Hi Christa, I’ve appreciated you reports and notes about this. Did you see the long report June 10th in Christianity Today about this? Very interesting and disturbing since the recent death of Jen Lyall.
Thomas, I wish you luck on the research and I'd be interested in seeing the papers. Social Science research has always intimidated me because it seems so incredibly hard to get good, solid, objective data. I'm a hard sciences guy and research in my field is already difficult ... And frequently not repeatable
I sure wish people would vote with their feet and money when it comes to organizations that accept, tolerate, and - dare I say it - PROMOTE abuse, cover-ups, lies, and deceit.
There's no question that attendance in mainline Protestant denominations, specifically including SBC, has been declining for years. But I haven't any idea if this is a natural action to motal bankruptcy we're part of other trends.
I wonder if there is scholarly research out there on the topic. I suppose in our society as a whole, scholarship is suffering pretty badly at the moment.
I think that the high control, non-denominational mega churches continue to grow. Given even less oversight and adult supervision than even SBC pretends to provide, one has to be exceptionally careful in these
Good question. I have noticed much of the research on religious/political issues have missed the holiness churches like Free-Methodist, Nazarene or Wesleyan traditions. Trying to build my own package of research but a long way from any clear thoughts.
Hi Benjamin, I wouldn't say "all" by a long shot, but I wouldn't argue with "most". I'm very loosely affiliated with a church that accepts all, feeds the hungry, builds housing, counsels those in the grip of substance abuse...
I've fallen out with organized religion for a large number of reasons, but Im totally down with a church that actually tries to act like Jesus.
No way in hell the SBC would accept us if course because I guess we are evil or something.
Dear Christa, I'm angry, saddened, and discouraged. I am not, however, surprised.
I so wish the task force would speak publicly. It would mean so much, even now.
They’ve probably been gagged
Yes. It's so wrong.
Hi Christa, I’ve appreciated you reports and notes about this. Did you see the long report June 10th in Christianity Today about this? Very interesting and disturbing since the recent death of Jen Lyall.
Not sure. I saw a CT June 9 and June 8 article, but not June 10. If you give me a headline for it, I'll try to find it.
Here’s the link. I get the Australian version: https://www.christianitytoday.com/2025/06/died-southern-baptist-abuse-survivor-jennifer-lyell-sbc-lifeway/?utm_source=Newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_content=Southern%20Baptists%20Wrestle%20with%20Divisions%20%7C%20Abuse%20Survivor%20Jen%20Lyell%20Died%3A%20CT%20Daily&utm_campaign=CT%20Daily%20Briefing%20-%2006-10-2025&vgo_ee=SmlHapMUS8UMNFk5YqiXy7bdMJMpa5ANKP2otNbzwG1sOqKLvWus%3AM7btLm%2FWr7RaQHtLol3VwdMe9vBROBcM
Ah yes. I did see that. Thanks for sending the link.
Her story is like a horror story
Indeed it is, as are so many more clergy abuse stories. They're stories that show such unrelenting awfulness in the human heart that they can scarcely be believed ... and yet they're true. I thought one of the most astute reviews of my book was this one in which Rick Pidcock compares it to watching a horror movie. https://baptistnews.com/article/a-controversial-horror-film-embodies-the-real-life-horrors-of-church-abuse/
Thomas, I wish you luck on the research and I'd be interested in seeing the papers. Social Science research has always intimidated me because it seems so incredibly hard to get good, solid, objective data. I'm a hard sciences guy and research in my field is already difficult ... And frequently not repeatable
Has there been a real decline in attendance or/membership over this? If so is it noticed?
I sure wish people would vote with their feet and money when it comes to organizations that accept, tolerate, and - dare I say it - PROMOTE abuse, cover-ups, lies, and deceit.
There's no question that attendance in mainline Protestant denominations, specifically including SBC, has been declining for years. But I haven't any idea if this is a natural action to motal bankruptcy we're part of other trends.
I wonder if there is scholarly research out there on the topic. I suppose in our society as a whole, scholarship is suffering pretty badly at the moment.
I think that the high control, non-denominational mega churches continue to grow. Given even less oversight and adult supervision than even SBC pretends to provide, one has to be exceptionally careful in these
Good question. I have noticed much of the research on religious/political issues have missed the holiness churches like Free-Methodist, Nazarene or Wesleyan traditions. Trying to build my own package of research but a long way from any clear thoughts.
Hi Benjamin, I wouldn't say "all" by a long shot, but I wouldn't argue with "most". I'm very loosely affiliated with a church that accepts all, feeds the hungry, builds housing, counsels those in the grip of substance abuse...
I've fallen out with organized religion for a large number of reasons, but Im totally down with a church that actually tries to act like Jesus.
No way in hell the SBC would accept us if course because I guess we are evil or something.