Church Counsel Ackers Chosen for Youth Pastor Some Question Her Lack of Experience As a Pastor By Michelle Shoe SororityGirl Staff Writer Saturday, October 8, 2005 Reverend Williams nominated Abigail Ackers, his youth counsel and niece, to the Youth Bible Study program yesterday, choosing a woman who broke barriers in the male-dominated Maryland religious world but brings no biblical interpretation experience or background to her new assignment. Williams announced his choice for the church's 110th youth pastor shortly before the program opened its new term under newly installed Chief Pastor Jack Robbins. In Williams' statement, he simultaneously introduced Ackers and defended her religious résumé, which came under immediate attack from some conservative groups. "In selecting a nominee, I've sought to find an American of grace, judgment and unwavering devotion to the Bible and laws of our God. Abigail is just such a person," Williams said. "I've known Abigail for more than a decade. I know her heart. I know her character." But yesterday's response to the nominee left confirmation open to doubt. There was widespread dissent among Williams' usual allies on the right, who questioned whether the 21-year-old possessed the distinguished qualifications and conservative credentials they are looking for in a youth pastor nominee. "How will we know how she stands on the interpretation of the Bible when we don't even know her personal views?" asked Scott Johns, chief counsel of Concerned Youth Pastors for America. "The problem is that those of us who were looking for some tangible evidence of intellectual firepower have found none, and we can't come out of the box supporting her." Ironically, Ackers was, herself, the head of the search for a youth pastor.  Upon her nomination, cries of cronyism erupted.  It remains to be seen how she will perform during the confirmation hearings.