On Sunday, May 22, 2022, a report was released from an investigation into the Executive Committee of the Southern Baptist Convention. The report (found here) revealed how leaders in the SBC mishandled instances of sexual abuse, covered up for abusers, and displayed a callous disregard for victims and survivors. I am thankful that truth is being revealed and I pray that the truth will spur change. We can rest assured that what is hidden will one day be brought to light. That being said, we have an opportunity to mourn. God’s word tells us that we have a duty to mourn (Rom. 12:15). We mourn for those who have been manipulated, used, and devoured. We mourn that voices have been silenced. We mourn that powerful men have distorted God’s character, and that their actions have caused precious people to doubt God’s love and care for them. We should lament, yes. And our lament should fuel action. Bodies and souls have been destroyed when they should have been cared for. So much of this has been done in the name of Christ. It ought not be among God’s people. Jesus said “’A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit.’” (Matt. 7:18). We have planted our trees in toxic soil and the fruit is rotten. 

In the days before the report was released, I had the opportunity to attend a conference called Restore. The tagline was “restoring faith in God and the church.” Attendees were either people helpers (counselors/pastors) or victims/survivors of abuse and trauma. Many were both. The conference addressed many of the issues that have led to the crisis within the SBC. The speakers at Restore were gracious to offer us their invaluable wisdom. This wisdom has been gained through education and research, but mainly through being on the ground working with and caring well for those who have been hurt. The goal of the conference was to talk about the reasons churches have gone astray and what we should do instead. We discussed how to distinguish between a wolf and a shepherd, and how to care well for those who are hurting, wounded, and vulnerable. We learned the importance of naming the problem, telling the truth, and pursuing accountability. There were conversations on how to restore faith in those who have been traumatized. We got to hear the heart of our Creator and our Savior towards his children. Mary DeMuth’s opening words were, “Welcome to the community of the broken—where Jesus likes to hang out.” I know that those words were a balm to dry and weary souls. We are all broken, but for some that brokenness has been compounded and ignored by the very people and in the very places where healing should happen. Trauma is a thief. Unfortunately, at times churches are agents of this thievery. This ought not be among God’s people. The reflections of the conference are too many for this post, but I do want to highlight two points in light of the revelations from the SBC. In order to enact meaningful change, we must rightly identify the problem. Too many people seem to be offering solutions, says Lori Anne Thompson, when they should be asking questions. 

Let me say that I know that there are faithful pastors and faithful churches. I know that there are loving and safe communities. However, it can be difficult to know which ones can be trusted. This is especially true for those who have been wounded. Many churches and religious organizations have become institutions rather than the body of Christ. As a result, we seek to protect the institution while thinking that we are protecting the name of Christ. The SBC report revealed that there were pastors and leaders within the SBC who rejected accountability for sexual abusers and care for survivors because they saw at as blight on the name of Christ. They saw it as a distraction against what they deemed to be the more important things: missions and baptisms. Protecting institutions is not protecting the name of Christ. Protecting people is, however, because Jesus is not an institution. When we protect institutions, we trample on the vulnerable. There are many brave and precious souls that have been trampled on and further traumatized because leaders have their priorities misaligned. If we want to protect the name of Christ, if we want to bring glory to the name of Christ, then we seek to bring healing and protection to those who are vulnerable. We do not have to neglect missions and baptisms in order to do so. We do not have to choose. Some leaders refused to act because they believed it would distract from winning souls for Jesus. At the same, the souls of people in the pews are being destroyed, all in the name of Christ. We are told that “Love must be free of hypocrisy. Detest what is evil; cling to what is good” (Romans 12:9). This has been turned on its head. It ought not be among God’s people. 

Not only have we protected institutions over people, but instead of feeding sheep we have put them in a position to be devoured. Unfortunately, we often install wolves rather than shepherds. This happens when we value charisma, giftedness, and even “right doctrine” over character. We have failed to look for Christlikeness and fruitfulness. We have failed to look for faithfulness and humility. If someone “gets the gospel right,” but their lives and their character are incongruent with their message, we are missing something, and we have put the sheep at risk. The wolves often use calls to show grace and offer forgiveness as a way to avoid accountability and justice. People continue to be devoured. We have worshipped at the altar of personality instead of the altar of Christ. It’s no wonder, then, that people have been destroyed. It is no wonder, then, that we blame the sheep for being devoured by the wolf. As Christ-followers and as image-bearers, we are tasked with reflecting God’s image and character on this earth. This means we weep with those who weep, rejoice with those who rejoice, and help bear burdens that are too heavy. We are to be the hands and feet of Christ to those who are hurting and suffering. When we fail to do this, we have distorted the character of God. The head of the church is Christ. As Dr. Langberg said, “a body that does not follow its head is a very sick body.” We have put men on the throne instead of Jesus. Now we are sick, and we are at a reckoning. Jesus, the Great Physician wants to make us well. Will we let him?