My Email to Former & Current Sovereign Grace Pastors Regarding the Corrupt Investigation of C.J. Mahaney by National Leaders
Saturday, July 1, 2017 at 5:12PM This morning, I sent out the following email to all former and current pastors in Sovereign Grace Ministries regarding the corrupt investigation of C.J. Mahaney done by Kevin DeYoung, Ray Ortlund and Carl Trueman. It brought some predictable responses.
From: Brent Detwiler [mailto:abrentdetwiler@gmail.com]
Sent: Saturday, July 1, 2017 10:34 AM
To: Former & Current SGM Pastors
Subject: Conclusive Evidence the Investigation of C.J. Mahaney’s Confessed Sins by Kevin DeYoung, Ray Ortlund, & Carl Trueman Was Thoroughly Corrupt
I posted this article eight months ago but didn’t take the time to send it to you. It is another example of the profound corruption that has surrounded C.J. and involves national leaders. I’ve provided “Story Highlights” below but you should read the entire article on my website. Just click the link in the title.
I continue to grieve over the abject loss of integrity that has defined C.J. and SGM. One day, I hope the Lord raises up leaders who will address the past with courage and conviction. That might take a couple generations but at least they will have a history of all that has transpired including the conspiracy to commit and cover up the sexual abuse of children. They can acknowledge the sins of the past and chart a new path.
On the other hand, SGC may not survive a couple generations. The Lord’s opposition has been fierce and it continues because no one in SGC has been willing to come clean and acknowledge the kind of deceit found in this post. For example, having read this post all current pastors in SGC should confront C.J., DeYoung, Ortlund, Trueman, and the previous board, for their corrupt ways and require a public accounting. When C.J., et al. refuse, they should be exposed and the pastors should leave SGC. That is integrity. That would please God. This kind of corruption cannot be tolerated. It must be confronted.
I also think of the Hush Fund Set Up by Top SGM Leaders to Meet the Demands of a SGM Pastor Whose Son Was Sexually Abused. How can anyone stay in an organization like SGC when C.J., Prater, Buckley and Hill deceive you and set up an illegal “hush fund” to prevent a family from joining the lawsuit. It is incomprehensible. And yet C.J. is featured at your conferences and hosts the Pastors College and Prater, Buckley and Hill remain as top denominational leaders. Do you think the Lord does not notice or take this into account?
The findings and actions of DeYoung, Ortlund and Trueman were corrupt. Here are the facts. They too need to repent.
Conclusive Evidence the Investigation of C.J. Mahaney’s Confessed Sins by Kevin DeYoung, Ray Ortlund, & Carl Trueman Was Thoroughly Corrupt
Brent Detwiler
Tuesday, November 29, 2016 at 12:54 PM
Story Highlights
This is a long overdue and very important post because it illustrates yet again the astounding corruption that has surrounded C.J. Mahaney. It is a must read for those interested in a factual account of the truth as it pertains to the fraudulent findings of the so called Preliminary Panel.
On July 6, 2011, I sent out The Documents to the pastors in Sovereign Grace Ministries. The same day, Mahaney announced a “leave of absence” to examine charges of a “serious nature” against him including pride, deceit, hypocrisy, unteachableness, and the sinful treatment of others. The examination he promised never happened. Instead, a corrupt process was designed and put into place whereby leaders inside and outside SGM defended and vindicated Mahaney despite the overwhelming evidence against him. That included Kevin DeYoung, Ray Ortlund and Carl Trueman. All powerful and influential leaders.
After the release of The Documents, these three men were quickly picked by a newly installed puppet Board for Sovereign Grace Ministries and asked to “offer non-binding advice on the narrow question as to whether C.J. Mahaney is presently fit for ministry based on those sins to which he has already confessed.” On July 27, 2011, they wrote the Board and declared Mahaney fit for ministry, above reproach and a model for others to follow. I never knew who was on the Preliminary Panel until Dave Harvey posted their findings on August 2, 2011.
For years, I’ve wanted to write DeYoung, Ortlund and Trueman about their findings. I finally did this past spring in separate correspondence. I respectfully asked each of them 15 questions including “Why didn’t you talk to me?”, “Did you take seriously C.J.’s confession that he remained blinded by pride for over 10 years despite constant correction?”, and “What is your definition of ‘above reproach’ in 1 Timothy 3:2 and ‘blameless’ in Titus 1:6-7?” They refused to answer any of my questions.
I also asked, “Did you tell C.J. it was decidedly unwise for him to take a leave of absence?”, “Did you tell C.J. none of his sins needed to be confessed in public?” and “Did you tell C.J. he overstated his sin and thereby confused people outside of Sovereign Grace?” I knew the answer to these questions based upon evidence I had discovered. It was unambiguously “Yes.” These men pretended neutrality in public but behind the scenes were acting with great prejudice. That’s why I asked another question of them, “Do you think the panel acted ethically in keeping with its narrow assignment?” Of course, the answer was categorically “No.” The facts bear this out in what follows.
The ungodly vindication and foolish counsel given to Mahaney by DeYoung, Ortlund and Trueman greatly contributed to the demise of Sovereign Grace Ministries and the division that followed. Lastly, what Mahaney confessed was clearly of a disqualifying nature. Therefore, it had to be covered up for him to remain in ministry. That’s why DeYoung, Ortlund and Trueman never posted his confessions and SGM has now destroyed them except for my records.
In contrast, consider the example of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Matthew 22:15-17 (NIV) [15] Then the Pharisees went out and laid plans to trap him in his words. [16] They sent their disciples to him along with the Herodians. “Teacher,” they said, “we know that you are a man of integrity and that you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. You aren’t swayed by others, because you pay no attention to who they are. [17] Tell us then, what is your opinion? Is it right to pay the imperial tax to Caesar or not?”
Continue reading at this link.
First, I heard from Curt Allen. He finds great joy in mocking me. He replaced John Loftness, the former chairman of the board for SGM and alleged sexual sadist, as lead pastor at Solid Rock Church in Riverdale, MD. Curt refused to expose John and C.J. for their corruption. Instead, he and the church left SGM quietly and “sent out” John to plant a SGM church in Bowie, MD. Curt is a deal maker. He is not a man of integrity willing to suffer for righteousness sake.
Curt Allen, lead pastor of Solid Rock Church.
In November 2011, I wrote “A Tough Wedge & a Heavy Pike.” Those are words Martin Luther used to describe his work of reformation in the Sixteenth Century. In the article, I addressed the charge of slander. Here is an excerpt that includes the demeaning comments of Curt Allen back then.
A Tough Wedge & a Heavy Pike
Friday, November 4, 2011 at 1:39 PM
Brent Detwiler
The Need to Tell the Truth
Sovereign Grace Ministries is not the Roman Catholic Church and C.J. is not Pope Leo X. Nevertheless, the unrepentant sin in C.J.’s life is serious and long term. So too the problems in SGM. They are widespread and deep.
I have been universally condemned and denounced as a “devil” (i.e. an accuser, a slanderer from the Greek, diabolos) by the Sovereign Grace Board, the Covenant Life pastors, some SGM pastors, and Reformed leaders of different stripes. Curt Allen’s recent description is representative. By the way, I could use a hug; but please, no more kisses from enemies.
“Brent, you need a hug man. For real! The only people that would sit and listen to you for two hours saying the same old stuff, are you, a few homeless people that thought there was going to be food afterwards, and a few flunkies that actually think all this is God glorifying. Brother, you got one foot on the grave and another on a banana and you are slippin’. Cut this stuff out man. Say what you got to say at the adjudication hearing and be done with it. No matter what you say in these emails and on your blog, we are not on your team man. You brought some good things to light that gave us categories to ask questions but now this is just division homeboy. This is factious. You need Jesus Brent.”
But telling the truth when SGM is covering up the truth is not slander! My accusations are not demonic assaults. They are carefully documented charges. I’ve asked for C.J.’s defense. He has not provided one. I asked for a hearing. He won’t give me one. I believe the SGM Board and friends like Challies, Ortlund, and Purswell have torn out a third of their Bible. The section called The Prophets where kings, peoples or nations were constantly exposed in public for their public transgressions. These critics of “slander” should also throw out all their books on Church History and most of the NT epistles. On yea, the Gospels also.
Of course, nothing SGM says is slanderous but any criticism or public exposure of them is slanderous. More hypocrisy. More control. Yet they won’t answer questions, don’t walk in the light, refuse to acknowledge wrong-doing, won’t allow for a hearing, etc. What do they expect? They don’t want the truth getting out so they malign motives, attack accuracy, and dam distribution while they remain unaccountable and silent.
People are told to “believe the best” but this is used by leaders to obscure the truth or put a positive spin on everything so members remain ignorant or uninvolved. Too many people would rather hear prophets of peace. Nothing disturbing, please! But this is not how it’s done in the Bible.
Here is Curt’s response to my email from this morning. Nothing has changed.
From: Curt Allen [mailto:Curt@solidrockchurch.net]
Sent: Saturday, July 1, 2017 10:56 AM
To: Brent Detwiler <abrentdetwiler@gmail.com>
Cc: Former & Current SGM Pastors
Subject: Re: Conclusive Evidence the Investigation of C.J. Mahaney's Confessed Sins by Kevin DeYoung, Ray Ortlund, & Carl Trueman Was Thoroughly Corrupt
Brent,
I DON’T CARE! TAKE ME OFF OF THIS LIST! HAVENT BEEN IN SGM FOR YEARS. I DON’T CARE ABOUT ANY OF THIS STUFF. IT’S OVER BRENT! IT’S OVER! WHAT FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT IS THIS? HOW DOES THIS HELP MY CHURCH HONOR THE LORD? WHY ARE YOU STILL DOING THIS? DO YOU HAVE A JOB? I THINK YOU STILL NEED A HUG BRO. PLEASE DON’T SEND ME THIS STUFF ANYMORE. IF YOU DO, IT IS SELFISH AND SINFUL ON YOUR PART. I ASKED YOU 4 YEARS AGO TO STOP...
Here is my response to him.
From: Brent Detwiler [mailto:abrentdetwiler@gmail.com]
Sent: Saturday, July 1, 2017 12:06 PM
To: Curt Allen Curt@solidrockchurch.net
Cc: Former & Current SGM Pastors
Subject: RE: Conclusive Evidence the Investigation of C.J. Mahaney's Confessed Sins by Kevin DeYoung, Ray Ortlund, & Carl Trueman Was Thoroughly Corrupt
You are correct - you DON’T CARE about corruption, compromise, injustice and a host of other grievous sins that you have not been willing to address in your own life, with John Loftness, with C.J., et al. You sent John out to plant a church when he had covered up for C.J. in a multiplicity of ways as chairman of the board. You know that Curt! You had no courage or conviction. You took no stand. You enabled John and you have enabled C.J. I also happen to believe the allegations against John having interacted with alleged victims and/or family members, etc.
Moreover, when you left SGM you did not speak out. You left passively. Quietly. You know about much of the corruption but have done nothing to address it. That too is corrupt. Have you ever read that part of the Bible called the Prophets? You know, that 1/3 of the OT that addresses the kind of corruption that has been systemic in SGM. What honors the Lord? Truth, integrity, honesty. Love rejoices when the truth wins out not when corruption prevails. Curt, it is not over. Not by a long shot. Why? Because the Lord does not brush this kind of sin under the carpet and pretend it did not happen. It must be dealt with and confessed. Your lack of moral integrity is frightening. You are willing to ignore the most heinous sin. You should be removed from ministry.
Here is Curt's final response. He doesn't want to address the issues or be held accountable. "Yawn" means I am not about to come clean.
From: Curt Allen <Curt@solidrockchurch.net>
Sent: Monday, July 3, 2017 3:23 PM
To: Brent Detwiler [mailto:detwiler.brent@gmail.com]
Cc: Former & Current SGM Pastors
Subject: Re: Response to Curt Allen / Parallel Post on John MacArthur & Phil Johnson
Yawn…
Here is another response I received. It is from Pete Valdez. He pastors the SGM church in the Philippines.
From: Pete Valdez [mailto:peteinchrist@yahoo.com]
Sent: Saturday, July 1, 2017 11:19 AM
To: Brent Detwiler abrentdetwiler@gmail.com
Cc: Former & Current SGM Pastors
Subject: Re: Conclusive Evidence the Investigation of C.J. Mahaney’s Confessed Sins by Kevin DeYoung, Ray Ortlund, & Carl Trueman Was Thoroughly Corrupt
Dear Brent,
Please do not include me in your email. Allow me to call your repentance before the Holy God. Because while you are addressing issues regarding justice and righteousness, and let me tell you this with grief, you are at the same time unjustly using unholy means to address your issues.
I love CJ and the Sovereign Grace!
Pete
Here is my response to him.
From: Brent Detwiler [mailto:abrentdetwiler@gmail.com]
Sent: Saturday, July 1, 2017 11:24 AM
To: Pete Valdez peteinchrist@yahoo.com
Cc: Former & Current SGM Pastors
Subject: RE: Conclusive Evidence the Investigation of C.J. Mahaney’s Confessed Sins by Kevin DeYoung, Ray Ortlund, & Carl Trueman Was Thoroughly Corrupt
Unholy means? You mean laying out the truth after doing all in my power to repeatedly address grievous issues of sin in private. Pete, the corruption is ever so great. If you really loved C.J. and Sovereign Grace you would be confronting it rather than enabling it.
The thinking of these men is terribly distorted. It is not “selfish and sinful” or “unholy” to address the pervasive abuse, pride, hypocrisy, and corruption of top leaders in SGC that has harmed thousands of people. Imagine Jeremiah, John the Baptist, Jesus or Paul saying, “I DON’T CARE ABOUT ANY OF THIS STUFF.” Not even about the victims of sexual abuse and the conspiracy of leaders to cover it up. Those are the words of Curt Allen but tragically he is speaking for all pastors who have refused to take a stand and call for the resignations of men like C.J., Mark Prater, Paul Buckley, and Mickey Connolly.
Time after time, these men have lied and deceived as a matter of documented fact and often with the assistance of powerful national leaders. Curt and others like him don’t want to read my material because they come under the conviction of the Holy Spirit. If they do what it right it will result in hardship and suffering. That doesn't go with their comfortable Christianity.
The question remains. How can anyone remain in Sovereign Grace Churches while these men remain in power? Only by compromising your soul, violating your conscience, and disobeying God’s word which requires overseers to be above reproach. The truth be told, Sovereign Grace pastors are comfortable with compromise. They tolerate what God does not. He cares about all this "stuff" in His glory, majesty and holiness.
P.S. Curt, don't slip on a banana peel. I care about you. And about that "one foot on the grave." Maybe, but I can't wait to be home with the Lord. Thanks for the benediction.
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