Church leader: Action needed
NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- The president of the Southern Baptist Convention said Monday the denomination has spent years passing resolutions condemning sexual abuse but now it must act.
The Rev. J.D. Greear made the remarks at a meeting of the denomination's governing body during a report on the progress of an advisory group on sexual abuse. His comments also come a week after two Texas newspapers published an investigation detailing hundreds of cases of sexual abuse in Southern Baptist churches.
With 15 million members and more than 47,000 churches, the Southern Baptist Convention is the nation's largest Protestant denomination. But the faith's structure as a voluntary association of autonomous churches has hindered past efforts at fighting sexual abuse. Some survivors and their advocates have accused the denomination of using the structure as an excuse not to act.
Greear said Monday that local church autonomy should not be practiced in a way that allows safe harbor for predators. He said the denomination should kick out churches that show "wanton disregard for sexual abuse and for caring for the survivors."
The Nashville-based denomination already kicks out churches that affirm homosexuality or call female pastors.
He also said the advisory group is considering the possibility of creating a database of abusers, something survivor advocates have called for for years.
-- The Associated Press
Bahai Center to show PBS film
The Little Rock Bahai Center, 511 N. Pine Street in Little Rock, will host a showing of the PBS documentary An American Story: Race Amity and the Other Tradition from 7-9 p.m. on Sunday.
According to a release by the center, An American Story explores America's history of friendship and collaboration across races. "It seeks to move the current discourse from the 'blame, grievance, rejection' cycle to a view from a different lens, the lens of 'amity, collaboration, access and equity,'" according to information from the center.
A discussion will be held after the screening, and refreshments will be served.
The documentary trailer can be viewed at raceamityfilm.org; contact (501) 237-1844 for more information.
-- Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Lecture series set for March
Pulaski Heights United Methodist Church, 4823 Woodlawn Drive in Little Rock, will host its annual Raney lecture series from March 1-3 with the Rev. Sam Wells, pastor of St. Martins in the Field of London; and the church's choir, St. Martin's Voices.
On March 1, Wells will preach the sermon "Be Angry But Do Not Sin" at 7 p.m., with a reception afterward; on March 2, the sermon will be "Perspectives on the Family" at 11 a.m., with a luncheon for laity and clergy in the Great Hall at noon; and on March 3 the sermon "Three Ways to Pray" will be featured at 9 and 11 a.m., with a reception at 10.
At 7 p.m. March 2, Wells and St. Martin's Voices will present the free choral concert "If Ye Love Me: An Hourlong Concert of Words and Music Exploring the Theme of Love," and a reception will be held in the Gathering Hall after the concert. Tickets can be reserved at phumc.com/raney.
-- Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Religion on 02/23/2019