World · North America · 2 hrs ago
Database Collects Public Records on More Than 2,700 Protestant Church Workers
Protestant Accountability has launched a searchable database with public records on more than 2,700 church workers.
The records cover sexual abuse and mishandled investigations involving staff in roles ranging from pastors to youth workers.
The volunteer-run project draws on public documents, including court records, government reports and news coverage.
It distinguishes convictions from unresolved allegations, and does not conduct its own investigations or decide legal cases.
Churches can use the archive for hiring checks, because Protestant churches lack a central authority that keeps personnel files.
Chellee Taylor, a survivor of sexual abuse, helped build the database after alleging that the Southern Baptist Convention covered up her assault; she won a settlement from the denomination in 2022.
The archive preserves records that might otherwise disappear when links break or online pages expire.
Protestant Accountability is a searchable database of public records concerning more than 2,700 Protestant church workers.
Its records cover workers accused of sexual abuse or of mishandling related investigations while holding institutional authority.
The volunteer-run archive draws on sources including court records, government reports, news articles and survivor-run archives.
Churches can use the records for hiring screenings because Protestant churches lack a centralized authority that keeps personnel files.
The database’s founders announced its launch at an online press conference in August.
- Who
- The volunteer-run Protestant Accountability database, whose key architect is survivor Chellee Taylor.
- What
- It collects public records on more than 2,700 Protestant church workers linked to sexual abuse or mishandled investigations.
- When
- The founders announced its launch in August; the year is not stated.
- Where
- Online. The records concern church workers, and the article does not specify a geographic limit.
- Why
- To preserve public records that may disappear and help churches screen job candidates.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Chellee Taylor won a settlement from the Southern Baptist Convention after alleging it covered up her assault at Journey Church in Orange City, Florida.
The founders of Protestant Accountability announced the database’s launch at an online press conference organized by SNAP.
- Records
- More than 2,700 church workers
- Coverage
- Sexual abuse or mishandled investigations
- Database operator
- Volunteer-run
- Key architect
- Chellee Taylor
- Launch announcement
- August; year not stated
What people are saying
I don’t want to burn down the church, but I don’t have a problem dismantling the aspects that are harming people.
The reason that we built this site is because I love the church and I love what the church can and should be. But what it is currently does not mirror that at all.