“Now, it’s a new entity today in terms of new leadership. Almost an entirely new trustee board have turned over in that time, or at least significantly turned over in that time,” Wester said. “And so, we have a lot of confidence in placing this in their hands.”
Wester told reporters at a press conference that he is “thankful” and “filled with gratitude for what we just saw for the messengers.”
“The affirmation of these recommendations is really a sign that they are just resolved to see abuse reform go forward in the SBC,” Wester said.
“They have shown it over and over again that they are steadfast in their commitment to see our churches have the help that they need so that we can protect people and care for them…They want to have churches that are safe places,” he added.
Still, Wester expressed frustration on behalf of the task force that the Ministry Check website has not been launched. Wester said that the ARITF discovered over the last year that in the SBC, “you only have as much authority as you were provided.”
He went on to indicate that getting approval to move forward can be a challenge, particularly when it comes to funding.
“So it has been a real struggle for us this year in terms of trying to do all of that,” he said.
“The truth is,” Wester said, “we are nothing short of frustrated. We’re probably beyond frustrated that there are not names on the database right now or that the database is not live right now.” Wester said there are “names that are ready to be published. So we are hopeful.”
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Wester explained the main roadblock to the site going live is an “insurance concern” that has to do with liability. Nevertheless, Wester said he wants Southern Baptists to know that “all of their leaders are as resolved and committed to this task as they are.”
 Abuse Reform and Implementation Task Force (ARITF) told the messengers at the annual meeting of the denomination that after two years of work, the highly anticipated "Ministry Check" website was on hold due to insurance reasons.){kind=link}