In 2018 and 2019, the Fort Worth Star-Telegram in Texas found widespread abuse within the even more insular network of Independent Fundamental Baptist churches. Off the top of my head, Dr. Cedarholm opposed Gothard among other thingsbecause: Sorry, my chapel notes are buried in thegarage. And it was, of course, wholly absent among Christians before 1611. I think they tried to help, but that doesn't mean a thing if there is not good support.". It includes more than 700 entries from cases that largely span from 2000 to 2019. New Beginnings charges $10,300 a year, according to its admission application. Of course, this begs the question: when will some ambitious reporter with her eye on a Pulitzer Prize take up this cause and do a thorough investigation of the public-school system at large? *, At Christianity Today, Kate Shellnut offers a short, helpful summary of the Star-Telegrams horrifying findings, along with some reporting on how the independent fundamentalist Baptist community is responding to its revelations (not well). His brother, Mark Chappell, pastors a church in Phoenix and was named in the Star-Telegram investigation over an alleged incident reported to a previous congregation where he was a youth pastor. But one pastor did eventually call that same philandering pastor to be his assistant. April 9, 2011. I see your point, but I would think that the local church would welcome the opportunity to demonstratethat. An isolated instance handled correctly does not fit. "The school has been cooperating in providing information, but their information is different from hers. "I know they have to be strict -- or it doesn't do much good to send wayward ladies to a school. The scope, scale, and particulars of the widespread abuses they uncover are heartbreaking and enraging. hide caption. Well then! Though not all in the movement look the same, the Duggars showcase several theological and cultural distinctives common among independent fundamental Baptists: adhering to strict biblical inerrancy, usually based exclusively on the King James Version (KJV); homeschooling; abstaining from pop culture as entertainment; and dressing modestly. I mean, arent they reporters and journalists like Matt Lauer, Eric Bolling and BrianWilliams? Whether we like to admit it or not, a large part of the hyper-separatism among Independent Baptists has stemmed from the fact that some of the biggest names among Independent Baptists have routinely turned a blind eye to the moral failures of other pastors or demanded this for their own indiscretions. Many false accusers rose up against Christ but that did not make Him guilty. Subscribe to CT for less than $4.25/month. Independent Baptist - RationalWiki There were girls with some major issues who should have been in a place that helped them and giving them tools to have social skills. These things happened as opposed to brushing it away as not involving usdirectly, They were dealt with appropriately and transparently, including the involvement of the civilauthorities. The report also found major gaps in licensing and oversight. Way way-way off topic; it strikes me that it would be interesting to know a little more about how, why, and when Maranatha decided to part ways with Bill Gothard. Other Christians who were once, or who would once have been, clearly a part of the fundamentalist camp Al Mohler, Ken Ham, David Barton, etc. "You have to treat them humanely.". This year brought a reckoning over harassment and sexism in the Southern Baptist Convention that led to the ousting of one of its most influential denominational leaders, Paige Patterson. Advent Calendar Day 17: Fair and foul are near of kin, TRENDING AT PATHEOS Progressive Christian, Independent Fundamentalist Baptists are a creepy, creepy bunch. He resigned May 13 as senior vice president of evangelism and leadership at the North American Mission Board, the SBC's domestic missions agency. That, in turn, gives Pastor Mallinak the opportunity to say well, heres what we did when we found out about his use of (?) So are we guilty by association and lacking of discernment. I saw this firsthand as a teenager and young adult. Hundreds of sexual abuse allegations in Fundamental Baptist churches Roloff died in a plane crash in 1982, but his ministry still exists in adult programs as part of the People's Baptist Church in Texas and other adult facilities around the country. Top Southern Baptists stonewalled and denigrated sex abuse victims, report says, Southern Baptist leader resigns amid internal division over sex abuse review, Southern Baptists Vote To Hold Churches More Accountable For Mishandling Abuse Claims, A pastor quits over 'adultery,' but a woman says she was 16 when he abused her. Shellnut is also helpful in clarifying just who these independent fundamentalist Baptists are: Around 2.5 percent of Americans identify as independent Baptists, according to thePew Research Center more than belong to the Assemblies of God, Churches of Christ, or Episcopal and Anglican churches. The preacher as "man of God" teaching, the emphasis on authority and control, the lack of openness by . That is seriously misleading. Guidepost will maintain the hotline and keep the information confidential, but will not be looking into the allegations. Whoever restrains his words has knowledge, and he who has a cool spirit is a man ofunderstanding. Bauder joined digital media producer Morgan Lee and editor in chief Mark Galli to discuss the history of fundamentalism, why he thinks the movement is dying, and the circumstances that led it to part ways with Billy Graham. The History of the Fundamentalists Facing a Massive Abuse Scandal I believe we can safely assume that every major organization, institution, or affiliation that deals with children either has had or is having problems. The Duggar family, so much in the news lately, are Independent Fundamental Baptists (IFB), a loosely affiliated, singularly cultish denomination of Christian fundamentalists. ", "Each entry in this list reminds us of the devastation and destruction brought about by sexual abuse," they said. And of course, if church growth is the goal, then church discipline is the enemy, it not being practical and all. I never did any school work.". Steve Coffman, editor of the Star-Telegram, replied that while they appreciated that I brought this additional information and context to our attention they would not be removing us from the databasebecause. Cut off from family and friends for so long, Campbell said she had a hard transition back to the real world. If you're unfamiliar with the beliefs and practices of the Independent Fundamental Baptists, some of them are: The King James Version is the only true Word of God; all other translations of the Bible are the work of the devil.