* * * * * * Have you seen this video? I liked it enough that I posted it on my blog's Facebook page. The person who recommended it, Denny Burk, is one who has publicly given his support to C.J. Mahaney. Just a bit ago,… Continue reading TGC & T4G: It’s Not about the Nail, it’s about the SGM Survivors!
Category: Failure to Report Crimes
The Legal “Perfect Storm” for Enabling Sex Abuse
* * * First things first - I have seen several news reports wrongly report that Judge Burrell recently dismissed the Sovereign Grace Ministries (SGM) lawsuit. That is not true. I contacted Attorney Susan Burke to make sure I was understanding it correctly and asked if she could send me a… Continue reading The Legal “Perfect Storm” for Enabling Sex Abuse
Sovereign Grace Ministries Lawsuit Whirlwind Recap
* * * This Sovereign Grace Ministries lawsuit has been said to be the largest of its kind in evangelical churches in the last century. People need to be paying attention. The lawsuit came as a result of people sharing their stories on survivor blogs, eventually connecting, and taking action… Continue reading Sovereign Grace Ministries Lawsuit Whirlwind Recap
Court’s Ruling on Sovereign Grace Ministries Alleged Sex Abuse Cover-Up Lawsuit
* * * I just found this report. I am heartbroken. What a huge disappointment to the plaintiffs. I took some notes from the video: Greta Kreuz reported that Judge Sharon Burrell "pretty much dismissed the entire lawsuit. They did not sue in time." "The judge agreed, though, with the attorneys representing… Continue reading Court’s Ruling on Sovereign Grace Ministries Alleged Sex Abuse Cover-Up Lawsuit
First Television Interview from Two Survivors/Plaintiffs of Sovereign Grace Ministries Lawsuit
* * * This report was just released. It was reported that victims are still coming forward and criminal investigations are currently taking place. Renee, Pam, and Dara, you did a great job in this interview. Your message was so clear. Big hugs to you, ladies. Thank you, thank you, for… Continue reading First Television Interview from Two Survivors/Plaintiffs of Sovereign Grace Ministries Lawsuit
Second Amended Complaint against Sovereign Grace Ministries Filed Today
* * * * * * I received a copy of the second complaint against Sovereign Grace Ministries earlier today. We have been expecting this second amended complaint for some time now. As if the original complaint was not bad enough, this new complaint is beyond what… Continue reading Second Amended Complaint against Sovereign Grace Ministries Filed Today
Doctrine as “God”: C.J. Mahaney and Apathy of Celebrity Peers
* * * I've been wrong. I've had the wrong focus. For me, the Sovereign Grace Ministries fiasco has always been about the sex abuse victims, the spiritual abuse, the women whose voices were silenced, the cover-up of pedophiles, the forced reconciliations, failure to notify authorities (civil, that is), etc. You… Continue reading Doctrine as “God”: C.J. Mahaney and Apathy of Celebrity Peers
A Note of Gratitude and Support for Plaintiffs of SGM Lawsuit
* * * Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves; ensure justice for those being crushed. Yes, speak up for the poor and helpless, and see that they get justice. Proverbs 31:8-9 NLT It's been a while since I have posted about the class action lawsuit involving pastors,… Continue reading A Note of Gratitude and Support for Plaintiffs of SGM Lawsuit
Compassion with Shoes On
I read a beautiful article by Tony Roos on compassion this morning and saw this phrase which intrigued me: If you do a search on the compassion of Christ you see each time that word is used for him it is coupled with an action that he gives to alleviate the suffering the he encounters.… Continue reading Compassion with Shoes On
How do Churches Handle Difficult Mental Health Cases, Biblical Counseling, and the Law?
* * * A friend sent me a tragic story this morning. It is an older story from 1979 involving John MacArthur's church, Grace Community Church, and a young man, Kenneth Nally, who at the age of 24 shot himself and died. He suffered from depression and sought counsel… Continue reading How do Churches Handle Difficult Mental Health Cases, Biblical Counseling, and the Law?
Council for Biblical Manhood and Womanhood: When Did “Roles” Become a Primary Doctrinal Issue?
* * * One of the more troubling trends I see in Christiandom is making what I understand to be secondary issues as primary doctrinal issues. Sometimes church leaders will say certain issues are "gospel" issues, that the whole gospel message depends on adhering to whatever bandwagon said church leader is… Continue reading Council for Biblical Manhood and Womanhood: When Did “Roles” Become a Primary Doctrinal Issue?
The Culture of Abuse in Churches Similar to Sovereign Grace Ministries
* * * * * * * * * * He shall be like a tree Planted by the rivers of water, That brings forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also shall not wither; And whatever he does… Continue reading The Culture of Abuse in Churches Similar to Sovereign Grace Ministries
Complementarians Speak out about Violence Against Women
“Silence in the face of evil is itself evil: God will not hold us guiltless. Not to speak is to speak. Not to act is to act.”Dietrich Bonhoeffer Today, Novermber 25, was the day designated as the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women:"Millions of women and girls around the world are assaulted, beaten,… Continue reading Complementarians Speak out about Violence Against Women
Judge Refuses to Drop Charges in Oklahoma Failure to Report Case
One of my big pet peeves is pastors or church leaders who fail to report cases of suspected abuse to civil authorities. I found an update on a case mentioned earlier in this post: Mandatory Reporting Laws for Clergy: Loopholes for AbuseHere is the new update:Okla. Judge Refuses to Drop Child Abuse Charges Against Victory… Continue reading Judge Refuses to Drop Charges in Oklahoma Failure to Report Case
Pastors Who Fail to Report Abuse: Conspiracy of Silence
“This was not a mistake, this was not an oversight,” Kelly said at a press conference Thursday afternoon. “This was a conspiracy of silence by top officials.” As much as the Penn State grieves my heart because of so many victims and the pain that they endured, I believe this case is going to be… Continue reading Pastors Who Fail to Report Abuse: Conspiracy of Silence
Rant: When Do Church Pastors/Leaders Call Civil Authorities?
*** Blogger Alex Grenier of Calvary Chapel Abuse published an article about former NBA player and Calvary Chapel member, Nick VanderLaan. I have highlighted important points below. Take a look at the whole article here. *** http://ephesians511blog.blogspot.com/2012/10/calvary-chapel-arrested-member-warning.html *** Former NBA player Nick VanderLaan, a recent money-giving member of Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa, tells his… Continue reading Rant: When Do Church Pastors/Leaders Call Civil Authorities?
Domestic Violence: Do Pastors Know Best?
The issue of domestic violence in the church is disturbing. How are churches handling these cases? In this post, we discussed domestic violence within some Sovereign Grace Ministries (SGM) churches. As most of you are probably aware, SGM is in the midst of a lawsuit filed by 3 families whose children were sexually abused and… Continue reading Domestic Violence: Do Pastors Know Best?
Spiritual Sounding Board 