They went wrong on so many levels.  I can’t believe Franklin G. would think this was a good idea.

That’s just it.  He (Heitzig) left but didn’t leave.  When you leave a ministry...you have to leave.....completely.

I would tend to agree with Andy… I do give Skip credit for leaving for a new church (be it a plant or struggling church)… however it appears (to outsiders) that he wanted it both ways… to start a new church; and keep the power and purse-strings available from the larger church.  That might not be the real heart of Heitzig… but that the impression that many get now.

It’s just odd.

Todd

Ummm,

I think I know peoplke like this.  They just don’t play on the national stage of a church the size of Calvary Chapel…

In my experience, very few churches do pastoral transition well - especially churches with a congregational form of governance.  Generally, very few congregation members have significant experience in the process of replacing a pastor; they don’t know how to evaluate the church’s needs and present position; they may not know how to evaluate a candidate’s background, work history, management and leadership styles, even theology; they don’t know what to expect during an interim period or what to expect in the initial years of a new pastorate; they don’t know what, when, or how to communicate any of this to the congregation.

I agree with Todd’s synopsis of some of the problems at CCABQ - at best, there were a number of poor decisions, poor counsel, and poor communication.  (It seems to me that if Franklin Graham really recommended that Heitzig stay on as board chairman, he was following a pattern that can be effective in other board transitions - and a pattern that I believe he followed when considering taking on the chairmanship of Samaritan’s Purse.  In this case, however, it seems to have failed.)

As church leaders, whether lay or pastoral, we need to address these patterns.  We need to train people in these areas - from the nitty-gritty of how to interview to the mundane of background checks to the in-depth analysis of doctrinal questions.  No church - even the independents - should ever be left alone when it comes to walking through a transition. 

I’d love to know what resources are already available in this area.  I suspect there is a pitiful lack of them.

Pastoral transitions are always difficult.  But trying to move forward and keep the back door open at the same time in case you need an escape route does very little to inspire the confidence of the congregation where you are headed.  This situation is defintely a mess.  I am very surprised by Greg Laurie and Graham going along with this.  It does not speak well of any of the people involved.

Todd.  Can you tell me were you got this info?  I live in ABQ and have not heard much of this info.  You’re opening a huge opportunity here for unjustified criticizm and I just want to know if your sources are reliable.

I must admit, it seems a bit sketchy what is taking place. However, that doesn’t necessarily mean that something ungodly is taking place.

Help me out with some resources if you could.

Thanks.

Ed.

Hey Ed,

Sure… I’ve watched the videos of the resignation; the wednesday service with Skip Heitzig; and Sunday’s service with Franklin Graham.  They are all available to view the video of at the CCABQ website.  The press release from Greg Laurie is also there.  Other than that, I’ve read some blog posts about the situation; and read the newspaper article and viewed CCABQ’s response on their website.

I think what I’ve shared it quite balanced from what I can tell (most of my information is from CCABQ directly).

I’m just saying that in hindsight; most all of the confusion and power struggles could’ve been avoided.

Todd

Thanks, Linda.  Unfortunately, my understanding is there is actually quite a bit of turmoil in the CC movement right now; there is even a blog specifically for people who want to help right wrongs in the CC movement from within. They are calling for Chuck Smith to stand up for what’s right (something they say he has not done). There are a couple of major law suits involving major CC churches; the CC radio network, a major pastor involved in immorality, etc.  Don’t know much about them; but it sounds like even more of a mess than what’s going on at CCABQ.

Todd

I listened to Pete’s resignation and Skip’s response.  I think the main problem laid with Skip on the board.  Hearing him speak he acted like he was still S.P. 
It is funny Pete really did not accuse anyone of wrong doing.  “This is not the way to leave a church.” Is what Skip told the congregation.  I think this was the only way Pete could leave so that the next S.P. guy would not have the same problems. 
It should be obvious that Skip needs to step down and out of the life of this church except in prayer.  Just an outsider looking in.

The sooner Mr. Heitzig resigns the less harm will be done to all concerned. I read a post by Jade earlier and it seems he is misinformed about Ocean Hills Calvary Chapel. This church in not what was perceved at the time of Skip’s leaving. It turns out that this church is in one of the most wealthy areas in California. The website gives clear evidence that this is no homefellowship that is just in its embryonic stages and that the pioneering effort of Skip was needed. Although this was the perception given at his departure two years ago.  There is an estimate of a large amount of expensive equipment ($60K)that was trucked out of the CCABQ with the rationale given by Paul Saber in the church service that “Pete was not going to use it anyways”. What difference did that make? It didn’t belong to Mr. Heitzig. Paul also said that there would be a full disclosure of any new financial reports from now on. This is good but the question is about what was going on prior to Nelson’s resignation. The board members have not been forthcoming on any items especially on the reasons presented in Pete Nelson’s resignation letter. Instead the board which are unfortunately only “yes men” for Mr. Heitzig gave the title of “Perpetual chairman of the Board” to Mr. Heitzig while Nelson was in Hawaii on vacation.  This is tantamount to a papacy!  To add to this outrage is that the congregation was told Skip was given a severance, but the amount has not been disclosed yet.  In any event the word severance would mean that Mr. Heitzig’s tenure with CCABQ was over once he cashed the check. Is this suspicous?  No wonder the newspaper has locked on to this story like a heat seeking missle.  How foolish of Franklin Graham misplace his loyalty of friendship for Skip, to blast the youth of Pete Nelson. It was Mr. Heitzig who told the congregation that he had made the prayerful decison to bring Pete in as the senior pastor in the first place. The longer this fish pile sits, the worse it is going to smell. There are many men of honor at Calvary that are not sitting idle. There is a move to confront the board before even more is revealed to the Church on the basis of a Matt. 18 model. It would be wise now, for Mr. Heitzig to tender his resignation and return to Ocean Hills before he loses that post as well and damages even more lives.  He has a list of guest speakers that are doing substitute work while he attempts damage control at CCABQ.  How sad. As Skip said on Wednesday night it was “no way to leave a church” Unfortunately for Skip he was unknowingly talking about himself at the time. I see the Lord in all of this. Romans 8:28.  Peace and Grace

Mr Heitzig should never have left.  Since he did, he should have left.  Period.  No ties, no control.  The only appropriate influence would be the influence of a ministry legacy.  It’s hard, but what a breach of integrity and a completely un-Christlike interference in a ministry that, yes, he founded, and no, he does not own.  Maybe he will return as the senior pastor, but this will be a cloud on his witness and credibility.  If he does not regret this, he will live with the result in some fashion.  It doesn’t stoop to the level of Jimmy Swaggart, by any means, but his character is in serious question, sadly, because of terribly poor judgment.  An exemplary life and ministry does not give anyone a pass.  Even very godly and very prudent persons stumble and this is an example. 

For the church leadership to act like this is a unity issue is completely misguided.  It is an integrity and credibility and humility issue and the sooner the church leadership acknowledge that, the sooner they will regain an opportunity to be trusted and to lead into the future.  Should Mr. Heitzig return.  Perhaps, but a public apology to Pete Nelson along with a substantial severance provision (at least one year of full support with benefits) is in order for the eggregious situation he was subjected to.  I hope they do that which is right and honorable in the eyes of a just and compassionate God.  This church and its board set up Mr. Nelson.  I hope they make it right.  It will go a long way further than damage control, ratiionalization and self-defense. 

And one last thing… That board from a distance thing is one of the most foolish things I have every heard of, despite the star names serving on it.  If that is too harsh, what about the reproach to the witness of Christ that this arrangement opened up?  Talk about giving the Enemy a foothold.  Each of these board members need to immediately resign if they are not actively living in the community and actively involved in that ministry on a continual basis.  What were they thinking???????????