Earlier this week, Sovereign Grace Ministries released the Ambassadors of Reconcilition's Group Reconciliation Report. They summarized the process they've implemented and said,
regarding the three panel internal review that was used instead of the adjudication process in the end:
"AoR was not involved with the design of implementation of this third process. After the process was designed, the SGM Board described it to AoR and asked for input. AoR provided brief comments to the Board, but AoR was not involved in the process. AoR did not commission the panels. AoR did not select people to serve on the panels. AoR did not design how the panels were formed. AoR did not meet with any of the panels or communicate with panel members. Ambassadors of Reconciliation Report to Sovereign Grace Ministries Board of Directors AoR did not attend any of the panel hearings. AoR was unaware of those selected for panels until it was reported after the hearings were completed." p.7-8
regarding common issues members and former members reported:
"While we were aware that not everyone had experienced these things in the same way, there were several cases from people in different churches in different areas that described these attitudes to us. While some may have been influenced by the blogs, there were enough different settings to indicate that others experienced similar things at different times and in different places." p. 10
They summarize the experiences people sought to relay as well as their own experiences during the process. They listed strengths and weaknesses they believe have contributed to the problems in general. For example,
"The irony to us was our impression that some were proud of their accomplishment in humility. They talked about it in such a way as to distinguish themselves from people outside their fellowship in that those in SGM were better at humility than others." p. 14
They learned that 53 pastors had left the movement over the past 30 years for various reasons, as well as about the same number of other staff and key lay leaders. It's unclear how many of these men they were able to talk to. p.19
They reported, "We heard stories from people who were treated very differently from those who experienced deep hurts in similar circumstances. These people experienced excellent care and support in their difficulties and expressed appreciation for how they were treated. Because of these accounts, together with the fact that we met with less than one half of one percent of the members of SGM churches, WE ARE UNABLE TO MAKE EITHER OF THE FOLLOWING BROAD GENERALIZATIONS (they made this phrase bold, but my blog isn't letting me bold for some reason so I'm subbing all caps):
o The entire SGM association of churches including SGM leaders at various levels has created a culture of consistently misusing authority and mistreating people.
o The entire SGM association of churches including SGM leaders has consistently treated people well in difficult situations." p. 22
They did not report any leaders' sins specifically. On this subject they said,
"This report is not the appropriate forum for confronting the sin of such individuals or boards. When appropriate, the team did attempt to confront those individuals and groups in private. If such individuals or groups did not confess their sins to those whom they sinned against, that does not necessarily mean that the Ambassadors team failed to address those sins." p. 32
Regarding personal reconciliation, they said,
"Throughout our work, especially in recent months, the AoR team heard reports that individuals were being faithful to God’s Word by initiating reconciliation. Some key people have gone directly in private to others with whom they were in conflict for confession and forgiveness.
"We are aware that some of those who took first steps were leaders who have been accused publicly. Because of the private nature of reconciliation, most people (including the AoR team) will never know who all has attempted or experienced reconciliation. However, God knows each one intimately and he is glorified in every case where reconciliation is attempted or realized, regardless of whether other people witness such things." p. 34
They conclude by listing the following recommendations to the SGM Board (p. 35-38):
1. Repent and believe the Gospel
2. We recommend that Sovereign Grace Ministries intentionally develop a culture of proclaiming God’s forgiveness to those who express repentance or confess their sins.
3. We recommend that Sovereign Grace Ministries establish a Reconciliation Ministry that utilizes trained reconcilers to serve in four areas of peacemaking:
a. Teaching biblical peacemaking
b. Coaching people in conflict
c. Mediating disputes among people
d. Adjudicating issues that cannot be mediated
4. Several relationships need help in reconciliation. We recommend that people within SGM use the reconcilers you appoint or other outside sources to help mediate some of the major broken relationships.
5. We admonish all current and former pastors and members of Sovereign Grace Ministries to stop the sinful communication and speculating on others’ motives.
6.We admonish people throughout SGM to stop blaming one another, especially trying to place blame on one person or group.
7. We recommend you develop policies and systems to address several key issues important to your church body. Utilize outside organizational consultants together with those within SGM who understand your doctrinal teachings on authority.
8. Appoint key leaders and provide extensive training for dealing with sexual misconduct cases in consistent and informed ways.
9. Keep building and increase use of your Pastors College.
10. Look for ways to reinforce proper use of authority at every level.
11. As SGM Board Members and Officers, restrict use of email for sensitive and confidential communication.
12. We encourage all the leaders and members throughout SGM to care for one another in Christian love, including reaching out to those who are no longer in your churches.
Along with the report, SGM released a response from CJ and the new Board thanking the AoR and everyone who participated and summarizing the issues into the categories of polity and pastoral practice. They say,
"We were encouraged that from their study AoR did not find a broad pattern of
failure and that from what they could see, these failings do not characterize
Sovereign Grace churches as a whole. But we freely acknowledge that these things
did occur, and we are grieved that there would be even one instance of such
practices among us. These are failures in the care and leadership of God’s precious
people."
CJ offers a personal apology and asks local pastoral teams,
"to consider whether any of these practices have characterized any of your
relationships with past or current members and to do all in your power to correct
these practices and reconcile with those who have been affected by them."
They conclude by making 6 commitments:
to correct deficiencies in polity,
to correct identified failures,
to teach pastors and leaders on these topics,
to excel in expressing God's forgiveness,
to carefully guard against sinful communication, and
to continue to pursue our mission.
(I am summarizing these points. I would have quoted them directly, but when I copy and paste from SGM's portion of the document, exclamation points show up between each word.)
Showing posts with label church. Show all posts
Showing posts with label church. Show all posts
Friday, April 20, 2012
Monday, January 30, 2012
Please Pray For Us
Last week the Sovereign Grace interim Board released the results of their internal review along with their announcement to unanimously exonerate C.J. Mahaney and return him to the office of President effective immediately. Many people in our churches are rejoicing. Eric and I are not. We disagree with the Board's decision and ask for your prayers for wisdom for how to proceed.
We disagree with the Board because the internal review did not declare C.J. innocent. In fact, the panel assigned to the question of Larry Tomczak's departure found C.J. and the entire Board at the time (including Dave Harvey, Steve Shank, and Brent Detwiler) guilty of "sinful coersion" (p.29).
When cofounder and pastor Larry Tomczak decided to leave the movement in 1997, the Board threatened to reveal details of his child's sins confessed to them in confidence if Larry did not give the "correct" explanation for his departure. The threat was made by multiple Board members over multiple days in multiple phone conversations, some of which were secretly recorded by Tomczak.
But the interim Board (which included Steve Shank and was led by Dave Harvey) declared the sinful coersion to not be disqualifying. Their reasoning is included in the report:
-The Board did not follow through on the threat.
-This was a one-time event, not a pattern of behavior.
-C.J. has confessed and asked forgiveness. (Dave and Steve add their confession in the report: "Dave Harvey and Steve Shank do join their voices to C.J.'s in a public confession of their sin against the Tomczaks, and likewise have pursued the Tomczaks for forgiveness. This interim Board along with C.J., Dave, and Steve want to express our sorrow over the pain and confusion this has caused to others." p.43)
-The external panel commissioned last July said the sin wasn't scandalous and C.J. was still "above reproach."
Eric and I love Sovereign Grace Ministries. We love C.J. and all the people involved. We have given our adult lives to do our little part to build this group of churches. We are not able to express all the ways we've been strengthened and blessed by these dear people.
But this is a decision we do not agree with. It's a significant one, and we need wisdom. How do we honor God now? So we greatly appreciate your prayers! Thanks!
We disagree with the Board because the internal review did not declare C.J. innocent. In fact, the panel assigned to the question of Larry Tomczak's departure found C.J. and the entire Board at the time (including Dave Harvey, Steve Shank, and Brent Detwiler) guilty of "sinful coersion" (p.29).
When cofounder and pastor Larry Tomczak decided to leave the movement in 1997, the Board threatened to reveal details of his child's sins confessed to them in confidence if Larry did not give the "correct" explanation for his departure. The threat was made by multiple Board members over multiple days in multiple phone conversations, some of which were secretly recorded by Tomczak.
But the interim Board (which included Steve Shank and was led by Dave Harvey) declared the sinful coersion to not be disqualifying. Their reasoning is included in the report:
-The Board did not follow through on the threat.
-This was a one-time event, not a pattern of behavior.
-C.J. has confessed and asked forgiveness. (Dave and Steve add their confession in the report: "Dave Harvey and Steve Shank do join their voices to C.J.'s in a public confession of their sin against the Tomczaks, and likewise have pursued the Tomczaks for forgiveness. This interim Board along with C.J., Dave, and Steve want to express our sorrow over the pain and confusion this has caused to others." p.43)
-The external panel commissioned last July said the sin wasn't scandalous and C.J. was still "above reproach."
Eric and I love Sovereign Grace Ministries. We love C.J. and all the people involved. We have given our adult lives to do our little part to build this group of churches. We are not able to express all the ways we've been strengthened and blessed by these dear people.
But this is a decision we do not agree with. It's a significant one, and we need wisdom. How do we honor God now? So we greatly appreciate your prayers! Thanks!
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Please Pray With Us
Last week Eric and I went to the Sovereign Grace Pastors Conference. I came home with a heavy burden to pray and encourage others to pray. I was convicted and inspired by Lynn Jones' example. Lynn is a long-time member of Covenant Life Church. She gave up her week to come to the conference simply to pray. She set up a room and hung a sign and welcomed anyone who joined her. It was such a blessing to my soul to hear her playing her guitar and singing whenever I walked down that hallway.
So, whether you know what all is going on in Sovereign Grace right now or not, would you consider praying regularly with us and for us? May God deepen our dependence on Him through this time!
Monday, October 24, 2011
Useful Vessels
I've been reading a short biography of Martin Luther for Reformation Day. It's been interesting to read it in light of our own church struggles. One thing that has stood out is how God uses all sorts of people. You don't have to be perfect for God to use you. God uses everybody; we are all vessels. But the more sin we each bring to the table, the more messy the process becomes.
"In a large house there are articles not only of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay; some are for special purposes and some for common use. Those who cleanse themselves from the latter will be instruments for special purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work." 2 Tim. 2:20-21
One of my prayers is that we would be useful vessels right now.
Monday, October 3, 2011
My First Appeal
As the conflict in Sovereign Grace Ministries continues, I can be tempted to think I've done all I can do to help. God graciously reminded me last week that that is not true. I still have multiple things I can do: I can pray, I can fast, I can humbly appeal to authority. My temptation is to take that last action point and run with it. But I think trusting God means starting with an appeal to Him first and foremost.
The idea of fasting can seem undoable as a nursing mom, but the more I have prayed and talked to Eric about it, the more I realized partial fasting is very doable. It can be as minimal as no desserts, or it can be no meat (like Catholics during Lent), or just fruit and veggies, or just veggies. It can be one day a week, or one meal a day, or just one meal a week.
Not that I want to discourage anyone who feels called to completely fast. But for those who feel too daunted to even try that, maybe you could start with something smaller like this, and let God build your faith as you move along.
The Mahaney ladies have encouraged fasting on their blog for years. Isn't it appropriate for us to return them the favor and fast on their and their men's behalf now?
If you are part of Sovereign Grace or a friend at least somewhat familiar with what's going on, would you consider joining me in praying and fasting for our group of churches and our leaders? Maybe you already are- Thank you!
The idea of fasting can seem undoable as a nursing mom, but the more I have prayed and talked to Eric about it, the more I realized partial fasting is very doable. It can be as minimal as no desserts, or it can be no meat (like Catholics during Lent), or just fruit and veggies, or just veggies. It can be one day a week, or one meal a day, or just one meal a week.
Not that I want to discourage anyone who feels called to completely fast. But for those who feel too daunted to even try that, maybe you could start with something smaller like this, and let God build your faith as you move along.
The Mahaney ladies have encouraged fasting on their blog for years. Isn't it appropriate for us to return them the favor and fast on their and their men's behalf now?
If you are part of Sovereign Grace or a friend at least somewhat familiar with what's going on, would you consider joining me in praying and fasting for our group of churches and our leaders? Maybe you already are- Thank you!
Saturday, August 6, 2011
Amazing Orchestration
Mark Prater, the founding pastor of the church where Eric and I met and now SGM Board member, is coming to town this weekend. Considering our city is nationally despised and on the edge of the SGM map, and considering the busyness of this season for him, that's amazing.
How can it be? you ask. Why do we get a weekend with a Board member- meeting with our pastors, leadership team, and a church family meeting with him? Has any other SGM church had a Board member at their family meetings, with time for a Q&A? Why do we get that kind of privileged treatment? Is it just the favor of God? Yes, it is.
Darren has been the senior pastor of this church since before Eric and I moved here. But he has never been officially ordained. It was just one of those things that sort of fell through the cracks. And God sovereignly arranged it that Darren would finally get ordained now- in the midst of this controversy. Isn't that wild?
I feel for Darren. I know it's hard for him to enjoy the moment with all that is going on. But he's definitely showing himself to be the man God has chosen for our church for such a time as this. And God has used the timing to give us personal access to Mark Prater. It's so sweet to feel His hand in the storm.
How can it be? you ask. Why do we get a weekend with a Board member- meeting with our pastors, leadership team, and a church family meeting with him? Has any other SGM church had a Board member at their family meetings, with time for a Q&A? Why do we get that kind of privileged treatment? Is it just the favor of God? Yes, it is.
Darren has been the senior pastor of this church since before Eric and I moved here. But he has never been officially ordained. It was just one of those things that sort of fell through the cracks. And God sovereignly arranged it that Darren would finally get ordained now- in the midst of this controversy. Isn't that wild?
I feel for Darren. I know it's hard for him to enjoy the moment with all that is going on. But he's definitely showing himself to be the man God has chosen for our church for such a time as this. And God has used the timing to give us personal access to Mark Prater. It's so sweet to feel His hand in the storm.
Friday, August 5, 2011
Living History
Do you ever feel like you're living in a biography? I have this week. And as I've prayed for wisdom, I've thought of some of my biography friends.
-What would John Murray do?
-You know how John Adams said, "We have not men fit for the times"? I sure hope we're as wrong as he was.
-Remember how Hudson Taylor prayed and told God that he didn't know what he was doing, and so if God wanted him to start this mission, He would have to take charge of it? And sure enough, Taylor made some major mistakes the first year he brought other missionaries to China, and the young mission almost collapsed. Then God had Taylor's daughter get sick and die, and that removed hard feelings and united everyone again....
God have mercy on us!
-What would John Murray do?
-You know how John Adams said, "We have not men fit for the times"? I sure hope we're as wrong as he was.
-Remember how Hudson Taylor prayed and told God that he didn't know what he was doing, and so if God wanted him to start this mission, He would have to take charge of it? And sure enough, Taylor made some major mistakes the first year he brought other missionaries to China, and the young mission almost collapsed. Then God had Taylor's daughter get sick and die, and that removed hard feelings and united everyone again....
God have mercy on us!
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
Eternal God
[I know that people often avoid discussing controversies. A man at the church here told me how when the church left PDI years ago, no one talked to anyone else about it. They didn't want to gossip or influence each other. So no one knew what anyone else was doing, and in a very difficult season, they each walked alone.
I don't want to gossip, and this is not a forum for discussion, but I don't want to walk alone. So I'm going to share my experience as we go along. Thanks for listening, and more importantly thank you for praying.]
Yesterday the Sovereign Grace Board posted the results of the first panel regarding CJ Mahaney's qualifications for ministry. As much as I could see it coming, my heart still sunk when I read it. I told Eric, it felt like my world was falling apart.
Today I was encouraged by the words of this worship song. I'm not sure if I have them all right or who the artist is, but the truth helped me.
Eternal God
Though the earth should tremble and the oceans roar
And the mountains slip into the sea;
I shall not fear any harm, with your powerful arms around me.
I worship You, Eternal God
I worship You, the Unchanging One
Before the angels ever sang one song
Before the morning star had ever shone
You were on Your throne,
Eternal God
Though men’s kingdoms crumble and the nations rage
And rulers and kings come and go;
Yours is the Kingdom unshaken, and You’ve never forsaken Your own!
I worship You, Eternal God
I worship You, the Unchanging One
Before the angels ever sang one song
Before the morning star had ever shone
You were on Your throne,
Eternal God
[Post Script: Eric told me tonight that Mark Altrogge wrote this song in the early 90's, which makes it even more sweet to me...]
I don't want to gossip, and this is not a forum for discussion, but I don't want to walk alone. So I'm going to share my experience as we go along. Thanks for listening, and more importantly thank you for praying.]
Yesterday the Sovereign Grace Board posted the results of the first panel regarding CJ Mahaney's qualifications for ministry. As much as I could see it coming, my heart still sunk when I read it. I told Eric, it felt like my world was falling apart.
Today I was encouraged by the words of this worship song. I'm not sure if I have them all right or who the artist is, but the truth helped me.
Eternal God
Though the earth should tremble and the oceans roar
And the mountains slip into the sea;
I shall not fear any harm, with your powerful arms around me.
I worship You, Eternal God
I worship You, the Unchanging One
Before the angels ever sang one song
Before the morning star had ever shone
You were on Your throne,
Eternal God
Though men’s kingdoms crumble and the nations rage
And rulers and kings come and go;
Yours is the Kingdom unshaken, and You’ve never forsaken Your own!
I worship You, Eternal God
I worship You, the Unchanging One
Before the angels ever sang one song
Before the morning star had ever shone
You were on Your throne,
Eternal God
[Post Script: Eric told me tonight that Mark Altrogge wrote this song in the early 90's, which makes it even more sweet to me...]
Sunday, July 10, 2011
Our Hope
As many of you already know, the president of our family of churches, CJ Mahaney, announced this past Thursday that he is taking a leave of absence to deal with a number of charges against him. This past week was a busy one for Eric and me as we've been learning and processing what this is about. It's been very sad and sobering.
Last night God spoke to us through the evening's Daily Light entry. The opening verse was 1 Cor. 3:13, "The Day will disclose it." The final passage was from Jer. 32:18b-19:
"O great and mighty God, whose name is the Lord of hosts, great in counsel and mighty in deed, whose eyes are open to all the ways of the children of man, rewarding each one according to his ways and according to the fruit of his deeds."
Our hope in this process is not in our leaders (though I was greatly encouraged to hear Josh Harris' description of and response to the situation in his Sunday sermon at Covenant Life Church this morning). Our hope is not in an independent panel. It's not even in the power of the truth. Our hope is in God. And whatever happens with this process, He knows all, He has seen all, and He will reward each according to their deeds.
This is an in-house situation, so all the sins committed are forgiven sins. And yet there will be a Day when God will bring everything to light and will reward His people for the good they have done, seen and unseen. In the meantime, He will continue to build His Church. I'm so glad He is in control.
Last night God spoke to us through the evening's Daily Light entry. The opening verse was 1 Cor. 3:13, "The Day will disclose it." The final passage was from Jer. 32:18b-19:
"O great and mighty God, whose name is the Lord of hosts, great in counsel and mighty in deed, whose eyes are open to all the ways of the children of man, rewarding each one according to his ways and according to the fruit of his deeds."
Our hope in this process is not in our leaders (though I was greatly encouraged to hear Josh Harris' description of and response to the situation in his Sunday sermon at Covenant Life Church this morning). Our hope is not in an independent panel. It's not even in the power of the truth. Our hope is in God. And whatever happens with this process, He knows all, He has seen all, and He will reward each according to their deeds.
This is an in-house situation, so all the sins committed are forgiven sins. And yet there will be a Day when God will bring everything to light and will reward His people for the good they have done, seen and unseen. In the meantime, He will continue to build His Church. I'm so glad He is in control.
Sunday, April 10, 2011
Meeting Covenant Community
This past week, I listened to a talk given by Iain Murray at Capital Hill Baptist Church on George Whitefield and catholicity, or evangelical unity. Murray gave examples of how Whitefield saw Christians not primarily as members of certain denominations or churches, but first and foremost as members of the body of Christ.
Tonight we experienced a very real demonstration of that. A group from our church met with another nearby church for dinner, fellowship, worship, and teaching. It's wild how you can have an instant connection with people you've never met before simply because you're both believers.
But what made this meeting especially significant was the fact that, on Easter Sunday, this church will meet by itself for the last time, and the following Sunday they will come worship with us. We are going to spend the summer getting to know each other and helping them learn who we are as a church and what we are about. And then next fall they will decide, individually and as families, whether to join our church permanently or not.
What I was aware of as we shook hands and took turns introducing ourselves tonight, was that these people are our brothers and sisters in Christ. Some of them may link arms with us in a more personal way. But no matter what they each decide, it's a pleasure to get to know them. They love Jesus and they are seeking to serve Him with their lives. I was surprised at what an encouragement that was to my faith.
Tonight we experienced a very real demonstration of that. A group from our church met with another nearby church for dinner, fellowship, worship, and teaching. It's wild how you can have an instant connection with people you've never met before simply because you're both believers.
But what made this meeting especially significant was the fact that, on Easter Sunday, this church will meet by itself for the last time, and the following Sunday they will come worship with us. We are going to spend the summer getting to know each other and helping them learn who we are as a church and what we are about. And then next fall they will decide, individually and as families, whether to join our church permanently or not.
What I was aware of as we shook hands and took turns introducing ourselves tonight, was that these people are our brothers and sisters in Christ. Some of them may link arms with us in a more personal way. But no matter what they each decide, it's a pleasure to get to know them. They love Jesus and they are seeking to serve Him with their lives. I was surprised at what an encouragement that was to my faith.
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