My Take on Tullian Tchividjian & The Gospel Coalition
Friday, May 23, 2014 at 8:25PM For background read this article and this article.
The hardest thing for me to process in my experience with Sovereign Grace Ministries over the last 14 years was the increasing willingness of SGM leaders to lie and deceive. It took me 4 years to accept this was actually happening. I thought I was crazy. Finally, I had to believe the facts I gathered and reject my "believe the best" naiveté!
That's when I began to really speak out. In August 2004, I set up a meeting to confront C.J. Mahaney. That meeting guaranteed my doom. I have been shocked beyond description at the blatant deceit employed by Mahaney, Dave Harvey, John Loftness and the three SGM Boards of Directors since July 2011 when I sent The Documents to the pastors of Sovereign Grace Ministries.
I know how hard it is to believe Christian leaders like D.A. Carson, Tim Keller, or Ben Peays would lie but I believe that is what is happening with Tullian Tchividjian. These men have provided terrible leadership in C.J.'s case and now in Tullian's case.
I've been in Tullian's shoes. It seems like countless times. You can't believe well known men, who write great books and preach great sermons, would lie to you or about you. Here’s the stark reality. Too many Christian leaders are obsessed with their reputation. That is the source of their deceit.
This willingness to lie, spin and conceal is motivated by the love of reputation and the love of money. Putting forth a godly looking "brand" is the key to selling books and building a bigger church, ministry, seminary or conference. With these come higher salaries, larger honorariums, greater royalties and more praise.
I am not against "big" but I am against hypocrisy. You can't write against fame and fortune when you are pursuing fame and fortune. C.J. was writing a book on humility when we were confronting him on pride. Far worse, he was covering up sexual abuse in his church and SGM.
Nothing is more destructive and disillusioning than dishonest leaders who live for recognition and don’t follow their own teaching.
Oh God, give us men of integrity who are willing to be poor and unknown! Restore your Church!
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