The Southern Baptist Convention’s Executive Committee expelled a Texas church Tuesday for employing a pastor who is a registered sex offender.
The 80-plus member body, which acts on behalf of the Southern Baptist Convention when it is not in session, took a vote to disfellowship Ranchland Heights Baptist Church in Midland, Texas, during its regularly scheduled meeting in Nashville.
Ranchland Heights is “no longer to be considered in friendly cooperation with the Southern Baptist Convention,” said the Rev. Mike Stone, chairman of the Executive Committee.
Well, well, well there goes the forgiviness of the Executive Commitee’s sins. They are hell bound, according to God. There are going to be a lot of Baptist in hell.
You know religion is a flawed concept when they nit pick which sin is the worst.
Sin is sin, but these bible thumpers don’t forgive and forget, much less trust.
Jesus would be so proud!!
According to records Rutledge’s victims were two young girls ages 11 and 12 at the time.
“It just sets the stage for contact with youthful people. It’s like putting fire on a dry bush, it’s going to burn,” “The thing about child sex offenders or predators because that’s what they are, predators most of them don’t get over it they just might be able to contain it.”
Gary Painter, Midland County Sheriff, said.
I don’t fault anyone for this belief because it came directly from the mental health association and still propels the Registry today. It contains an element of truth which is enough to feed the fear.
IMHO the mental health association must lead in educating the public and denouncing the unrealistic fears of former sex offenders who for the most part go on to lead well adjusted lives after facing their faults.
Deacon D.J. Rambo with Ranchland Heights Baptist Church tells CBS 7 News “I can’t tell you that 100 % of the people know, but the vast majority know.”
Rambo went on to say “We make sure children are never by themselves in the sanctuary or any activities alone with the pastor.”
IMO these children are safer than a church who freely allow children to be alone with trusted adults.
The electronic atheists have cornered the Southern Baptist right where they want them.
Problem is the Baptists have not yet figured it out. Similar to what we see happening with The Salvation Army, the atheists have convinced these bible thumpers the use of their machines will advance their moral collective. They will find the inverse will occur to their shrinking ranks.
It has always been far more about the machine use, rather than the general interest of a free society. The sex offender made a good excuse and scapegoat.
Yet they will likely ignore the sins of others such as adultery, alcoholism, abusers, and more…
This pastor has a great position and stage to educate the community about truth in our situation. The pulpit is an amazing place for perception of all persons to be changed instead of one influenced by media.
Hypocrites!!!
I’ve taken this opportunity to write the CBS station articld which is linked in the tennessean article calling this man a predator telling them their article is slanderous and inappropriate, plus telling them the facts about the registry.
I have also written the SBC telling them how far off their decision is from the teachings of christ. This was a time for the SBC to become a model of grace, yet they turned into pharisees.
I’m with the SBC on this one. Here’a why:
“This is a true saying, if a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work. A bishop then must be BLAMELESS, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach; Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous; One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?) Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil. Moreover HE MUST HAVE A GOOD REPORT OF THEM WHICH ARE WITHOUT; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.” 1 Timothy 3:1-7, KJV, emphases mine.
“For a bishop must be BLAMELESS, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre; But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate; Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.” Titus 1:7-9, KJV, emphasis mine.
I’m not saying sex offenders are beyond hope of salvation — not at all. But in light of the above passages of scripture, I think it would be inappropriate to let one be a pastor. One could, however, be an evangelist, and in fact, I used to know a pastor personally who’s with the Lord now who had a brother who passed away last summer on the sex offender registry who was an evangelist and an excellent guitar picker too, who could pick just like the late Chet Atkins.
For anyone who remembers him, I’m referring to Dwayne Friend (1936-2019), who played guitar for southern gospel group The Happy Goodman Family back in the mid-60’s and also, with some of his brothers, had a nationally syndicated TV show back in the 70’s and early 80’s. All of that, however, was back before he got busted for sex with his son’s girlfriend in 1988, which is why he was on the registry.
Has anyone heard anything on Hearn v. Castilleja?