TEXAS
Christian Today
Mark Woods CHRISTIAN TODAY CONTRIBUTING EDITOR 26 May 2015
The Village Church has responded to criticism of its treatment of the wife of a member who had her marriage annulled after her ex-husband was found to be viewing images of child abuse.
The 10,000-member church, whose lead pastor is Matt Chandler, supported Jordan and Karen Root in their work with the SIM USA mission organisation in East Asia. Jordan Root was found to have been viewing child pornography and his appointment with SIM was terminated following an investigation and his admission of guilt.
Jordan entered a “process of walking in repentance” but Karen Root – now Hinkley – was told that her move to have the marriage annulled placed her in breach of the church’s membership covenant. She was also told that her resignation of membership could not be accepted while she was in breach of the covenant.
After a storm of negative publicity, the church issued a statement to its members saying that “this case of sin has brought immense damage to a marriage and a ministry” but adding that “in the midst of this heartbreaking situation, we have maintained a tremendous love and burden for both Jordan and Karen, for both the offender and offended”.
The statement outlines the steps taken regarding Jordan Root, including reporting him to the authorities. It said that following an FBI investigation of his computer he was not facing criminal charges. It says: “Jordan’s sin is serious and difficult, and he has confessed, repented and appears to be submitted to the direction of his elders and pastors. This means Jordan is not in formal church discipline (Matt. 18:15). Instead, moving forward, Jordan will remain in a season of intentional pastoral care, where his role will be to remain faithful to actions in keeping with repentance (Acts 26:20), pursue holiness and purity, and continue to flee from sin.”
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