Pastor fired after arrest: SNAP responds

We applaud Texas law enforcement for taking charges of sexual abuse seriously. And while we are glad that the Cowboy Church of Marshal County has fired Mark Allen green after his arrest we feel that step is the bare minimum.

We fear that children in that congregation may have been hurt by Green and call on church officials to work with the congregation to encourage anyone who has been hurt to come forward and seek help and that witnesses and whistleblowers work with law enforcement.

It is troubling that Green has been able to land a job as a pastor despite his past criminal behavior. The Southern Baptist Convention does not screen prospective ministers, because under Baptist polity each church is free to choose its own leaders with our without the guidance of denominational leaders. This policy needlessly places innocent children at risk.