Following the Care Well Conference, I requested a meeting with Russell Moore and Phillip Bethancourt to better understand how to respond to churches that had questions coming out of the conference. This was the context of the conversation. However, I apologize for any offense that may have resulted from my remarks.
Regardless of how some are attempting to characterize past action and future intent, since last weekend the Executive Committee staff leadership has been in the process of talking with and potentially securing a highly credible outside firm with the intent of conducting an independent third-party review of the accusations recently levied at the SBC Executive Committee.
Floyd’s Letter Draws Mixed Responses
Lawyer Rachael Denhollander, the former gymnast who accused Larry Nassar of sexual abuse, responded to Ronnie Floyd’s letter on Twitter saying, “This cannot be characterized as anything less than dishonest. I am beyond disappointed that at every opportunity to stand for the truth, Ronnie Floyd has deflected and refused to be honest, causing so much damage to so many. This is not honest.”
Former vice president of Lifeway Christian Resources and abuse survivor Jennifer Lyell posted to her Twitter page asking for Floyd to recuse himself immediately from any influence at the upcoming SBC Annual Meeting. She wrote, “@ronniefloyd’s documented actions & decisions as CEO of the @sbcexeccomm were of material significance to the damage done to me & my legal claim against the EC. It is a massive conflict of interest for him to have any role in establishing an investigation into the @sbcexeccomm…@ronniefloyd, you need to recuse yourself immediately from *any* influence or interference w/proposed messenger action to direct the selection/hiring of an independent, experienced firm to investigate all current & past @sbcexeccomm staff, trustees, & contractor actions re:abuse.”
The 2016’s 2nd vice president of the Southern Baptist Convention’s Malachi O’Brien offered support to Floyd, calling Southern Baptists to pray for the upcoming meeting next week. O’Brien wrote on Twitter; “Dear Southern Baptists… For the last 10 years of my life @ronniefloyd has been a friend, a mentor, & a pastor. No one I have higher respect for. He tirelessly serves SBC pastors & churches Do NOT believe the slander & lies. He is a once in a generation leader. Please pray.”
Lindale, Texas’ First Baptist Church’s senior pastor Tom Buck said in regards to Bethancourt’s released secret recordings of Floyd that, “Without the editorial commentary of @pbethancourt, there’s nothing in the audio that suggests @ronniefloyd or @PastorMikeStone was trying to cover up sexual abuse. It was nothing more than an honest and frank conversation about the process of handling a very difficult situation.” Buck also mentioned in his Twitter feed that he believes “Nothing but pure worldly politics are being played out right before our eyes.”
