United Methodist churches across the United States are being instructed to reject the proposed sexual abuse settlement plan that is part of the Boy Scouts of America’s Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings. In a series of hurried meetings, the governing boards of local congregations known as “charges” are being instructed by denominational officials to vote against the BSA plan. According to leaders of the Dallas-based North Texas Annual Conference, the rejection comes after months of confidential negotiations with BSA by 100 church attorneys and treasurers. In one such North Texas meeting, Bishop Michael McKee told leaders of the region’s 80-church...

A former youth ministry director has been sentenced to seven years’ deferred adjudication probation after pleading guilty to a charge of sexual assault of a child. Matthew Jonas Overstreet, 26, of Plano must also pay a $7,500 fine. If he completes his probation, a felony conviction will not appear on his record.

"According to documents released by the Plano Police Department, the girl was 13 when she left the church. At that time, Overstreet began to make sexual remarks to her via Facebook and through text messages. Then in December 2009, Overstreet went to the girl's house and sexually assaulted her. At the time of the assault, he was 25 and the victim was 15." "Even if the girl who came forward verbally consented to the act, the state of Texas protects any person under age 17 from sexual assault by someone who intentionally or knowingly commits the act with a...