And all three nominees got at least 78% on that day and were elected as elders. July 20, 2021. But a spokesman for the SBC, while saying "McLean Bible Church, like all Southern Baptist churches, is an independent and autonomous local church," confirmed that McLean is considered an SBC church. And the elder vote was the occasion to speak that. This past spring, hoping to resolve the dispute, McLean leaders decided to discard the results of the July 2021 elder election. We urge you to sign upto receive our FREE need to read articles. By clicking Accept All, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. Wade Burnett, a pastor on McLeans leadership team, said the congregation decided to move forward together in a difficult time. If youre the Red Cross, thats problematic. But then you have some of the younger evangelicals who say, look. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. For instance, that they would sell the Tysons location and use it to build a mosque. We want MBC to be a place where people with all kinds of convictions on matters of conscience can thrive, the Q&A stated. Platt took a shot at blogs and social media. And there really were some wild conspiracy theories that came out of that. The budget has been cut to $4 million less than in 2019. While Platt raised concerns that the opposing group deceived members at the Tysons location into voting against the new elders, a lawsuit filed July 15 alleges that church leaders at McLean illegally barred some of their opponents from voting in the follow-up elder election. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. 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. Some reports indicate it is, while others indicate it isn't. . From 2014 to 2017, Platt was president of the International Mission Board. We have walked through tumultuous days over the last year in the world, surfacing many challenges in our lives, families, our country, the world, and the church, Platt told CT. We all need Gods grace to love one another well and to live for the spread of his love in a world that desperately needs what only he can give. And the church has not regularly tracked individual attendance for years, he added. While tens of thousands flocked to campus, school officials met in a storage closet to make decisions that would honor what is happening.. 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.. Once the first vote for the elders failed, Frazer believes that Platt and leaders should have stopped and listened to the congregations concerns. Get all latest content delivered to your email a few times a month. Wait. Get the most recent headlines and stories from Christianity Today delivered to your inbox daily. Almost all of the questions we have heard are less about Gods Word and more about what this blog or that Facebook post says, Platt said. Church leaders say the current round of conflict predates Platts pastorate. Early life. Some church members who had been attending online, rather than in person, claimed their ballots had been disqualified. Allegations that leaders were seeking to join the SBC in violation of the churchs constitution led McLean to suspend all contributions to SBC causes this month. Greear of plagiarism, SBC Elites defend credibly accused standard to ruin lives, Bart Barber flipflops on pledge to bring vote to ban Women Pastors in SBC, Evangelical Elites lied you to about the origins of Covid, Woke SBC Elites Delete History To Hide Their Schemes. People came here this night that were recruited by this group to vote that night who had moved away to other states, Platt alleged. Video screengrab via MBC. At Bethlehem Baptist in Minneapolis, the successor to influential pastor John Piper resigned over the summer after ongoing internal conflicts in the church and a school Piper founded. Lon Solomon Ministries - Live with Lon Megachurch pastor warns of false rumors, takeover attempt at his church Elevation Church was founded by Furtick in 2006 with just fourteen members. Some may wonder what Lon Solomon thinks about the heretical social justice teachings. Platt lied about the extent that Critical Race Theory and the Black Lives Matter movement influences McLean Bible Church leadership. We hope you'll consider joining us on Sunday for a worship gathering. Platt said the dissident group claimed it was using the elder vote as part of a constitutional process to retake control of the church. When qualified elders do not oversee the hiring of pastoral staff, we endanger the flock to the possibility of those who bring wrong assumptions/beliefs on critical issues to our congregation and pulpit, the five leaders warned. In September 2017, Platt was confirmed into the role of teaching pastor of McLean Bible Church (MBC) by a 95 percent approval vote from the congregational members. The largely conservative northern Virginia church across the Potomac from Washington had . OK, so a local megachurch is having a catfight. for less than $4.25/month. 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. McLean Bible Church Sued by Members for Violating Church's Constitution Attendance at the church was steady for most of the early period of the COVID pandemic; however, following the racism class and David Platts book on the voting, attendance began a precipitous decline. On Friday, a Fairfax County . So wherever possible, we want to work together to move forward together on mission even with our different perspectives.. Disposition definition, the predominant or prevailing tendency of one's spirits; natural mental and emotional outlook or mood; characteristic attitude: I'd like to thank the general manager for his hospitality, kindness, and always cheerful disposition. Thus, McLean is spending about $4 million less in 2021 than in 2019. Christians must reclaim Jesus from his church. T he election of the elders of an evangelical church is usually an uncontroversial, even unifying event . NO POPUPS. David Platt's Church is in Serious Trouble Due to His Ungodly Obsession Last weekend a sermon by Evangelical pastor Francis Chan went viral, as in the sermon Chan shared about Communion and his discovery of the scriptural and historical basis for transubstantiation - that the bread and the wine become the literal Body and Blood of Christ. 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. INSKEEP: I was astonished by some of the conspiracy theories that you described that surfaced during that election campaign. A beloved Bible teacher and speaker, Platt inspired younger Christians to pursue missions work or other ministries. David Joseph Platt is an American evangelical Baptist pastor. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. 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. Lon Solomon made one statement in opposition to the Social Justice heresy. 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. 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. 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.. Online posts on blogs, Facebook, and email charged Platt with pushing critical race theory, revising biblical teaching on sexuality, and aligning with the SBC despite McLeans constitutional prohibition of affiliating with any denomination. David Platt, pastor at McLean Bible Church in Virginia, speaks at the Pastor's Conference at the Southern Baptist Convention on Monday in Birmingham. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Michael Kelsey rebuked people offended that some were upset at praying for the President of the United States. What Should We Think about Pastor Platt? SBC Voices INSKEEP: David Roach is pastor of the Shiloh Baptist Church in Saraland, Ala., and also writes for Christianity Today. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. (RNS) David Platt had a dream for the future of McLean Bible Church. The church was rocked by controversy in 2019 when President Donald Trump stopped by the service for prayer . All rights reserved. McLean Bible Church: Jesus Experienced a Kind of Dysphoria Like Our Church doubles down on support for female pastors But a series of controversies and the countrys growing political polarization have turned Platts dream into a nightmare. Why is David Platt undermining elections? Reflections of a Former Senior Pastor | Lon Solomon Ministries But threatening McLean now is a group that has spread all kinds of rumors, Platt said. 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. Last Updated: February 2023. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. Fired for Opposing Pride? You Should Watch This Video of David Platt Addressing - RELEVANT 'At the end . No Celebrities Except Jesus: How Asbury Protected the Revival, After Pushing for UMC Unity, Former Bishop Joins New Denomination, The Kings College Faces Threat of Closure, Southern Baptist Convention Disfellowships Saddleback Church, left the presidency of the SBCs International Mission Board, With Gossip of the Gospel, the Church Grows in Nepal. Something is wrong here,' he told Religion News Service in a 2013 interview. Pastor David Platt preaches at McLean Bible Church, July 11, 2021, in Vienna, Virginia. He ranted, To those of you (esp. MBC History - Restore McLean - to Biblical Leadership Further, much CRT terminology continues to be used at MBC, the concerned leaders told Platt. Platt and other leaders, they say, have abused their power by violating the churchs constitution. Platts silent embrace of the radical Black Lives Matter movement and the promotion of Kelsey along with Social Justice Bible studies including Platts own book legitimizing Christians who vote for Pro-Abortion Democrats, conservatives are leaving the church for new homes. Hannaford advises pastors not to make changes too quickly and recommends cooperation from both sides, allowing believers to differ on secondary doctrinal and ethical issues. David Platt's Megachurch Names New Elders Despite Controversy Platt also accused the dissident group of being racist. The truth is that in June Mike Kelsey, his newly appointed Lead Pastor for Preaching and Culture, posted a picture on Facebook of himself at a BLM rally in DC, holding a BLM sign. In a sobering, emotional and occasionally shocking address from the pulpit on July 4, Platt alleged a conspiratorial attempt on behalf of a "small group" of church members to sow misinformation among the congregation with the goal of taking control of the church. Just like the Democrats blame racists, so too David Platt. 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. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. 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. We have to address conflict intentionally and face to face, Hannaford said. 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. 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. In May 2021 following the Social Justice push and Platts book on politics, McLean Bible Church reported average attendance of about 7,300. Controversy at McLean Bible Church boils over as members file lawsuit over elder vote. Platt chose to ignore those entreaties and promote divisive teachers and divisive concepts like Critical Race Theory. We are zealous in the present not to prolong or replicate in any way racial injustice from the past. Save McLean Bible Church. It does not store any personal data. Those dissident members argued that church leaders, including senior pastor David Platt, a best-selling author, had violated the churchs constitution. The sermon was maligned by many Protestants and praised by many Catholics, with speculation as to whether Chan is moving toward . These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. McLean Bible Church is one of the most influential churches in the United States. And then even within the Southern Baptist Convention more broadly, there is a group called the Conservative Baptist Network that has charged some convention leaders with advocating critical race theory and downplaying the Bible's sufficiency. Church leaders and advocates in Illinois and beyond see this case as a chance for the 12-year-old denomination to establish better practices for preventing abuse and to care well for survivors. 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. By. Failed to subscribe, please contact admin. In fact, this book was required reading for Platts course. The suburban DC megachurchs recent scuffle over race and politics is symptomatic of a broader evangelical rift. It sits in what can only be described as one of Americas Elite areas. 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, Southern Baptists oust Rick Warrens Saddleback Church for naming a female pastor, Professor Joeckel on why his contract, teachings on racial justice are under review, Copyright 2020, Religion News Service. After new elder nominees failed to be elected for the first time in the churchs history, Platt told the congregation in a sermon in early July that 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.. The Saturday evening service fills one of the smaller sanctuaries at McLean Bible Church's new $90 million complex, which officially opens this weekend on 52 acres near Tysons Corner.At a Sunday . 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. 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.. They have several campuses. 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. At a June 30 meeting, nominees Chuck Hollingsworth, Jim Burris, and Ken Tucker had failed to receive a clear 75 percent majority, the margin required for elder election. Dr. James White dissected David Platts errors in a podcast examining that T4G sermon. David Platt's McLean Bible Church Teaches "Jesus Had Body - BTWN That comes with attendance issues and budget cuts. 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. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. McLean Bible Church is one of the largest and most influential churches in the nation. I saw one email from one of the main leaders in this group using race to say that MBC is no longer McLean Bible Church that it is now Melanin Bible Church, Platt said. David Platt Net Worth 2023: Age, Height, Weight, Wife, Kids, Bio-Wiki McLean Bible Church refuses to conduct meeting according to any established rules of order. Any church member on McLeans inactive list was given a provisional ballot. Platt doubles down on his Woke Social Justice agenda. Faced with Allegations, Anglicans Want to Change the Traje | News Lon Solomon is American evangelical Christian pastor and the founder of Lon Solomon Ministries, a non-profit ministry.. Its first service was held on Easter Sunday at Chesterbook Elementary School in McLean with Pastor J. Albert Ford. When Platt began preaching at McLean, the church was identified as an SBC church in press accounts. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent. 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 . This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. McLean Bible Church's Apparent Theological Shift INSKEEP: Given that, what makes this story feel like it has a larger significance in your mind? 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. Brothers and sisters, I think we see all over Scripture that the Bible speaks of both sides of this picture, Platt said. The Washington-area megachurch led by best-selling author David Platt has affirmed three new eldersbut only after a public tussle over politics, race, and alleged liberal drift, plus a lawsuit filed by dissenters. We glorify God by making disciples and multiplying churches among all nations beginning in greater.