This will be a continuation of the original Wolves in the Music Ministry post. The comment stream was getting pretty long.
The cover-up of John Langworthy's "indiscretions" and "mistakes" (his words) while at Prestonwood is coming back to bite as evidenced by the lead story by Brett Shipp on WFAA-TV's August 8th 10:00 p.m. broadcast. Thank you, Amy, for your advocacy for victims and for your persistence in bringing this story to light. If it were not for your efforts I have no doubt nothing would have changed.
WFAA-TV >> Disturbing revelations about former Prestonwood minister
Bob Allen has addressed this story:
Associated Baptist Press >> Abuse confession raises questions of cover-up by Baptist mega-church
Associated Baptist Press >> Pastor renews call for database of clergy credibly accused of sex abuse
Associated Baptist Press >> Christa Brown >> Opinion: Prestonwood saga shows clergy abuse database is overdue
It also made the newspapers:
August 9th:
Dallas Morning News >> Former Prestonwood minister admits to 'sexual indiscretions' with students more than 20 years ago
Clarion Ledger >> Clinton music minister confesses to 'sexual indiscretions'
Clarion Ledger >> Clinton minister quits over allegations
August 10th:
The Republic >> Recently resigned music minister admits long-ago sexual misconduct with teen boys
Hattiesburg American >> Ex-music minister admits past sexual misconduct
August 15th:
Clarion Ledger >> Man accuses former Clinton music minister of molestation
Clarion Ledger >> Ex-choir leader in sex probe
August 19th:
Clarion Ledger >> Hinds DA office probes molestation claims against former Clinton music minister
August 20th:
Clarion Ledger >> DA probing sex abuse allegations
The Oklahoman >> Enid pastor renews call for clergy sex abuse database
And Jackson, MS TV:
August 9th:
WAPT-TV >> Former Youth Minister, Teacher Makes Startling Admission
WLBT-TV >> Clinton music minister makes eye-opening confession
August 10th:
WAPT-TV >> No Criminal Complaints Filed Against Former Minister
WJTV-TV >> Former Music Minister Admits To Sexual Indiscretions
WJTV-TV >> Clinton Parents in Shock Over Former Minister's Confession
WJTV-TV >> Ex-Music Minister Admits Past Sexual Misconduct
August 11th:
FOX 40 >> Church Scandal
August 15th:
WAPT-TV >> Clinton Police Investigate Complaint Against Former Minister
WLBT-TV >> Former Clinton church music minister under investigation
WJTV-TV >> Police To Meet With Minister's Alleged Victim
August 16th:
WAPT-TV >> Former Minister's Accuser Expected To Speak To Police
August 19th:
WLBT-TV >> Questions about sexual misconduct continue for music minister
Around the Blogosphere:
Wade Burleson >> Full Circle: Why the SBC Child Predator Database Is Needed Now, Not Later (Comments have been reopened.)
FBC Jax Watchdog >> In the Langworthy/Prestonwood Story, Bloggers Once Again Show They are Sorely Needed to Get Truth Out
Zwinglius Redivivus >> The Catholics Aren’t The Only Ones Who Cover Up Their Clergy’s Evils
The Wartburg Watch >> Does the SBC Fear Women Pastors More Than The Molestation of Children?
Wade Burleson >> The Reason the SBC Will Not Create a Minister Sex Abuse Data Base Is Liability, Not Polity
A now-former teacher at Prestonwood Christian Academy was recently indicted for having an inproper relationship with a 17-year-old female student. Although the student went to his apartment willingly on several occasions, he was 26 at the time. In Texas it's a second-degree felony, regardless of the parties' ages, for an educator to have an improper relationship with a student.
Plano Star >> Former Prestonwood teacher indicted
Then there was Joe Barron.
Barron videos
Apparently Johnson and Barron's cases were handled swiftly by the administration at Prestonwood. However, Barron's story was plastered all over the national news at the time, and Johnson's was covered in the local news, so they really didn't have much choice. With Langworthy it's less clear about the timeline and who knew what when, but apparently the church and school district in Clinton were never warned about him.
If a database of convicted, confessed, and credibly accused sexual predators was available to Baptist churches, and if the churches would avail themselves of it, a lot of these cases could be prevented. When will Baptist leaders wake up, stop covering for their own, and establish some method of accountability within their ranks? I know, I know! Baptist churches are autonomous. Unless, of course, they do something really bad like call a woman preacher. Autonomy is such a relative term in "Baptistland."
TRANSCRIPT of John Langworthy's August 7, 2011 statement to Morrison Heights Baptist Church
VIDEO
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