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    Bloggers Take Aim at Another Prominent SBC Church

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    Sutton is pastor to many of the SBC’s most powerful leaders and employees. The denomination’s headquarters office, publishing arm, news outlet and related agencies are located in Nashville.

    But other high-profile churches have been roiled recently by controversy over pastoral leadership.

    Accusations of autocratic decision-making against pastors who followed long-tenured leaders hit two massive churches in suburban Memphis. Disputes within Bellevue Baptist Church in Cordova, Tenn., and Germantown Baptist Church in Germantown, Tenn., led to dissident factions starting websites to broadcast their disagreements and ultimately led Germantown pastor Sam Shaw to resign.

    At First Baptist Church of Daytona Beach, Fla., where former SBC president Bobby Welch was the longtime pastor, his successor, David Cox, resigned abruptly in January after months of disputes with a faction in the congregation. And First Baptist Church of Raytown, Mo., near Kansas City, underwent a highly publicized dispute and lawsuit after a former church member accused the son of longtime pastor Paul Brooks of sexually assaulting and impregnating her while the son, Mark, was on the church’s staff.

    Sutton, a former SBC first vice president, finished third in a highly contentious 2006 SBC presidential election, despite the endorsement of major leaders of the SBC’s conservative establishment.

    Unlike other recent church fights involving prominent megachurch pastors, the Two Rivers conflict includes a dispute over a hastily called business meeting in which a majority of those present kicked out the church member who has been leading the charge against Sutton—despite the fact that he was one of the congregation’s three legal trustees.

    The Associated Press first reported Aug. 14 that the congregation was in upheaval over allegations publicized by Frank Harris, the trustee, who is a longtime member. Among his contentions were that Sutton inappropriately spent more than $4,000 of church funds on a wedding reception for his daughter, improperly met with representatives of a resort hotel who wanted to buy some of the church’s property, and was autocratic and attempted to keep church members in the dark about his finances.

    Two Rivers “appears to have been manipulated from a people-led church to a staff-run church,” the AP quoted Harris as saying. “Anyone who voiced opposition to leadership was alienated and lost any ministries they may have had in the church.”

    The congregation’s deacons and personnel committee met July 15 to discuss the charges, including accusations by a former church secretary that Sutton looked at pornography on his office computer and had an affair with a church staff member. The charges again were discussed July 28 in a churchwide question-and-answer sessions.

    In a statement posted on the Two Rivers website Aug. 15, church officials attempted to refute the arguments. “After full review and discussion, it was unanimously determined by both the deacons and the human resource ministry team that the senior pastor had not committed any wrongdoing as claimed, and that there was no basis whatsoever to bring charges against, discipline or be concerned about the conduct of the senior pastor,” the statement said.

    It said that the money for the reception had been approved by the church’s budget committee because the event was open to all church members. It also noted the church is audited by an external firm once a year and that “no financial improprieties have been found at any time during” Sutton’s 21-year tenure at Two Rivers.

    The statement also said Sutton’s dealings with the hotel owners had been proper and that a disputed church-paid trip he took to Italy and Israel was a legitimate mission endeavor and “not a vacation.” It added the sexual allegations had been investigated and dismissed in 2002, when they were first made. Church leaders again dismissed them in the July 15 meeting, it said.

    More here: SOURCE:  ABPNews.com

    The integrity of another prominent Southern Baptist pastor has been called into question by members of his megachurch -- this one in the shadow of the Southern Baptist Convention's headquarters. Local and national news agencies have reported a raging controversy over Jerry Sutton’s leadership of Two Rivers Baptist Church in Nashville, Tenn. Like many recent tiffs in large Southern Baptist churches, the conflict features allegations of improper financial decisions, accusations of an unaccountable and autocratic pastor, and a website where aggrieved members publicize the controversy.

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    1. Wendi on Fri, August 24, 2007

      Well . . . as to submission.


      Jesus Himself describes going to church “leaders” in Matt 18, before He had officially established the church He was describing.


      In Acts 4, the new church was characterized by “submitting” to the apostle’s teaching.


      Several places in epistles (Pauline and pastorals), describe the role of leaders and elders.


      When Paul writes to both the Corinthians and Galatians, he takes great care to establish his “authority” as being given to him by God.  He expected these churches to submit to this His God-given authority.


      And regarding blogging as a solution . . .


      When Paul admonishes believers in Corinth for suing one another in public courts, the problem he cites is the disgrace it brings upon the church and the name of Christ for the church to air dirty laundry in public.  Blogging to settle church disputes does just this.


      And Jesus makes pretty clear what we should do when someone wrongs us . . . turn the other cheek, give away our coat, walk an additional mile . . . none of which sounds like blogging to get people to act like WE think they should.


      Using the Matt 18 model, if we’ve taken our grievance to the leaders of the church, and these leaders don’t agree with us, we don’t have biblical permission to take it to the whole church.  We only have this permission to go to the church if the elders DO agree that the person is wrong and that person fails to repent.  


      When, after taking proper steps (which DOES NOT include sending grumbling e-mails around to all the church members or gossiping in the hallways), we still feel in our spirits that there is something wrong in the church with which we cannot live, we’re not powerless.  We have the power to walk away, quietly and honorably, burning no bridges and continuing to pray for the church.


      The church belongs to God, not us.  It is our responsibility to properly express our concerns and to pray, it’s not our responsibility to change the church or get people to act properly (based on our definition of proper).  That is work that belongs only to the Holy Spirit.


      BTW – I’ve known some people who believe in expressing their discontent by withholding their tithes and offerings.  This is also wrong.  We have no right to use what belongs to God, not us, to blackmail church leaders into doing what we think they should do.  If we cannot support our church with our time, talent and treasure, then we should find a church where we can.


      Wendi

    2. Leonard on Fri, August 24, 2007

      Paul blogged in scripture?  This is either lowering to an unacceptable level the scriptures or raiding to an unacceptable level the ranting of bloggers.  Ridiculous.


      To ever compare the whining of malcontents to the words of scripture is such a silly notion.  As for submitting to the church, Read the whole selection of “one another’s” in the bible and you will find that answer.  We are to submit to pastors and elders, we are to submit to one another as well as God.

    3. Brian on Fri, August 24, 2007

      Ricky, in answer to your question about submitting to the authority of church leaders:


      Hebrews 13:17 -


      “Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give an account. Obey them so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no advantage to you.”


      Also, I don’t anyone on this board has suggested blindly following and never questioning.


      The issue is HOW that questioning should be done.  Should it be done like Jesus says in Matthew 18, or in the blogosphere where everyone gets to see mud slung on the Bride?


      Yes, Paul did confront Peter.  But I’m not sure that Paul is saying that’s the way we should do it.  An example is not necessarily a teaching.  He’s saying, “This is what I did,” not “This is how you should do it.”

    4. lmdd on Tue, August 28, 2007

      Please know that as a result of this group going to the news media with these allegations, as expected, this church and its pastor have been lambasted in the community.


      Numerous meetings have been held within the church, including a church-wide meeting where questions were raised and answered.  However, this did not satisfy these members (many of them attenders for the past 20-30 years).  The group’s dissention is based soley on their opinions of what is acceptable and not in the running of the church.  Many members, however, like me do not have problems with the authority in our church and the staff.


      I ask all of you to pray for our church, for our unity and our continued growth.  Despite the published murmurings of this group about the decline of our church, the truth is quite the opposite.


      Our fairly new contemporary service has outgrown the facility it was in and now outnumbers the traditional service.  We have added a Korean and a Spanish service as well in addition to a children’s service for K-5th graders that focus on their level.  We have had 100+ baptisms since October and many new members.


      I am so excited to be a part of this church as it reaches out to new members and tries to rise above what is happening to our pastor and to our church as a result of this group’s decision to make this a public issue.


      Please pray for God to continue to grow and work in this church.


      Thank you

    5. Peter Hamm on Tue, August 28, 2007

      [as a result of this group going to the news media with these allegations, as expected, this church and its pastor have been lambasted in the community.]


      Not sure if you’re saying this is a good thing, but even if it is… do the ends justify the means?

    6. lmdd on Tue, August 28, 2007

      Peter,


      No this is not a good thing.  Of course the path this group has decided to take is not biblical.  They did not receive the end result they wanted through church meetings and votes, and instead of quietly walking away from this “fight” of theirs, they decided for some reason to make this all public news by inviting an AP reporter to one of our church meetings.


      This I do not understand, as only a member vote can remove the pastor anyway.  What purpose does it serve to take this to the news media, as the general public has no say in the end result of all of this.  It has basically served as fodder to ridicule our pastor, our church, Baptists and Christianity in general.


      I do not feel the ends will justify the means, as if there is a vote I am confident that this pastor will remain in this pulpit and all of this will have been for nothing.


      Please continue to pray for Two Rivers.

    7. Nancy Barr on Thu, August 30, 2007

      “HEADLINES ARE FAR FROM THE TRUTH”  However, if you are going to wash laundry in public you might as well tell the truth….I’m a Two Rivers member since 1993 and would like to tell you about Jerry Sutton from my perspective. 


      Jerry Sutton’s integrity is not questionable.  His integrity is threatened by Frank Harris, a TN business man.  Jerry Sutton is a steadfast pastor with a heart for evangelism.  Frank Harris lives with a notorious past as he is known for taking money from unsuspecting investors in a pyramid scheme.  Please check the following links: 


      http://www.state.tn.us/commerce/securities/documents/MeritQuest02022001.pdf


      http://www.tsc.state.tn.us/OPINIONS/tca/PDF/044/Hardcas.pdf  Coincidentally the rumors began around the same time as Frank’s legal troubles. 


      Frank Harris was asked to step down as Deacon Chairman of Two Rivers and ultimately removed from church membership (by vote) for inappropriate church member/leader behavior.  TWO RIVERS IS THE THIRD CHURCH TO REMOVE FRANK HARRIS FROM MEMBERSHIP.  Frank Harris and 12 others (mostly from his former SS class) formed a group to expel Jerry Sutton as Pastor of Two Rivers. 


      As for the wedding, the entire church was invited.  I attended and guess that as many as 1000 -1100 attended.  The cost of the all church reception was split 50/50 with Pastor ($4000 each).  Jerry Sutton also hosted and paid for a 2nd traditional- private reception off campus.  Two Rivers checked with other large (mega) churches on wedding etiquette. Standards were to invite the entire church so as not to miss anyone, and split the reception expense with a standard church/pastor split was 60/40.  Jerry Sutton gave an extra 10% raising the split to 50/50.


      The bride and groom were interns at the church during their college years.  Both worked numerous unpaid hours at the church in many positions.  Two Rivers has a budget for receptions and has a long history of hosting, receptions for ushers, and other church staff without any issue of expense.  Their rift is petty at its foundation and destructive in the methods used to show their strength.


        Jerry Sutton remains to speak God’s word without compromise.  God is glorified by Jerry Sutton.  Jerry Sutton is a blessing to the mission, vision and ministries of Two Rivers as many are making decisions for Christ. We continue serving, in the name of Jesus.  Frank Harris continues to shake his fist at Jerry Sutton and strives to make good on his promise that he’ll remove Sutton from the pulpit.  Jerry Sutton in the meantime prays for his accusers and remains steadfast among the chaos.  We are blessed to have such an honorable man as Jerry Sutton as pastor of Two Rivers Baptist Church. 


      As for the resort….It’s across the street from the Church.  Opryland approached Two Rivers about a piece of property as neighbors often do when they intend to expand.  Pastor followed protocol and passed along the offer which was rejected…END OF RESORT rumor.


      I’m asking for your prayers for Two Rivers.  A win for this spiteful little man in the court of public opinion undermines many decisions for Christ.  Please check us out as God speaks through Jerry Sutton.  It is said of Two Rivers that one can experience L.I.F.E.—you BELONG, to BELIEVE, and BECOME like Christ


      Thank you for your precious time and your prayers for Two Rivers. 


      Blessings in Christ,


      Nancy Barr, Nashville TN

    8. Peter Hamm on Fri, August 31, 2007

      Nancy,


      Your post makes my point. Is this particular forum the right one for your discussion? I don’t think so. Does it make you feel better to say it? Maybe. That doesn’t make the public discussion of the details in a forum such as this one right or godly.

    9. Nancy Barr on Fri, August 31, 2007

      Thanks for your comments and thoughts.  My rebuttal was to the original post.  The point still remains this is a petty argument that has been disproportionately exaggerated by the media.  As a blogger I try to temper my feelings, to articulate my point.  I might need some grace if I appear too passionate regarding the topic.  I appreciate your interest and comments. 


      Peter you ask “How can we as pastors lead people to making good decisions when it comes to complaints, and disagreements so that these destructive practices can be curbed?” 


      Is the purpose of your posted question to move us to beyond the media back to the business of supporting the church?  You make a good point with your question.  


      About church fallout your post states:  “All they really had were bad motives, faulty opinions, and an agenda. A church was destroyed because of that agenda….” 


      This makes your question timely and purposeful for the church today.  As a member I ask:  How can we as members of the body hold one another to the standards Paul outlines in Hebrews 13?   If the body supported Paul’s admonition this would not be an issue?


      ....Heb 13: 7 Remember those who rule over you, who have spoken the word of God to you, whose faith follow, considering the outcome of their conduct. 8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. 9 Do not be carried about with various and strange doctrines. For it is good that the heart be established by grace, not with foods which have not profited those who have been occupied with them.  10 We have an altar from which those who serve the tabernacle have no right to eat. 11 For the bodies of those animals, whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest for sin, are burned outside the camp. 12 Therefore Jesus also, that He might sanctify the people with His own blood, suffered outside the gate. 13 Therefore let us go forth to Him, outside the camp, bearing His reproach. 14 For here we have no continuing city, but we seek the one to come. 15 Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name. 16 But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.  17 Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you. 


      Peter, you have opened the door to problem solving.  I pray church leaders will walk through and share insight so all can move beyond the media.   Thanks for the exchange.


      Nancy Barr

    10. Richard on Tue, January 22, 2008

      I have lived in this area and there is far more going on than the natural eye can see.  This area consumes anyone who dares confront the spirit of religion.  Our area is void of any real power of God’s Spirit and anyone preaching the truth is attacked by the religious crowd.  Jerry Sutton was not the first and he will not be the last.

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