It took a lot for him to leave the classroom behind. The church went on to revise its stance on divorce and start a ministry response team to care for victims. In Meyers letter of resignation, which The Roys Report obtained, Meyer writes, Despite the charge that Bethlehem is drifting toward liberalism, I actually think we have lost some of our elasticity as the wind blows more in the direction of neo-fundamentalism., Meyer also wrote, I personally fear we are in danger of veering too much towards a unity culture. The sensitivity over Black Lives Matter and differing approaches to contemporary racial issues hits particularly hard in the Bethlehem community. Another elder in the meeting said of Pastor Jason, of Pastor Ming-Jinn, and of me that when we preach or pray publicly, or publicly communicate to the congregation, we are subordinating the gospel to other things, Pickering told CT. Another four faculty and staff left the college and seminary in the past year. Toward that end, the site requires that people use their full name when commenting. The episode was titled The Sin of Empathy, and featured guest Joe Rigney, who at the time of the January meeting had been appointed president of Bethlehem College and Seminary (BCS) but had not yet assumed office. It seems as though one issue is differing views regarding the churchs theological emphasis, while another issue is abusive leadership and a culture of fear. He kept saying dont get sucked in which is quite a different thing than having empathy. Meyers most recent title was pastor for preaching & vision at Bethlehems downtown campus. And I stand by what I wrote. Instead, he said it confirmed the pattern he already suspected after speaking with nearly all 12 former BCS students who in 2020 submitted allegations against Naselli to BCS administration. So, lets call this what it is, address it as the foul, malevolent, pernicious evil that it is, and stand against the manifold oppression and abuse that are not only forbidden by God, but condemned by Christ Himself. (BBC has about 40 elders, but the congregation is considered the final authority and meets quarterly to vote on church matters.). Today was the first time Ive ever heard of the controversy re: the concept of empathy as discussed by Doug Wilson and Joe Rigney, and also now the idea the some biblical counselors are also thinking similarly. With Rigney slated to lead the college and seminary, some worried that his theological views and his affiliations would become conflated with Bethlehemsspecifically his concerns on empathy discussed in the hour-long Wilson interview (which is now on YouTube). By now, you WebNOW!!! Even people whove left in frustration agree theres no single cause or person beneath the conflict. He also did not respond to The Roys Reports repeated requests for an interview. His experience in the class led him to hear from others who had been called out by Naselli, and he brought concerns from a dozen students to leaders at the church at BCS the following year. Brian Tabb, a BBC elder and dean at BCS, told Takata in an email that he could understand her concerns. But he loses people when he says empathy is a sin. In arguing for the motion, Takata expressed that it was disheartening to her that an elder who calls himself a pastor had given the Man Rampant episode a 5-star rating. He seems to be warning that a large amount of empathy will muddy the waters. Theyre drawn to Reformed theology and Pipers Christian hedonism, which is reflected in the schools motto: Education in Serious Joy., In a classroom full of men who would give their lives for the gospel, to have somebody whos supposedly training you for ministry doubt your commitment to that gospel because youre not convinced hes right about everything is really hard to deal with, said Karl Grant, who studied under Naselli in the seminary, as the sole Lutheran in the program. And though Naselli would later apologize for what he said, the Takatas said Naselli made disparaging statements about them in the months following to elders, BBC members, and staff at BCS. If youve seen much of Doug Wilson or his church/school/publishing empire in Moscow, ID, and you have some understanding of narcissism, youll immediately recognize the warning flags. Elders and ministers at Bethlehem Baptist Church in Minneapolis, Minnesota have resigned over what Pipers successor, Jason Meyer, calls an embrace of neo-fundamentalism and a unity culture that breeds fear and seeks to protect the institution. Great! Please check your information and try again or call us at 1-800-759-0700. Tabb, in an October 2020 email announcing Bowerss final days at BCS, described him as being beloved by students and colleagues for his excellent teaching, good humor, compassion for the marginalized, and faithful friendship.. Bethlehem was the plan until we were going to be in Jesus arms. https://julieroys.com/bethlehem-baptist-church-culture-fear-abuse His worries center on what he sees as contemporary expectations that people join others who are hurting in their pain. Naselli, associate professor of theology and New Testament at BCS, spoke up to identify himself as the five-star reviewer and said that if the motion passed, hed quit. I never met Jason Meyer but I know an oblong blur generality, when I read one. Particularly since Donald Trumps presidency, theres been a deepening of divisions among American evangelicals, exposing disagreements not in theology per se but in how they as Christians see their greatest priorities and fears in society. It is indeed worth noting the problematic environment of the school where Naselli chose to incubate himself. God commands us to be compassionate. No one has influenced how I love my wife or my family more than him. This dysfunctional mess is the logical outcome of John Piper and his theology and its methods. If yes leave the church. Im stumped over this direction. This moment is hard. To share this article with your friends, use any of the social share buttons on our site, or simply copy the link below. When we talk about the six habits of heart and mind, [we need to] actually do that., Rigney said that as Christian hedonists, feel becomes an educational distinctive at BCS. The resignations and fractures in leadership at Bethlehem Baptist Church (BBC) extend to the congregation and have been simmering for years. Jason informed Bethlehem's Council of Elders of his resignation effective August 1, 2021," the statement read. Some of the faces that appear in the compilation video of 150 Gods Grace at Bethlehem no longer belong to the multisite Twin Cities churchmost prominently Jason Meyer, Pipers successor and Bethlehems pastor for preaching and vision. Give a gift of $30 or more to The Roys Report this month, and you will receive a copy of Escaping the Maze of Spiritual Abuse by Dr. Lisa Oakley and Justin Humphreys. Give a gift of $30 or more to The Roys Report this month, and you will receive Escaping the Maze of Spiritual Abuse by Dr. Lisa Oakley and Justin Humphreys. Two Bethlehem elders, Ken Currie and Chairman Kurt Elting-Ballard, responded that they are focusing our energy on the needs of our flock and had no other comment or statement to add.. I say all of that to let you know that it's okay to feel sad and confused," Zuleger continued. Are the Pastor(s) abusive? From our humble beginnings in 1975, Faith Assembly of God began as a church serving 95 people from a small steel building. Sarah Brima and her husband were former members of Bethlehem and Rigneys Cities Church but left in part over his affiliation with Wilson. Piper has hosted and defended pastor and author Doug Wilson over the years, even as hes become an increasingly contentious figure in evangelicalism for his teachings on slavery, women, and other issues. And let us pray for Gods rescue and healing of those victimized by these wicked hired-men posing as undershepherds. WebRev David Dodge. The Takatas concerns quickly became about more than the motion, and they filed grievances challenging Nasellis qualifications as an elder. Pastor for Preaching and Vision, Bethlehem Baptist Church Transform Minnesota brings workshops, connection points and teaching across the state of Minnesota. Get new articles and breaking news delivered to your inbox. "Pray for your leaders as we pray for you. While he was trying to work for resolution, she didnt know where to go with her own frustration and anxiety. The group faced pushback from elders and pastors, who were worried that their approach focused only on where Bethlehem was not doing enough on matters of race. Even with the warning, there were moments where the tone and classroom demeanor intensified in contrast to others at BCS. But empathy that is true does not result in that. The departures most directly affect the downtown campus, where Stokes, Bethlehems pastor of church planting, has assumed some of Meyers duties in the short term. In our next article on events at Bethlehem Baptist Church, well explore the allegations against Naselli, as well as the response by BCS administration and BBC elders. . From there he went on to study at Southern Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky where he earned M. Div. Couldnt agree more, Rebecca. If not leave that church. Im not convinced that I sinned against you. The Christian conversation about racism has come a long way in the 10 years since Bloodlines, and has taken on more weight amid the recent string of high-profile police killingsthree in the Minneapolis area alone: Philando Castille, George Floyd, and Daunte Wright. But his take has also resonated. "Jason Meyer's resignation is not due to impropriety or moral failure, and we thank God for Jason's ministry among us for the past nine years, first as Pastor for Preaching & Vision for Bethlehem's three campuses, and then since last summer as Pastor for Preaching & Vision at the Downtown Campus," the statement concluded. Here is a checklist to determine if someone should leave a church: 1. If the church would take seriously the scriptural qualifications for elders, it would protect the sheep from these narcissistic leaders. Naselli stated that he reacted in the meeting because he worried about discrediting Rigney prior to his presidency, after BCS had undergone a careful, scrutinizing selection process to choose him. Members who spent 10, 20, or even 30 years worshiping and serving there, who expected they would be part of Bethlehem for the rest of their lives, said goodbye to their spiritual home. Unlike other high-profile evangelical scandals and shakeups in the headlines, the story at Bethlehem is not so clear-cut. Then they got themselves in trouble (ultimately with God) when they opened their mouths and spoke words without knowledge in their attempt to fix Job. Bethlehem is in Gods hands, she said. She asked how the message, with Rigney and Wilson discussing examples of women using emotional manipulation or falsely claiming abuse, would square with the churchs own ministry to care for victims. They said he falsely accused us of insubordination to a pastor and acting in a manner that is intentionally divisive., But Naselli, according to the Takatas transcripts, spoke up about the difference between intent and impact and ultimately did not see his response as sinful. Your tax-deductible gift helps our journalists report the truth and hold Christian leaders and organizations accountable. But its more difficult to shift peoples thinking the other way, though more resourcesbooks like Somethings Not Right: Decoding the Hidden Tactics of Abuseand Freeing Yourself from Its Power by Wade Mullen and A Church Called Tov: Forming a Goodness Culture That Resists Abuses of Power and Promotes Healing by Laura Barringer and Scot McKnightare changing how people see abuse within the church. This is authoritarian house that says women shouldnt teach in seminary. Doug Wilsons carnality is so blatant that a sincerely devoted follower of Christ would be unable to be around him for long, and certainly would not repeatedly seek him out. . Give a gift of $30 or more to The Roys Report this month, and you will receive Escaping the Maze of Spiritual Abuse by Dr. Lisa Oakley and Justin Humphreys. Also available on most smart TVs and streaming services. Most, though, come through the Young, Restless, and Reformed movement. And are people on either side pitting truth and grace against each other and distorting the way of Jesus? Part of what I want to say is theres actually an answer to that question.. The Roys Report seeks to foster thoughtful and respectful dialogue. Former Elder, and BBC professor of Biblical Counseling Pickering, however, said he was not surprised by Nasellis response at the meeting. It has been multiple factors in concert over time, he wrote in a resignation letter last year. The stakes continue to be raised, said Josh Panos, a BCS alumnus. They leave behind a sizable community2,400 members, spread across three campuseswhose leaders are also disappointed and grieved, enough that the church decided to postpone its 150th anniversary event scheduled for this weekend to November. They insisted he sinned against them by explaining and denying instead of seeking to understand. "It's confusing and painful corporately because Jason took the mantle from Pastor John Piper and helped lead us to this point of campus-specific preaching. The church formed an ethnic harmony task force in 2019 to review issues such as representation and diversity within the church and leadership. Ive always been mystified by Pipers attraction to him. Bethlehem College and Seminary grew out of the church-run training center that dates back decades. Rather, I believe our leadership culture has taken a turn in an unhealthy direction as we try to navigate conflict and division.. He and Pickering, who read the names of the victims in prayer that week, received criticism from a fellow elder for bringing up race as a component in the incident. Theyre trying to toughen you up. Take Back Your Life. Jason Meyer, the successor to pastor and Desiring God founder John Piper, has resigned from his role as pastor for preaching & vision at Bethlehem Baptist Church 2023 The Christian Broadcasting Network, Inc., A nonprofit 501 (c)(3) Charitable Organization. And when the truth and the truth-tellers are minimized, marginalized, and demonized, this is a narcissistic family systems. ", "We also have troubles that have played out at Bethlehem over the past year. His writings are dreck, laughable to those who havent already decided to worship at his temple. Our friendship is not up for grabs even a little, yet I'm personally heartbroken. WebIn 2012, Jason Meyer became the senior pastor. During a meeting in May, the downtown pastors faced further challenges from some of the council. Hes the one that featured Wilson repeatedly on the Desiring God website, and (to my knowledge) hes never once called Wilson out for his revolting rhetoric and his various public misdeeds. This prompted many members of the task force to leave the church, according to Janice Perez Evans, a task force co-leader. Even before Rigneys selection and the Naselli investigation at BCS, church leaders had begun to rethink what it means for the college and seminary to be a church-based school when the church now has three campuses instead of one. Maybe this is normal for most people, but its mind-blowing to me. Among his concerns, the former assistant professor of theology and philosophy wrote that leaders used Scripture or Christian vocabulary to dismiss employee and student complaints, and that he felt pressured to tiptoe around addressing racial progress. The Roys Report reached out to Tomlinson for comment, but he did not respond. There is no one factor that has driven me away from this school. And according to audio obtained by The Roys Report, Naselli responded to the motion by stating publicly: I am the pastor that Mrs. Takata just quoted. 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