“The nation’s largest Protestant denomination has resisted implementing some type of database of ministers accused of abuse, saying that all churches are independent and the denomination does not have the authority to order local churches to submit that information.”
Ok, I understand if you can’t dictate to them, but that doesn’t mean you can’t “strenuously encourage” them to submit the information. Works for the federal government when they want something from the states.
“Ok, I understand if you can’t dictate to them, but that doesn’t mean you can’t “strenuously encourage” them to submit the information.”
To put this in perspective:
“Also in his address to messengers, Page noted that recent data from the convention’s Annual Church Profile survey showed continued declines in nearly every category, including baptisms, average attendance and total giving.
“We desperately need the hand of God,” Page said. “One of our big challenges in these days is that one out of every five Southern Baptist churches will not send in an ACP. We can only tell what we know. Our baptism numbers are down. Or are they? We don’t know because you won’t tell us. Please participate.”
http://www.sbcannualmeeting.net/sbc13/newsroom/newspage.asp?ID=28
The SBC does not and cannot require member churches even submit a yearly summary of baptisms and attendance!