Doing that in a large church is difficult, Barber said, as McLean is discovering. The Capstone Report can reveal the photograph was only removed after repeated demands by members of the elder board. Platt was presented with multiple documents from many respected past and present McLean Bible Church members over the last two years that connected concerns about racial identity politics with proper biblical application. All rights reserved. degree in chemistry (1971) from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, a Th.M. Plaintiffs in the lawsuit echo Frazers concerns, saying that the ballots used by the church violated McLeans constitution. Because of the nature of a lawsuit, unfortunately, we cannot provide any further comment at this time, the elders said in a statement. INSKEEP: Given that, what makes this story feel like it has a larger significance in your mind? David Platt, the President of our International Mission Board, recently became the preaching pastor at the Mclean Bible Church, a megachurch in the DC area. Current McLean leaders have denied that the church is a member of the SBC and posted a letter from the SBCs Executive Committee to support that claim. Back at McLean, Platt and his fellow elders are urging the church in that direction. The suit is pending despite the announced vote outcome. Are the culture wars changing how Christian students choose colleges? It's little outside of Washington, D.C., in Virginia. To some observers, McLeans conflict seems like a replay of other recent episodes from American evangelicalism, where leaders who appeal to Scripture to address social issues are accused of theological liberalism or secular influence even if they continue to hold traditional Christian views. Opponents of McLeans current leadership wrote in a blog posted by the right-wing Capstone Report that Plattwho became pastor of the DC church full time in 2018was attempting to purge conservative members., Platt also described one email circulating that claimed MBC is no longer McLean Bible Church, that its now Melanin Bible Church., I know its so ugly and painful to even hear, but I want to point out the approach thats being used by people giving leadership to this group in these meetings, he told the congregation, calling the claims made about him and the incoming elders unquestionably untrue and in many cases completely unreasonable.. NPR transcripts are created on a rush deadline by an NPR contractor. People who were actively serving at other churches.. (Reformation Charlotte) A sad sight to behold is the trajectory that David Platt has been on over the last several years as the Evangelical racial reconciliation movement a movement rooted in Marxist Critical Race Theory has consumed him in nearly every aspect of thought and decision. Some of you may remember him as the guy Jerry Falwell Jr. told to "grow a pair." Platt is now in the middle of a controversy over "wokeness" at the church. A dispute over critical race theory which describes how systemic racism affects society was one of the major topics of discussion at the recent SBC annual meeting in Nashville, Tennessee. Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. Platt and other church leaders declined to respond to specific questions about the lawsuit and disputed church election. Platt and other leaders, they say, have abused their. Critics say the Virginia churchs leadership has become woke and has substituted critical race theory and social justice for biblical teaching. Platt said in his July 4 sermon that people told voting members, in person and by email, that the elders up for nomination would have sold the churchs Tysons location to build a mosque, with proceeds going to the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC). Pastor David Platt preaches at McLean Bible Church, July 11, 2021, in Vienna, Virginia. Similar to Naples, McLean Bible Church recently held a vote to confirm three elders the first vote failed. Thus, McLean is spending about $4 million less in 2021 than in 2019. NO VIDEOS! It was an exercise in eisegesis (p. 121). Attendance is down about 40-percent year-over-year. According to Dr. Baucham in his book Fault Lines, David Platt, then head of the Southern Baptist Conventions International Mission Board, delivered a message from Amos 5, then repented in tears for his white privilege, silence, and inaction. Assume this is true for a moment, wouldnt that make someone pause and ask what is going on here? We want to move forward in unity and we do not believe any appellate court would restrict us from doing that., RELATED: Woke war: How social justice and CRT became heresy for evangelicals, Pastor David Platt preaches at McLean Bible Church, July 18, 2021, in Vienna, Virginia. He also warned against letting tensions swell. The bullseye of the controversy is pastor and best-selling author David Platt, a former president of the Southern Baptist Convention's International Mission Board. McLean Bible Church (MBC) was started in the Metro Washington, DC area in 1961 as a non-denominational church. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". He became pastor in 2018 after resigning from the IMB, where his tenure had been disappointing and included the loss of almost 1,000 missionaries to resignations and early retirement. There were not enough provisional ballots to change the outcome, according to an email from church leaders. Use of and/or registration on any portion of this site constitutes acceptance of our. Frazer said the confusion over McLean's relationship with the SBC and the election controversy reflect a bigger problem with the church. He told Religion News Service that the church believes it will prevail if there is an appeal. The letter warned, Thabiti Anyabwile, despite promoting progressive talking points at the expense of Christian truth, dividing the body of Christ across racial lines, and promoting the political agenda of Black Liberation Theology, has been used to train the MBC staff and played a prominent role within MBC church life.. So they scheduled that vote for Sunday, July the 18. For instance, that they would sell the Tysons location and use it to build a mosque. ROACH: Yes, that's exactly right. According to the letter sent to Platt in February, t the congregational meeting on 12/9/20, in response to a question, David strongly disavowed Black Lives Matter. McLean Bible Church is one of the most influential churches in the United States. A drop of 39%. Solomon would forfeit his retirement package if he spoke out about the problems. However, this is a lie. [ This article is also available in Rick Boyer, attorney for the plaintiffs in the lawsuit, said his clients plan to appeal. Is it to be humble? Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features. Platt, the senior pastor of McLean Bible Church in Northern Virginia, is now caught in the middle of a scandal that is reminiscent of events that took place in 2019 at a large Southern Baptist Church in Naples, FL. Many former elders have left McLean Bible Church since David Platts takeover of the church. While the church is slashing spending on a variety of things including missions, discipleship, outreach, and church plants, one area of increased spending in 2021 is in the Senior Management salaries. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Ministry partnerships: If you represent an organization which would like to partner with MBC, please fill out the International Partnerships Form or the Local Partnerships Form. By. So those are some of the manifestations that show this is a larger discussion among evangelicals. Church members are asked for their opinions on things like what color to paint the womens bathroom, he said; why not ask their opinion on more substantive matters such as CRT or joining the SBC? This past spring, hoping to resolve the dispute, McLean leaders decided to discard the results of the July 2021 elder election. Frazer, who is not a plaintiff, said the lawsuit and controversy at the church were unfortunate and that he hated to see the churchs dirty laundry aired in public. By clicking Accept All, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. espaol. These leaders were also worried about Mike Kelseys promotion of the Black Lives Matter movement on social media. Sign up for our newsletter: Let us know how we can help, and we'll direct your inquiry to the right person. Frazer said the confusion over McLeans relationship with the SBC and the election controversy reflect a bigger problem with the church. Thousands have fled the church since it was taken over by David Platt. Dr. James White dissected David Platts errors in a podcast examining that T4G sermon. You've read 0 of 5 of todays most popular posts. The conflict at McLean Bible Church is significant not only because of the congregations size and influencewith several thousand attendees and a prominent place in the DC church landscapebut also because the incident marks the latest salvo in an ongoing clash within American evangelicalism. Former President Trump even . However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent. A group of critics that runs a Facebook group called Save McLean Bible Church claimed that church leaders had substituted critical race theory and social justice for biblical teaching. He was senior pastor at the Church at Brook Hills in Birmingham, Alabama, from 2006 to 2014. We have to address conflict intentionally and face to face, Hannaford said. The Local Church Wins Out in David Platt's Decision. Three new elders were approved by about 80% of active member votes. Platt begged church members who support the Woke regime to adjust vacation plans to be at the special meeting. The dispute at McLean centered around a failed June 30, 2021, election. Pastor David Platt of McLean Bible Church said many of those within his congregation were 'hurt' with his decision to pray for President Donald Trump on stage during Sunday's service. It couldnt be that David Platts Woke rhetoric has driven about 40% of church members to attend church in other non-Woke evangelical churches in that part of Virginia! Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. INSKEEP: Is that part of what seemed to get him in trouble with at least a portion of the congregation? ROACH: Thank you, Steve. A beloved Bible teacher and speaker, Platt inspired younger Christians to pursue missions work or other ministries. From 1980-2017, I had the honor of serving as the Senior Pastor of McLean Bible Church (MBC) in McLean, VA., in the suburbs of Washington, DC. One former McLean Bible Church member pointed out that Platts preaching is mostly informed by sociological approaches to race through works that Platt read and promoted like Divided by Faith: Evangelical Religion and the Problem of Race in America. Some of the older guard think that that's soft-pedaling some biblical truth. Fools despise wisdom and instruction. Something is wrong here,' he told Religion News Service in a 2013 interview. Plaintiffs hope that a court will declare Sundays election void and require the church to hold a new election. The budget has been cut to $4 million less than in 2019. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. The July 18 vote has been surrounded by controversy, with some decrying what they saw as creeping liberalism within the church's . Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. A lawsuit brought by McLean Bible Church dissidents on Friday to reverse the results of an election for church leaders (elders) was dismissed by a court in Fairfax County, Virginia. We're glad to hear from you. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". The church has now grown to a weekly attendance over 27,000 (as of 2019). Church leaders say the current round of conflict predates Platts pastorate. And depending on how the provisional ballots were adjudicated, those elder nominees got either just below or just above the 75% threshold. It sits in what can only be described as one of Americas Elite areas. Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors. While tens of thousands flocked to campus, school officials met in a storage closet to make decisions that would honor what is happening.. RELATED: David Platt interview: A summons to lose your life. (The Roys Report) McLean Bible Church, the multisite megachurch in McLean, Virginia near Washington, D.C. where David Platt pastors, confirmed three new elders Sunday in a revote where members labeled their ballots with their names. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. The heart of the complaint really comes down to truth, transparency, and a free, open, and uncoerced process, said plaintiffs attorney Rick Boyer. | YouTube/McLean Bible Church Growing tensions between disgruntled longtime members of McLean Bible Church in Virginia and the "liberal" direction they allege their Lead Pastor David Platt has been taking the congregation erupted in a lawsuit over a recently held controversial election of new elders some fear . . 12,882 were here. David Platt asked the remaining Elders to approve the GCJR course curriculum as the main theological underpinning of all other teaching and worship activities at McLean Bible Church. With many active members participating in services online, especially those, like Frazer, who are not vaccinated, there is no way to tell who is attending. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. We praise God for our church familys affirmation of new elders, and we would deeply appreciate your prayers for all of McLean Bible Church as we move forward in our mission.. Less than 25 percent of members were part of the vote Wednesday night, Platt said. Attendance is also suffering under the Platt regime with many longtime church leaders and members leaving, according to numerous letters and e-mails received complaining about the Woke teaching at McLean Bible Church. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. Who knew two nonverbal rocks had so much to say? In response, Platt accused his critics in a sermon of spreading disinformation and stuffing the ballot box with votes from former members and inactive church members. It's little outside of Washington, D.C., in Virginia. Many Christians look at the Bible and then look at the picture of American Christianity around them and think, This doesnt add up. When Platt began preaching at McLean, the church was identified as an SBC church in press accounts. Those dissident members argued that church leaders, including senior pastor David Platt, a best-selling author, had violated the churchs constitution. Following the first failed election, a second election was held in early July 2021, this one where members had to sign their ballots which critics said violated the church practice of using secret ballots. This year, the church had an election of three church elders, which would normally be a sleepy affair. She added that she is not familiar with the specific policies and procedures at McLean. Under the "woke" new pastor who succeeded the legendary Lon Solomon, however, it may soon not even rank as the biggest church in McLean. In May 2021 following the Social Justice push and Platts book on politics, McLean Bible Church reported average attendance of about 7,300. In the course, Platt fuses Christian teachings with the worldview assumptions of Critical Race Theory. Life of Christ dramatization The Thorn comes to big screens March 67, New book outlines importance of every Christian knowing theology, Southcrest Baptist in Bessemer hosting Holy Destiny on March 3, Start a new subscription at the group rate. The weeks between the two votes were tumultuous. Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors. It does not store any personal data. (UPDATED) Unusual decision draws scrutiny at one of largest Southern Baptist schools. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. On Friday, a Fairfax County . The Bible speaks of individual responsibility and personal motivation and the Bible speaks to unjust systems and discrimination. Often times with disgraced megachurch pastors, there were several warning signs. Earlier this year, McLean Bible Church released a draft for a discipleship resource designed for church members and leaders which is basically a baptized version of Critical Race Theory which obfuscates the issues of racism and individual sin.. Save McLean Bible Church. The largely conservative northern Virginia church across the Potomac from Washington had grown from a group of five families in the 1960s to a congregation of more than 10,000 spread across several campuses, attracting politicians and business leaders to the churchs evangelical message and values. in our church) who have criticized him for acknowledging the hurt his decision caused, and who have even had the calloused audacity to malign those who are hurt, your brash insensitivity is the reason why so many minority and marginalized people struggle to be a part of Evangelical churches. I know that many churches across America have faced and are facing similar challenges during these days, and it is vitally important that we move past division and live out John 13:35, demonstrating love for one another and love for a world in need of Jesus, Platt said in a statement Monday. Dr. Voddie Baucham specifically highlighted David Platts 2018 sermon at the T4G Conference as Woke. No current McLean elders signed the document. You've read 0 of 5 of todays most popular posts. CBN-backed candidate Mike Stone received 48 percent of the vote in last months SBC presidential election, finishing second to Alabama pastor Ed Litton. Under founding pastor Lon Solomon, McLean launched a church planting partnership with the SBCs North American Mission Board in 2016 while remaining nondenominational. In a complaint filed Thursday (July 15), five McLean members allege that Platt and other leaders illegally barred them from voting at a recent congregational meeting to approve new church leaders. Platt took a shot at blogs and social media. All active members were allowed to vote. He ranted, To those of you (esp. The July 18 vote has been surrounded by controversy, with some decrying what they saw as creeping liberalism within the church's leadership. CRN offers a lifeline to conservative people of faith. Some say it is now a running joke that McLean refugees are showing up in other area churches looking for the truth and the Gospel instead of racial identity politics. COVID-19, Frazer said, has made that rule unenforceable. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. [Picture was posted on Facebook, but was removed after a couple months]. The church in question is a prominent one, McLean Bible Church, where many Washington Republicans worship. Saddleback Church doubles down on support for female pastors, Mormonisms slow shift away from demonizing working mothers, Faith leaders urge Biden to sign executive order for reparations study by Juneteenth, For many congregations, wiping out medical debt has become a popular calling, Woke Wars infiltrate Christian colleges, prof under fire for racial justice unit, Professor Joeckel on why his contract, teachings on racial justice are under review, Hamline University retracts Islamophobia charge as instructor sues, Vineyard USA founders widow, board members sue breakaway Anaheim pastors, alleging fraud. Your daily news briefing from the editors of CT. Evangelical Seminary Explains Why It Enrolled First Muslim Student, I Was the Proverbial, Drug-Fueled Rock and Roller, Everything Everywhere All at Once and the Beautiful Mystery of Gods Silence. Failed to subscribe, please contact admin. Both moves raised questions for some members. The latest controversy revolves around who was eligible to participate in a June 30 vote on elders and has resulted in a lawsuit. And even though people who take the Bible seriously and as the inherent word of God should think certain things about certain issues, then they might prioritize those differently when they go into the voting booth. Greear and Texas megachurch pastor Matt Chandler, have been outspoken about racism and social justice issues, saying that the Bible teaches them to address those issues. It took repeated requests from a few conservative Elders to take down Facebook photos of staff holding BLM signs. The level of suspicion around such leaders appears to have grown during the Trump administration and during the reckoning over racism following George Floyds death last year.