CLC report targets sexuality and environment
The Baptist Standard
November 10, 1999
By Ken Camp
Texas Baptist Communications
EL PASO -- Clergy sexual abuse damages the life of the victim, the offender and the church, according to the 1999 report of the Texas Baptist Christian Life Commission.
"The victim's life and faith are often devastated. ... A person exploited during counseling may face triple jeopardy: personal problems, sexual exploitation and rejection by the church," states the report, to be given to messengers attending the Baptist General Convention of Texas annual session Nov. 8.
Sexual abuse hurts the perpetrator's professional life, his family, the reputation of all ministers and the ministry of the whole church, according to the commission.
"Sexual abuse undermines trust between minister and people. It creates internal turmoil, shame, anger and resentment. In some churches it may take years of healing before trust can be restored," the report states.
"Many churches react by trying to conceal the incident, thereby increasing the damage to the church and all involved. Only as clergy sexual abuse is dealt with honestly and openly will healing and health become possible for the church."
The report notes evidence indicating clergy sexual abuse is a significant problem among Baptist ministers, as it is among clergy of all faith groups. The CLC calls on churches to prevent clergy sexual abuse by establishing clear ethical boundaries and responsible policies, including background checks on ministerial staff.
The report also urges ministers to participate in accountability groups and to make a clear commitment to ethical sexual behavior and appropriate boundaries by signing a "Covenant of Sexual Ethics" proposed by the CLC.
In addition to clergy sexual abuse, the report also raises other significant issues for Texas Baptists:
Campaign finance reform. "One of the most serious problems facing American democracy is the current system in which the election most often goes to the highest bidder," the report states.
The current system of campaign financing denies office to good candidates who lack money, gives too much influence to special interests with plenty of money and compels politicians to spend too much time on fund-raising rather than on public duties, according to the commission.
The report specifically calls on Christians to demand reform of current Texas campaign finance regulations: "Texas needs campaign finance reform. ... Reform of campaign finance is necessary to hold accountable all Texas politicians who may be irresponsible. It will also allow some control over the influence of monied special-interest groups."
Environmental justice. Stewardship of creation is essentially a religious issue, rooted in the biblical teaching that the natural world is the object of God's love and redemptive purpose, according to the commission.
"The affirmation of a God-centered view of the universe, a consistent respect for all life and a worldview that relates to the ethical imperative of the common good must undergird the work of the Baptist community acting as stewards of the creation," the report states.
Building healthy marriages. Strong, healthy marriages are essential to building a healthy society, and churches can play a vital role in strengthening marriages, according to the commission.
"The task confronting the church today is to nurture relationships that grow healthy Christian families. To accomplish the mission of God to bring transforming love into lives, a priority must be given to strengthening an essential basic unit of human society, the marriage relationship," the report states.
Christian transformation. The answer to random violence, drug abuse and moral decay in society is not any human strategy, but rather the transforming power of God, the CLC report maintains.
"Our lives are claimed and re-created not by rules, principles or rehabilitative strategies. We are changed by encountering the living Christ and following him," the annual report states.