Matt Chandler

[Dorothy Mae]

What’s a christian to think? I find it difficult to form a concrete position. What do we know?

He exchange “inappropriate” texts with a lady who wasn’t his wife. This lady shared those texts with a friend. (How many of you share boring or innocent texts with a friend?) This friend confronted Matt. At some point he told the board. They hired a lawyer or lawyers to review the texts. (Why would they hire LEGAL consultant agencies?) They recommended action saying it violated scripture and/or church rules for pastoral conduct. I wonder how often law firm consult scripture for recommendations? Matt tells his church that the board recommends he step down and he is respecting them. From friend confrontation to board recommendations took many months.

If you listen to the announcement you will find that Matt is embarrassed but not repentant. He is obeying the board but not his conscience. Out of the gate he says he plans to pastor there many more years.

So regarding our brother, I haven’t much to say except I love truth and have mercy for him. What is not being revealed is none of my business. I don’t want to know.

What I do know is that repentance must mean you admit to the worst of what you did wrong. What was his actual sin? I have no idea but repentance required naming it. Repentance requires asking for forgiveness not announcing cooperation with what powerful others decided. Repentance is not sandwiched in between light jokes. And I also know that because he was only embarrassed (he got caught) there is no grace from God for him in this matter. God doesn’t grant forgiveness and grace to the embarrassed, but to the humble.

And so I’m sorry for him. I’m sorry for another brother likely ruined by fame. I’m sorry the fear of God isn’t there. It Isn’t too hard to have pity and mercy for the poor blinded man. I wish him well.

 

[Who Me]

What’s a christian to think

Jesus taught that those who teach or in positions of authority will be judged more strictly than those they teach/lead.
They are to be an example to us and are to set us an example.

If one cannot live by the highest Christian standards, following Pauls teaching about giving up anything that might cause anoth to sin, then one should not be a Christian leader.

 

[Corn Pop]

That's what happens when you put yourself out there. People will scrutinise and judge.

I have no idea what the texts said as it none of my personal business.

I did read something just because I got no idea who you are talking about and the source said he didn't say anything crooked. Some people like to judge, I mean a married man sends another woman messages somehow that's a problem like they not allowed female friends or something even just that is classed as inappropriate.to some people. Who cares.

 

[jasonc]

Jesus taught that those who teach or in positions of authority will be judged more strictly than those they teach/lead.
They are to be an example to us and are to set us an example.

If one cannot live by the highest Christian standards, following Pauls teaching about giving up anything that might cause anoth to sin, then one should not be a Christian leader.

Do know the flock is judgemental.

Pastor isn't a drunkard but drinks.
Pastor isn't one a striker of hands but trains in MMA and has that personality of a defender which when turned on isn't gonna be pretty .I have had a vet church elder allude to that .you don't ask nicely to drop that gun ,leave that building once it's way to late .it's fighting time ,blood will be drawn.

Pastor likes to watch some grey area in entertainment.

Yes I have my issues with certain choices .but I'm not going to cry over them to the presbytery.

 

[Corn Pop]

The Pastor who has a few whiskeys behind closed doors and gets caught out and judged for it. At least they not doing it front of everyone or drink on stage and influence others.

That's just the way it is when people put themselves out there people will judge and scrutinise.
Some people think they are morally perfect so like to judge and the problem is people judge in the wrong judgement , you only judge on hypocricy and lies.

I mean if a pastor said to his sheep I don't drink alcohol and yet behind closed doors they having a party and playing beer pong getting ripped and acting like a animal, then that's hypocrisy.

If they never said they don't drink and have a few behind closed doors in peace and quiet not getting drunk or anything and acting like a idiot that would be called a drunkard, that's not hypocricy.

 

[Corn Pop]

A drunkard is someone who can't handle there drink. Someone who has drinks just to get smashed or drinks to much and acts like a fool. That's it.

Someone who can control themselves and has a drink over dinner or a few socially is not a drunkard. When you start acting like a fool and talking rubbish, or a step further like your speaking in tongues because no one can understand what on earth your saying then your a drunkard idiot.

But judgemental people I tell you. A pastor enjoying a meal and having a couple wines over dinner with there wife spending some quality time together, they will get called out by seome and labelled a sinner. Look drinking wine. Sinner!. Sinner!

 

[Dorothy Mae]

It seems his board of elders judged it to be a serious breech so we needn’t judge. Probably best because details weren’t expressed. I feel sorry for the man.

 

[for_his_glory]

He who has no sin cast the first stone then Jesus said to go and sin nor more.

We need to be praying for this man and his family instead of gossiping insinuations we know nothing about. Plus we know how reliable the media can be. Bottom line it's none of our business as none of us knows this man.

 

[Dorothy Mae]

He who has no sin cast the first stone then Jesus said to go and sin nor more.

We need to be praying for this man and his family instead of gossiping insinuations we know nothing about. Plus we know how reliable the media can be. Bottom line it's none of our business as none of us knows this man.

The Bereans and the entire New Testament leadership didn’t operate that way but dealt with sin in leadership openly. Paul actually wrote that a church leader’s private life is the business of the church and a standard is required of him. This is because of the character it shows. Too often the church ignores private lack of character indications under the guise of “judge not unless you’re sinless.” The result is church leadership being comprised of hirelings seeking their own benefit.

Regarding Matt, all the discussions I read stick to what he publicly said. This isn’t gossip. The wise man thinks.

 

[for_his_glory]

The Bereans and the entire New Testament leadership didn’t operate that way but dealt with sin in leadership openly. Paul actually wrote that a church leader’s private life is the business of the church and a standard is required of him. This is because of the character it shows. Too often the church ignores private lack of character indications under the guise of “judge not unless you’re sinless.” The result is church leadership being comprised of hirelings seeking their own benefit.

Regarding Matt, all the discussions I read stick to what he publicly said. This isn’t gossip. The wise man thinks.

Matt Chandler Steps Aside After Inappropriate Online Relationship - Christianity Today

Elders at The Village Church said Instagram direct messages “revealed something unhealthy.”

www.christianitytoday.com

At least he went to the Elders of the church and told them of what he had done, but only after that woman approached him in church, but yet his wife knew these were not inappropriate texts and since none of us knows what he was texting to this woman, but yet the Elders deemed that texting this woman was inappropriate I give him kudos for taking the initiative in stepping down as the Pastor and thanking the Elders for giving him some Spiritual insight of what he had done. This man needs our prayers and not to be criticized.

 

[Dorothy Mae]

Matt Chandler Steps Aside After Inappropriate Online Relationship - Christianity Today

Elders at The Village Church said Instagram direct messages “revealed something unhealthy.”

www.christianitytoday.com

At least he went to the Elders of the church and told them of what he had done, but only after that woman approached him in church, but yet his wife knew these were not inappropriate texts and since none of us knows what he was texting to this woman, but yet the Elders deemed that texting this woman was inappropriate I give him kudos for taking the initiative in stepping down as the Pastor and thanking the Elders for giving him some Spiritual insight of what he had done. This man needs our prayers and not to be criticized.

Who is criticizing him here?

 

[for_his_glory]

Who is criticizing him here?

No one, I was basically saying how quickly people will jump on a bandwagon without knowing all the facts and that is why I posted that article.

 

[Dorothy Mae]

No one, I was basically saying how quickly people will jump on a bandwagon without knowing all the facts and that is why I posted that article.

Since no one is doing that, it would have better not to.

Just heardMark Driscoll and Mars Hill mega church was exposed and the church disbanded. Begs the question as to where is there discernment? I suppose “judge not” leaves the wolves free.

 

[jasonc]

Since no one is doing that, it would have better not to.

Just heardMark Driscoll and Mars Hill mega church was exposed and the church disbanded. Begs the question as to where is there discernment? I suppose “judge not” leaves the wolves free.

8 years ago .

 

[Dorothy Mae]

8 years ago .

Yes, I don’t follow that sort of thing so just learned about it. Another example of NO discernment as to character. The lapse of time doesn’t change the matter.

 

[jasonc]

Yes, I don’t follow that sort of thing so just learned about it. Another example of NO discernment as to character. The lapse of time doesn’t change the matter.

I do .since I have a friend who attends that old church they didn't close up but simply changed and a few merged.

She talked about mark.

Church splits locally I read up on if needed.

Two Lutheran churches claim 1919.so I decided to find out the history .the grace Lutheran church is the parent church to the other as they left the denomation and the other moved out and stayed. Both were in unison up to that point .I would say in the 50s.

1919 is the year the city I work for was chartered .

 

[for_his_glory]

Actually I do not see the point of bringing up someone else's demise as each of us will give an account to God for the good or the bad things we have done. If we are tearing down people no matter what they have done instead of praying for them then we are no better gossiping about them. Just think about this as you really do not need to reply.

 

[jasonc]

Actually I do not see the point of bringing up someone else's demise as each of us will give an account to God for the good or the bad things we have done. If we are tearing down people no matter what they have done instead of praying for them then we are no better gossiping about them. Just think about this as you really do not need to reply.

We saints are great at pointing out sin in others and yet defend that same habit in ourselves

 

[Hopeful]

The Bereans and the entire New Testament leadership didn’t operate that way but dealt with sin in leadership openly. Paul actually wrote that a church leader’s private life is the business of the church and a standard is required of him. This is because of the character it shows. Too often the church ignores private lack of character indications under the guise of “judge not unless you’re sinless.” The result is church leadership being comprised of hirelings seeking their own benefit.

Regarding Matt, all the discussions I read stick to what he publicly said. This isn’t gossip. The wise man thinks.

What you end up with is a sinner leading the sinners.
Where did Jesus speak of that?
Matt 15:14..."Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch."

 

[Dorothy Mae]

Actually I do not see the point of bringing up someone else's demise as each of us will give an account to God for the good or the bad things we have done. If we are tearing down people no matter what they have done instead of praying for them then we are no better gossiping about them. Just think about this as you really do not need to reply.

If the church cannot identify wolves or hirelings then lives will be devastated. You will not find your attitude in Paul, John or Peter. They wrote about false teachers and false apostles and tried to protect the sheep. They didn’t do as you suggest letting them destroy lives.