#ChurchToo - The Evangelical #MeToo Movement

This article was originally published in French at toutpoursagloire.com.

In the French-speaking world with its Roman Catholic heritage, scandals of sexual abuse by priests are hardly something new or surprising. What may come as a surprise to many evangelicals is the recent discovery of sexual abuse on the part of evangelical pastors – not from fringe groups or cults, but from the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) of the United States, the denomination that gave us the likes of Albert Mohler, Matt Chandler, David Platt, Jen Wilkin, and many other Bible teachers we love and respect. The #MeToo movement that started with the exposure of famous Hollywood and Washington figures emboldened victims of abuse from a variety of demographics to speak out about their own experiences, including the Church. The hasthtag associated with this spinoff is #ChurchToo.

Story upon story reveal that when allegations of sexual misconduct on the part of pastors came to the attention of church leaders, rather than involving the authorities, victims were ignored, blamed, shamed, or silenced, and pastors were discreetly recommended for a position in another SBC church, where the cycle of abuse continued. At the heart of this appalling situation is a desire for self-preservation on the part of traditional churches and their leaders, and a low view of women and children. 

Sadly, the revelation of these abuses that have plagued the SBC have brought disrepute on the name of Jesus Christ and his gospel, and it has also brought into question the authority of Scripture and its teaching on sexuality and on men’s and women’s roles. Detractors argue that “at the root of #ChurchToo stories are patriarchy, male leadership coupled with female submission, purity culture, evangelical personality cult culture, lack of sex-positive and medically accurate sex education, homophobia, and white supremacy.”

As evangelicals in general, and as complementarians in particular, we should be the most vocal supporters of victims of abuse by the wolves disguised as shepherds in our midst. Our high view of Scripture should compel us to speak out for those who have no voices, remembering the stern warning of our Lord, "If anyone causes one of these little ones--those who believe in me--to stumble, it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea." (Matthew 18:16). Our convictions concerning male leadership should by no means hinder us from believing and protecting women and children who come forward with accounts of abuse.

Practically speaking, we should:

1. Take every measure necessary to ensure that such abuses do not take place among us. Careful screening of anyone in a position of authority is fundamental, and especially anyone working with children. 

2. When accusations of abuse emerge, church leaders have a responsibility to report them to the authorities. Anything less would be a violation not only of the laws put in place by our God-given rulers, but also a violation of trust towards those who come forward. 

3. Moreover, our churches need to understand the difference between forgiveness and restoration. Christ’s sacrificial death is sufficient to cover the sins of even a sex abuser and pedophile. But that does not mean that our churches should be places that naively harbor sex-offenders, or worse, restore them to positions of leadership merely because they said “Sorry.” 

4. Lastly, while I firmly believe that the role of elder is reserved for men, according to 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1, I do not believe that that precludes women from holding positions of leadership among us. And their voice is particularly needed when delicate questions of sexual abuse arise. Imagine a woman broken and shamed by abuse from someone in a position of authority in her church. Before whom do you think she would feel most comfortable testifying, a board of (male) elders, or a broader group of leaders, both men and women? But if the only time women are visible is when they are announcing the protocol for the next church potluck, the sister suffering in silence may feel there is no one she can trust, no one who would listen, no one who would understand. 

Let us silence our accusers once and for all: Let’s make our churches places where women feel safe and were predators tremble, knowing that they will be dealt with swiftly and to the fullest extent of the law.