Younger Pastors Disagree with Older Pastors on Allegations Procedures

Churches remain uncertain about how to handle a pastor who has been accused of a scandal. 47% believe the pastor should step aside while allegations are investigated, but 21% are uncertain. Among older pastors, 36% believe pastors should remain in their positions during investigations, but younger pastors are less likely to agree (27%). Pentecostals (43%) are the most likely to keep pastors in their positions during investigations, while 24% of Reformed or Presbyterian pastors take the same view.

Source: LifeWay

Pastors Crave Financial Training and Need Help Saving for the Future

A recent survey found that 29% of pastors have no funds in savings. In addition, only 14% have received financial training in seminary and only 38% had financial training in college. Only 23% are completely confident in managing their finances, while 46% are confident in managing their church finances.

Source: Church Law and Tax

Missionary’s Abuse of Children Prompts ABWE to Make Changes

Former medical missionary Donn Ketcham served from 1961 to 1989 in Bangladesh with the Association of Baptists for World Evangelism (ABWE). Ketcham was accused of having at least four affairs and sexually abusing at least 18 girls under the guise of medical care. Ketcham lived with a number of missionary families on a compound where the abuse continued unchecked for years. A 280-page report from Professional Investigators International (Pii) confirmed the abuse allegations and prompted ABWE to issue apologies and to begin the process of paying for counseling for the many victims. ABWE has also improved its reporting procedures and abuse training for staff.

Source: Christianity Today