(ChurchLeaders) The Summit Church, the North Carolina megachurch helmed by Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) President J.D. Greear, has hired an independent firm to investigate concerns regarding Pastor Bryan Loritts, a recent hire from Tennessee. At Loritts’ previous church, his brother-in-law engaged in sexual abuse, was prosecuted, and served jail time as part of a plea deal.
Although The Summit Church conducted its own investigation into Loritts’ handling of the case, concluding that he made mistakes but acted in “good faith,” it now admits it “fell short of the mark.” The church has contracted with Guidepost Solutions to conduct the independent investigation.
After the SBC was rocked by reports of sexual abuse and cover-up, Greear led efforts to overhaul the reporting system and to care for victims. Through its new Caring Well Initiative, the denomination is training church leaders to protect people from abuse and to make churches “safe for survivors.”