Challenges ahead as SBC grapples with sexual abuse June 29, 2021 Yonat Shimron and Bob Smietana / Religion News Service Share this article NASHVILLE (RNS)—At their recent annual meeting in Nashville, Southern Baptists spoke loud and clear about sexual abuse. Messengers at the 2021 Southern Baptist Convention annual meeting directed the convention’s new president to set up a task force to address reports that Southern Baptist leaders have mistreated abuse victims and mishandled allegations of abuse. Church messengers also approved a resolution stating that “any person in a position of trust or authority who has committed sexual abuse” should be permanently barred from being a pastor or church leader—a zero tolerance policy that is the standard in the scandal-weary Catholic Church.