WHEREAS, The Bible is clear in its affirmation that children are a gift from the Lord (Psalm 127:3-5); and
WHEREAS, The Lord Jesus demonstrated His love for children by encouraging them to follow Him, correcting those who hindered them, and condemning those who harmed them (Matthew 18:3-6; Mark 10:13-14); and
WHEREAS, The sexual abuse of children remains an ever-increasing criminal offense with more than 1.8 million reported victims of sexual abuse by more than 750,000 child abuse perpetrators identified in the United States alone; and
WHEREAS, Tragically, instances of sexual abuse have even been perpetrated within Southern Baptist congregations, churches of other denominations, and other Christian ministries; and
WHEREAS, the 2013 Southern Baptist Convention meeting in Houston, Texas considered and adopted a similar resolution supporting victims of child abuse, both recognizing the abuse of children as a potential threat within Christian congregations and urging all Southern Baptists to perpetuate a culture of protection within our respective children’s ministries; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the messengers to the Kentucky Baptist Convention meeting in Paducah, Kentucky, November 12, 2013, call upon all Kentucky Baptists to stand with our Lord Jesus in loving and protecting children as He does; and be it further
RESOLVED, That we remind all Kentucky Baptists of their legal and moral responsibility to report child abuse to authorities in addition to implementing any appropriate church discipline or internal restoration processes; and be it further
RESOLVED, That we likewise call upon all Kentucky Baptists to cooperate fully with law enforcement officials in exposing and bringing to justice all perpetrators, sexual or otherwise, who criminally harm children placed in our trust; and be it further
RESOLVED, That we strongly urge Kentucky Baptist churches to utilize background checks like those provided through LifeWay Christian Resources (www.lifeway.com/backgroundchecks), databases of sexual predators such as the US Department of Justice sex offender database linked at SBC.net (www.SBC.net/localchurches/ministryhelp.asp), or other relevant resources in screening all potential staff and volunteer workers, particularly those who minister to children and youth; and be it further
RESOLVED, That we encourage pastors and church leaders to develop and implement sound policies and procedures to protect our children; and be it further
RESOLVED, That we encourage all denominational leaders and employees of the Kentucky Baptist Convention to utilize the highest sense of discernment in affiliating with groups and/or individuals that possess questionable policies and practices in protecting our children from criminal abuse; and be it finally
RESOLVED, That we urge all Kentucky Baptists to pray for children who are victims of abuse, to stand for their protection from abuse, and to support safe and healthy children’s ministries in our churches and communities, and to assist families and individuals by providing and/or helping seek whatever counseling necessary to bring healing.