Together at Dawson

RESPONSE TO THE SBC SEXUAL ABUSE REPORT

This week, Guidepost Solutions, an independent investigative firm retained by the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) Sexual Abuse Task Force, released the findings of a year-long investigation into the handling of sexual abuse claims by the SBC Executive Committee. The results of this investigation are grievous. The report revealed that Executive Committee leaders did not adequately consider, care for, or protect sexual abuse victims.

I grieve and lament the findings of this report. I thank God for the courage of these victims of sexual abuse and their advocates who have pursued justice and reform for years. Their voices should have been heard long ago. I pray that repentance and reform will follow in the days ahead. In addition, I pray that there will be deliberative steps taken to address these failures beginning with the adoption of the recommendations of the Task Force by the Messengers of the convention at the SBC annual meeting in Anaheim, June 14–15.

At Dawson, we actively pray for and seek to foster a culture that encourages transparency, guards against abuse of any kind, and compassionately cares for victims of abuse. In light of these values, every person employed by Dawson must complete a background check and go through an extensive Child Protection screening and training process every three years. All of our volunteers who work with children ages birth through 19 years must agree to our Child Protection First policy, complete a background check, and complete our Ministry Safe online training process every three years. Please know that as your pastor, I am available for any further conversations at pastordavid@dawsonchurch.org.

Pastor David