Making criticism criminal

[William Thornton]

The sad saga of FBCJax continues to unfold, the latest being revelations that church staff, following criticism on a blog, filed a complaint with legal authorities alleging possible criminal activities. The complaint was investigated by a detective who was a FBCJax church member. Part of the investigation involved supoenas, approved by the state's attorney, to Google. The complaint was later dismissed.

The whole mess is recounted .

The critical blogger has an ally in Burelson, who blogs about the whole thing .

I believe FBCJax is in for some grief on this one and this tale is likely to be the defining case study in how not to handle criticism. This is ugly.

[Dave Roberts]

What a sad, sad mess! It sounds as though the manipulation of the legal process might have consequences if the state wishes to investigate. There are several legal lines crossed in the use of subpoenas for internal church business.

[Steve Wilcox]

[Steve Wilcox]

Sorry Timothy I wasn't clear on that comment, I should have put other denominations in there, such as Presbyterian or Catholic.

[Sandy]

[TimR2]

[Dave Roberts]

[Haruo]

[Chris]

[Sandy]

In most of these blogger vs pastor cases, the issues are related more to the financial dealings and perks accorded to the pastor by the church than they are over theology or Biblical fidelity. It is a set of problems that, while not unique to a megachurch, are certainly exaggerated in one. The pastor's salary, perks that are given, and his ability to make money outside of the church due to his profile as its pastor all seem to be contributing to the frustration. Even though a large congregation generates a lot of money, that doesn't mean the pastor is entitled to a larger share of it, especially when it is given sacrificially.

The appearance of bloggers venting their frustration may be due in part to the fact that the church isn't following Biblical principle in resolving the difficulties. Either the pastors and their entourage don't want to, because they do not want their income stream threatened or their leadership called into question, or the bloggers don't know any better. Either way, something is wrong.

Bringing in the civil court system, which is another violation of Biblical principle, is just further evidence that the level of maturity and discipleship in these churches is pretty low. Obviously, the pastors and churches are choosing to air their controversy in public, ignore Biblical instruction in resolving issues and ignore Biblical instruction while seeking out the civil court system to resolve the problem.

The general attitude of the courts toward churches and their institutions so far has been to back away and not interfere in what they refer to as "ecclesiastical" decisions, but if their dockets keep filling up with lawsuits to settle church issues, that might change. I find it quite ironic that some of those who have been associated with the "conservative resurgence" in the SBC are being so unbiblical in their approach to church conflict that involves their hands on the checkbook. Or is it all that ironic?

[David A. Johnson]

Have you seen the latest from FBC Jacksonville?



They issued subpoenas to Google to identify bloggers who aren't members of FBC Jax. What is this about?

[Chris]

Detective Hinson stepped over a line. He should be investigated, and, disciplined, if it is found that he disregarded policy.

[William Thornton]

Welcome to the forum, David A. Johnson.

I take it you have followed this for some time, as have I.

No doubt there will be further developments on this in the future.