Posted on 11/14/2023 7:32:35 AM PST by Morgana
Congregants at Christ Presbyterian Church in Nashville, TN, have voted overwhelmingly to accept Lead Pastor Scott Sauls’ resignation, six months after he has been placed on an indefinite leave of absence for unrevealed misconduct and some publicly acknowledged bad behavior.
Saul’s trouble began earlier this year when he ironically admitted to a troubling leadership style that was anything but kind and winsome- two traits that he routinely criticized conservatives for not being.
“I verbalized insensitive and verbal criticism of others’ work. I’ve used social media and the pulpit to quiet dissenting viewpoints. I’ve manipulated facts to support paths that I desire…I am grieved to say that I have hurt people. I want to say to all of you that I am sorry.”
We featured Sauls last year after he asked Christians to compare their marriages to homosexual relationships, asking:
Is your heterosexual marriage as committed as some gay marriages? Some gay marriages are deeply committed, as out of step with scripture as they are. Your marriage commitment needs to be at least on the same level…to have some sort of credibility.
Described by the EDW as the “Tim Keller of Nashville, Sauls frequently defended the Revoice movement and served as a foil for conservative Presbyterians, routinely coming across as a slightly more buttoned-up version of David French of Russell Moore in his spewing of leftist propaganda while chastising his critics for being too mean.
Sauls told his church that he would seek counseling for perpetrating such an unhealthy church culture, with his fellow elders also copping to their own shortcomings in allowing it to happen.
It was to no avail.
81% of members voted to accept his resignation, 517-122, ending a 12-year tenure that saw him lead three campuses. Following the vote, Sauls told his now-former church:
“We had hoped to continue forward and help with CPC, but we now believe the most merciful thing to do is step aside so the church can seek new leadership and we can seek the Lord’s will for whatever comes next as well.”
Good on him for admitting his sin of pride.
I’m not clued in to this individual………even though I’m a Reformed Presbyterian…..but if the quotes he said are real…..and his actions
….then good for the outcome
Where there’s smoke there’s fire
I would say he might want to belong to the apostate USA Presbyterian
I have no clue either, I was hoping you all knew.
The article says “megachurch” so I’m assuming that means this is a very large church?
From what I understand, he led his church to accept female deacons, and it was the female deacons that led the battle to oust him. Was his leadership really toxic or was he just too hardnosed for these ladies?
There’s that word again.......megachurch..........
Yea I cringe whenever I read or hear about it.
A lot of protestant churches have deaconess so I’m wondering. It could be anything these days.
There’s a strong and involved disciplinary structure of PCA Presbytery
…..there are ‘elders’…..the Session…………Presbytery ( representing all the local congregations of a district)…..etc
He has been thoroughly questioned, prayed for, advised, etc
They must obviously strongly believe he is not spiritually leading his congregation anymore .
The member vote wasn’t even close. If what you say is true either a gossiping champaign was really effective or wives told their husbands, you vote this way or else. It isn’t a good look either way.
homosexual marriages aren’t marriages so there is nothing to compare....anyways adios
I assume that he was starting to compromise. That happens as churches become bigger and get the Growth sickness. They believe compromise will make them more accepted and grow the church but it does the opposite. Liberals see compromise as “You agree with us”. They want you to meet in the middle but they believe they are already in the middle. Compromise is a Trojan Horse.
PCA Presbyterians Churches do not ordain women pastors or have women deacons
There is plenty of work or leadership in other roles, ie, for women……helping with jr church….praise and worship team…….nursery……vacation Bible School…
Missionaries
This church ordains female deacons. It was a pretty big deal in Presbyterian circles when they began doing it.
Covenant Presbyterian, where the terrible shooting took place, originally was a splinter group which broke off from Christ Presbyterian.
Both churches are PCA.
If they are accepting women deacons, then why are they suddenly kicking on the gays? Our local 1st Baptist church went liberal in the 1980’s and started ordaining women deacons and pastors and their numbers have declined now to the point they are about to close the doors. One of their deaconesses was talking to me that the church was upset because they wanted a gay youth choir leader and their husband/wife as youth leader. I wanted to say, your gaging on this after all the other liberal agenda you have accepted? I held my tongue, but they are losing tens of thousands of dollars a month from their dwindling savings, it’s a matter of time for them.
I can imagine
It isn’t only the Catholics or the Baptists (or the Methodists, or Andy Stanleys) who have bad teaching.
It is truly difficult to find a solid church where one can receive solid Bible messages from Godly men of God.
Glad to see these Nashville people cut their losses.
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