Confronting Sex Abuse in the Church Session 2

March 17, 2022

Host: Dr. Mark E. Powell – HST dean, Professor of Theology
Presenter: Jimmy Hinton – preacher, Consultant on Sex Abuse in the Church

In this session Hinton discusses why churches typically do not do well in protecting children from abuses.
Reasons include:

  • Bad theologies that protect abusers and ignore victims
  • Prioritizing forgiveness above repentance
  • A gross lack of training to recognize abuse patterns and mandated reporting
  • Lack of and inadequate child protection policies
  • Authoritarian leadership models where elders/leaders hold all decision-making power
  • Culture of secrecy where churches are not informed when credible threats are present
  • Dangerous “covenant agreements” designed to keep abusers in the church

He also stresses the importance of churches having a written policy for addressing abuse and offers resources to help develop a policy.

Resources Mentioned:
www.netgrace.org
www.jimmyhinton.org
www.porchswingministries.org
www.d2l.org

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Jimmy Hinton graduated with the MDiv from HST in 2007. In 2011, Jimmy’s sister Alex confided in him that she had been sexually abused when she was a young child by their father, a former minister of 27 years. Jimmy reported his father to authorities which resulted in his confession of 23 victims and a conviction of 30-60 years in Pennsylvania state corrections facility.

Jimmy researches deception techniques of child molesters and specializes in abuse in plain sight. Jimmy is a full time minister at the Somerset Church of Christ, author of the #1 New Release The Devil Inside: How My Minister Father Molested Kids In Our Home and Church for Decades and How I Finally Stopped Him, speaker, abuse advocate, and safeguarding specialist with G.R.A.C.E (Godly Response to Abuse in the Christian Environment). Jimmy and his mom Clara host a weekly podcast called The Speaking Out on Sex Abuse Podcast.

Dr. Mark E. Powell, Professor of Theology, has been at HST since 2002. He teaches courses in systematic theology, historical theology, ethics, and philosophy of religion. He is a Shepherd at the Sycamore View Church of Christ in Memphis and has over 25 years of ministry experience in preaching, urban ministry, and adult education. He is passionate about applying Christian theology to worship, ministry, and discipleship.

Harding School of Theology (HST), a seminary in Memphis, TN, has been equipping ministers since 1958. Accredited by the Association of Theological Schools, and offering degree programs at the master’s and doctoral levels, HST equips Christian leaders to higher standards of ministry and scholarship and challenges them to a deeper faith in God. Combining academic rigor and interpersonal connections, HST emphasizes student engagement in ministry as they study. HST is associated with Churches of Christ, is part of the Stone-Campbell Movement, and is part of Harding University in Searcy, Arkansas.

Posted in Confronting Sex Abuse in the Church, Resources