennessean.com/story/news/rel…
The SBC's law firm repeatedly advised leaders not to take action when those leaders were approached with concerns about abuse or reform, the report concluded. #SBC tennessean.com/story/news/rel…
Making on observation on the moment and what I'm seeing in my twitter lists. Those who I am seeing tweet about it are ppl sharing the news articles that have posted. Not seeing the typical Southern Baptist channels go wild, which suggests people are pausing from Twitter to read.
As part of my effort to note responses, Beth Moore (@BethMooreLPM) tweets about the report and Christa Brown (@ChristaBrown777):
https://twitter.com/BethMooreLPM/status/1528472730592546816
Meanwhile, Russell Moore (@drmoore) responds to the report in a column titled, "This Is the Southern Baptist Apocalypse."
"I cannot help but wonder what else this can be called but a criminal conspiracy," Moore writes. christianitytoday.com/ct/2022/may-we… #SBC
"I cannot help but wonder what else this can be called but a criminal conspiracy," Moore writes. christianitytoday.com/ct/2022/may-we… #SBC
.@DavidAFrench tweets, "I expected it to be bad, but I’m stunned at the sheer scale of the evil it exposed."
https://twitter.com/DavidAFrench/status/1528472983173582848#SBC
Now, I will go back to noting some parts of the report reflected in @Tennessean's coverage... tennessean.com/story/news/rel… #SBC
Former SBC President Johnny Hunt faces allegations of assault. Investigators did not find Hunt credible, but found the couple who came forward, and other witnesses, to be credible. tennessean.com/story/news/rel… #SBC
Hunt was most recently the VP of evangelism for the North American Mission Board. He resigned on May 13, a NAMB spokesperson told us. tennessean.com/story/news/rel… #SBC
This is related to the above tweets but also takes another turn. @danielsilliman shares that while reporting on Ravi Zacharias, Daniel learned Hunt was a special guest at a spa that Zacharias later abused women at. #SBC
https://twitter.com/danielsilliman/status/1528472545971798020
Additional news reports coming in, now from @HollyAMeyer @reporterdeepa @CraryAP apnews.com/article/baptis… #SBC
.@SBCvoices, who I'm sure we'll hear a lot more from going forward on the report, publishes its first post, which lets people know where to go to get the report, and a tip to start at the Johnny Hunt section. sbcvoices.com/satf-report-is…
NEW: the SBC Executive Committee (@SBCExecComm) releases a statement from board chairman Rolland Slade and interim president/CEO Willie McLaurin, saying, "we recognize there are no shortcuts" and that the EC will meet on Tuesday. #SBC
https://twitter.com/SBCExecComm/status/1528482978539745287
@SBCExecComm Seems the above link isn't working. Maybe this will:
https://twitter.com/SBCExecComm/status/1528484248113582081#SBC
In addition, the credentials committee has issued the following statement, per an email I received. #SBC 
We have updated our story with comments from @pastorrolland @williemclaurin @SBCExecComm. More of these updates w/ comments to come. tennessean.com/story/news/rel… #SBC
NEW: SBC President Ed Litton (@EdLitton) issues a second statement today about the report after its release. #SBC
Working on updating a story but NEW: Johnny Hunt issues statement in response to allegations in the report. "I vigorously deny the circumstances and characterizations," Hunt says. #SBC
https://twitter.com/johnnymhunt/status/1528489118887555075?s=20&t=a4cB31U1vwA7TBCk-tE24w
We're back at it. We have again updated our story w/ more statements/thoughts, including from @ChristaBrown777. "This has always been a long game and advocacy work in this arena will continue for a very long time," Christa said. tennessean.com/story/news/rel… #SBC
NEW: Kevin Ezell (@kevezell), president and CEO of North American Mission Board, addresses Johnny Hunt's resignation from NAMB on May 13 in a statement. #SBC
Since the last time I was able to check my Twitter list, tweets are flowing in like crazy now. The world has learned about Guidepost's report. #SBC
Real quick, I want to mention the data that I compiled and analyzed about incidents and key figures in Guidepost's report... tennessean.com/story/news/rel… #SBC
A total of 20 SBC leaders were specifically referenced in the report for actions related to sexual abuse claims. That includes 9 SBC presidents, 7 EC staff members (excluding double dippers Floyd and Page, who were also presidents), 2 ERLC staff, and 2 EC members. #SBC
A couple of the folks in that count were mentioned once for not returning a call, for example. However, others were mentioned repeatedly throughout Guidepost's report... tennessean.com/story/news/rel… #SBC
Then, I kept a log of incidents. Each new incident (that could be one email they sent or it could be an email exchange about one issue, for example) got its own excel cell. So, it basically allowed me to count the number of unique examples/incidents involving these SBC leaders.
And then I went back and double-checked each of those incidents. The five people who were involved in the number of "different examples"/"unique incidents" were August "Augie" Boto, Ronnie Floyd, Greg Addison, Attorney Jim Guenther, Roger "Sing" Oldham. There be 👇 the math. #SBC
If I didn't explain that in a super articulate manner because I'm running around making calls, looking for statements, don't hesitate to ask for clarification.
But we did find some good framing in presenting this data in the story: tennessean.com/story/news/rel… #SBC
But we did find some good framing in presenting this data in the story: tennessean.com/story/news/rel… #SBC
I'm back from a phone call and adding that quote to the story. But some more updates. First update, @USATODAY picked up our story. usatoday.com/story/news/nat… #SBC
Updated our story again after speaking w/ @ThigpenTiffany on the phone.
Tiffany said she told the Guidepost team that if they found the "buddy systems," they would find corruption.
"And I feel like that is exactly what they found here,” Tiffany told me. tennessean.com/story/news/rel…
Tiffany said she told the Guidepost team that if they found the "buddy systems," they would find corruption.
"And I feel like that is exactly what they found here,” Tiffany told me. tennessean.com/story/news/rel…
If you all could see what I am on my twitter lists for "Southern Baptist Convention," "sbc report," "sbc guidepost." The amount of people engaged on this issue right now, it honestly floors me. #SBC
A reflection on that 👆 reflection: while this news is hitting fast and furious, the response to this report will stretch over a longer period of time. I.e. SATF cover letter mentioning "implementation task force" to bring a report in 2023. sataskforce.net/updates/guidep… #SBC
Next thing I would like to note: Guidepost called the executive committee members' decision to waive attorney-client privilege "integral" to the investigation. tennessean.com/story/news/rel… #SBC
Back in the fall, it was hard to know the tangible results of waiving privilege. Today, we know. #SBC tennessean.com/story/news/rel…
Another media highlight: @bobsmietana, who whipped this up like the pro he is. religionnews.com/2022/05/22/sbc… #SBC
NEW: Brent Leatherwood (@LeatherwoodTN), acting president of of the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission (@ERLC), issues statement about Guidepost's report. #SBC
Which reminds me: I will keep an eye out, but Southern Baptists, if you see responses from entities/entity heads, feel free to flag. Thank you. #SBC
New: Prestonwood Baptist Church issues response to statements about the church in Guidepost's report. #SBC
STATEMENT: Jason Keith Allen (@jasonkeithallen), president of Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, responds to report. #SBC
https://twitter.com/jasonkeithallen/status/1528539695113818114
STATEMENT: Former SBC President J.D. Greear on the report. #SBC
https://twitter.com/jdgreear/status/1528528574717825037
STATEMENT: Beth Moore (@BethMooreLPM) on the report. #SBC
https://twitter.com/BethMooreLPM/status/1528501375818153985
Catching up on media reports...
#SBC
#SBC
MEDIA: @brandonporter for @BaptistPress
baptistpress.com/resource-libra…
baptistpress.com/resource-libra…
#SBC
baptistpress.com/resource-libra…
baptistpress.com/resource-libra…
#SBC
Alrighty, might try this sleep thing people have been talking about. Be back tomorrow and intend to keep adding to this thread, again w/ statements, articles, etc. about the Guidepost report (tennessean.com/story/news/rel…). Night. #SBC
Good morning. While I still try to synchronize my mind with the fact that it's Monday (after losing all sense of the parameters of time and space this weekend), I'm seeing we have more news reports, responses, etc. to yesterday's news (tennessean.com/story/news/rel…). #SBC
ICYMI, this is the beginning of this thread, which I intend to keep adding to.
https://twitter.com/liamsadams/status/1528346331160379394
Some additional media reports that came in overnight...
MEDIA: From @CNN #SBC cnn.com/2022/05/23/us/…
MEDIA: From @CNN #SBC cnn.com/2022/05/23/us/…
STATEMENT: Phillip Bethancourt (@pbethancourt), former executive VP for the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission, who is mentioned several times in the report. #SBC
https://twitter.com/pbethancourt/status/1528737592740569089
STATEMENT: Al Mohler (@albertmohler), president of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.
"Every single one of these sex abuse survivors deserve protection, but experienced predation. Every cry for help deserved to be heard, but many were not heard." #SBC albertmohler.com/2022/05/23/bri…
"Every single one of these sex abuse survivors deserve protection, but experienced predation. Every cry for help deserved to be heard, but many were not heard." #SBC albertmohler.com/2022/05/23/bri…
STATEMENT: Danny Akin (@DannyAkin), president of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary.
On Johnny Hunt: "name is associated with a variety of programs and other items on campus. We have begun serious internal discussions as to the proper steps..."
On Johnny Hunt: "name is associated with a variety of programs and other items on campus. We have begun serious internal discussions as to the proper steps..."
https://twitter.com/DannyAkin/status/1528733904013860864
NEW story from me on key takeaways from the Guidepost report and a description of yesterday's events: tennessean.com/story/news/rel… #SBC
EVENT: @BaptistBlogger is hosting SBC presidential nominee Bart Barber (@bartbarber) for a Twitter space now. #SBC twitter.com/i/spaces/1YqGo…
👆, will tweet some highlights but likely not live tweet it, tbd. #SBC
SBC presidential nominee @bartbarber says in Twitter space about the Guidepost report, from what he has read so far, "I feel some anger, just honestly, about the things that I have read. I’m astonished and profoundly disappointed." #SBC
"I also, I wish, that I had the foresight to be active and engaged in trying to be part of the solution," Barber said.
341 people in the twitter space and counting. #SBC
341 people in the twitter space and counting. #SBC
Also, from the position I am in as a reporter, I will also be following up with the other SBC presidential nominees for responses/statements on the Guidepost report. This twitter space is just with one of the nominees, which is why I'm highlighting it. #SBC
In Twitter space, @BaptistBlogger asks @bartbarber about the allegations about former SBC President Johnny Hunt. Barber says in response he wonders at times, "Do we select bad leaders or do we make bad leaders out of good leaders?" #SBC
@BaptistBlogger @bartbarber 493 people in the Twitter space rn, including Southern Baptist pastors/messengers, survivors and advocates, and journalists from national media outlets. Needless to say, some close attention to this event to hear @bartbarber's thoughts . #SBC
With this Twitter space finishing up, I'll note that I reached out to the other presidential nominees, Robin Hadaway and Tom Ascol, and will make sure to add to this thread any responses/statements... #SBC
...But I will also note that I interviewed the 3 presidential nominees in April on addressing abuse. #SBC tennessean.com/story/news/rel…
STATEMENT: Rachael Denhollander (@R_Denhollander), who was an adviser to the SBC sexual abuse task force. Rachael compares this moment in the SBC to the "Spotlight" moment, when the Boston Globe exposed the Catholic Church's failure at addressing abuse.
https://twitter.com/R_Denhollander/status/1528784633927716865
POLL RESULTS: I asked Southern Baptists if they went to church yesterday morning before the report's release. And if they didn't, because it was report release day?
37.98 respondents said yes, went to church
7.02 respondents said no, cuz report day
37.98 respondents said yes, went to church
7.02 respondents said no, cuz report day
https://twitter.com/liamsadams/status/1528403957650972674#SBC
And if you can tell me what a .02 person and a .98 person are, I would be very curious to know. But basically, 84.4% of people who answered went to church yesterday.
https://twitter.com/liamsadams/status/1528403957650972674#SBC
I weave in some information related to this poll and other events from yesterday in our "takeaways" story that went up this morning. #SBC tennessean.com/story/news/rel…
🚨 NEW STATEMENT 🚨: Nashville attorneys Jim Guenther & Jaime Jordan of Guenther, Jordan & Price respond to Guidepost's report. "We are greatly disappointed in the lack of understanding the report shows for the role and responsibility of legal counsel," the attorneys write. #SBC
We have updated our main story to reflect Guenther and Jordan's response. tennessean.com/story/news/rel… #SBC
STATEMENT: Ben Mandrell (@BenMandrell), president of Lifeway. #SBC
https://twitter.com/BenMandrell/status/1528753131953201153
STATEMENT: Jamie Dew (@JamieKDew), president of New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. #SBC
https://twitter.com/JamieKDew/status/1528738117687070721
STATEMENT: Vance Pitman (@vancepitman), president of Send Network. #SBC
https://twitter.com/vancepitman/status/1528842903295889408
MEDIA: In his "Religion Unplugged" newsletter, @bobbyross rounds up and writes about the earliest coverage on the SBC Guidepost report for @ReligionMag, a news story expanding geographically and growing in the number of outlets reporting on it. religionunplugged.com/news/2022/05/2… #SBC
MEDIA: Another Tennessee-based outlet, this time from @brentwoodhmpg. #SBC williamsonhomepage.com/brentwood/repo…
MEDIA: @dallasnews on the report and specifically what it says about Prestonwood Baptist and Pastor Jack Graham, a former SBC president. #SBC dallasnews.com/news/2022/05/2…
MEETING: The SBC Executive Committee is scheduled for a special session at 10 a.m. CT tomorrow that will be in open meeting. #SBC
STATEMENT: Robin Hadaway (@robin_hadaway), announced nominee for SBC president, on Guidepost's report. #SBC
@tomascol SBC messengers: all three announced nominees for SBC president have responded to Guidepost's report. In the previous tweet is from Tom Ascol (@tomascol). Below are some comments from Bart Barber @bartbarber at a Twitter space. #SBC
https://twitter.com/liamsadams/status/1528770651015761920?s=20&t=6CAVbABLqHR9rTn5ApNT1w
@tomascol @bartbarber And then, here is the statement from Robin Hadaway (@robin_hadaway) posted earlier:
https://twitter.com/liamsadams/status/1528911002674380800#SBC
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