INSKEEP: David Roach is pastor of the Shiloh Baptist Church in Saraland, Ala., and also writes for Christianity Today. Platt took a shot at blogs and social media. The podcast is two hours on the use of Critical Race Theory and Intersectionality at the MLK50 Conference and the T4G Conference sermon by David Platt. Putting it off is only going to make it worse. That speaks volumes about the problems in the McLean leadership team and specifically David Platt. When I first came to faith in Christ in 1971, as a Jewish college student, I never imagined that the Lord would lead me to pastor a church. 2-minute video satire of the present McLean Bible leadership through animating the graph above. This is a lie. The key problem here is a lack of transparency. David Platt is an academic prodigy. So wherever possible, we want to work together to move forward together on mission even with our different perspectives.. NPR's Steve Inskeep talks to journalist and pastor David Roach about an ideological rift at a Washington, D.C.-area church that highlights similar divisions in evangelical groups across the U.S. We have a story now of divisions within a single church that suggest wider divisions in many churches. A group of five former leaders at McLean including a former elder, former staff member and lay leadership warned David Platt in a letter dated February 3, 2021, about numerous moves by Platt and his elders to divide the church along racial lines. Some of the older guard think that that's soft-pedaling some biblical truth. Some church members who had been attending online, rather than in person, claimed their ballots had been disqualified. The church has now grown to a weekly attendance over 27,000 (as of 2019). Bob Smietana. A drop of 39%. The church approved a 2021 budget slashing $2.5 million from what it budgeted in 2020. (RNS) David Platt had a dream for the future of McLean Bible Church. ROACH: I don't think that that is directly the issue, but I think that issue has implications for what has gotten him in trouble. See more. Wait. But threatening McLean now is a group that has spread all kinds of rumors, Platt said. David Platt is a famous US author and preacher. In recent years, Platt, like other high-profile evangelical pastors, including former SBC President J.D. Sign up for our newsletter: This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. But to others, Platts message represented a fault line. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. 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. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. The election came amid simmering unrest at the church, where political polarization in the wider culture seeped into the congregation the larger woke war in the evangelical world. Why is that? Dr. Voddie Baucham specifically highlighted David Platts 2018 sermon at the T4G Conference as Woke. Despite its elite membership, McLean has long been a conservative theological church populated by politically conservative evangelicals. By. Platt and other leaders, they say, have abused their. Solomon would forfeit his retirement package if he spoke out about the problems. It is a mega church in the DC area with 5 locations and claims an attendance of 13,000 each weekend. Every time this lawsuit has been filed or amended or refiled, it has resulted in a dismissal, he said. Many of its members come from the top ranks of government, media, and business. 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. The social justice controversy has erupted in church business meetings at McLean Bible Church and has gained national attention. In response, Platt has claimed that the church is trying to fight off a hostile takeover and that Satan is trying to divide the church. By clicking Accept All, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. Attendance is down about 40-percent year-over-year. David Roach is a reporter and pastor of Shiloh Baptist Church in Saraland, Alabama. NO POPUPS. It is unclear whether McLean Bible Church is part of the Southern Baptist Convention or an independent congregation. Both moves raised questions for some members. A year later, Platt and African American McLean pastor Mike Kelsey participated in a Christian march following the death of George Floyd, which was construed by some as support for the Black Lives Matter organization. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. All active members were allowed to vote. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. 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. Platt came to McLean in 2017, while he was still president of the Southern Baptist Conventions International Mission Board. Some older evangelicals see it as sort of a coup.. The stated purpose of the church is "that people far from God will be raised to life in Christ . They have several campuses. The church leadership was forced to embrace the Woke Social Justice rhetoric. The churchs constitution describes it as an independent church that shall not, and cannot, be affiliated with any denomination. But in 2016, under Solomon, the church began to give money to SBC church planting programs and it has donated about $100,000 a year as a cooperating church. The July 18 vote has been surrounded by controversy, with some decrying what they saw as creeping liberalism within the church's . His emphasis on incorrect definitions of justice caused widespread criticism among McLean members. For Ravi Zacharias, it was the fact that he was having a sexting affair.For Mark Driscoll's latest shenanigans, it was Mars Hill, and before that falling out there were several ignored reports about his leadership.James MacDonald is remarkably similar to Mark Driscoll, with his fall from Harvest Bible Church in . Is it to be humble? So, in May 2020 just before Platts hard social justice push, McLean Bible Church reported attendance averaged 12,154. RELATED: David Platts dreams for McLean Bible Church sour as members file lawsuit over elder vote. He - I've heard him preach on abortion and religious liberty and traditional marriage. Thanks so much. And the candidate backed by the Conservative Baptist Network at the most recent SBC annual meeting got 48% percent of the vote. James MacDonald founded Harvest Bible Chapel in 1988. As Solomon transitioned from leadership following a 37-year pastorate, McLean made major budget changes, scaling back the percentage of income spent on personnel and incentivizing staff departures. The church was rocked by controversy in 2019 when President Donald Trump stopped by the service for prayer . Platts teaching explains that some people (no doubt an oppressed racial group) can better see sin than those people part of a larger group of people guilty of racism.. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin). ], Subscribe to CT Platt plans to hold a called special business meeting to affirm the elders on July 18 during morning worship services, he told the church. The GCJR will be the focus going forward and all staff will be required to fall inline. Rick Boyer, attorney for the plaintiffs in the lawsuit, said his clients plan to appeal. (He recently preached one funeral in the building.) McLean Bible Church is one of the most influential churches in the United States. Failed to subscribe, please contact admin. Former President Trump even attended a service there once. In a rant against causing division in the church, David Plattthe man responsible for dividing McLean Bible Church by teaching Critical Race Theoryclaimed a group of dissident conservatives were using disinformation to divide McLean Bible Church. 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. RELATED: At Founders event, Southern Baptists urged to choose the Bible over CRT. They cited Platts use of Woke resources as further proofPlatt required for his course on Race books likeDivided by Faith: Evangelical Religion and the Problem of Race in America. McClean Bible Church Pastor David Platt addresses his congregation on July 4, 2021. Pastor David Platt preaches at McLean Bible Church, July 11, 2021, in Vienna, Virginia. : Democrats. Frazer said the confusion over McLean's relationship with the SBC and the election controversy reflect a bigger problem with the church. College Park Church in Indianapolis was accused in a blog post this spring of caving to ever-increasing social justice infiltration. Dallas pastor Matt Chandler and former SBC president J. D. Greear both have been accused of being woke, and the SBCs emerging Conservative Baptist Network (CBN) has charged some convention leaders with advocating critical race theory and downplaying the Bibles sufficiency. Platt also accused the dissident group of being racist. She added that she is not familiar with the specific policies and procedures at McLean. Once the first vote for the elders failed, Frazer believes that Platt and leaders should have stopped and listened to the congregations concerns. And rather than try to adjudicate the provisional ballots, they decided the best thing to do would be just to have another vote. Until a chance encounter with my moms old Bible opened my eyes. The heart of the complaint really comes down to truth, transparency, and a free, open, and uncoerced process, said plaintiffs attorney Rick Boyer. (UPDATED) Unusual decision draws scrutiny at one of largest Southern Baptist schools. (RNS) A yearlong legal battle over a contested election at a prominent Washington, D.C.-area church appears to be over for now. As if those sources of information are anywhere close to the authority of this Word.. Are the budget cuts and declining attendance a message that Platts Social Justice Theology is unpopular with churchgoers? This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. These leaders were also worried about Mike Kelseys promotion of the Black Lives Matter movement on social media. Solomon signed the Dallas Statement on Social Justice and the Gospel. David Platt, who has been aligning himself and his church closer and closer to the Revoice "gay Christianity" movement over the last year or so, has been making headlines as he continues to partner . with Max McLean: C.S. Browse 60+ years of magazine archives and web exclusives. 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. The constitution of the church requires a 75% threshold. And he said that there was a group that was trying to take over the church. 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. And all three nominees got at least 78% on that day and were elected as elders. 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. The total was either just above or just below 75 percent, depending on whether provisional ballots were counted, so a second vote was held July 18, at which all three nominees received at least 78 percent of the vote. SBC Elites cite distinguished lawyer and Southern Baptist Matthew Martens; however, Martens has written persuasively, Supporters of a constitutional amendment to ban women pastors in the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC), New intel points to Covid origin in a lab leak, remember when this was a, NAMB PR VP Mike Ebert emerges as key witness in McRaney v. NAMB What will, David Platt explodes at McLean Bible Church, plays the race card, the man responsible for dividing McLean Bible Church by teaching Critical Race Theory, 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, Ed Litton Plagiarism Scandal: A Sermongate Timeline, Baptist professor strongly suspects former SBC President J.D. Join us to see why God's family is no ordinary family. While the church building was locked down and most of its ministries ceased amid Covid-19 fears, David Platt turned a blind eye to his staff marching in a Black Lives Matter (BLM) event in Washington, DC. So those are some of the manifestations that show this is a larger discussion among evangelicals. A small group of people, inside and outside this church, coordinated a divisive effort to use disinformation in order to persuade others to vote these men down as part of a broader effort to take control of this church., Pastor David Platt preaches at McLean Bible Church, July 18, 2021, in Vienna, Virginia. Platt knows many McLean members including former church leaders opposed his teachings that appeared to be causing racial divisions by the promotion of Critical Race Theory. Video screengrab via MBC. #302 Falls Church, VA 22042 866-788-7770 Under Solomon, the congregation had been known as a holy destination for GOP senators and Bush aides. Tensions ramped up the past two years amid political turmoil in the DC area and nationwide. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. And the elder vote was the occasion to speak that. ROACH: You can pick out churches across the country where there has been this conflict between people that are sort of an old guard type of evangelical and then a younger type of evangelical that wants to reach a broader, more diverse audience with the Gospel. Platt, a bestselling author and speaker, recounted the churchs history in a sermon in the summer of 2019, about a year after he succeeded Solomon as pastor, in whichhe asked: What if our best days as a church are ahead of us, not behind us?. We are zealous in the present not to prolong or replicate in any way racial injustice from the past. July 20, 2021. Read More FILE - Stacie Wood and her husband, Andy Wood, stand for a portrait on Sunday, Oct. 16, 2022, at Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, Calif. Stacie Wood, the woman pastor at the center of . These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. Nope. Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. Over the last several years, weve watched David take the churchthe church we built, the church we love, the church weve poured are hearts and souls and lives intoand turned it into a political, stripped-down version of what it used to be, wrote former elder Mark Gottlieb, who is encouraging members of a group called Save McLean Bible Church to admit defeat and walk away after the July 18 vote. (RNS) David Platt had a dream for the future of McLean Bible Church. The suburban DC megachurchs recent scuffle over race and politics is symptomatic of a broader evangelical rift. And there really were some wild conspiracy theories that came out of that. During a sermon on July 4, David Platt very intentionally addressed some of those concerns. In its Q&A, McLean states that it is not Southern Baptist and links to an undated letter from SBC Executive Committee employee Ashley Clayton stating, The SBC Executive Committee recognizes that McLean Bible Church is an independent, nondenominational Bible church, and they are not affiliated denominationally with the SBC., However, Baptist Press, the SBCs news service, stated in a July 21 article, McLean Bible Church is a cooperating church with the Southern Baptist Convention, yet like all Southern Baptist churches, remains independent and autonomous in its functionality and governance.. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. The Evangelical Church Is Breaking Apart. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. He ranted, To those of you (esp. Platt lied about the extent that Critical Race Theory and the Black Lives Matter movement influences McLean Bible Church leadership. 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. The conservative voice and Christian content are being silenced more and more. It's great to be with you. McLean Bible Church is one of the largest and most influential churches in the nation. From 2014 to 2017, Platt was president of the International Mission Board. The best examples are the woke church movement, and the takeover of many seminaries by critical race theory. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The church was rocked by controversy in 2019 when President Donald Trump stopped by the service for prayer. McLean Bible, seen as a conservative evangelical congregation that once had more than 16,000 attendees, has long been an important church in the Washington, D.C., area. That is not acceptable for the Body of Jesus Christ. Lon Solomon made one statement in opposition to the Social Justice heresy. Use of and/or registration on any portion of this site constitutes acceptance of our. But then you have some of the younger evangelicals who say, look. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent. The budget has been cut to $4 million less than in 2019. RELATED: Southern Baptist mission board to cut 800 positions, The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, Platt said during the prayer, quoting the biblical Book of Proverbs with his arm around Trumps back. At that time, the vote was too close to confirm the new elders because the Church's constitution states it must have at least a 75-percent . The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". Is this David Platts Stop the Steal moment? degree in chemistry (1971) from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, a Th.M. Platt later posted a letter on the churchs website, since removed, and on social media, saying that his decision to pray for the president had angered some church members. There were not enough provisional ballots to change the outcome, according to an email from church leaders. Congregants dance and pray with the church band before Pastor Andy Wood gives a sermon on Sunday, Oct. 16, 2022, at Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, Calif. Stacie Wood, the woman pastor at the . The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. All rights reserved. Frazer said the confusion over McLeans relationship with the SBC and the election controversy reflect a bigger problem with the church. Less than 25 percent of members were part of the vote Wednesday night, Platt said. 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. 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.. And as we walk faithfully with God during these days, keeping our eyes fixed on him, I trust that he will work all these things together for our good and ultimately his glory.. Platts teaching in his McLean Bible Church Course The Gospel, The Church, Justice and Race (GCJR) highlights a Hegelian-inspired dialectical synthesis between Christianity and Woke Social Justice. Members of David Platt's McLean Bible Church have filed a lawsuit against the church, claiming that leadership violated the church's constitution and used church dollars for controversial financial purchases.
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