Illinois Baptist
Burden of accountability Ordination is only the beginning Nate Adams
P. 2
SOUTHERN BAPTIST RESPONSE
‘Bold’ steps urged to prevent sexual abuse Report advocates disfellowship of churches that ignore abuse BY MEREDITH FLYNN
TABLE TALK
Why I ask people to read aloud Mike Keppler P. 13
IMMIGRATION
Who must we help? Pastors respond P. 8
CAPITOL WATCH
Looser abortion regs, tighter homeschooling Proposed state legislation P. 3
Nashville, Tenn. | One week after abuse perpetuated by Southern newspapers revealed hundreds of Baptist ministers, staff, and voluncases of sexual abuse by Southern teers over the past 20 years. The Baptist ministers and volunteers, newspapers found around 380 SBC Southern Baptist Convention Presileaders have been credibly accused dent J.D. Greear said churches of sex crimes since 1998, and about that have turned a blind eye 220 of those were convicted to abuse have no place in or received deferred prosthe denomination. ecutions in plea deals. “We must take bold Meeting the day and decisive steps to after Greear’s address, send an unequivocal the Executive Commessage: Churches mittee recommended that have a wanton disthe SBC’s bylaws be regard for sexual abuse changed to define a coopand for caring for the erating church as one that GREEAR survivors are not in good “has not been determined fellowship with this convention,” by the Executive Committee to said Greear, pastor of The Summit have evidenced indifference in adChurch in Raleigh-Durham, during dressing sexual abuse that targets a Feb. 18 address before the SBC minors and other vulnerable perExecutive Committee. sons and in caring for persons who Greear’s speech was scheduled have suffered because of sexual prior to a multi-part report by the abuse.” Houston Chronicle and San AntoIndifference, Baptist Press nio Express-News detailing sexual reported, could be evidenced by
several circumstances according to the amendment, including employing a convicted sex offender or willfully disregarding compliance
Leaders call for repentance Plans for national, state actions Protect your church from abusers Pages 4-6 with mandatory reporting laws. In order for the amendment to pass, messengers must approve it by a two-thirds majority at the 2019 and 2020 SBC annual meetings. During his report in Nashville, Greear named 10 Southern Baptist P. 4
DEVOTION
When disobedience is required, and divine
in focus
Adron Robinson
Month
Nonprofit Organization U.S. POSTAGE PAID Peoria, Illinois Permit No. 325
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in April
‘Reimagining’ ministry at the Illinois Leadership Summit P. 9 News journal of the Illinois Baptist State Association
MARCH 04, 2019 Vol. 113 No. 04
Online all the time IllinoisBaptist.org
Go to IBSA.org/Evangelism for more information.
IB
New entity heads One named, another coming soon P. 3