I am very disappointed and disheartened by the news of Johnny Hunt’s decision to resume ministry. I am for repentance & restoration, but I am not for returning a man back to the position he used to violate & abuse someone.
The DOJ investigation of the SBC is not something to fear. If there are crimes, there needs to be justice.
The heart of the messengers in 2021 was repentance, restoration, and reform. If there is more work to do, we will do it.
I believe it is important for you to know that as an @SBCExecComm member that I do not authorize this type of anonymous unattributable statement being released by SBC executive committee leadership. It further divides us and further erodes our credibility.
Dear messengers and those calling for this victory today; please continue to stand with us as we now navigate what will be incredibly difficult. Much Love.
Let me get this straight… It’s okay to shop at Wal-Mart & Amazon… use a Google/Apple/Microsoft smartphone on AT&T, Verizon, or whatever network… (all pride supporters) to attack our convention for hiring a firm that uncovered our ugly sin…
Most SBC churches are pillars of love, ministry, and peace in their communities.
They are not arguing on Twitter…
debating denominational drift…
or organizing factions…
What you see on Twitter is not an accurate picture of who we are as Southern Baptists.
A SBC database designed to clearly identify abusers and protect women and children from sexual abuse must be established immediately. There are no excuses.
There is a movement inside the @SBCExecComm to rebuild the trust that was lost. Please pray for us as we prune, heal, and grow. There are some great men & women of God who are truly trying to do the right things. Time will separate the wheat from the tares.
I have never known a leader worth their salt who quit their team in its most crucial hour. Adversity shines a bright light that exposes greatness or weakness.
Included among the qualifications for pastors/elders/overseers:
Temperate. Self controlled. Respectable. Hospitable. Not violent. Not quarrelsome.
This may be the real crisis.
It grieves me deeply that Johnny Hunt would not have the spiritual and emotional intelligence to realize the deep trauma that he is causing. Not only to the victim of his abuse, but also to all survivors who are watching and re-living their pain as they watch him return…
Six months after being credibly accused of sexual assault, former Southern Baptist Convention president Johnny Hunt is back in the pulpit. He preached Sunday at Hiland Park Baptist Church in Panama City - the same city where he allegedly assaulted a congregant #SBCtoo#Churchtoo
