California - Do Not Sell My Personal Information. (Clockwise from top left to right) McClean Bible Church elders, Chuck Hollingsworth, Ken Tucker and Jim Burris. WebPastors Diego and Cindy Mesa. The pastor was among many who participated in protests against police brutality following the 2020 death of George Floyd. At McLean, this dispute spilled over into the election of elders. Help keep The Christian Post free for everyone by making a one-time donation today. Mission trips arent happening. To enjoy our website, you'll need to enable JavaScript in your web browser. I dont want to be like the world and just isolate ourselves from each other. All six elders on the ballot received at least 86% approval. At McLean Bible Church on June 2, 2019, Pastor David Platt prays over then-President Trump.. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin). McLean Bible Church announced that three new elders, Chuck Hollingsworth, Ken Tucker, and Jim Burris, had finally been affirmed by more than 80% of their church family in a congregational vote last Sunday, after a previous election on June 30 was marred by irregularities.. All rights reserved. But when she aligned herself with Gods purposes, she became the Mother of All Living.. Back in 2018, Platt was interviewed on hisdecisionto repent for racial blindness. I look at my life and ministry and, in so many ways, my world has been so white, he stated just because we have a 106 different nations doesnt mean we are pursuing the kind of diversity and community that God designs for us to., It was clear from the beginning that Platt would be bringing a political agenda with him while he was preaching the gospel. Done Gone: David Platt and Beth Moore Subscribe to CT As evidence, he points to a group within his church that meets together regularly, people who are opposites of one another on many issues. David Platt On Friday, a Fairfax County, Va., judge dismissed a lawsuit filed by dissident members of McLean Bible Church who sought to overturn the results of an election for church leaders, known as elders. Every time this lawsuit has been filed or amended or refiled, it has resulted in a dismissal, he said. We hope you will! tax-deductible. Judge Thomas P. Mann rejected McLeans arguments and denied the motion in a bench ruling. "The final step in the Plan for Lawsuit Resolution involved pursuing the actual dismissal of the lawsuit in light of the church's clear desire to move forward under the leadership of the new board. 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. David Platt McLean Bible Church Is Fighting Back Against Radical Pastor "The biblical gospel exalts Jesus above everything in this world," Platt said. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. He became popular as a pastor of the troubled Church at Brookhills in Birmingham Alabama when its founding pastor became embroiled in a moral failure. The church explained that their constitution requires at least 75% of members to vote in the affirmative to confirm elders, and all three elder nominees received over 80% affirmation from our church family in Sundays vote. I dont want to hold back from that. In a lawsuit to defend the voting rights of members of McLean Bible Church, the dissident conservative members won a victory before a Fairfax Circuit Court judge Friday, December 3, 2021. I thought there was more to Jesus than this. I really wanted to write a book to say, to shout, There is! Some church members who had been attending online, rather than in person, claimed their ballots had been disqualified. Once discovery begins, we will enter perhaps most interesting phase of the case. Because the court granted MBCs motion to dismiss the case against them, the lawsuit is now over and cannot be refiled, according to a press release from the church. The lawsuit was dismissed after church leaders worked through a six-part plan approved by the congregation. "We still are churches segregated in so many ways by the color of our skin.". Any member who had changed churches due to the tainted election of June/July 2021 would be required either to lie or not be allowed to cast a vote despite the fact that they would have been entitled to do so at the tainted 2021 election. Video screengrab via MBC. We are a family, Gods family. Platt is currently the pastor of McLean Bible Church in Virginia. (RNS) A yearlong legal battle over a contested election at a prominent Washington, D.C.-area church appears to be over for now. Some members accused Platt of trading biblical teaching for social justice and Critical Race Theory. He knows something about trials and tribulations, but his new book focuses instead on joy. He noted that he had been fighting to challenge the church on these points for about two years without success and urged Platts critics to quietly walk away instead of tarnishing the churchs reputation. Pastor expresses sympathy for church members 'hurt Courts arent often the ones to adjudicate matters of church bylaws, but Sarah Merkle, an attorney and professional parliamentarian, told CT in 2021 the incident highlights the importance in any church of establishing and following sound voting procedures. We thank God for todays victory, said plaintiff Roland Smith. The lawsuit can move forward with the court applying neutral principles of law to the dispute over McLean Bible Churchs Constitution. "If we would get back to the beauty of the biblical gospel, and who Jesus is, it would have major effects on our lives and the church and in the world around us," he said. Enrollment numbers, financial challenges, and the pandemic spelled the end. Since 2017, McLean has been led by Pastor David Platt, former president of the Southern Baptist Conventions International Missions Board. The multi-site churchs constitution states that the body is to remain independent, unaffiliated with any denomination. Now some members see Sundays vote on elders as a final chance to reverse the changes Platt has introduced. Its way past time for us to turn the tide on that history., The modern church is better equipped to tackle this challenge than many believe, he asserts. The motion to dismiss is deniedWhile the defendants do scatter terms such as theology, prayerfulness, doctrine, specific books of the Bible and interpretation of the Scripture throughout its papers to put really what is a round dispute over the church constitution and adherence to that constitution into the square hole of the First Amendment. The lawsuit claims that the 2021 elder election violated the church constitution, The complaint further alleged that Platt and the current elders tried to purge the church of conservatives to win the elder election. Members of Save McLean Bible Church, a Facebook page for critics of current MBC leadership, have alleged a Southern Baptist takeover of the 60-year-old nondenominational congregation and liberal drift in its teachings, pinned to Platt coming on staff in 2017. [8], In February 2017, Platt began serving as interim teaching pastor at McLean Bible Church in Vienna, Virginia. Leadership - McLean Bible Church | McLean Bible Church Our mission is to glorify God by making disciples, and multiplying churches among all nations, beginning in greater Washington, DC. Pastor Diego MesaPastor Diego Mesa is the Senior Pastor of Abundant Living Family Church in Rancho Cucamonga, California. A lawsuit has been dismissed against McLean Bible Church in suburban He was senior pastor at the Church at Brook Hills in Birmingham, Alabama, from 2006 to 2014. The dispute at McLean centered around a failed June 30, 2021, election. You've read 0 of 5 of todays most popular posts. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. If David Platt was upset in July, just wait for the next couple of months. Being a pastor in Metro D.C. is a never-ending lesson because of the joys and challenges of trying to shepherd a church with a hundred-plus nations represented, in this city, amidst political tensions, amidst racial tensions and trying to promote the supremacy of Jesus above it all and shepherd the church to be the bride were created to be, he explained. Families and friendships and congregations and countless other foundational parts of our lives have been upended and changed in ways that have been both painful and disorienting. 2005-2023, Media Research Center. In his message to the congregation on July 4, Platt revealed that a group of activists inside and outside the church coordinated a campaign to vote down the newly affirmed elders in an attempt to seize control of the church. They were encouraging each other. The plaintiffs were pleased with the ruling. David Platt in Newport Beach, CA - Address & Phone Number 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. The Baptist Review, A Hive, New legal filing highlights how McLean Bible Church secretly funneled money to the SBC and, Johnny Hunt admits to only kissing and some awkward fondling in lawsuit that claims the, David Platt, McLean Bible Church lose first round in court case, interviewed some of the members who found themselves removed prior to the critical elder votes, the move to end the Secret Ballot in McLean Bible Church elections, discovery is the thing that scares Big Evangelical leadership the most. WebWe are not a building. Lawsuit opposes Platt, McLean elder election Thursday, July 15, five McLean members filed amotion for injunctive reliefagainst MBC claiming that Platt and other leaders illegally prevented them from voting at the most recent congregational meeting. A lawsuit has been dismissed against McLean Bible Church in suburban Washington, D.C., after apparent resolution of a battle between church leaders and internal critics who believed the conservative evangelical church was becoming too woke.. David Platt preaches at McLean Bible Church in June. The congregation includes some 100-plus members who are also paid staff of MBC. Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. Lawsuit against McLean Bible Church, David Platt dismissed Critics said that violated church policies, which led to the lawsuit. Today is a victory for truth and transparency.. After the failed election, a second election was scheduled a few weeks later, but this time members were required to sign their ballots. The dispute at McLean centered around a failed June 30, 2021, election. Some church leaders and supporters claimed the critics behaved in unethical ways in spreading rumors and rounding up inactive members to come back to church to vote against the slate of elders. Join thousands of others to get the FREEDOM POST newsletter for free, sent twice a week from The Christian Post. The plaintiffs in the lawsuit objected, saying anyone who joined the church after the June 2021 election should not be allowed to vote. He preaches a choice between an American gospel or the biblical gospel. To some ultra-conservatives, the mere mention of Black Lives Matter is a sign of liberalism, while other conservative evangelicals take a more holistic approach that sees systemic racism as a reality that defies even conservative biblical teaching. "I'm convinced that it's not just an American dream that was consuming our lives, it was an American gospel that was hijacking our hearts that has led to all kinds of division and discouragement and disillusion with the church and, yes, many in the next generation disengaging from the church altogether," Platt said. David Platt (pastor) - Wikipedia Ephesians 6:12.. On Friday, a Fairfax, Virginia, court dismissed a lawsuit from a group of current and former members of the Washington DC-area megachurch, who contested a June 2021 elder election for allegedly violating church bylaws. Return to homepage. 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 could tear the church apart. Pastor David Platt preaches at McLean Bible Church, July 18, 2021, in Vienna, Virginia. Recently disgruntled members of the church have begun speaking out against Platt and his woke leadership. 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. Lawsuit seeking to overturn elder election at David Platts McLean Bible Church dismissed. 10 Lies the Nets Are Letting Biden Get Away With, Nets Spend 658 Minutes on Trump, 0 Seconds on Biden Family Corruption. The first woman tried to get free of God. I talk with so many Christians who over recent years have been disillusioned by the church or discouraged or divided in the church., I talk with so many Christians who over recent years have been disillusioned by the church or discouraged or divided in the church, and people just looking around saying, I thought there was more to the church than this. Platt, the author of Don't Hold Back: Leaving Behind the American Gospel to Follow Jesus Fully, told the Stetzer ChurchLeaders Podcast that he wants to see Christians unite around Christ and to practice charity on issues where "the Bible is less clear or less direct.". Philadelphia Archdiocese accused of transferring known abuser to Catholic college, Judge dismisses lawsuit by Florida United Methodist churches, Judge dismisses lawsuit by 36 United Methodist churches, Johnny Hunt, disgraced former SBC pastor, sues denomination he once led, Former Bishop Megan Rohrer, forced to resign over Latino pastors removal, sues ELCA, Copyright 2020, Religion News Service. Youd be left with a remnant, with no clear plan on how to move the church forward, Gottlieb wrote. David Platt hopes for a biblical gospel instead of an Tysons; Arlington; Loudoun; Montgomery County; Prince William; About. Those dissident members argued that church leaders, including senior pastor David Platt, a best-selling author, had violated the churchs constitution. "And we've exchanged that biblical gospel for an American gospel that prostitutes Jesus for the sake of comfort and power and politics and prosperity in our country. Commenters on the page were disappointed by the suits dismissal. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. "[L]ast month, the Board concocted its latest strategy to deny this Court opportunityto grant effective relief. At the time he was the youngest megachurch pastor in the United States. Amid the lawsuit, the three elders who had been challenged in 2021 resigned their posts and were renominated along with three others. Join thousands of others to get the FREEDOM POST newsletter for free, sent twice a week from The Christian Post. Pastor and author David Platt says in a new book that too many Christians have bought into a political-centric false gospel that has led to discouragement and division within the church and has pushed younger generations away from Christianity. Article Images Copyright Getty Images unless otherwise indicated. "Instead of an eagerness to unite in the church around Jesus, we are quick to divide over the idolatry of personal political convictions instead of enjoying this multi-ethnic beauty Jesus is made possible for us in the church," Platt added. Platt added that many members told him later that they regretted their no vote and wish they could have it back. The final step in the plan called for dismissal of the lawsuit in light of the churchs clear desire to move forward under the leadership of the new board. A statement from the church explained:Because the plaintiffs would not agree to meet or discuss a dismissal, MBC filed a formal motion on June 10 asking the court to dismiss the lawsuit and to recognize the clear desire of the MBC congregation to move forward in unity under the leadership of elders who were nominated and elected by church membership. Hillsong Church Founder Brian Houston Sentenced to 3 Years of Probation for DUI, Pastor Mike Todd Responds to Backlash from Controversial Easter Service, Christian American Idol Contestant in Top 12 Performs Lauren Daigle's 'Thank God I Do', Christian Streaming Service Pure Flix Doubles Membership as Netflix, Disney Plus Decline, The Victims of Divorce: Statistics and Stories of Hurting Children, What the Life and Legacy of Jerry Springer Reveals about Our Culture Today. WebMcLean Bible Church logo bug Tysons McLean Bible Church logo bug for mobile view. For now, David Platt has won the battle against internal critics at McLean Bible Church. Rumors had begun to circulate around the church that Platt and other leaders planned to sell a church building to a local Muslim congregation for a mosque. Approved by a substantial majority of the church, that plan included the resignation and a re-vote for the three elders. I wanted to share some of my own personal journey of how being in, leading and being a part of a multiethnic church with a lot of different brothers and sisters from different backgrounds and different perspectives, and leading alongside people from a variety of different backgrounds and perspectives, has been so eye-opening and so helpful for me. We believe the same thing would happen on appeal in this matter, as our church has now voted and revoted in ways that are crystal clear. At our most recent congregational meeting on June 30, there were a number of voting irregularities that prevented us from declaring a clear outcome. Posts on thepagealso revealed that the church is listed on the Southern Baptist Conventionswebsitedespite the MBCs constitution prohibiting affiliation with a specific denomination. 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. Ministry - Raul Ries Raul Ries David Platt, pastor of McLean Bible Church near Washington, D.C., and founder of Radical, a resource ministry that serves churches, preaches during the second session of the two-day 2019 Pastors' Conference held June 9-10 at the Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex. We can experience it., The result is Dont Hold Back, a book his publisher says encourages followers of Jesus to take necessary risks and find unimaginable reward.. One plaintiff celebrated the win as a victory in the fight to restore free and fair elections. Despite living through intense division in his own congregation, the pastor believes common ground is possible. David Platt is not just a three-time New York Times bestselling author, he is the former president of the Southern Baptist Conventions International Mission Board McLean Bible Church Lead Pastor David Platt has demonstrated how one person with these flawed ideas can turn a He wrote the acclaimed book Radical: Taking Your Faith from the American Dream and started the Secret Church bible study events. According to a church census released in 2018, it claimed a weekly attendance of 10,510 people and 5 campuses in different cities. For those who are working to reveal the truth and seek righteousness. Next up additional pretrial hearings on December 17, 2021. McLean. On Friday, a state court dismissed the lawsuit filed by disgruntled current and former members with prejudice, which means it cannot be refiled. Web9:45am. 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. 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 on Monday, commending the church for resolving the conflict as biblically and peacefully as possible., Last year, Platt spoke from the pulpit against his critics, saying they had launched a misinformation campaign against the three elder candidates who initially failed to receive a clear 75 percent majority vote to be elected.