DOJ investigates SBC

The Southern Baptist Convention released a statement Friday that said the Department of Justice has started an investigation into multiple SBC entities. The statement indicated the investigation relates to how the denomination handled sexual abuse complaints. Earlier this year, an SBC task force released a 288-page report by the investigative firm Guidepost Solutions. The report stated that SBC leaders “singularly focused on avoiding liability for the SBC” at the expense of transparency, accountability, and caring for survivors. In June, the convention created an Abuse Reform Implementation Task Force to help churches implement sexual abuse prevention measures.

What’s the status of the investigation? The SBC Executive Committee's lawyers said it has received a subpoena, but no individuals have been asked to testify or turn over documents. The SBC statement, signed by seminary presidents and entity leaders, said each entity was resolved to cooperate fully with the investigation. It also said the SBC’s willingness to cooperate comes from a commitment to transparency.

Dig deeper: Read Mary Jackson and Lynde Langdon’s report in Relations on the Guidepost investigation.