Thread by @RobertDownen_

🧵🧵Today Southern Baptists will choose between two presidential candidates with drastically different views on the SBC's sexual abuse crisis, among other things. But it actually goes much deeper than that. Allow me to explain: #SBC23

Two notes:

1) SBC presidents have very restrained power - they're not popes. But they are a good gauge of how Southern Baptists are thinking about themselves/the future. #SBC23

2) SBC presidents are elected annually, but almost always go unchallenged for their second/final term

But this year, incumbent Bart Barber has a challenger - and one all-too familiar to abuse survivors/advocates (more on that later). Barber was elected in '22 after a historic report that outlined 20 years of mishandled/downplayed abuse by leaders. #sbc23
texastribune.org/2022/06/15/bar…

By most metrics, Barber is the consummate, lifelong Southern Baptist. He grew up in an Arkansas SBC church, first preached at 15, has an SBC seminary degree in church history and is about as theologically/politically conservative as they come.

So why the challenger? #SBC23

The SBC has a LOT of issues right now: Record membership declines, distressed seminaries, debates on women's roles in churches & financial scandals, to name a few. But there's one other problem for Barber. And, as with so much in SBC life, it goes back to one man: Paige Patterson

Patterson is a monumental SBC figure who led the "conservative resurgence" that pushed moderates out of the denomination. In '18, he was ousted from the SBC's Fort Worth seminary for his handling of rape claims + years of personal spending amid cuts to benefits/resources. #sbc23

Barber sat on the seminary's board and was, for years, a friend and supporter of Patterson's - until the '18 SBC meeting, when Barber gave a passionate speech explaining why seminary trustees were morally bound to remove Patterson - the final nail in the coffin.

Barber:

Patterson was enraged. For 40 years he reigned over the SBC with almost unquestioned authority. Fealty was rewarded, dissent punished harshly. Like a Baptist J Edgar Hoover, he kept dossiers on friends & enemies. He was an icon, enshrined in stained glass.

And now he was cooked.

Patterson vowed a quiet retirement, but immediately began plotting. On his way out, he tried to siphon $5M in donations for scholarships. And he helped start a "grassroots" splinter group that opposed a new generation of Southern Baptist leaders. #SBC23 houstonchronicle.com/life/article/c…

In the wake of our reporting on sex abuse, that group (the Conservative Baptist Network) has routinely downplayed the issue and rejected advice from others, including experts, on modest reforms. Here's a very long/worthwhile thread from last year. #SBC23

https://twitter.com/RobertDownen_/status/1529084753705582593?s=20

This year, CBN is backing the challenge to Barber's presidency, alleging their staunch conservative, one-time ally is helping with a (nonexistent) "liberal" drift in the SBC. And they're running a candidate who has a long history of opposition to abuse reforms.

Meet Mike Stone:

Stone is a Georgia pastor and former chairman of the SBC's executive committee (the group at the heart of the blockbuster 2022 report that uncovered decades of mishandled abuse by SBC leaders).
texasstandard.org/stories/report…

In the wake of our first reporting on abuse in 2019, Stone was among leaders who controversially killed early inquiries into 10 churches that were requested by then-President JD Greear. It was devastating to survivors who thought they might finally see justice.

After the decision, one church decided to do an independent review of a former employee accused of abuse. They found 10 victims, and said Stone's handling of the matter "nearly succeeded in protecting a confirmed child sex abuser." #SBC23
houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-t…

Hours before I published the above report, numerous people - including journalists - saw Stone insult an abuse survivor at the SBC's 2021 meeting. Stone claimed it was a "polite" exchange. The survivor left in tears.

https://twitter.com/JonathanLKrohn/status/1404592741535911938?s=20

Stone had also recently been accused of launching investigations into then-ERLC leader Russell Moore in retaliation for Moore's work with abuse survivors who were critical of Stone and other SBC executive committee members. Moore said they wanted to silence him. #SBC23

In 2021, Stone narrowly lost his first bid for SBC president to Ed Litton, who ran on abuse reforms and racial reconciliation. Despite Biblical teachings against suing other Christians, Stone briefly sued Moore for defamation and blamed him for his loss.
religionnews.com/2021/12/11/rus…

Since then, the SBC has continued to be hit by abuse-related scandals. And there's been more infighting over whether to build on the modest reforms they've passed -- and which SBC leaders have acknowledged are modest, first steps to combatting a larger cultural problem. #SBC23

And there are two massively consequential, abuse-related issues hanging over this year's Southern Baptist meeting. The Department of Justice is currently investigating the denomination's handling of abuse. #SBC23
npr.org/2022/08/13/111…

And, in Texas, the SBC is preparing for a looming trial in a lawsuit accusing Paul Pressler, a longtime Patterson ally and conservative SBC leader, of decades of rape that were allegedly enabled by others. At least 6 men have now come forward. #SBC23
texastribune.org/2023/03/27/hou…

Adding to the fuel: Barber's recent condemnation of Johnny Hunt, the ex-SBC president who was "restored" to ministry months after he was credibly accused of sex assault. Some have rallied around Hunt despite corroboration of his victim's claims. #SBC23 cmf.houstonchronicle.com/news/investiga…

In January, Stone, Hunt and other SBC leaders were scheduled to preach at a conference that was hosted by a CBN leader, though Hunt was disinvited after blowback. #SBC23

https://twitter.com/RobertDownen_/status/1597974672343461888?s=20

Nonetheless, the debates over abuse - as well as broader discontent - have provided an opening for Stone, who is running on a platform that would effectively reverse much of the work done re: sex abuse. #SBC23

https://twitter.com/TheSBCPlatform/status/1658697727600103424?s=20

In another move that signals his plans re: abuse, Stone is being nominated for president by Willy Rice, whose recent SBC presidential run was derailed after he ordained someone with a history of sexual misconduct.
religionnews.com/2022/04/04/wil…

And Stone has a real chance of winning. This year's annual meeting is in New Orleans, which is very advantageous for him. And the CBN has already won an important election there this week.

We will see this afternoon.
baptistpress.com/resource-libra…

Also worth noting: Last night, CBN hosted Tony Perkins, the anti-LGBTQ crusader whose been accused of mishandling sex abuse. And last year, they hosted John MacArthur -- weeks after he was accused of covering up child rape. #SBC23 #SBC2023

https://twitter.com/RobertDownen_/status/1666197372693630976?s=20

ALSO: Perkins leads Council for National Policy, an ubersecret network of conservative politicians, judges, media elites & Christian activists. Many CBN members are also in CNP. Patterson/Pressler were some of CNP's earliest members. #SBC23 #SBC2023

https://twitter.com/RobertDownen_/status/1274032736332845056?s=20