Claims presented in a civil lawsuit seeking financial compensation are beyond the ability of the public to render judgment. Often, such claims are even beyond the ability of a court to deliberate. To comment on such claims is irresponsible, since no one apart from the court and the parties directly involved has any ability to evaluate the claims presented. If the filing of civil litigation against a Christian ministry or leader is in itself reason for separation and a rush to judgment, no ministry or minister is safe from destruction at any time. Furthermore, the effort to try such a case in the court of public opinion prior to any decision rendered by an authorized court is likewise irresponsible (Full Transcript with comments Here, and Here - Thank you Bill Kinnon)Sovereign Grace Ministries (Or SGM) has been a hot topic all around the blog world, and some news outlets as well. Sadly, it hasn’t been in a good way. Claims of alleged (word for lawyers) sexual abuse, physical abuse, emotional abuse, spiritual abuse were brought forth towards C. J. Mahaney’s Church, or network of churches – naming himself and some of his staff. The two main responses from ‘friends’ of SGM are at best Disingenuous.
The lawsuit itself had over 146 claims of abuse, and 16 churches have left the network of churches claiming C. J. Mahaney is not above reproach.
The above quoted paragraph is from a statement issued from powerful friends: Mark Dever, Ligion Duncan, and Albert Mohler. They originally posted in on the “Together for the Gospel” facebook page, and because of all the negative feedback…it was removed. Yes, they did attempt to scrub it clean, but the link above shows the screen shot with comments. They did re-issue their statement on their website that does not allow comments. Think what you may about that!
I read the above with dismay, because it isn’t hard to find articles on their own sites commenting, questioning, and making decisions on lawsuits PRIOR to an authorized court doing so. Being that C. J. Mahaney is their friend? WELL it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to tell which they prefer in this case. Their approach is pretty manipulative if you think about it.
Within the last week a civil lawsuit that was filed was dismissed due to the crimes being committed outside the statue of limitations (in other words – too long ago). Most of claims were dismissed, but thankfully not all. If you read the statement from the brotherhood of the Mega Pastors – you would think that means there is nothing to the suit at all. Thankfully, in more and more areas the statue of limitations in these types of cases are being removed. They are realizing when you are harmed as a child in these types of circumstances you aren’t in the position to go out and FILE the civil suit are you? Let’s read what Boz Tchividjian founder and Executive Director of GRACE: Godly Response to Abuse in the Christian Environment and is a former child abuse prosecutor has to say about their comments and the Statue of Limitation:
The statement by T4G fails to mention that this lawsuit was dismissed for one reason and one reason only…expiration of the statute of limitation. Isn’t it tragic that the reason why this suit was dismissed – taking too long to file – was the very objective of these church leaders allegedly had when they discouraged these individuals and families from stepping forward. - Boz Tchividjian From G.R.A.C.E.The dropping of most of the cases was a big blow to the survivors, because what they were trying to show was a pattern of systematic cover up of abuse. Please note that YES the civil suit was dropped in some cases, but the criminal one is still on-going. It makes no sense that they can comment NOW when it clearly isn’t completely over yet. They may have just shot themselves in the foot with that one. Julie Anne goes into more details about the legal end of this on her blog Spiritual Sounding Board. What C. J. Mahaney’s friends seem to be hinting at is – there was no case. Once again I say – Disingenuous!
