Resigned Elders Return to Lead SC Church Amid Sex Offender Scandal

Meanwhile, MinistrySafe denies ‘partnership’ with Pawleys Island Community Church.

Elders who had previously resigned from Pawleys Island Community Church (PICC) amid a scandal will help the church “recover and move forward,” the church said in an email to the congregation.

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After allegations came to light that Warren Perry, a registered sex offender, had been serving as a custodian with access to children at both the church and its affiliated school, Pawleys Island Christian Academy, former pastor Don Williams and the school’s director, Nikki Howard, resigned from their leadership roles. Both Williams and Howard were criminally charged, along with Perry; Williams’ wife, Ginny; and the church’s director of operations and missions, Michael Anthony Fields.

Amid the controversy, several of the church’s elders resigned. However, the church said the decision was not carefully considered.

“[A]s the days passed, it became clear to those elders, and to the rest of us, that this decision had not been carefully considered and prayed over,” the email said.

The newly appointed elders, according to the email, are glad for the help of “experienced men who love this church.”

“This elder team is working closely with our church staff and lay leaders to make and guide decisions during this season,” the church email said, according to ChurchLeaders. “We are committed to following the Constitution of Pawleys Island Community Church as we provide leadership, vision, and direction for the church.”

The email named eight men — described as “previously ordained elders” — who are returning to the elder team. The church also plans to appoint up to four additional elders in accordance with its constitution.

PICC also announced that it would reopen its children’s ministry, saying it had partnered with MinistrySafe for screening and training, according to WMBF.

MinistrySafe, founded by attorneys, provides a system for churches to use to “reduce the risk of child abuse.”

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Its statement said in part:

“On August 21st, media outlets reported that Pawleys Island Community Church announced that it has ‘partnered’ with MinistrySafe related to an evaluation of child protection policies and efforts.

‘Partnership’ implies communication and agreement between PICC and MinistrySafe leadership; no such communication or agreement has occurred in any form.

While we are hopeful that this church is moving in the right direction where child protection is concerned, we have no relationship with the church or the now-defunct school.

Any reference to a ‘partnership relationship’ between PICC and MinistrySafe is misleading and inaccurate.”

Pawleys Island Christian Academy announced on Aug. 11 that it would close after operating for 25 years.

Several lawsuits surrounding the allegations have also been filed against PICC and its leaders; the South Carolina Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services; and the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC).

PICC is a member of the SBC. Tony Wolfe, who leads the South Carolina Baptist Convention, addressed the allegations at the church.

“Child sexual abuse is an abomination, a moral and theological aberration causing incalculable harm to children and families,” Wolfe said. “When connected with a Christian leader or congregation, that abuse also brings reproach upon Christ and his church. While the redeeming grace of God is effectually extended to all people of genuine repentance from sin and faith in Jesus Christ, temporal consequences remain, including restrictions regarding access to children.”

When the allegations came to light in July, MinistryWatch reached out to the Evangelical Council for Abuse Prevention (ECAP) for guidance about how such a situation might have been prevented.

“The reported allegations and charges involving Pawleys Island Community Church present serious questions about their leadership’s judgement, oversight, and commitment to those entrusted to their care,” Matt Espenshade, who serves on the board of ECAP and is a veteran FBI special agent, told MinistryWatch.

First, Espenshade said, sound leadership must be committed to protecting the vulnerable by implementing comprehensive abuse prevention policies that comply with state and federal laws. “Leadership is not measured by good intentions but by wise stewardship,” he said. ECAP offers many resources to help churches develop such policies.

Second, Espenshade said, prevention policies must be proactive, not reactive. A church’s abuse prevention policies ought to be reviewed by independent entities and applied consistently to everyone, without exception.

Third, prevention policies must be layered and not entrusted to one person. “Appropriate screening, role restrictions, supervision, documentation, facility access controls, and ongoing oversight are all essential components of an effective safeguarding program,” Espenshade said.

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