We are not their (or your) enemy.

GraceGirl, I find your choice of words very interesting: “Although I hear that some members of the pastoral team have made some missteps in the past,”   Websters defines misstep as a wrong or awkard step; a mistake in conduct.  Calling their conduct a misstep gives a wrong impression of what actually happened in Chesapeake.  Their “missteps” were acutally patterns of abuse, control, manipulation, wrong doctrine, etc. that happened over a course of years.  So to use the word  misstep is not accurate.  According to Scripture, these pastors disqualified themselves from further pastoral ministry.   

It would be wise for you to dig a little deeper into the history of this movement before you make your decisions about how wonderful it is.  Probably most everyone writing on these blogs these last 3 years thought SGC Cheapeake or SGM was the most wonderful church on the face of the earth until God opened their eyes to the truth.  

I do believe that SGC Cheapeake has the potential to be a truly wonderful church under the leadership of EH.  This cannot occur until SGC Chesapeake cuts all ties with SGM.   

Thanks for commenting. You asked:

“In closing, let me ask you this: would you want to confess your faults to the world if you knew that by doing so you would a) make your enemies say “ha I got him” or b) Open yourself to new criticism or the destruction of your good name n the eyes of those who respect you?  People like CJ, Piper and others often find themselves between a rock and a hard place.”

I agree that the current SGM leaders are between a rock and a hard place. The bad apples have been destroying trust for over 3 decades. They are truly darned if they do/darned if they don’t at this point. While I hate this, I’ve told those who will listen that they painted themselves into the corner they find themselves in. If trust is ever rebuilt, it may take years.

Here’s the deal- survivors is over 3 1/2 years old, and refuge is 3 years old. These men had decades to repent without their every word being dissected on the internet, and chose not to. I take no blame for their current dilemma. I’m pulling for them, and pray that they get it right.

I’m glad that you addressed GraceGirl. My response is, “thank the 3 couples”.

“This unfolding drama is all very fascinating. There seems to be a lot of information flowing out there. My understanding is that this is a good size church.”

“Carole, I never said I was part of SGM.”

At the same time, he/she only commented on Chesapeake, and had clearly chosen sides:

“Bravo Billy, Bravo…”

“Move on Scott….Perhaps you should direct your care and attention toward your new church and leave the disasters and chaos of SGCC to those who are left behind.”

“BY…

Oh my…How did it happen that all the “facts” stated above by the responders to your posts were gained by folks not present? Not at the meeting or not in the church office when emails were sent. Does the word “fact” have a new definition?”

Wanna fill in some blanks, McD?

Because you have to know that it is sounding exactly like you are saying that. 

So which is it?

If you are one of the 6 people and everyone has done all they can to make full restitution, then I will eat my words (with salt) and take back the part about you being manipulative and insinuating some bad stuff.  But if that’s not the case, you have been in an environment for too long where you have been manipulated so can’t even see that it is clear as day when you do it to someoen else.  (Or attempt to.  Like I said, it was so funny it was fascinating.)

Or, instead of the pale ale,  he’s drinking the DosXX (perhaps he’s the most interesting man in te world.)

Or is this another attempt at typical SGM revisionist history?

N.S.L.B.