Southern Baptist Convention Kicks Out Church With Registrant Pastor
Ranchland Heights Baptist Church in Midland, which has been pastored by a man required to register as a sex offender because of a conviction 17 years ago, has been ousted by the Southern Baptist Convention.
Four years ago, the Church was questioned by the Houston Chronicle about the pastor and a deacon said, “We believe that God can change people, and we believe that God has forgiven Brother Phillip as well,”
Unfortunately, the SBC disagrees with God’s abilities and has decided to kick out the entire church!
If you disagree with the SBC, please contact them at:
The Executive Committee, SBC, 901 Commerce Street, Nashville, TN 37203-3699
or by Phone: (615) 244-2355.
of through their contact form: http://www.sbc.net/contactus.asp
They disagree because the government has deemed him a second class citizen and proves so on SO registry. Should he be removed he would then be a regular citizen and no one would give a shit.
It is done…..
Wonder which scripture those thumpers used or did they just use the registry to condemn the man as a liability as everyone else.
I guess these people don’t read the bible. If they did they would know that GOD WAS THE FIRST SEX OFFENDER. Do they know how many people are on the sex offender registry that just like GOD did not touch another person in the event that got them convicted. But God got Mary pregnant but said like many other men (I didn’t touch her)
WJ…. God is NOT a sex offender!!! If you read your Bible you would see that Mary gave God permission for this to happen, and God did not do anything sexual to her. He conceived Jesus by the Holy Spirit, not by any physical means whatsoever. Sex involves a physical union. This did not happen. This was completely spiritual. Be careful what you say, especially about God!!!!!!
Do you know how many people are on the sex offender registry for an offense that was not by any physical means whatsoever. You made my point exactly, sex involves a physical union. There are thousands of people on the SOR whom no more touched anyone than GOD did Mary.
I am not putting God down, I am trying to show how crazy our sex offense laws are.
All – this is not intended to become a religious debate. Please let’s not go there. The reason for sharing this news is to point out that an institution (of any faith) should be founded on principles of redemption and treating others how you would want them to treat you. Whether you read the Bible, the Torah, the Koran or simply want to call this maxim “the Golden Rule”, it’s the foundation of most religions and of general ethical behavior. Such an institution (no matter which it is), should not be taking a position that there are those among us who are not worthy of redemption and who should be treated differently than the rest of us.
FAC,
I had a feeling my response to David V C would not make it through. However, I tried to keep the basics on topic with what’s going on here.
David V C said God is NOT a sex offender!!! If you read your Bible you would see that Mary gave God permission for this to happen
I would just like to inform David V C that “Mary” is believed – by biblical researchers – to have been approx 13 – 15 yrs of age. How could she possibly give consent to be impregnated?
We, as a society, balk at the idea of teenagers having children. We have the term: “Babies having babies”.
If you think about it, this is all on topic. It may seem like a “religious debate”, but since we ARE talking about CHRISTIAN churches kicking people out of the congregation and now out of being pastors because of their previous transgressions of a SEXUAL NATURE, it’s only right to inform them that the very book they claim to live by condones child/adult relationships as well as rape.
I am not condoning it. I’m just pointing out that the so-called “good book” does. And I referenced 2 articles of proof from said book. Sorry that you felt it was a religious debate. No. It was more of an eye-opener for people to take a look at because I am sick to death of the hypocrisy and also the ever so popular belief that “god” hates anyone who harms children when the very bible stories themselves condone of the killing and sexual assault of children.
Maestro, please keep in mind that over time standards…not God’s morals…change. During the pioneering days of this country, marrying at the age of 13 was not all that unusual. In God’s ways, man’s ways are not always required to come to the outcome God wants. Even in today’s world there are some creatures that can reproduce without a male/female union. When we try to justify man’s ways with God’s ways, man’s ways will come up short everytime.
FAC asked us all not to get into a religious debate so I don’t want to make it that but I gotta reply to your response because you’re doing what a lot of Christians do – apologizing for the wording and ways of mankind in the days of the Bible scriptures. So here goes….
What, other than fear of death and a need for the IDEA of an afterlife, could be the reason for anyone to take the existence of a higher power seriously when such higher power condones the harm of the very children we want to protect?
Christians come down on the Muslim faith due to the “prophet Mohammad” marrying a 9 year old, (and in many Muslim counties it’s still a thing in the modern world) yet the bible stories have similar instances. That is my point.
Maestro, I gave my life to Christ many years ago. In the interim I have made many mistakes but when I look at some of my good decisions that is the best I ever made.
How do you figure that God was the first sex offender?
SBC might consider our criticisms, if we constructively address their overarching concern that led to this, e.g., “what are we supposed to do about abuse prevention?” Because right now they are in a position where they need to show that they are “doing something.” That, I think, would take precedence over any forgiveness talk. They feel they are in a lot of hot water.
I know, “whatever happened to forgiveness” and all, but SBC feels they have bigger fish to fry. And I think FAC knows abuse prevention better than the average person.
You nailed it Jacob — the SBC feels it is in a lot of hot water and they must be “doing something”. This is nothing more than another “knee jerk” reaction.
You know, I think this is more about the SBC’s insurance risk assessment than Gods ability.
I would encourage every Pastor out there to get a “wingman”. Someone who will stand beside him everywhere he goes and be able to give an account against any false accusation.
You hit it right on the mark DM. Employers, churches, and seemingly most organizations fear the financial liability associated with supporting those with sexual abuse pasts.
It is especially troubling within the context of the church, and I am concerned that allowing the fear of man to dominate will destroy those churches from within. Thankfully, the REAL church has no such problem.
This really hits home for me. I have been an active member of a Southern Baptist Church since 1972. The Southern Baptist Convention has been hit hard by the “Me Too” movement, and I have been dismayed to see some of the things they have been doing in their response. Admit your sins, repent, and then move on to do a better job — but don’t take captives with you, which is what they are doing with registrants.
Within our own church, the main focus seemed to be making every decision based on “victims” at the expense of everyone else. When our pastor stated in a blog that approximately 7% of accusations are false (which has been acknowledged by all research groups), he was shot down by some women in our church for making that statement, and he promptly took it down, EVEN THOUGH IT IS TRUE.
Southern Baptist churches are autonomous within the convention. Part of this autonomy is that you get to choose your own pastor. The convention is telling this church that they cannot choose the person that this church feels God has led to be their pastor.
Southern Baptist leadership is running scared right now because of the possible decline in membership and lawsuits. This story is about a decision they are making that cannot be supported by the Bible.
Going to the website, I could not find an email address, but the convention’s mailing address is:
The Executive Committee, SBC
901 Commerce Street
Nashville, TN 37203-3699
There is an online comment section, but it only allows 1500 characters. I have a lot more to say than what 1500 characters will hold, so my response is in a letter.
Although I am an atheist, I will stand behind anyone’s right to freedom of religion. This sex offender registry has destroyed us as a country. It has crept its way negatively into the minds of those of a religious belief.
So much for the forgiveness Christians are supposed to live by. “Be like Christ”, they claim. If you’re gonna be like “Christ”, then hang around with 12 homeless, illiterate men and a prostitute. And don’t throw stones in a glass house.
No one needs to know anyone’s personal business after they’ve served their court ordered prison/probation terms. The registry doesn’t need to go private, it needs to go away. A private registry is still a registry and will still cause issues with international travel.
The entire thing needs to be abolished. And situations like this should be added to all the lawsuits being filed against the registry for breaking American’s constitutional rights.
Maestro
Even though I am a strong Christian, we tend to sometimes be some of the biggest hypocrites on Earth. I volunteered at a fundraiser for a local Christian charity at my own expense and the third year of my volunteering, they were thanking all the volunteers on a list and someone say my name and called them and warned them I was on the registry.
They never told me why they dismissed me from volunteering but they blocked my #
WHAT is crazy, every year they send me paperwork asking me to donate LOL. I finally had to call them and tell them to remove me from their list or I would sue them.
It is hypocrisy like this that is driving people away from the organized denominations. Some churches are their own worse enemy. They are no longer churches but businesses controlled by lawyers and do-gooders who consider themselves to be perfect. You can bet that I will contact them.
Capt. – I like your insights. The term do-gooder suggests the self-justification implicit in their actions – a de facto salvation by works – which always is the enemy of Biblical salvation by grace. Because of this, our (registrants) salvation will always be an anathema to those poor folks.
Jesus himself said the people honor me with their lips and not heart. I am not surprised at all. Most of the churches are true white-washed churches(not racial term) they are hypocritcial They want their sins forgiven but looked down upon others’ sins (Mt 23:27-28). I haven’t step in any church since my release from prison! Too many people play church.
I sent an email to the Southern Baptist Convention using the link given in the article above. (It was a webpage response form)).
I got a response and then sent back a respectful thank you with some education attached. You won’t be able to click on the links here, so I will post, below, what the 6 links point to.
Here is 1. my original email to them 2. their response and 3. my response:
“Ousting this congregation from your flock because their pastor is required to register with the sex offense registry is not the Christ-like course. Your decision is cowardly. Have you people no faith in God? You “tremble at men”! And you try to deny the forgiveness of Christ!”
“Thank you for your message. The Executive Committee took this action because the church continued to employ a sexual predator as their pastor. Yes, God forgives, but the consequences of wrongdoing are not negated by the Almighty’s forgiveness (for instance, think of David in the Bible). If we allowed this to continue, we too would be a party to any future incident that might transpire under this pastor’s leadership.
Nevertheless, all the Executive Committee did by disfellowshipping the church was to confirm an ongoing decision by the church itself. The church has not been sending contributions or messengers to our annual Convention. The EC was simply severing the relationship with the national Convention. The church itself can continue to employ the pastor since the SBC cannot actually intervene in a local church matter.
The church can, of course, file an appeal, and the annual Convention itself will make a final decision about disfellowshipping the church.
We hope our note is helpful.
Show me your ways O Lord: teach me your paths. Psalms 25:4”
Thank you for your courteous reply.
I noticed that you mentioned that “If we allowed this to continue, we too would be a party to any future incident that might transpire under this pastor’s leadership.”
It sounds like you expect that there is a high likelihood of reoffense.
However, would it surprise you to know that, even though there is a widely held myth that those who have committed sex offenses are very likely to do it again, this is, in fact, false. (Yet about one million US citizens are being denied their basic constitutional rights based on this myth.)
The scientific evidence clearly shows that those who have committed sex crimes have the lowest rates of recidivism of any crime type except for murder!
Please notice that these 6 linked pdf files are from extremely credible scientific, governmental and journalistic sources. And they are only the tip of the iceberg. The science is clear!
U.S. Department of Justice – Office of Justice Programs – Office of Sex Offender Sentencing, Monitoring, Apprehending,Registering, and Tracking
Prison Policy.org
Yale Law Journal
The Washington Post
Women Against the Registry (This is a collection of links to bona-fide research studies by US States Governments and Universities)
Sex Offender Management Assessment and Planning Initiative (SMART.gov)
While I realize that this is not a popular topic, grave injustice is being committed!
If we refuse to recognize the truth that registered citizens have the lowest recidivism rates, (the least statistical probability of re-offense), we are turning our backs on science, reason, sound-policy and wisdom, and we are embracing the darkness of irresponsibility and lies!
Who, indeed, is our neighbor? Are we like the good Samaritan, or the cruel Pharisees?
With Great Respect,
(My Name)
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This is excellent!!! Thank you for this.
They just sent me this reply to my reply:
Dear Mr. MY NAME:
Thank you for your very thorough and nice reply as well. Some of us actually know individuals on these lists, and we are ministering to them.* Many of them have conveyed some of the same information to us that you have presented. Most of them that we know have learned from their experiences and have remained true to their faith, but none of them are in a pastoral or teaching position. We love all repentant sinners, but unfortunately, some recidivism for this crime and sin does occur. The Executive Committee (EC) chose what they thought was the right decision.
Please refer to our earlier note. The pastor in question cannot be removed from his church position by the EC/SBC since only the local church can make this decision. We are holding the church responsible–not this pastor.
Blessings to you. Thanks for your information.
Office of Convention Relations
*The primary writer for this response knows three individuals on these lists—two men and one woman. They committed terrible crimes. Nevertheless, this writer has been a job reference for all of them, helped them get jobs, assisted them in repairing relationships (two of their original marriages have survived), and counseled them. He reports that all are gainfully employed in jobs where they are entrepreneurs (one is a freelance writer and the other two are managing their own businesses after apprenticing in their crafts), and all three are married to supportive spouses. The writer does not think any of them should be employed in jobs with a lot of access to children such as churches or schools. These three individuals agree that this is best for them.
What a thoughtful response you elicited from SBC! Amazing.
Jacob, I only have the greatest respect for you and have found you far more knowledgeable than I, but for the first time ever, I am disagreeing with you on this issue.
Keep in mind that I have been involved with SBC for decades. It was stated that “some recidivism does occur.” Absolutely, but we all know that at least 90% of future sex crimes in the churches will be by nonregistrants. If SBC really wants to prevent future assaults, they should be working more on preventative methods such as what David V C is proposing.
SBC is trying to whitewash the whole situation by drawing our attention to a “look what I am doing for registrants” mentality. The main issue here is that there is not true forgiveness and a watchful reconciliation. They are branding registrants for life. SBC has come under so much criticism, and they are trying to put out this new “fire” before it causes damages too, with the new “fire” being that people are calling them out for kicking out a church where there is not a shred of evidence that anything illegal or immoral is occurring in that church.
Several years ago in my own SBC church, an ex-felon was brought on staff after many years of illegal activity: drug possession and dealing, multiple armed robberies, etc. Our pastor said that he was repentant of what he had done and had given his life to do whatever God wanted him to do. I had no problem with it, and apparently SBC did not either, even though statistically he was more likely to have become involved in illegal drug activity within our church and other possibly illegal activities than some members would be. SBC gave this man a second chance. But this was all before the Me Too movement took hold in this country.
Certainly if their idea of prevention is to eject a congregation for the background of their pastor, then they are taking their eye off the ball.
I would only add that, in most areas where I appear to be knowledgeable, I am usually just winging it (don’t tell anyone).
I too spoke with one from the phone number and she was very kind and listened to all I had to say and said that some very strong points were made.
I made mention to her that 95% or more of all sex offenses come from unknown, uncaught, unregistered individuals like teachers, doctors, clergy, gym coaches, and relatives-not those on the registry.
Now it is even in the Boy Scouts all the way back to the 1920’s.
I emphasized that looking at the registry as a means to protect the children and the Church is focusing on an extremely small percentage while the very large percentage whom they don’t know that are unregistered are molesting the children.
I emphasized that talking to the children about their sacred places, that no one is touch them but themselves, not even mommy and daddy, or uncle, etc. is the greatest defense against sexual crime, and that they are to tell even if threatened.
Having cameras in every area where children are present is an excellent idea also.
Where I go to Church, you must be cleared before you can access the children’s area.
Good work on behalf of Charles Munsey Jr.
The truth is finally unfolding, Praise God!!!!
Agreed, couldn’t have written a better,thought provoking message. I hope it penetrates the bias that has, regrettably, permeated popular thinking for more than a generation.
The fact that they referred to people on the registry as “predators” is the problem. The ONLY people who should determine someone to be a “predator” are psychologists. No one else.
Or a judge – a judge can designate someone a predator.
I agree with Maestro.
Judges will label offenders as Sexual Predators as part of the felony classification and/or part of the sentencing stipulation laid out by the prosecutor.
My crime came out years later after the relationship stopped and I had had an encounter with Jesus Christ and was filled with the Holy Spirit and became a completely different person and was (and still am ) living for Jesus and the Judge even said “I believe you are a changed man”, but due to the prosecutors’ influence, I was given by the Judge the label ‘Sexual Predator” even though it was years earlier and God had changed me dramatically and the Judge knew it!!
So, only a psychologist should be able to deem whether or not someone is actually a predator.
I’m sure not one, but I’m labeled that.
David, I understand exactly what you are saying. A judge makes a decision based on a temporary situation and that decision can last a person’s lifetime. Ask my victim if I’m a predator and I’m quite sure she would say “no”. Only an individual trained to evaluate a person’s character should make a “predator” decision that will impact a person for life.
God’s abilities and values seem to closely reflect the people proclaiming such abilities and values.
The Executive Committee, SBC
901 Commerce Street
Nashville, TN 37203-3699
Dear Committee,
I recently read an article about the Ranchland Heights Baptist Church in Midland. It read that a man required to register as a sex offender because of a conviction 17 years ago, who has been pasturing the church, lead to this church being ousted by the Southern Baptist Convention. I was appalled. At one time I considered the Baptist Church to be a very Christian denomination and I respected it for the stands it took for God and Christianity. Your actions put your convention right in lock step with many other denominations that exercise hypocrisy in their preaching of the Word. I suppose your denomination would have been in opposition to Paul…Saul…because of his record of imprisoning and killing the enemy of the Jewish nation…Christianity. First, registered citizens have to lowest of recidivism rates less murderers. Second, the Bible tells us to repent of our sins, ask for and receive forgiveness, and then move on with our lives putting the past behind us. Your actions are counter to the very Bible you claim to profess. If the church is satisfied with its pastor then that is all that matters. Your decision is what happens when a church morphs into a business and the lawyers take control over the Word of God.
May God have mercy on your convention committee while He works on your consciences. God can change people. Four years ago, the Church was questioned by the Houston Chronicle
about the pastor and a deacon said, ”We believe that God can change people, and we believe that God has forgiven Brother Phillip as well.” Unfortunately, it would appear the SBC disagrees with God’s abilities and has decided to kick out the entire church! Your actions bring disgrace on the committee and the Baptist denomination if the expulsion is permitted to stand.
Sincerely submitted,
Charles Munsey Jr.
Capt USN Ret
321-636-3958
Good point about Paul. He would not have been welcome in the SB convention. King David, man after Gods own heart, would have also been expelled
Verse 32 in the Bible clearly states: A registered sex offender cannot ever be forgiven by God and cannot be part of the church and is going straight to Hell.
Ok here is what the Word of God REALLY says
for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God
Romans 3:23
“Come now, let us settle the matter,” says the LORD. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.”
Isaiah 1:18
Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
Ephesians 4:32
Well said. 🙂
Thank you Brother James
Stay blessed and let us keep each other in prayer and covered in the blood of protection from the lamb who took our place before the judgement.
AND you have a Bible name 🙂
I’m agnostic and generally, though there are exceptions, anti-organized-religion for this very reason. The ceaseless hypocrisy baffles. What would Jesus do? These people don’t believe in Jesus, it’s just a business for them. Their actions exemplify this fact.
At their alleged pearly gates, will Jesus stand up for those who didn’t stand for his principles of forgiveness?
When one thinks, well, what would Jesus do in this situation, of course he would kick them out and say no way you’re not welcome in my church. /sarcasm
I wrote to them. Hope it hits them how foolish they are being.
Thank you to all that have responded to the SBC. We now wait for their response.
One of our FAC members suggested that some of us should also contact the pastor involved, if that is possible, and show him our support. A good idea.
For those who might want to contact Ranchland Heights Baptist Church here is some contact information:
Ranchland Heights Baptist Church
3203 S. County Road 1211
Midland, TX 79706
(432) 697- 4471
Thank you, Capt. Munsey, for providing us with this information.
I wish I lived there and possibly my husband and I could attend. I have given up on finding a church in Gainesville, only after having a pastor incorrectly state that a restraining order had been placed on my husband. I just shake my head in disbelief.
Sarah F, sorry to hear of your dilemma. The churches you have contacted are obviously not serving God but are acting as a center of entertainment for those who need their consciences tickled. I currently attend two different churches…one is non-denominational…East Coast Christian Center, and the other is a United Methodist church…FUMC Port St. John. Both know my background and both have allowed me to serve in various functions with no problem. It is so important to get yourself and Ed involved in a good ‘truly’ Christian church. The Bible even emphasizes the need for such a relationship. Don’t give up. As long as you all attend incognito that will let people get to know you. There is no requirement for you to ‘open your kimono’ just to attend services. Keep up the faith. The first months of freedom are the toughest. They will get better.
“Restraining order”?? I get the impression that someone who talks like that loosely, pastor or no, is a lost cause who will not be interested in understanding the issue until it happens to them.
Who needs ‘em.
It reminds me of the Casting Crowns song lyrics for ” if we are the body ” -” Jesus paid much to high a price , for us to pick and choose who should come”
or ” does anybody hear her ”
“If judgment looms under every steeple
With lofty glances from lofty people
Who can’t see past her scarlet letter
And we’ve never even met her”
if only the sins and transgressions of the people on the SBC board that made this decision were made public to all, maybe they would not be so quick to condemn
Well i wish people would (and im guilty of it too, trying to change) stop this ” I’m right hear what i have to say” and the other says ” no I’m right hear what i have to say” instead of whose right lets look at what is right. All an argument is, trying to make the other to believe what your saying. Instead let all figure out what is right. According to God a murderer or a sex offender Can be a pastor because to live above reproach means that you’ve turned your life around and asked God’s forgiveness and God did so, and as a reborn Christian you try to live Christ like and When you commit another sin ( and you will) you realize what you’ve done get back on that narrow road toward God and repent ask forgiveness and try to Continue to change your life and be Christ like as humanly possible. Every human on this earth (living or dead an to be born has and will commit a sin and are fallible so will commit another sin. So Robin you have it wrong, he can be a preacher (according to the Bible) who are you to dispute God direction and guidance. God called him to preach, that’s what God wants you obey and do as God says. If a church doesn’t follow even one of God’s ways as God says we must, is falling short of the glory of God. Above Reproach does not mean you have not committed a sin because everyone has committed a sin, every preacher has sinned and is still committing sin. True believers have turned there life around and living Christ-like and not falling into your old ways, basically not being a hypocrite. Not preaching that murder or stealing or lying ect.. Is a sin and behind closed doors your doing what you are telling them is a sin. That’s how when it says ” to live above reproach so that nobody can say your not living and doing as God says to”. In reality it does not matter in the end what people say about you. What matters is your in Heaven because you’ve done what God says to. What does matter is the truth and spread that truth to as many as possible. Who God calls is the right person for job and no man say different.
Perpetuates the myth that a church can identify the abusers by checking the registry:
https://www.christianitytoday.com/news/2020/july/sex-offender-welcome-church-abuse-safety-ministry.html
Another addee to add to Phase 3 of the media blitz project.