Assemblies of God Responds
In a video released on Nov. 5, Doug Clay, superintendent of the Assemblies of God, and Donna Barrett, the denomination’s general secretary, addressed NBC News’ report.
“Abuse of any kind has no place in the Assemblies of God,” said Clay. “Abuse against minors is especially reprehensible and unconscionable.”
Nevertheless, Clay said, “The report by NBC News is profoundly disappointing, because it’s peppered with misleading information. The Assemblies of God grieves with anyone who’s been hurt by the actions of an abuser.”
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“One instance of abuse is too many,” Clay added. “And the General Council of the Assemblies of God is committed to child safety and has an established track record of leadership in this area.”
Clay went on to say that the Assemblies of God has taken a position of “zero tolerance” with regard to clergy sex abuse “for decades.”
Barrett said, “For NBC to suggest that the General Council does not require background checks, screening for credentials, or that we don’t follow mandatory reporting is absolutely false. Background checks and verified references are an established part of our credential process.”
Clay said that contrary to NBC News’ reporting, the Assemblies of God has been at “the leading edge of child safety policies as the standard of care has advanced in culture with the advent of new information, technology, and other resources.”
Barrett emphasized that the reason the 2021 resolution that would implement new standards of accountability failed was not the denomination’s disregard for safety but because the denomination’s polity “makes it impossible for the General Council to provide oversight to the local assembly.”
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Additionally, Barrett said that a denominational process “to address allegations related to credentialed ministers” already existed.
