Cracks in the Celebrity-driven Church

kinnon.tv
June 13, 2013

http://kinnon.tv/2013/06/cracks-in-the-celebrity-driven-church.html

Today, Messengers (the term used for those sent from their SBC churches) at the Southern Baptist Church Convention gathering in Houston, SBC 2013,

passed a resolution calling on all Southern Baptists to report allegations of child abuse to authorities.

Commenting on this, Christianity Today’s Gleanings blog noted,

The resolution, filed more or less in response to the high-profile lawsuit against Sovereign Grace Ministries (SGM), was amended to ask that “SBC leaders and employees practice the highest level of discernment in affiliating with groups or individuals that possess ‘questionable’ policies and practices in protecting children against sexual abuse,” according to Baptist Press (BP), which live-blogged the morning’s votes. [emphasis added]

As much of a no-brainer as this really should have been, it is rather a strong slap in the face to Southern Baptist Celebrity leaders, Al Mohler and Mark Dever — who less than three weeks ago, along with PCA Celeb, Ligon Duncan were busy strongly supporting their buddy, C.J. Mahaney — SGM controlling stakeholder during the multiple alleged abuse cases at Sovereign Grace Ministries’ churches including the one where Mahaney pastored. Dever going so far as to preach at Mahaney’s fledgling new church plant on June 2nd, 2013 in Louisville, KY — telling the gathered few how wonderful Mahaney is,

“So you all who are here in this church, and particularly if you’re visiting or if you’re sort of new to Sovereign Grace, you have a privilege in having this man as your pastor that you don’t fully grasp, and that’s absolutely fine,” Dever said. “Just thank God for him and enjoy the word of God as he brings it from a life and a heart full of the gospel, and know that I am delighted to be here. It’s a privilege to address you brothers and sisters.” [emphasis added]

The original resolution did not come from one of the many other SBC Celebs sharing the platform at the Houston event, but rather from the cheap seats, via an SBC Messenger from Georgia, Pastor and blogger, Peter Lumpkins. (“Cheap seats” is used affectionately for we, the little people) — with much support from folk outside the gathering, including SNAP’s Amy Smith.

Amy experienced her own SBC rejection because of the stand she’s consistently taken for abuse survivors — in spite of the spin attempted by an associate pastor on staff at Amy’s home church — where the pre-SBC13 Pastors Conference was taking place. (Quick synopsis: this pastor communicated that it would be best for Amy & her husband that they no longer volunteer in that SBC church’s youth ministry — because of her work with SNAP.)

While all of this was happening, there was another interesting development in the CJ Mahaney/SGM Abuse public relations debacle. The 2nd Mahaney-supporting leaders’statement which originally appeared to be from the corporate entity, The Gospel Coalition, and written by three of its key leaders including founder Don Carson, had this quietly added to it:

This statement reflects the views of the signatories and does not necessarily speak for other Council members, bloggers, and writers for The Gospel Coalition. [emphasis added]

In response to a Tweet where I wondered,

“Perhaps Carson, DY & Taylor received some pushback from other TCGers“,

Boz Tchividjian, who with the ministry G.R.A.C.E. supports abuse victims replied,

“Internal pushback has occurred.’

There is a scene in Paddy Chayefesky‘s Academy Award-winning film, Network where the lead character, news anchor Howard Beale declares,”I’m mad as hell, and I’m not going to take it anymore.”His audience soon joins him, stating “We are mad as hell, and we’re not going to take it anymore.”*

At this point in time, there are many Christians who are “mad as hell” at what has happened to far too many “little ones” in the church — and are no longer willing to be lead in silence by Celebrity leaders. These “little ones” have been hurt, damaged and even sexually abused without warranting more than a passing sentence or two of care from these “Church Celebrities”.

What these Celebrity Leaders effectively communicate is that properly held doctrine by big-time church leaders is far more important than a few broken people. (Who was it who said, ‘to make an omelette you have to break a few eggs‘?)

But God, as He so often does, has chosen to raise up prophets from the “lower classes” of the church. (No disrespect intended.) Dee and Deb at the Wartburg Watch, Michael Newnham at Phoenix Preacher, Matt Redmond, Julie Anne Smith, Amy Smith, Peter Lumpkins, Chris Hubbs, Zach Hoag and many others.

No doubt the Celebrity leaders are not only stunned by how these little people have spoken up, but also that their voices have been and will continue to be listened to.

To God be the glory.

UPDATE: Read this post at TWW. I’m singing from the same songbook.