Southern Baptist Preachers in the news!

[matt wade]

http://www.newsok.com/article/3023635

Lonnie Latham solicits for homosexual sex.

http://www.tampabay.com/news/public...used-of-unlawful-sex-with-17-year-old/1163484

Brian Brijbag sex with an underage church member.

http://www.abpnews.com/content/view/6281/53/

Edward Earl “Eddie” Prince checks out child pornography.

http://www.newson6.com/story/14365841/tulsa-man-charged-with-seven-counts-of-child-sexual-abuse

Vincent Brookfield sexually abused a 7 year old girl.

http://www.abpnews.com/content/view/6249/53/

Joe David Nelms sexually assaulted underage girls.

http://www2.wspa.com/news/2011/mar/22/12/former-upstate-pastor-charged-sex-crime-ar-1612630/

Stephen Douglas Berry sex with an underage girl.



Based on the above I think we can make some conclusions about SBC churches.

 

[tinytim]

Yep, we can.. with all their flaws they are still better than IFBs!

 

[Salty]

...Based on the above I think we can make some conclusions about SBC churches.

My conclusion - men with sinful natures were not walking close to the Lord.

Okay, you listed about a dozen incidents. (mind you each victim is a real person ), but keep in mind that there are over 30,000 independent Baptist churches affiliated with the Southern Baptist Convention! with million of members.

Since you are IFB, you do realize that we could make a comparable list of IBF pastors who have been caught in a compromising position. I will not list any names, since listing names will not bring any glory to the Lord. If someone wanted to, they could google the info.

The point is that being SBC or IFB is no guarantee that a pastor will keep from falling.

I personally know IFB who have ended up in jail for their sins, so please... Rather lets pray for these pastors - SBC, IFB and others so they will not fall into the trap of the Devil.

While I am at it, I'm just wondering how many professions of faith were made this past week in SBC churches? When we walk with the Lord...

Yes, IFB and SBC may have different methods for missions - but lets work together as individuals to strengthen each other and proclaim the Blessed Gospel of Jesus Christ to a lost and dying world.

Salty

 

[menageriekeeper]

Hey Matt? how many are still in the ministry? Did their church seek to hide what they did? (some do, they say stuff like "we are standing behind our preacher until the matter is fully investigated" and then somehow it all just goes awaaaay)

What do you see in the SBC that could be improved to prevent this from happening again?

See, it doesn't bother me or make me angry that you point out flaws in my chosen flavor of Baptist. Instead it makes me wonder what could have been done differently in order to prevent the sin before it was committed.

 

[rbell]

A few thoughts...

In most of the examples you gave, the churches did a background check, which came back clean.

In most all the examples above, the church suspended or terminated the employee, and notified authorities immediately. (there were a couple of examples that didn't say; none of the churches blindly stood behind the accused).

In one of the examples--the Brookfield case--I saw no evidence or documentation that the church was SBC. Please show that he was SBC; otherwise, this comparison is invalid.

So...it seems to me, that the churches handled a horrible situation as well as they could (from all the info I have). Compared with some of the IFB cases you are apparently defending, it would appear your contention falls short.

 

[HAMel]

The other side of the coin is, you won't find Satan working in the dead churches as they are already dead. Satan does his best work in churches that are moving along for the Lord.

It's certainly a shame these men succumbed to the lust of the flesh such as they did.

 

[Tom Bryant]

Why this attack? Have SB's ever claimed to be perfect?

 

[matt wade]

The point is that being SBC or IFB is no guarantee that a pastor will keep from falling.

Salty found the point in all this. No church or group of churches is perfect. We can't take the failings of a few and broad brush the entire camp.

 

[SBCPreacher]

Salty found the point in all this. No church or group of churches is perfect. We can't take the failings of a few and broad brush the entire camp.

Well, I'm glad you said this. I thought you were just trying to run down the Southern Baptists.

 

[Dr. Bob]

Big movement by some hateful gals (don't know what bee got in their bonnet) that ONLY attack and list "ifb" pastors as egomaniacs, perverts, adulterers and pedaphiles. Think Matt is showing MANY men, in the power of ministry, abuse the precious position.

REGARDLESS of their denominations. Catholic Priests get crucified, while Baptists seldom even get mentioned.

On another discussion we saw a Sword of the Lord (baptist ifb paper) ad for their national conference back in the 70's. History shows these men who were the BIG names in ifb were almost all real pervs. As I recall a few names
Dave Hyles - predator, serial adulterer
Ray Batema - adulterer, ran off with church funds
Truman Dollar - sodomy, when exposed blew his brains out
Bob Gray - pedophile (26 counts)
Jack Hyles - adulterer, homewrecker

Pix of the 20 speakers and I think 16 or 17 were proven later to be vile sons of belial.

NOT limited to any group

 

[HAMel]

Dave Hyles - predator, serial adulterer
Ray Batema - adulterer, ran off with church funds
Truman Dollar - sodomy, when exposed blew his brains out
Bob Gray - pedophile (26 counts)
Jack Hyles - adulterer, homewrecker

Dr Bob, I was totally "unaware" of this information. Makes me want to up-chuck! I just wonder how many lives were twisted, torn, ruined or side-tracked because of these men? Absolutely amazing and totally unacceptable. A disgrace.

 

[menageriekeeper]

On another discussion we saw a Sword of the Lord (baptist ifb paper) ad for their national conference back in the 70's. History shows these men who were the BIG names in ifb were almost all real pervs. As I recall a few names
Dave Hyles - predator, serial adulterer
Ray Batema - adulterer, ran off with church funds
Truman Dollar - sodomy, when exposed blew his brains out
Bob Gray - pedophile (26 counts)
Jack Hyles - adulterer, homewrecker

Pix of the 20 speakers and I think 16 or 17 were proven later to be vile sons of belial.

NOT limited to any group

You know, I remember a lot of these guys. I still get the SOL paper.

Makes me wonder (in all cases including the ones in the OP) how did all these men make it to such a position of authority in the church while at the very same time they were committing such gross sin? How did/do people miss that?

 

[Earth Wind and Fire]

Makes you afraid to go to Church on Sunday doesnt it!

 

[Jkdbuck76]

Based on the above I think we can make some conclusions about SBC churches.

Please Matt. I'd like to hear your conclusions. Please.

Here is my question to you and to everybody else: how is Matt Wade's post any different than if I were to post 8 or 9 links of stories that showed crimes committed by <insert a particular race here> and then say something as idiotic as "Based on the above I think we can make some conclusions about <insert a particular race here> ????

Thanks, Matt Wade. You have made my day.

Edit: unless you were painting with a broad brush to expose the stupidity of painting with broad brushes. If that is the case, then I retract my statement above and say "well played, Batman. Well played."

 

[JohnDeereFan]

Based on the above I think we can make some conclusions about SBC churches.

The only conclusion I could make about SBC churches from that would be that, due to the fallen and depraved nature of man, SBC churches must choose men who, by default, are prone to sin.

While each of these offenses are serious and should be dealt with, both by law enforcement and by the church, I find the idea of exploiting the sins of these men (and by extension, the pain of their victims) in order to make a political point, equally disturbing.

While my gut reaction is to say, "Child porn? String him up!" "Sexual assault? Let's take him out into the woods and bury him!", the Holy Spirit working in me reminds me of what I am, where I was when God found me, and what I am capable of without God's restraining hand on my life.

You seem to be exploiting these things to make a point about your dislike for the SBC but the truth is, that as Christians, we should have three concerns:

1. Healing for the victims
2. Justice for the perpetrators
3. Restoration of brothers in Christ

If all you would do is to exploit these terrible acts while ignoring these three concerns, then I would have to question the spirit that causes you to bring these things up.

 

[Jerome]

Are the OP men officers of the SBC?

Contrast the Fundamental Baptist Fellowship International, for example.

In the last decade, the leadership of the FBFI has been decimated by scandals of one sort or another.

Alcohol abuse ended one long-time officer's tenure.

For another, it was massage parlors

Currently, the FBFI is without a chairman, due to his church dismissing him late last year after discovering his financial shenenigans with Christian school association dues monies[!].

Next in line? Oops, the current FBFI vice chairman is the preacher exposed on the 20/20 broadcast.

I could go on.

It's disgusting and as Dr. Bob said, it goes to the highest level in some of these IFB groups.

 

[Earth Wind and Fire]

does anyone know if there has been any egregious behavior by Reformed Baptists or any PB Churches?

 

[menageriekeeper]

Wait a minute. Someone was fired for getting a massage? Or is the implication one of solicting prostit*tion?

Now there's an example of a broad brush. There are many good and ethical massage therapists out that do not engage in anything untoward. But they stuggle against the perception that "something untoward" is going on.

 

[Dr. Bob]

does anyone know if there has been any egregious behavior by Reformed Baptists or any PB Churches?

I know one Reformed Baptist pastor who has been a terrible sinner and continues to battle with sin.

 

[TCassidy]

Yep, we can.. with all their flaws they are still better than IFBs!

Why are you so filled with hatred for people like me?