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Dear RCA Community,

We were incensed to hear the reports out of the Southern Baptist Convention of sexual abuse, misconduct, and coverup by the male leadership. These charges come after an extensive year-long review by an outside agency. This news is tragic for all of us. There are countless victims who have been marginalized and dismissed. Most of these are women. Regrettably, we acknowledge this behavior is not limited to one denomination or group. 

We must acknowledge the same disgraceful practice of covering up abuse and protecting abusers has happened in the RCA over time. This headline news calls us to renew our commitment to act with justice and compassion for victims of clergy sexual misconduct. We want to clearly say that such behavior and denial is unacceptable in the Christian community. Any leader who abuses his/her power must be removed from office and held accountable for his/her conduct. 

We call on all of the classes, who have oversight of our ministers, to rededicate themselves to the following:

  1. We listen to any victim’s allegation with a posture of believing their account, and will thoroughly investigate all claims.
  2. We will protect victims from being retraumatized and guard their character.
  3. We will walk with victims until they have recovered from the trauma.
  4. We will not allow the transfer of a known sexual predator to any other ministry position, within the classis or in another classis.
  5. We will hold any predator accountable in the church and by the law for their conduct.

In 2018, the Reformed Church in America put forward a statement, We Are Speaking, that calls upon the church to work to end harassment, abuse, and sexual violence against women and girls. Here is a portion of that statement we need to hear again today:

If we keep silent, we are complicit in the continued dehumanization of women and girls.
If we keep silent, we fail to be coworkers with Christ in the renewal of the world and of the relationships between men and women.
If we keep silent, we ignore God’s call to be agents of change committed to ensuring that all people are treated with dignity.
We are speaking because we are committed to standing with and for women and girls who have experienced harassment, abuse, and sexual violence.
We are speaking because we are committed to seeking healthy ways for men and women to live and work together.

We invite everyone to renew their commitment to making our ministries places that are safe for women and men, all God’s children together to be restored to their full value as those who bear God’s image.

Rev. Phil Assink
General Synod president

Rev. Dwayne Jackson
General Synod vice president

Rev. Eddy Alemán
General secretary