Jim and Carole started this blog in June, 2008.
We helped start a church in Florida in 1996 that was adopted by Sovereign Grace Ministries (then called PDI) in 1999. I was very much in favor of the affiliation, and was actually impatient during the process, frequently asking our pastor, “what’s taking so long?”. I played guitar and bass on our worship team from our inception, was the first children’s ministry director after our adoption, became a care group leader in 2001(?), and became a non pastoral staff member in the Fall of 2003. Carole led our SGC’s women’s ministry in 2005. In the Fall of 2005, Carole and I resigned from all ministry positions, which included ending my employment with our SGC. We resigned as members in June, 2006.
I state all the above to answer the question someone might have who stumbles upon this site-”who are these guys?”. Simply put, we were insiders and are now outsiders.
We are not anonymous. My Greek last name is loved by google and therefore absent from this blog. I’m a small business owner is a field where people often google each other’s names. I won’t let this endeavor effect my business. SGM leadership knows our names, and if you must know, send me a note.
My email address is jim@sgmrefuge.com and my phone number is three two one-five zero four-four five four two.
We launched with clearly defined goals. One of those goals were to create a place of refuge for those hurt by SGM. I’m not sure how effective a public blog can be in achieving that goal, but many still see this place as a safe haven. I’m grateful to God for this, and consider my opinion in this matter irrelevant.
Another original goal, which has become my primary focus, is to publicly call for reform within SGM. SGM’s form of government is self invented, and is not supported by Scripture nor church history. It would seem that their polity was created to support their extra-biblical view of authority, as their view of authority can be traced to their early years, whereas their official polity statement is fairly recent. We’ve have said much about SGM’s polity, and the fruit thereof. You can find much of this information here.
Our readers might be surprised to know that I agree with SGM on many doctrinal and cultural issues. While I’m not a fan of labels, I’ll use a few generally understood labels to help people know where I stand.
The truly reformed would not consider myself or SGM to be Calvinists or reformed, but we both believe in TULIP. I’m NCT. I’m not sure if SGM is.
I’m continuationist and complementarian. Like SGM, I believe that Paul is referring to the current state of the believer in Romans 7, but feel that this has been over emphasized in SGM, leading to a type of navel gazing. The Christian’s sin can also be used as a weapon. I find this manipulative. I’d love to see SGM focus on the believer’s identity in Christ for a year or two, to bring balance to their over-emphasis on the power of indwelling sin. I also believe that an empty cross without an empty tomb is a truncated Gospel.
I’m pro courtship and pro homeschooling, but believe neither should become Law. Ok-I’m REALLY anti teen dating, but have no desire to force my convictions upon you. I’m anti youth group, but feel if you must have a youth group, SGM’s practice of inviting parents are a step in the right direction. I think the verdict is in on youth ministry as we know it today. It’s a failure. I’m not sure if SGM’s model is any more successful than youth-only groups. Perhaps they’ll share their data with me.
I doubt any of the above will help me win any friends inside or outside of SGM, but inquiring minds want to know. I hope that it might help some understand why I feel this conversation is worthwhile.
This is a blog. It is not “a church”, nor is it meant to be a substitute for face to face fellowship.
Now that you know what I believe, it’s obvious that I don’t speak for all of our guests, and all of our guests don’t speak for me. Please keep that in mind.
As the guy who pays the rent here, I have a few requests. I have changed my tone, and will endeavor to “keep my shots above the belt”. I would ask you to do the same.
I understand that I’ve created an “anything goes” environment here. I regret this, but I also don’t want to become the blog nazi. I’d really like to see our guests address other Christians in a loving manner. We really need to turn the ship here, but I realize that this will take time. Please be patient. I have, and will address people privately if I think that their manner of speech is over the top. If you’re sick and puke on my carpet, you’ll be cut much more slack than someone who wants to have a food fight. That was profound-think about it 
I really think that Christians can disagree and even criticize other Christians in a loving manner.
If you think this blog is garbage, please feel free to give me a call, send me a note, or post here if you absolutely must protest publicly. Please address me. The best place to do this is on the “Concerned” thread, which can be found at the top of the page. If you see puke on the carpet, please don’t call the person who made a mess bitter.
Gents, please be nice to the ladies.