Choose Paul Pressler died final week.
I did. However that’s as a result of I thought-about Paul my buddy up till the purpose I confronted Paul over allegations towards him for sexual predatory abuse.
Our friendship ended. No extra Christmas playing cards. No extra letters.
It ended not as a result of I hated Paul. No, it ended as a result of I believed Paul wanted to come clear, and I informed him so.
He didn’t. Then, he died.
No one seen as a result of Paul Pressler has been scrubbed from our collective SBC reminiscence. I’ve change into a believer in Immanuel Velikosky’s Collective Amnesia concept.
Pressler, the so-called Southern Baptist Conference’s Conservative Resurgence co-architect, died in obscurity. All that’s left of his legacy is an obit.
The stained glass home windows at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, established to honor Choose Pressler (and others), had been eliminated earlier than he died.
You don’t put up stained glass for males who stay in glass homes.
Robert Morris and the Abuse of a 12-Yr-Outdated
(L to R) Wade Burleson, his spouse Rachelle, Brian, and Cindy Clemishire.
(Be aware: What’s written beneath is by Cindy Clemishire’s permission.)
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The Web exploded final evening with the allegations of kid sexual predatory abuse towards Robert Morris, pastor of Gateway Church in Southlake, Texas, one of many largest evangelical church buildings in america.
Mainstream media is now selecting up the story.
My buddy, Cindy Clemishire, has accused Robert Morris of sexually predatory conduct towards her, starting on the age of twelve, predatory conduct that continued for practically 5 years till Cindy was 17.
Cindy Clemishire
Cindy first shared her story with my spouse and me at dinner final month (Could 2024).
I knew instantly Cindy was telling the reality. There are methods you recognize a sufferer of kid abuse is talking the reality, and Cindy crossed each threshold.
I cannot clarify why Cindy Clemishire felt comfy sharing the small print of her story with my spouse and me. It’s not a needed element to share Cindy’s historical past of kid sexual abuse.
Cindy is powerful. She loves Jesus. She is articulate, compassionate, and discriminate.
For years, Cindy has tried to get Christian leaders to do one thing.
Rachelle and I met Cindy in 2022. Over a number of months, we turned mates, and Cindy grew to belief us.
By Could 2024, Cindy felt comfy sharing her story with us.
Father’s Day
I texted my 4 grown children this morning on Father’s Day.
I additionally known as Cindy, who was together with her father on Father’s Day. I prayed for her father, mom, and Cindy over the telephone.
Why? As a result of individuals ask questions on Cindy and her household on-line. Right here’s an instance:
Right here’s my reply:
I’ll state what isn’t obvious from Cindy’s story.
She “got here ahead” a number of instances in years previous to Christian “leaders” asking for assist. No one would assist her.
These leaders inspired her to forgive and maintain her story quiet, refusing to take steps to carry Pastor Morris accountable.
She lastly informed her story to a Christian pastor who knew that she was robust, may deal with the forthcoming and anticipated questions like yours, and knew that to stay silent after listening to her story was to be complicit within the cover-up.
The letter despatched out from Gateway Church uncared for to say the kid was 12 when the abuse started, that Robert was married, was preaching the gospel for pay (youth revivals), and continued the sexual abuse with “the younger girl” for practically half a decade.
This isn’t ethical indiscretion.
That is statutory rape of a minor, punishable by as much as 30 years in jail.
The Apostle Peter mentioned judgment should start in the home of God. It needs to be remembered that individuals who love Jesus and His church guided Cindy on how to make sure future perps within the pulpit are stopped useless of their tracks when even a traitorous considered predatory conduct enters their heads.
They’ll bear in mind what occurred to Robert Morris. Sexual predatory behaviors by church leaders carry a stench that no quantity of incense or success can erase.
Ensure. Your sins will discover you out.
Cindy and her household, together with her father and mom (entrance row).
To Cindy’s Father
Sir, I like the heck out of you!
You’re a man of integrity. You like Jesus and His Kingdom.
While you found the abuse of your daughter, you protected her, risking your ministry to confront the evil performed to your loved ones.
Some ask, “Why didn’t Cindy’s father go to the police when it occurred?”
I’d like to reply that query in your behalf on Father’s Day.
- Cindy’s father protected his daughter in forceful, absolute phrases.
- Cindy’s father loves Jesus and needs no unwell reputation over Jesus’ title.
- Within the mid-Eighties, individuals in Christ’s Kingdom didn’t know what we now know.
- Celeb preachers are detrimental to the reason for Christ and His Kingdom.
- Gospel ministers of character would by no means abuse a 12-year-old youngster, regardless.
- If a “minister” abuses a toddler, institutional non secular leaders ought to take away him.
- Regulation enforcement should be concerned, however a toddler should know her father protects her.
- Cindy is aware of her father went to the acute to guard her from predatory abuse.
- The fault for this case of kid abuse not ending up in courtroom is on non secular leaders.
- Glad Father’s Day, sir, as a result of this injustice that has damaged your coronary heart is about to be corrected by the individuals who ought to have held Robert Morris accountable.
A Remaining Phrase of Warning
Tony Evans stepped down this previous week from pastoring in Dallas after confessing to “an ethical indiscretion.” Robert Morris is not going to be returning to Gateway Church.
Choose Pressler is useless, and his legacy is a scrubbed on-line obituary.
In case you are studying this and are in ministry, always remember the lesson of June 2024 from the lives and ministries of Robert Morris, Tony Evans, and Choose Pressler.
A stained coronary heart in a glass window home brings the home down.
For the sake of Christ and His Kingdom, keep trustworthy. keep pure, keep robust.
