WebWhile details of what's actually going on at Bethlehem Baptist are sparse, the resignation of the church's head pastor and several is arguably newsworthy, so we're going to allow discussion on the topic.. A couple of reminders to everybody: John Piper hasn't been the pastor at BBC since 2012, and thus far there is zero indication that he's in any way laid out by The Gospel Coalitions Kevin DeYoung, With Gossip of the Gospel, the Church Grows in Nepal, Southern Baptist Convention Disfellowships Saddleback Church, I Was the Proverbial, Drug-Fueled Rock and Roller, Grace Community Church Rejected Elders Calls to Do Justice in Abuse Case, The Kings College Faces Threat of Closure, Complete access to articles on ChristianityToday.com, Over 120 years of magazine archives plus full access to all of CTs online archives. Now, Meyer is part of a growing exodus of leaders and members When someone at the meeting asked Naselli to explain himself, he responded that what was happening in the roomhow some were taking sides without any judgmentwas exactly what Rigney and Wilson were protesting in their podcast. Naselli did not resign. Both Meyer and Tong spoke out against racism, Pickering said, but added that the charges were not true. WebRev David Dodge. Hurt feelings arent always a sign that someone has been sinned against. This generationyoung peopleare not being prepared to survive in the world they are going to find themselves in.. Like in many evangelical churches that are majority white, some members of the congregation believed the church was putting too little an effort into addressing ethnic harmony and justice, while others felt like it became too much of a focus. The resignations and fractures in leadership at Bethlehem Baptist Church (BBC) extend to the congregation and have been simmering for years. Pastor Brian Dow. Having just come out of an abusive system where women arent believed, it was like, Yeah, this is exactly what Ive lived, Mekala said. ]. Its been accelerated by political polarization, racial reckoning, and pandemic stress. Theyre trying to toughen you up. Up until this point, I thought he was a pretty cool guy and authoritative in his teaching.. We see this is the third article this month youve found worth reading. Five of our professors are elders; four of our trustees are elders, said Rigney. Stokes said that even without charges of heresy or a false gospel, just differences in approach, the discussion can feel very personal. ), Bryan Pickering also expressed concern about the Man Rampant episode to Takata. And though Naselli would later apologize for what he said, the Takatas said Naselli made disparaging statements about them in the months following to elders, BBC members, and staff at BCS. Jason Meyer, pastor for preaching and vision at Bethlehem Baptist Church in Minneapolis, Minnesota, preached on the pride-crushing power of the cross in Alumni May they work it out together in a godly manner. I was living a life apart from God. there's harm being done," Pickering said. He says the accusations against him were (1) that I have subordinated the gospel, (2) that I empowered victims (coddler), and (3) that I allowed compassion for others to steer and dictate my leadership direction.. But empathy that is true does not result in that. Meanwhile, church elders and BCS administration concluded that the processes largely worked as they should, but that they came to a different conclusion than the accusers. WebView Jason Meyers profile on LinkedIn, the worlds largest professional community. Why anyone would align themselves with Doug Wilsonwhose latest in a string of anti-Christian behaviors is authoring an erotic novel about a sex robotis beyond me. Amid these accusations, I recommend trying G.R.A.C.E to investigate the matters facing Bethlehem. Jason Meyer, the successor to pastor and Desiring God founder John Piper, has resigned from his role as pastor for preaching & vision at Bethlehem Baptist Church Please contact Pastor Jason if you are in need of financial suppor t or I found it very helpful. Rigney recognizes spiritual abuse as something that does happen in Christian contexts, but he also challenged what he saw as the possibility for criticism or correction from a position of authority to get inflated as abuse. But what I noticed, underlying the meaningful time I worshiped at Bethlehem, was rigidity and control among leadership. In an emailed statement to CBN News on Wednesday, Ken Currie, Bethlehem Baptist's pastor for strategic implementation, said Meyer's resignation would be effective Aug. 1. One of the things that gets brought up in the abuse conversation is that abusers and their communities gaslight and minimize what theyve done, said Rigney. In our next article on events at Bethlehem Baptist Church, well explore the allegations against Naselli, as well as the response by BCS administration and BBC elders. [ This article is also available in She described how hard it was to leave a church theyd helped plant, even as disagreements about race and gender emerged. But it takes a lot of hard work, time, and money to do what we do. The attitude undergirding the motion is too easily offended or hurt, and it turns that woundedness or offense into a crusade, Naselli wrote in an email to fellow elders in February, referring to the move as a form of cancel culture.. His writings are dreck, laughable to those who havent already decided to worship at his temple. WebThe New Hope leadership and staff is comprised of men and women who love, care and pray for every single person in the church. Four students recalled intense debates in their 2019 undergrad course in Christian ethics and apologetics. He added that Wilsons church has received a great deal of scrutiny about its poor handling of abuse cases in the past, so I cringed when I heard (Wilson) bring up . Interview with Jason Mayer | North County Campus Pastor by Dave Franco | August 15, 2014 How did you become a Christian? Keep in touch with Julie and get updates in your inbox! Thats why we view every news story through the lens of faith. The school also hired its only female faculty professor, Betsy Howard, this year. Feb. 06-Feb. 06. Bethlehem Baptist Church, Pastor Jason Meyer, Domestic Violence, Emotional Abuse, Spiritual Abuse Almost 1-1/2 years ago, I wrote an article about John Piper's former church, Bethlehem Baptist Church (BBC) regarding domestic violence, Encouraging Shift from Bethlehem Baptist Church Regarding Domestic Abuse and Care During a meeting in May, the downtown pastors faced further challenges from some of the council. Rev Greg Doss. "We talked weekly on the phone when I was called to my first pastoral role after seminary, he came and visited me and took me to lunch when times were hard in that pastoral post, and now I've had the privilege of serving alongside him these past three years. To donate, How Big Christian Nationalism Has Come Courting in North Idaho, Doug Wilsons Disciples Question Womens Right to Vote, Did Costi Hinn Get Canceled? In February 2021, the church released a statement on ethnic harmony that affirms Christians neighborly love across ethnic lines but denies that ethnic diversity should be an end in itself and rejects all systems of thought that view relationships primarily through the lens of powerthat is, those with more power are inherently oppressors, and those with less power are inherently oppressed.. Many of us (myself included) were blessed by Johns teachings on Christian hedonism and we gave him a pass on certain teachings because of his warmth, enthusiasm, and geeky charm, but make no mistake, this is the house he built. So far this year, about 200 peoplenearly 10% of the megachurchs total membershiphave resigned as members from Bethlehems Downtown campus, according to statistics provided to The Roys Report by former BBC members. Rev Ernie Dorrell. Another pastor who resigned is accusing a Bethlehem elder of spiritual abuse and calling on him to resign. After more than 30 years as senior pastor of Bethlehem Baptist Church in Minneapolis, the fiery preacher of hardline biblical values is retooling his priorities. By now, you have received notification of the resignation of Pastor Jason Meyer. I had a growing concern that compassion that lacks discernment would ultimately and subtly undermine sound doctrine. He seems to be warning that a large amount of empathy will muddy the waters. During the difficult moments over the past few months, hes reminded himself of James 3:17 (ESV): But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. As the downtown campus grieves the loss of longtime leaders and friends, Stokes said he continues to answer questions, but he gets the sense that nearly all the remaining members are committed to stay. There is no one factor that has driven me away from this school. But when urged to make a public statement that BBC did not endorse Rigneys view, one elder instead directed Mekala to meet with Tim Tomlinson, who was then president of BCS. They said he falsely accused us of insubordination to a pastor and acting in a manner that is intentionally divisive., But Naselli, according to the Takatas transcripts, spoke up about the difference between intent and impact and ultimately did not see his response as sinful. But its more difficult to shift peoples thinking the other way, though more resourcesbooks like Somethings Not Right: Decoding the Hidden Tactics of Abuseand Freeing Yourself from Its Power by Wade Mullen and A Church Called Tov: Forming a Goodness Culture That Resists Abuses of Power and Promotes Healing by Laura Barringer and Scot McKnightare changing how people see abuse within the church. Doug Wilsons carnality is so blatant that a sincerely devoted follower of Christ would be unable to be around him for long, and certainly would not repeatedly seek him out. Their dispute stirred underlying issues and philosophical differences, including over the subject of Rigneys remarks themselves. Some of the resignations were due to normal factors, like families moving out of the area. WebJason Meyer | 2 Corinthians 11:16-21. On the whole, I think you are correct that the majority (of those with power) at the very least appear to be carrying the same torch. I wish the congregation the best in getting this all sorted out. BCS is a confessional school where professors teach from its 52-page affirmation of faith, but students from other traditions can attend. Him to resign seems to be warning that a large amount of will..., Betsy Howard, this year not true 2014 How did you become Christian! Man Rampant episode to Takata of the area trustees are elders ; four of professors. 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