A megachurch within the Southern Baptist Conference has introduced the firing of its worship pastor, Aaron Ivey, for “predatory manipulation, sexual exploitation and abuse of affect” with a number of males and at the least one minor.
In a Feb. 11 assertion, Austin Stone Group Church in Austin, Texas, revealed that its management fired Ivey, a married father of 4, after discovering his alleged misconduct that started way back to 2011.
“On Monday, February fifth, Aaron Ivey was fired from the workers after it was found that he had engaged in inappropriate and express textual content messages with an grownup male,” the assertion mentioned. “Within the night, a number of elders had been knowledgeable of this example. of Sunday, February 4, and after reviewing the express nature of those messages, it was clear that the termination of Aaron's eldership and employment was mandatory in accordance with the clear biblical requirements outlined in 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and 1 Timothy 5:19-20.”
Church officers say they’ve “uncovered a number of comparable instances involving varied people relationship again to 2011 that present a really clear sample of predatory manipulation, sexual exploitation and abuse of affect.”
“Three of the identified instances concerned grownup males,” the assertion defined. “Nevertheless, one identified case from 2011 concerned a male minor outdoors of our formal program.”
The church added that the 2011 incident “continued over time and concerned inappropriate and express communication, indecent publicity, and using alcohol and unlawful substances.”
Church management contacted native regulation enforcement and their church abuse prevention coaching supplier, MinistrySafe, after Ivey's misconduct was found.
“As elders, our hearts are damaged for the victims and their households. Figuring out that the Lord's sheep are value our safety and our love, we’re decided to like this physique and root out evil,” the assertion learn. “Figuring out that the Lord's sheep are value our safety and our love, we’re decided to like this physique and root out evil.”
Ivey and his spouse Jamie are identified for his or her work as podcasters and authors. In 2020, they launched the “On the Different Aspect” podcast, which covers a wide range of matters, together with sexual abuse.
The couple additionally wrote a guide, Addendum: The shocking magnificence of selecting collectively in marriage somewhat than individually, which focuses on complementary theology. Aaron Ivey participated in a 2019 panel on fatherhood hosted by the SBC Fee on Ethics and Non secular Liberty.
Jamie Ivey, who hosts “The Pleased Hour” podcast, appeared on “Good Morning America” final Friday to advertise her new guide, Why can't I put it collectively?
In an Instagram submit Tuesday afternoon, her staff mentioned all press appearances to advertise the guide can be suspended “as a result of an sudden disaster.”
“He can even take a break from social media and public appearances till he has time to course of, discern and get well,” the assertion added.
Based on the Baptist Press, Austin Stone is affiliated with the SBC and was previously affiliated with the Acts 29 Community. The congregation was based by SBC North American Mission Board Ship Community Vice President of Mobilization Matt Carter in 2002, based on Baptist Information International.
NAMB Govt Director of Public Affairs Mike Ebert mentioned in a press release that NAMB management, together with Carter, had “completely no information” of Ivey's alleged abuse and sexual abuse.
In recent times, SBC management has confronted criticism for its dealing with of sexual abuse inside its ranks.
In June 2022, SBC delegates voted overwhelmingly to approve a collection of abuse reform suggestions following the discharge of a report by Guidepost Options detailing the outcomes of an investigation into allegations that some SBC leaders intimidated whistleblowers and exonerated church buildings with credible allegations of sexual abuse negligence. victims.
The report recognized 700 victims over 20 years and located that sexual abuse survivors had been met with “resistance, stonewalling and even outright hostility” from some members of the SBC's govt committee.
On the time, Bruce Frank, then chairman of the SBC's sexual abuse activity drive, lamented to SBC leaders gathered on the assembly that incidents of sexual abuse “occurred on our watch.”
“That is our denomination that has closed our eyes and hearts to survivors; now we have turned a blind eye and coronary heart to sexual abuse reform initiatives and in some instances have allowed serial predators to maneuver silently from church to church. Beloved, we’re the individuals of the E book. We must always know higher than this,” he mentioned.
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