AS THE SBC SEXUAL ABUSE LAW & INVESTIGATIVE PARTNERS TAKE SHAPE THE END OF THE CONVENTON LOOKS TO BE NEARER THAN EVER. WHO IS DIRECTING THE DECISIONS AND FINDING THESE SECULAR LGBTQ, DIVERSITY, INCLUSION SPECIALIST FOR DETERMINING THE FUTURE OF AMERICA’S LARGEST PROTESTANT GROUP ?
Rev Thomas Littleton
10/1/2021
As the weeks pass and the full range of partners at the table with the Southern Baptist Conventions independent task force and investigation partners come to the table the less the investigation looks like a search for justice for abuse victims and the MORE it appears to be the SBC is being positioned for it own demise.
One example as a basis for such concerns is the CHOICE of the SBC Task Force attorney firm who celebrates the following on its website:
- “We contributed to the landmark case in Hong Kong concerning LGBT+ rights – QT v. Director of Immigration. The ruling paves the way for greater LGBT+ equality in Hong Kong.
- We have joined the Human Rights Campaign in a new initiative to pursue strategic litigation in U.S. state and federal courts to address discriminatory actions against the LGBTQ+ community.
- Our Firmwide Managing Partner, Gideon Moore, was part of the delegation that attended an exclusive meeting at the Vatican to present a preliminary research report on the human rights abuses that arise from the criminalization of same-sex acts in the Caribbean.
- We were named as a Stonewall’s 2019 Top 100 Employers for LGBT people in the UK.”
Not everyone would be sad to see the Southern Baptist taken to the woodshed by the Diversity and Inclusion specialist law firms and the independent investigation partners “mosaic of diversity and innovation” culture . But the really odd part of recent revelations it that the SBC leaders look to have delivered themselves up to secular partners and allies who do not share their own core values in the least. You would expect the opposing law firms in the pending class action suit representing the victims to take this line of attack to plunder the massive treasuries of the Convention. BUT there is a BIG problem with these kinds of allies on your own team. Why say this? Because these words and ideas espoused by the partners tend to reflect political and social agenda’s not justice. They certainly do not reflect the Gospel or the original mission of any protestant denomination.
You may say the SBC deserves it and it’s demise is coming at it’s hand but whoever is choosing these firms and solution partners for SBC leaders -or whoever is encouraging them toward these partners looks to be ensuring a major failure of the entire process. Political ideologies cannot bring about true justice. They only twist it.
THE CURIOUS CASE OF THE CASE AS IT SHAPES UP.
HUMAN RIGHTS CAMPAIGN AND DIVERSITY PULSE ALLIED LAW FIRMS
You can read about he two law firms partnering with the Executive Committee and the Task Force here:
THE SBC ABUSE TASK FORCE INVESTIGATING PARTNER
A quick look at the partner chosen by the Task Force for the investigation causes further concerns about the players on the inside. Again who is directing the SBC leaders decisions toward these partners?
Baptist News Global reported on September 10th 2021 that the task force had hired the same firm the Executive Committee had sought to hire. Is there not a problem with objectivity for this partnership as the internal battles develop?
“SBC task forces hires the same investigative firm the Executive Committee wanted but on different terms”
“The independent firm originally hired by the Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee to investigate itself has been chosen for that task again — this time by the special task force created by SBC annual meeting messengers in a rebuke to Executive Committee leadership.”
“The letter of engagement with Guidepost Solutions, however, makes clear that the investigation into possible mishandling of sexual abuse claims will occur fully independent of influence by the Executive Committee and its leadership.”
The concerns over a problematic outcome to the investigation surfaced in the annual Convention and continue to be discussed in media reports like this one in Baptist News Global. BUT according to some the process appears to be ensuring greater transparency. What does not look reassuring is the compatibility of this partners vision and the Christian Convention and the over 47,000 churches it represents.
GUIDEPOST SOLUTIONS
VISION AND MISSION
Vision Statement
“A mosaic of diversity and innovation.”
Mission Statement
“Guidepost Solutions fosters an inclusive environment of professionals who share common values of diversity and equality. We treat each other with respect. We listen to and learn from one another with compassion and empathy. We encourage diverse viewpoints as we provide innovative solutions for our clients’ complex challenges.”
“A dedicated Diversity + Inclusion Committee brings our team together by offering educational presentations, open platforms for listening and discussion, and learning opportunities. We incorporate these activities into our workday and beyond.”
THE GUIDEPOST SOLUTIONS VISON AND MISSION LOGO
“Many of our team members are actively involved in community organizations and programs supporting diverse communities. Some include:“
(Sample of how the mosaic is represented )
“Human Rights First works to create the political environment and policy solutions necessary to ensure consistent respect for human rights — whether protecting refugees, combating torture, or defending persecuted minorities.”
TYPICAL OF TODAYS CORPORATE WORLD BUT NOT REASSURING
Though these kinds of values and vision statements are typical in todays corporate climate the SBC looks to have either failed to recognize that such statements reflect something deeper than mere words or the SBC are being misled by someone inside their own inner circles.
THE SBC LOOK TO HAVE COME TO THE DANCE WITH SOME ONE ELSE GIRLFRIEND.
In light of the Executive Committee law firm’s HRC / PRO LGBTQ stance and the “Diversity and Inclusion Pulse” of the Task Force law firm- the decision to engage Guidepost with its “Mosaic of Diversity” looks to be troubling indeed. The SBC leadership look to be in over their heads if no one noticed the clash of cultures in the partners they have chosen.
CONCLUSION
Something feels OFF here in the entire process and raises concerns of a predetermined outcome that will have more to do with the demise of the Southern Baptist Convention via the political and cultural forces and ideologies long opposed to it and little to do with the actual justice for the actual victims of abuse.
Many are expressing concerns. These CULTURAL realities among the partners and allies chosen so far look to confirm the concerns.
One has to ask “where is the Gospel in all of this ?” or maybe that should have been asked by Baptist leaders long before it ever got to this stage in the process. Again “Who is directing these decisions and setting this trajectory on the inside at the SBC?”. That person or persons should NOT be trusted.
You can read a more on the Task Force choice of law firm at Capstone Report
“Why are Christians using worldly, unbiblical outsiders in dispute with the Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee?”
thirtypiecesofsilverdotorg 