The Southern Baptist Convention's Abuse Reform Implementation Task Force (ARITF) released an update just before Christmas on policies that would address sexual abuse within the denomination.

According to The Christian Post, the group was asked to create a "Ministry Check" database to keep track of church leaders who have been accused of sexual abuse. They are also hoping to "identify and implement reform measures."

In the most recent update, the group said they were working on the Ministry Check database and how they would determine the functions of the database and administrators.

"At this time, the ARITF, with the assistance of key SBC leaders, has agreed to maintain the hotline and email notification system to receive and document these reports," they said.

"The ARITF wishes to affirm the efforts of so many of our State Conventions to help set standards for churches and provide resources for churches to prevent abuse and care for survivors. These state-level and local reforms are critical for creating a convention-wide culture of prevention and care."

In June, the SBC voted to pass a number of abuse reform recommendations after a report from Guidepost Solutions found that allegations against SBC leaders regarding sexual abuse and treatment of sexual abuse victims were credible.

Some 700 victims were identified during the investigation of 20 years of data. Victims allegedly faced "resistance, stonewalling, and even outright hostility" from church and SBC leaders.

The Justice Department is also currently investigating the allegations.

ARITF Chairman Marshall Blalock told the Baptist Press that the group has worked on multiple reforms "which must be designed from the ground up."

"We have had to divide the team into smaller groups to work simultaneously on these important initiatives," he said. "We realized when we started back in September the work before us was far more complicated than it appears at first glance.

"While the task is more difficult than anticipated, our team is united by a Christ-honoring passion to help churches prevent sexual abuse and minister well to abuse survivors. We understand the urgency of what we have been called to do, and that drives us every day."

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