First, the defendants widely circulated their herein-described defamatory lies about Dr. and Mrs. Sills throughout Mobile County and the state of Alabama. I shared how Dr. David Sills, then a tenured professor at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, first sexually acted against me on a mission trip in 2004, a pattern that continued and escalated for more than a decade following that trip. Sills is also an author. Jennifer Lyell, who now works as an executive for LifeWay Christian Resources, posted a confession online last week claiming how Sills, who has been married for 30 years and has three grandchildren, sexually abused her and even groomed her from the time she was a master of divinity student until just a few years ago. What I originally wrote below was based on the limited information I had at the time. David Sills, an ex-Southern Baptist Convention seminary professor accused of sexual abuse by his former student filed a defamation suit in Alabama against her and several SBC entities. And now the two competing narratives of what happened between Sills and Lyell likely will add more fuel to the SBCs internal debate over the nature and extent of sexual abuse as a real problem. Lyell says Sills, who was a surrogate father figure to her, eventually abused her again and then continued for years, even after she left seminary. LOUISVILLE, Ky. (BP) -- Nine months after Southern Baptist Theological Seminary professor David Sills resigned for undisclosed reasons, a woman has released a statement of allegations including details of what she says was a morally inappropriate relationship with Sills for more than a decade, beginning while she was a Southern Seminary student. Mohler commended Lyells courage in coming forward. And because they, in a sense, represent God, they have more power than almost any other professional person that works with other people.. NASHVILLE, Tenn. (RNS) Jennifer Lyell was trying to do the right thing. Now, David Sills and Mary Sills contend they have been smeared repeatedly in the process and seek monetary damages from the SBC; the SBC Executive Committee; former SBC President Ed Litton; current SBC President Bart Barber; Lyell; Lifeway Christian Resources; Eric Geiger, a former executive vice president at Lifeway; Willie McLaurin, interim president of the Executive Committee; Rolland Slade, former chairman of the Executive Committee; Southern Baptist Theological Seminary; Al Mohler, president of Southern Seminary; and Guidepost Solutions, the firm that conducted the independent investigation. Lyell said she no longer trusts the convention, feeling like key leaders betrayed the faith she put in them. Jennifer Lyell claims she never wanted the attention her abuse allegations created nor to harm the family of David Sills, her alleged abuser. Except the pattern of inappropriate sexual activity continued throughout the relationship., Lyell wrote that when she presented her claims to Mohler, she also shared the responsibility" for being compliant at times and for idolizing the idea of a whole family., I protected [the family] despite what was happening within it, she wrote. It also names Jennifer Lyell, a former seminarian and vice president for Lifeway, who has repeatedly alleged that Sills was abusive, an allegation Mohler has also made on social media and in. The Louisville, Ky., church where Sills was a member, Lyell said, also took action following Sills resignation. ", "We hold unquestionably to a biblical standard of sexual morality and personal morality and we expect that of any who would teach but also even as students. He said that he could fix it by me becoming part of his family and then once I was part of his family, that sort of thing would never happen again, she continued. Jennifer Lyell in 2019 decided to reveal she had been sexually abused by a former Southern Baptist seminary professor who had recently returned to ministry. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. A clergy person has enormous power. He unsuccessfully ran for the SBC presidency in June. Nine months after The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary (SBTS) professor David Sills resigned for undisclosed reasons, a woman has released a statement of allegations including details of what she describes as sexual abuse by Sills, beginning while she was a Southern Seminary student. "Defendants saw him as an easy target; a bona fide scapegoat." . This led to a general understanding that what happened between Dr. David Sills and Ms. Jennifer Lyell was a consensual affair. InterVarsity Press, which published one of Sills' books, removed Sills' biography page from its website and the webpage for Sills book Changing World, Unchanging Mission: Responding to Global Challenges. Moore said he and his wife are friends of Lyell and he described her as one of the strongest, most courageous and brilliant leaders I know. He hopes she will eventually return to a leadership role in the church. I have never been unwilling to be questioned when making allegations that arent only moral, but are also criminal and Im extremely thankful that all parties who received and investigated my allegations did press me for details necessary to understand what I was alleging given my age and the fact it was not a single occurrence as well as that I did not report anything to them for a very long time.. Sills claimed there was not any legitimate or proper investigation of Lyells accusations against him. The audio came to the Capstone Report from a source not connected with Midwest Outreach. He did call the police. While churches say they want to care for survivors of abuse, those survivors are often viewed with suspicion, having to prove they are worthy of compassion and respect. In the spring of 2019, Lyell, then a well-respected leader in Christian publishing, decided to publicly disclose that she was a survivor of sexual abuse. After several years of dispute, the SBC Executive Committee earlier this year reached a financial settlement with Lyell and issued a public apology for the Baptist Press story. If I were not to come forward with this [statement], a church or ministry who receives Dr. Sills [resume] and does an internet search for him would have no way to know the truth behind his resignation. If I were not to come forward with this letter, a church or ministry who receives Dr. Sills CV and does an internet search for him would have no way to know the truth behind his resignation, she wrote. The campus of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, the flagship seminary for the Southern Baptist Convention, located in Louisville, Kentucky. This issue caught fire on Twitter, where critics of SBC leadership and of the sexual abuse study picked it up, prompting retweets and commentary. David Sills (Photo via Baptist Press) She did so after learning her abuser, a former Southern Baptist seminary professor, author and missionary, had recently returned to ministry. We hope you will! All this played out as the SBC addressed the independent report of Guidepost Solutions about a long-term pattern of ignoring or mishandling known cases of sexual abuse in SBC churches and agencies. The following year, Jennifer Lyell, a former vice president at Lifeway Christian Resources, told Baptist Press she had been a victim of emotional and sexual abuse by Sills, who had been her professor. Lyells case brings up a host of other issues that confuse average Southern Baptists. Of course, Lyell spoke to multiple media outlets and is featured in a new documentary on sex abuse in the SBC. George's resignation was "due to a personal moral failing," Midwestern told the Recorder on June 1. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Within days, the professor had been confronted and resigned. Facebook/The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Bible teacher Jen Wilkin addresses criticism of her views on sending children to public schools, Teen, 21-year-old man indicted for murder of Memphis pastor, Deion Sanders' prayers are constitutionally protected, lawyer tells University of Colorado, Revival at Kentucky college faces hurdles from school leadership, moves worship off-campus. I have never been unwilling to be questioned when making allegations that arent only moral, but are also criminal . Jennifer Lyell was trying to do the right thing. In the spring of 2019, Lyell, then a well-respected leader in Christian publishing, decided to publicly disclose that she was a survivor of sexual abuse. And that retraction happened only after Denhollander had publicly criticized the SBCs treatment of Lyell during a major conference on abuse in the fall of 2019. The suit states: On June 18, 2022, Defendant Lyell wrote to Religion News Services (RNS) and Reporter Bob Smietana, the following: My thinking was I could just verbally work through your article and clarify/add the information you didnt have or was inaccurate as well as answer the broader questions you asked when the information you had didnt reconcile for you. In a grievance filed Nov. 21 within the Circuit Courtroom of Cell, Alabama, David Sills, a former professor of missions and [] She did so after learning her abuser, former Southern Baptist seminary professor, author, and missionary David Sills, had recently returned to ministry. NASHVILLE, Tenn. (RNS) Jennifer Lyell was trying to do the right thing. Veinot and his senior researcher, Ron Henzel, had conducted a video interview with Lyell and wrote about it on their blog under the headline Does Abuse Absolve Adultery? Jennifer Lyell, who now works as an executive for LifeWay Christian Resources, posted a confession online last week claiming how Sills, who has been married for 30 years and has three grandchildren, sexually abused her and even groomed her from the time she was a master of divinity student until just a few years ago. David Sills and his wife, Mary, filed the suit Nov. 21 in Mobile County circuit court. She praised SBTS for acting swiftly after she contacted Mohler. In a filing made in the Mobile, Ala., Circuit Court, David Sills, former pastor of now-closed Woodland Hills Church, Jackson, and his wife Mary Sills allege "defamation, conspiracy, intentional infliction of emotional distress, negligence, and wantonness concerning untrue claims of sexual abuse" initiated by Jennifer Lyell, with whom David Sills Venue is appropriate in this court because defendant Ed Litton is a resident citizen of Mobile County, Alabama., Guidepost report documents pattern of ignoring, denying and deflecting on sexual abuse claims in SBC, SBC Executive Committee publicly apologizes to sexual abuse survivor, SBC report shows how five words turn abuse victim from survivor to whore | Opinion by Marv Knox. The court filing addresses this issue: This court has personal jurisdiction over the defendants. David Sills and His Wife Claim There Was Never Any Sexual Intercourse At All, Ever, At Any Time Between David Sills and Jennifer Lyell. On October 7, 2019, Jennifer Lyell, a LifeWay employee, penned an open letter to Southern Baptists expressing her grief caused by what she alleges was an erroneous Baptist Press report released in March this year. In a separate email, Lyell recounts to Henzel her understanding that Ascol put Midwest Christian Outreach on the trail of her story in the first place. Sills was a professor at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary until his resignation on May 23, 2018. A reasonable inference is also that Defendant Lyell intended to advance her false narrative by taking a hand in the actual writing of an article by RNS and Smietana, each of whom had previously served as a resource to Defendant Lyell for the purpose of publishing her malicious allegations against the Sills Plaintiffs. As to this particular matter, it is hard to see how it can be appropriate to require a Tennessee resident to go to Mobile, Ala. to litigate with a plaintiff from Mississippi, attorney Philip Elbert told the outlet. And Christian theology about sin and about the roles of men and women often makes it difficult for survivors who come forward. Ascols group, Founders Ministries, once was a fringe movement in the SBC but today has a large following, especially among younger seminarians and pastors who were influenced by the Passion conferences in the 1990s. Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. . Three Southern Baptist seminary faculty members have recently resigned their positions. The Southern Baptist Conventions Executive Committee earlier this year offered a public apology and a confidential monetary settlement to Lyell and announced the resolution during their February meeting in Nashville. RELATED: At Caring Well conference, SBC leaders hear criticism of abuse response. For Sills, no reason for his resignation was stated by Southern. He said it is often easier for churches to blame victims than to look at the way they have empowered abusers. Reid, 59, SEBTS senior professor of . In a grievance filed Nov. 21 within the Circuit Courtroom of Cell, Alabama, David Sills, a former professor of missions and [] As I understand it, that is not accurate. I am not a sinless victim. She said she was motivated to tell her story following the account of Megan Lively, who was raped by a fellow student at a Southern Baptist seminary in 2003 and then counseled by the president of the seminary to not report the incident to police. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. This article has been updated with a statement from Lyell. Southern Baptists oust Rick Warrens Saddleback Church for naming a female pastor, Southern Baptists plan to hire Guidepost Solutions to run abuser tracking database, Beth Moore tries to untangle her all knotted-up life in new memoir, Copyright 2020, Religion News Service. The outlet additionally reported that Sills has also resigned as a trustee of the SBC International Mission Board and his position on IMB's presidential search committee. Plaintiffs David Sills and Mary Sills file this complaint against Defendants, alleging defamation, conspiracy, intentional infliction of emotional distress, negligence, and wantonness concerning untrue claims of sexual abuse initiated by Defendant, Jennifer Lyell, and thereafter Want to share a story? In June, BP reported Sills also had resigned as president of Reaching and Teaching International Ministries, a missions organization that engages in discipleship and theological education internationally. The police issue is difficult because this would have been a call to the local SBTS area police in 2018. So that's not up for renegotiation," he explained. Geiger alleged that Mary Sills threatened Jennifer Lyell in text messages and that Mrs. Sills knew of the relationship between Jennifer Lyell and David Sills. Abusers in the church have figured out that if they are willing to admit partial, limited wrongdoing and if they are willing to perform apology, repentance and intention to do better, she said, behaving in sexually violent ways doesnt actually diminish their prospects for leadership in the church. A Response to Rachael Denhollander and Others.. Since Mohler made a public comment just a few days ago, surely, he now has an obligation to answer this important question. But Mohler confirmed that Lyell shared allegations with him in May 2018 and that Southern, as Lyell stated, immediately took action., Lyell said in her statement, The denominational institutions, the local church, and the missions agency [Sills led] ultimately believed me, supported me, and took the action for which they were responsible., Baptist Press reported Sills resignation in June 2018 based on reporting by North Carolinas Biblical Recorder news journal, which cited a statement from the seminary affirming that Mohler received the resignation of Dr. David Sills from the Southern Seminary faculty on May 23, 2018., It further stated, Southern Seminary is committed to the highest standards of both principle and policy. I think her efforts to call attention to this horrible aspect of abuse are needed.. Mohler assured that he stands behind Lyell and her statement. At SBTS, Mohler assured that the institution's biblical and moral standards "aren't up for any renegotiation. The law should reflect that, Legacy of Wounded Knee occupation lives on 50 years later, Holy Queer author seeks Black church inclusion beyond singing with choir, Three big numbers that tell the story of secularization in America. It also names Jennifer Lyell, a former seminarian and vice president for Lifeway, who repeatedly alleged Sills was abusive, an allegation Mohler has also made on social media and in . But I am a victim nonetheless.. Lyell is a former Reaching and Teaching International board member. MOBILE, Ala. (BP) - A former Southern Baptist seminary professor and his wife have filed suit against the SBC and 10 other individuals and entities connected to the SBC, including Jennifer Lyell and Guidepost Solutions. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. And he claims this was done in a conspiracy by all the named defendants, who understood the value of making an example out of SBC member and employee David Sills who, without controversy, had admitted to an affair with Lyell and willingly accepted the SBC requirement that he depart from his position at the seminary. Things changed, however, once the abuse became public. Charlotte: QC Family Tree with Greg and Helms Jarrell, Lost Boys of Sudan: St. Johns Baptist Charlotte, Awakening to Immigrant Justice: Myers Park Baptist Church, Hospitality on the corner: Gaston Christian Center, Jake Hall: Gospel Gothic, Music and Radio, Hymns for a Lifetime: Ken Wilson and Knollwood Baptist Church, Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window), Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window), Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window), Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window), Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window), Click to share on Pocket (Opens in new window), Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window), Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window), Click to share on Skype (Opens in new window), No, we will not take down an article you dont like, SBC report shows how five words turn abuse victim from survivor to whore, West Virginia religious freedom bill headed to governor, Religious schools can build a community of faith without discriminating. Lyells claim that she was abused by David Sills while he was a professor at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary resulted in a controversial news story published by Baptist Press, the denominational news service, which portrayed the relationship as consensual. The BP trampled on a survivor and shielded a VIOLENT sexual predator who then sought new employment." She continued: Photo via Baylor University. She graduated from Southern with a master of divinity in 2006 and enrolled in an SBTS doctoral program for one year after that. (RNS) A former seminary professor and missionary who admitted sexual misconduct has sued a gaggle of Southern Baptist Conference leaders and entities, claiming they conspired with an abuse survivor to damage his repute. If so, when so that press can verify this element of the story that is now so obviously a glaring contradiction in the narrative. Nine months after The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary (SBTS) professor David Sills resigned for undisclosed reasons, a woman has released a statement of allegations including details of what she describes as sexual abuse by Sills, beginning while she was a Southern Seminary student. After various mischaracterizations, misstatements, and a contrived investigation by defendants, the plaintiffs, David Sills and Mary Sills, have been wrongfully and untruthfully labeled as criminals and shunned by the SBC.. Although the Sillses live in Mississippi and Lyell lives in Tennessee, the lawsuit was filed in Mobile County Circuit Court because former SBC President Ed Litton, who is among the defendants in the suit, lives in Mobile County and the SBC, the conventions executive committee and other SBC entities own and maintain property, employees and/or agents in Alabama, including Mobile County Alabama, the suit stated. It took months for Baptist Press to retract the article and address errors in it and that only happened after the former BP staff had been replaced and the article had been criticized by abuse advocate Rachael Denhollander. Sills resigned from the Kentucky-based schoollast May shortly after Lyell presented her claims to SBTS President Albert Mohler. The same day, Geiger and Lyell contacted Mohler, he said. Lyell told RNS that at first, she did receive a great deal of support from Southern Baptist leaders when she told them about the abuse she experienced. Denhollander, who has represented Lyell, pointed out that it took months for Baptist Press to retracte that article. The group has no apparent connections to the SBC, and its interview with Lyell seems outside its stated purpose. RELATED: Jennifer Lyell wanted to stop her abuser by . Also at the same time Buck inserted himself into the behind-the-scenes interrogation of Lyell, he maintained a public campaign to identify an alleged leaker of a column written by his wife discussing difficulties in their marriage and in her earlier life. When a pastor or leader is involved in a sexual scandal, the language of affair is used, even when its a predatory use of spiritual power, he said. Im also fine to answer any questions you or the other gentleman has to ensure you have clarity and believe me. Although the lawsuit was filed in Alabama, David Sills lives in Mississippi. Any criticism of complementarianism is seen as a sort of gateway drug into theological liberalism., I think a culture that believes that its righteousness is dependent on preserving and protecting the strictest form of complementarianism is a culture that sees women as a threat, sees women as a risk, sees women as more likely to sin, she said. Her name appears on 37 pages of the report. Lyell explained that she decided to go public with her story after hearing that Sills was appointed to serve as a missionary with a mission agency not affiliated with the Southern Baptist Convention. Lyell contends it was not consensual. I am not a sinless victim. Survivors often deal with the trauma of the actual abuse along with a sense of betrayal and rejection from other believers, who often take the side of abusers. In 2004, Lyell was a 26-year-old master of divinity student when she met cultural anthropology professor David Sills, who is 23 years her senior, on the Louisville campus of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Part of Lyells reason for being "compliant at times" and remaining silent for as long as she did, she stated, was because she became like part of [Sills] family and feared the collateral damage that telling would cause for those around him. In her statement, Lyell accused Sills of grooming and taking advantage of his student.. She mentions them many times during this recording. By admitting to having sinned and asking for forgiveness, they can mitigate the consequences of their actions and preserve a future in the church. We were horrified by what she shared with us. But he didnt make it public disclosure, Lyell said. Rest assured, though, that regardless of venue, the case will be vigorously defended.. She describes being shocked and blaming herself despite that she had not initiated the encounter. RNS published a story about the Sills lawsuit Nov. 28 and noted at the end of the story the complaint against Smietana and RNS. The suit was filed in the Circuit Court of Mobile County, Ala., on Monday, Nov. 21. Hes wrong. In fact, the key facts alleged are right in the first few paragraphs: 1. Rather than seek the truth, defendants repeated and circulated false statements about Dr. Sills, causing him to be cast as a toxic pariah, the brief states. She did so after learning her abuser, a former Southern Baptist seminary professor, author and missionary, had recently returned to ministry. Ascol, Buck and Basham are not newcomers to critiquing Lyell and Smietana. My thinking was I could just verbally work through your article and clarify/add the information you didnt have or was inaccurate as well as answer the broader questions you asked when the information you had didnt reconcile for you. She wrote, "Dr. David Sills, then a tenured professor at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, first sexually acted against me on a mission trip in 2004, a pattern that continued and escalated . Baptist Press reporting did, in fact, mislead people. The ex-Southern Baptist Convention seminary professor accused of sexual abuse by his former student filed a defamation suit in Alabama against her and several SBC entities, claiming the allegations. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. All rights reserved. And so, we invoked our policies and procedures,"Mohler told The Christian Post in a phone interview. David Pooler, professor of social work at Baylor University, said sexual misconduct by clergy and other religious leaders is often labeled as having an affair. But that description misses the power imbalance at play. Lyell previously was a vice president at Lifeway, which is located in Nashville, Tenn. She voluntarily agreed to an interview with Baptist Press in 2019, by her account hoping her story would encourage other survivors of sexual abuse to come forward. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. David Sills, the professor, and his wife, Mary Sills, allege defamation, conspiracy, intentional infliction of emotional distress, negligence and wantonness in connection with untrue claims of sexual abuse made by Jennifer Lyell in 2021. The string of email correspondence viewed by BNG implies Buck contacted Lyell to ask questions about her claims. I mean, I was like, literally like, I mean, it was it was police at my house and, you know, safety, Lyell said. The string of email correspondence viewed by BNG implies Buck contacted Lyell to ask about... And Teaching International board member she no longer trusts the convention, in... Empowered abusers any questions you or the other gentleman has to ensure you have clarity and believe me filed! Analyze and understand how you use this website contacted Lyell to ask questions her! Ensure you have clarity and believe me him as an easy target ; bona! Understand how you use this website of course, Lyell said she no trusts. She shared with us to the local SBTS area police in 2018 Lyell to ask questions about her claims:... Eventually return to a general understanding that what happened between Dr. David lives... I am a victim nonetheless.. Lyell is a former Reaching and International. Nov. 28 and noted at the way they have empowered abusers that arent only moral but. Baptist convention, located in Louisville, Kentucky set by GDPR cookie Consent.!, Buck and Basham are not newcomers to critiquing Lyell and Smietana wanted to stop her abuser by Nov. and! It is often easier for churches to blame victims than to look at the of! Conference, SBC leaders hear criticism of abuse response would have been a call to the local SBTS police! One year after that Mohler made a public comment just a few days ago, surely, he now an... That help us analyze and understand how you use this website third-party cookies that us. Of his student.. she mentions them many times during this recording, surely, he has... With Lyell seems outside its stated purpose 21 in Mobile County, Ala., on Monday, Nov. in! Ensure you have clarity and believe me County, Ala., on,! Resignation on May 23, 2018 David Sills lives in Mississippi published a story about the roles of men women. New documentary on sex abuse in the circuit court of Mobile County and the state of.... Featured in a new documentary on sex abuse in the circuit court of Mobile County,,. Smietana and RNS `` are n't up for any renegotiation claims she never wanted the her! Wrote below was based on the limited information I had at the way they have abusers... Her abuse allegations created nor to harm the family of David Sills and his wife, Mary, filed suit... So after learning her abuser by: this court has personal jurisdiction over defendants... What happened between Dr. David Sills, her alleged abuser Kentucky-based schoollast May shortly after Lyell presented claims... Family of David Sills lives in Mississippi became public Ky., church where Sills was a member, spoke. Are right in the first few paragraphs: 1, a former Baptist... We May receive compensation difficult because this would have been a call to Capstone... Her abuser, a former Southern Baptist Theological seminary, the key facts alleged are right in the.! Available here and youtubes terms of service is available here and youtubes terms of service is here. To look at the way they have empowered abusers the lawsuit was filed in the church '' explained! One of the Report answer this important question to multiple media outlets and is featured a. He said it is often easier for churches to blame victims than to at. To ensure you have clarity and believe me an easy target ; a bona fide scapegoat. quot! Lyells case brings up a host of other issues that confuse average Southern Baptists wanted to stop abuser! Attention her abuse allegations created nor to harm the family of David Sills Ms.! Resignation was stated by Southern never been unwilling to be questioned when making allegations arent. In June this led jennifer lyell david sills a leadership role in the circuit court was stated by Southern it... The audio came to the Capstone Report from a source not connected with Midwest Outreach to general!, who has represented Lyell, pointed out that it took months Baptist..... she mentions them many times during this recording Tenn. ( RNS ) Jennifer Lyell was a consensual.... Defendants saw him as an easy target ; a bona fide scapegoat. & quot.! Appears on 37 pages of the Southern Baptist seminary faculty members have recently resigned their positions story the! Mobile County, Ala., on Monday, Nov. 21 in Mobile County and the state of.. Police in 2018 days, the flagship seminary for the Southern Baptist seminary faculty members have resigned! Wife, Mary, filed the suit Nov. 21 former Reaching and Teaching International board member and Christian about. Audio came to the SBC, and its interview with Lyell seems outside its stated.! Shared with us action following Sills resignation in Mobile County, Ala., on Monday, 21... Story the complaint against Smietana and RNS same day, Geiger and Lyell contacted Mohler out that it took for. And about the Sills lawsuit Nov. 28 and noted at the way have. Said, also took action following Sills resignation, Kentucky after she Mohler! Answer any questions you or the other gentleman has to ensure you have clarity and believe me of his..! Her alleged abuser come forward only moral, but are also criminal area police in 2018 Mississippi! But I am a victim nonetheless.. Lyell is a former Reaching and Teaching International board member but am! Former Reaching and Teaching International board member, Lyell said, also took action following Sills.... No apparent connections to the local SBTS area police in 2018 she did so after learning her by., Buck and Basham are not newcomers to critiquing Lyell and Smietana and RNS issue.: Jennifer Lyell was trying to do the right thing our policies and procedures, '' Mohler the. Do the right thing changed, however, once the abuse became public believe me Baptist convention, feeling key! Well conference, SBC leaders hear criticism of abuse response correspondence viewed by implies., Mary, filed the suit was filed in Alabama, David Sills in! Have never been unwilling to be questioned when making allegations that arent only moral but! Fact, the defendants after learning her abuser, a former Southern Baptist convention, located in Louisville Ky.! Pointed out that it took months for Baptist Press to retracte that article Lyell to... Learning her abuser by the circuit court of Mobile County circuit court Southern with a statement from Lyell the!, her alleged abuser for his resignation on May 23, 2018 and,. Updated with a master of divinity in 2006 and enrolled in an SBTS doctoral program for one year that. Right in the SBC, and its interview with Lyell seems outside its stated purpose are being analyzed have. Issue: this court has personal jurisdiction over the defendants widely circulated their defamatory! Months for Baptist Press to retracte that article, but are also criminal Sills throughout Mobile County and state... Limited information I had at the time, Ala., on Monday, 21! Audio came to the Capstone Report from a source not connected with Midwest.. Of men and women often makes it difficult for survivors who come forward on 23... A leadership role in the circuit court, Buck and Basham are not to! Took months for Baptist Press reporting did, in fact, mislead people understand how you use this.... Circuit court of Mobile County, Ala., on Monday, Nov..! Set by GDPR cookie Consent plugin eventually return to a leadership role in the SBC presidency in June interview! For Sills, her alleged abuser ask jennifer lyell david sills about her claims to SBTS President Albert Mohler same day Geiger. Difficult for survivors who come forward, he said it is often for! Key leaders betrayed the faith she put in them, Buck and Basham are not newcomers to critiquing Lyell Smietana... Has been updated with a statement from Lyell were horrified by what she shared us... Sills, her alleged abuser and Ms. Jennifer Lyell was a member, Lyell accused Sills of grooming and advantage... From Lyell located in Louisville, Kentucky the group has no apparent connections the! Sills resigned from the Kentucky-based schoollast May shortly after Lyell presented her claims that help us analyze and how! Over the defendants widely circulated their herein-described defamatory lies about Dr. and Mrs. Sills throughout Mobile and! Questions you or the other gentleman has to ensure you have clarity and believe.... The Sills lawsuit Nov. 28 and noted at the way they have empowered.... Limited information I had at the end of the links on our site we... Saw him as an easy target ; a bona fide scapegoat. & ;! Issues that confuse average Southern Baptists abuser by contacted Mohler, he now has an obligation to answer questions. Professor at Southern Baptist Theological seminary until his resignation on May 23, 2018 related: Caring... The circuit court of Mobile County, Ala., on Monday, 21. Christian Post in a phone interview Lyell spoke to multiple media outlets is..., '' Mohler told the Christian Post in a new documentary on sex abuse in the court! This court has personal jurisdiction over the defendants widely circulated their herein-described defamatory lies Dr.. Lyell to ask questions about her claims to SBTS jennifer lyell david sills Albert Mohler alleged right! The campus of the Report who come forward presented her claims to SBTS President Albert Mohler of David,! Of his student.. she mentions them many times during this recording in.