Confessions of a Recovering Pharisee

Apr 12 2007

Kevin Bussey

PREACHER PREDATORS

15 responses so far

15 Responses to “PREACHER PREDATORS”

1. Kelly Reedon 12 Apr 2007 at 3:20 pm 1

   May the members and parents of churches truly awaken. We are just in the process of implementing a background check policy for everyone who wants to work with 12 grade and under. I know I had a b/c before I was called as pastor, as was our new student minister.

   Question, does this also come back to the way we have made the “Church Letter” into a rubber stamp instead of the disciplinary tool it was meant to be? How could such a pastor transfer his membership from one church to another without something being said? If a church doesn’t seek references, or do a background check, shouldn’t the church be under some obligation to send a word with their membership?

   I pray we will truly take the protection of our kids more seriously.

   Pursuing Him,

   Kelly

2. Benjieon 12 Apr 2007 at 4:08 pm 2

   At once this saddens, frightens, and angers me. How dare a minister of the gospel be so brazen? Although I know that we are redeemed just as others who accept Christ as their personal Lord and Savior, that relationship alone ought to be the one that curbs such indecency. The saddest part of all this (whether it be Catholic priests, or Baptist preachers offending) is that the witness for the Kingdom of God is smeared. I sometimes wonder why God has chosen to reach the world through the likes of us.

3. Francoiseon 12 Apr 2007 at 5:46 pm 3

   This reminds me of two things- 1) a Black Mass I attended, wherein the “congregants” were worshipping Satan due to their hatred of those Christian pastors/priests/nuns/parents who had abused them. I dare say the rites were a much needed cathartic therapy. The said worshippers certainly blamed Jesus for their misfortunes!

   2) In Kevin’s post about why people like me are unbelievers, I answered that one of the many reasons is due to the glaring fact that all too many professed preachers ( and their followers) behave as if they do NOT believe in an all-seeing God who will inflict post-mortem revenge on them. If they don’t believe in their own teachings, why should we infidels?

4. dhawkeron 12 Apr 2007 at 6:40 pm 4

   Kevin -

   I just posted on my blog a copy of the policy for prevention of abuse that we use at Parkview. I hope it will be a helpful example for those who are wanting to establish a formal policy at their own church.

   May we pray fervently that any predators in the church of God be discovered and dealt with swiftly, and yet that they too may come to a point of repentance.

5. kevin busseyon 12 Apr 2007 at 10:58 pm 5

   Thanks Dorcas,

   That looks good.

6. Quinn Hookson 13 Apr 2007 at 9:10 am 6

   May I make a bold prediction? Those in leadership will wring their hands and say there is nothing we can do about this problem because of the autonomy of the local church prevents any solution. Why can’t our associations and conventions put together a list of these predators?

7. Francoiseon 13 Apr 2007 at 4:57 pm 7

   Why not petition the authorities to keep them under lock and key?

8. DEBBIE VASQUEZon 14 Apr 2007 at 1:01 pm 8

   What about the churches that do NOT do background checks

   What about the churches who decided to allow these ministers in the pulpit

   There are times that a few make these decisions and the church body, does not even know

   How can these things be changed

   I know this, as the preacher who raped me is still the pastor of a Baptist Church. What I do not understand, I had a child by him so it is not just my word against his

   If an investigations is going on — should not the minister be removed until the investigations is done — and should not the parents be informed of the investigation, so as to make an informed decision on whether to allow their children to be around him

9. kevin busseyon 14 Apr 2007 at 9:48 pm 9

   Debbie,

   I’m sorry for what happened to you. I just read about it on Christa’s site. I will pray for you and thank you for your courage.

10. Francoiseon 14 Apr 2007 at 10:53 pm 10

    Debbie- as a former police officer, I must ask- did you notify the police of this criminal act?

11. kevin busseyon 14 Apr 2007 at 10:55 pm 11

    Francoise,

    Here is a link to her story.

    http://stopbaptistpredators.org/article/denton_baptist_pastors_apologize.html

12. Francoiseon 14 Apr 2007 at 11:10 pm 12

    OK Thanks. Dost thou ever sleep???? Isn’t it midnight over there?

13. Francoiseon 14 Apr 2007 at 11:18 pm 13

    Have read it, and think those creatures should be tarred, feathered and placed in the stocks, for starters. One of them calls his criminal actions a “mistake”?????????????? How far off reality is he??

    Debbie, I don’t know about American law, but here, you can take out a civil suit for damages . Might be worth considering. A Melbourne woman recently succesfully sued a public figure for raping her 35 years ago, so do consult a lawyer and see what your chances are. You are the wronged party, and the father of your child shouldn’t be allowed to get away with his reprehensible deeds. Also, find out about child maintenance which is probably long overdue, and how to slug the fellow for it. Such holy hypocrites! Another case where it’s obvious that they do NOT believe in what they preach.

14. Christa Brownon 15 Apr 2007 at 1:06 pm 14

    Debbie’s reported perpetrator is still a Baptist minister who appears to be well-respected and much-loved by his flock. I would also point out that Debbie made great effort to report this man to the BGCT, and to get some assistance with warning others, but she was not helped in the least.

    I urge everyone to read the article in the link to Kevin’s post just above. The other pastor in that article made an apology to his congregation, saying that he made a “terrible mistake,” and that “proper boundaries were not kept.” Yet, it required mustering media exposure for him to resign the pulpit. Even then, another minister tried to stop the newspaper from publishing the story, staying it would be destructive to “the cause of Christ.” And even after all that, the church sent its pastor on his way with a $50,000 “love offering”….and they still keep his name on one of the church buildings. It’s a real good example of why churches need help in handling clergy sex abuse allegations. More of my views on that case are here.

    Kevin, many thanks for raising this issue on your blog and continuing the dialogue, and thanks for your words of wisdom and voice of support on other blogs as well.

15. DEBBIE VASQUEZon 15 Apr 2007 at 6:07 pm 15

    Thanks for caring

    I did go to the police — nothing happened

    I appreciate prayer, but I would really appreciate it if people would start to tell the SBC & BGCT that there needs to be new policies to help with this problem

    I tried to stay within the Baptist organization to try to warn this man’s church of the danger, but they did nothing

    Due to that I felt it necessary to take legal action, so yes I got an attorney.

    He and his church have already made multiple attempts to shut me up

    The thing they do not understand, I cannot agree to be quiet as long as the people who should be doing something are doing nothing

    My silence allowed him access to other children, I will not make that mistake again

    I urge everyone to do something — please do not allow anymore children to be hurt without taking some steps to protect them

    Christa and others have come up with some good ideas to help to protect these young people, who are at risk

    I understand that there needs to be cooperation between the churches and BGCT & SBC and Christa and SNAP and others to try to come up with a good solution. It does not benefit anyone to keep on fighting over this issue. I would like to see hurt feelings and personal conflicts put aside and work on a solution. It is time to stop pretending there is not a problem and start working on solutions.

    Thank you all who have spoken kind words

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