A Word Concerning the West Palm Beach Forum

Note: After writing this, I am quite tired. I apologize for any errors in it as I have not proofread it. It is over 3,300 words, so I realize that this may not be read by many. But I wrote this because my heart grieves over this situation and earnestly hope that I can contribute something positive to what has continued to become perpetually more negative. Please accept this lengthy article as a sincere word from the heart of a fellow brother in Christ who is catering to neither camp in this situation but only wants to encourage all of us (including myself) to think, write, live, and love in a way that is pleasing to Jesus. Thanks.

Introductory Thoughts

As I sit here, attempting to gather all my thoughts from the past couple of days, I find myself writing this with a measurable degree of reluctance. Of all people, I consider myself least relevant or worthy to address the issues here, but then again that may be my vantage point. I don’t want to go into the long details of the history of these tragic events, and it may be if you are not aware of what is going on, this post should be ignored.

But, it goes without saying that what has happened at FBCWPB has garnered national attention from mainstream press as well as blogs. At the outset of the developing story, I chose to refrain from commenting because I knew that others would be addressing the issue and didn’t think my commentary would be worthwhile. However, as providence would have it, I found myself backed into the situation just from doing a little homework and researching why and how all the new people (in the hundreds) have arrived at my blog.

Soon thereafter, I received word that Johnny Hunt this past Sunday had some strong words to say about bloggers, which I mentioned here. Not sure what was the source of that provocation, I did not speculate on what Hunt was addressing from his pulpit. However, within a matter of hours, I began getting emails and comments from people with sources within FBC Woodstock as well as members from FBCWPB about the connection with the Palm Beach Post Community Forum to which I was directed. Why I Am Writing

Although I am writing with this reluctance, I feel I should speak to this situation for a couple of reasons. First, I was brought into this situation as my blogposts and even comments were included in the forum discussion. Second, I have been corresponding to some members of FBCWPB and felt that it would be worthwhile to attempt to speak directly to the situation. Thirdly, while I do not know or have attended FBCWPB, I do know both Steve Flockhart and Johnny Hunt and have visited Crosspointe (then 2^nd Baptist Church Millington) as well as FBC Woodstock on dozens of occasions. However, let me say that my acquaintance has been brief and uneventful, so I cannot and will not attempt to speak for or about these men. Finally, I love the SBC and even more the local church, the Bride of Christ. If there is anything I can say to build up the church, encourage believers, and care for those hurting, then I will chip in. Therefore, the intent of this article is not to address the dealings with Flockhart or Hunt but specifically about the Palm Beach Post Forum. That is not to say that the things which occurred are not important but simply to note that I am choosing not to address that aspect at this time. What happened is serious and catastrophic in scope, and I don’t want to minimize the consequential nature of what occurred. But having spent considerable time reading the forum and corresponding to church members, I am delimiting my comments to the response of FBCWPB and Crosspointe members alone. At this point, the forum has over 50 threads concerning the Flockhart situation. Yesterday, I spent a great deal of time trying to understand the nature of what is going on, and I noticed a couple of things. First, it is a forum and not a blog, and those who comment carry a screen name that usually upholds anonymity and doesn’t leave opportunity to contact the individuals personally (from what I could tell). Also, most of the threads are comprised of a relatively small number of people (compared with the sizes of Crosspointe and FBCWPB) who are really upset with the situation. However, this forum has received a great deal of attention, not the least of which I am lead to believe was the source of Hunt’s comments from this past Sunday. After spending several hours (literally) reading through the threads, I must say that it was excruciating for me as I was left with a pounding headache and a very depressed and troubled spirit within me. It appears that there is little or no moderation on what is being said, and I fear that the comments are spiraling out of control. Therefore, I am writing this in hope that my article can be a caution if not a stop sign in the superhighway of drive-by attacks and harmful statements that are taking place. With that said, I turn my attention to those who have posted on the forum:

My Response to the Palm Beach Post Forum

I have tried to understand what you are hoping to accomplish out of this forum, and I cannot help but think that the predominate goal is to achieve vindication from what has happened to you. I understand that you want your voices heard and the truth to come out, but it is clear that the approach you have taken has led you down to a path where such vitriolic and vehement comments have eclipsed any profitability in public discussion because what is on display is not civil discussion seeking clarity, reconciliation, and healing, but untamed tongues and unruly attitudes seeking sympathy from the world. Please hear me—the direction of your disclosure on this matter should be heavenward in prayer rather than fleshly in gossip, slander, and gloating over other people’s failures. I also feel that is important that you take your hurt, concerns, and questions to your respective churches. This is not a matter for the Palm Beach Post. This is a matter for the church to which you belong to address. In other words, this is a family matter, one which should be privately taken up within the ecclesiological leadership who have been called to handle the affairs of God’s people, not a faceless, unaccountable forum. Secondly, from another perspective, the issues being handled in each church should not be influenced, controlled, or guided by any other church or denominational entity such as state conventions or papers. I am not saying that you shouldn’t seek advice and godly counsel outside your church, but rather I am simply saying that you should respect the God-appointed authority and work through the channels in the church were unity could be kept and truth can be upheld. Hunt, Woodstock, Florida Baptist Convention, or any other outside influence should not dictate what takes place as you seek to move forward in being the church God has called you to be. Another concern I have had after reading many of the comments is an implicit denial of God’s providence in the affairs of life and tacit denial of God’s sovereignty in all things—including things which we don’t fully understand. I am not in the least bit in a place to explain why this has happened to you, but I can stand on the counsel of God’s Word that God is exhaustively and meticulously work in and through the events that have taken place. Unfortunately, from what I have read, it appears that those of you commenting are wanting to take the matter into your own hands. Rather than approaching the situation as though providence is not real and God is not sovereign, let me encourage you to submit yourselves to God and surrender your rights to get the last word. Consider for example the life of Joseph who had a series of terrible circumstances take place in his life, all which resulted him being placed second only to the king. What was his perspective on what took place? Joseph replied, “As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today” (Genesis 50:20). Joseph’s brothers just prior to this response called their actions evil and worthy of Joseph’s hatred, but the Scripture tells us that “he comforted them and spoke kindly to them” (vs. 21). Joseph knew that there were two meants—one was his brothers and the other was God’s. Behind all the sin and evil being perpetrated against Joseph, he knew that God was sovereign and His purpose would stand (Proverbs 19:21). I am sure that you are well aware that “God works all things together for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28). So in light of God’s character and working in our world, let us reflect this reality in our perspective as well as the way we respond to situations life when we don’t understand (Proverbs 3:5-6). What was evil for the Israelites was the forgetting and forsaking God to go after idols who could not satisfy them. I recall the Israelites in the wilderness grumbling against Moses and wishing they were back in Egypt in bondage and captivity. Egypt is representative the place where the Christian should not place their confidence, trust, hope, and security. Consider a woe from the mouth of Isaiah when he said, “Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help and rely on horses, who trust in chariots because they are many and in horsemen because they are very strong, but do not look to the Holy One of Israel or consult the Lord! (Isaiah 31:1). As a Christian, Jesus Christ, the Holy One of Israel, is our only source of strength, our refuge, our shelter in the time of storm, our very present help in time of trouble, our portion in the land of the living, our rock and fortress and shield. My struggle with this forum is that I believe you are taking the issue to Egypt (a secular, public forum) rather than to God and His church. Let me plead with you to go to God with all your heart and receive counsel from His Word rather than seek sympathy from the watching world. As I think back on my own life and ministerial experiences, I can quickly recall to you some terribly painful experiences in my own life—accounts where I have been manipulated, mistreated, slandered, and even physically threatened. I have been wrongfully fired from churches in the past only after having been verbally molested by men who could only call me “Absalom” instead of my real name. I share this with you because I have my own scars and wounds and have felt the hurt and pain of being wronged, mistreated, and manipulated. And yet I fear that my experiences is not too uncommon in churches today. It has been a long, hard road, but I can testify to you today that God used those times in my life to grow me in grace and reveal to me areas of hidden sin that kept me from a closer communion with Him. When I look at God’s work in sanctifying me, nothing grew me more and grounded me in God’s Word than the times of greatest testing. So it may very well be that God has allowed this to take place to grow you as well as reveal to you personal sin and need of repentance in your own life. Sufficient in us is the evil needing to repent of, in that greater work would be accomplished in personal growth than personal attacks. Consider the example of our Savior when he was mistreated:

“For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly (1 Peter 2:21-23).

While it is true that there are distinguishing marks of false teachers, there also defining marks of true believers. Our Savior said, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:34-35). Furthermore, Scripture speaks very clearly on how we should handle our relationships with one another. For example, consider what Paul said to the church at Ephesus:

“Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you” (Ephesians 4:29-32).

And lest we forget, Jesus admonished us after the Lord’s Prayer concerning forgiveness when He said, “For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses” (Matthew 6:14-15). Forgiveness is not an option for a believer. It is a command, and if we do not forgive those who have sinned against or wrongfully us, then we haven’t been near the cross. The vengeance which wants to be ours in the flesh does not belong to us but to the Lord who judges justly. Paul makes it clear that we should

“Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, ‘Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.’ To the contrary, ‘if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.’ Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good” (Romans 12:17-21).

As Christians we are what we are by the grace of God. Whatever wrong in me is due to my sin and whatever is praiseworthy is wholly of God’s grace. Correspondingly, I have learned that we must view each other by the grace of God and what that grace will accomplish in their lives as well as ours. If we attempt to enforce our law upon others, we will soon find ourselves incapable of living up to our own expectations of others and resort to blatant hypocrisy detrimental to the cause of Christ. If our brothers and sisters are in Christ, by all means, let us treat them as such, especially when our flesh and world tempts us to do otherwise. Not only should we view each other by the grace of God, live in light of God’s sovereignty and divine providence, have a heart of forgiveness, and love one another with the love of Christ, but we should exhibit the fruit of the Spirit in everyday life. As I read the many comments, I struggled to find any evidence of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, and self-control. Please hear me out on this. I am not trying to be your “fruit inspector” but a watching world is reading and seeing what is taking place, so please don’t forget the potential worldwide audience before you. I have learned this in my own writing as I reflect back on some statements which I dishonored Jesus and mistreated a fellow brother in Christ. If we are not bearing fruit from abiding in Christ, then we need to evaluate whether or not our manner of life is worthy of the gospel of Jesus Christ (Philippians 1:27).

Concluding Exhortation

Finally, let me close with some words of exhortation. I hope that they are met with receptive hearts as I desire to be sensitive to your situation. Remember that our Lord said, “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy” (Matthew 5:7). I don’t know about you, but I am a debtor of mercy, and having received such, what else am I to give except the same mercy to which I have received? Also, take a good look at your words, for by them you will be judged on the day of judgment (Matthew 12:36-37). During this time, consider how God could use this situation to grow you in grace and furnish you with greater faith as you trust in Him. Treasure the promises of God that He will build His church (Matthew 16:18) and that He is with you always (Matthew 28:20), even in moments like these. Don’t be in bondage to bitterness but find freedom in forgiveness. Meditate on James 1 and pray that God would give you wisdom as you seek to “count it all joy” when you undergo such times of adversity. When you write and comment, two questions to ask yourself: One, “Does this glorify God?” and two, “Will this edify the Church?” If you cannot answer those questions affirmatively, then it could be that you have another agenda other than God, His glory, His truth, and His Church. Go to your church and pray, love, serve, repent, and reconcile. Encourage on another, exhort one another, minister to one another, and comfort one another. Above all, point West Palm Beach and the watching world to your Good Shepherd who will lead you and be with you during these times. It is He who will lead you beside still waters and be with you in the valley of the shadow of death. It is His mercy and grace that will follow you all the days of your lives, and He will satisfy you and show you that He is all that you would ever want. Although you have experienced some bad examples of sherpherds in recent years, you have One who is committed to building His church which will prevail against all odds and overcome all circumstances. Pour out your hearts to him and trust in Him, for He is your refuge.

I realize that I am not really qualified to speak to this situation, but I have been put in a situation where people from Millington, Woodstock and West Palm Beach have visited my blog. You may not consider anything I say worth your time, but please take God’s Word and make it consume your time and your thoughts. As Christians, we do not have the luxury to bypass God’s all-authoritative, timely, and inspired Word. And if, perhaps, my posts and comments are used as a platform to conjure up anger, resentment, bitterness, and strife, please remove my name and clear me from the forum. Remember that the medium in which we should take up these matters should be prayer and not a public forum, through your local church and not the world-wide community. If I can do anything, I want to lovingly help bring reconciliation and hope in the midst of a very sad and troubling situation, and I pray that, by God’s good grace, these words have been well worth your time.

To all of you who have taken the time to read all of this, first, thank you. It was a long post. Second, please pray for Crosspointe and First Baptist West Palm Beach. Third, pray for the Flockhart family. Let us never forget that we are the family of God, and we are not our own enemies. Let us overcome the accuser of the brethren by the love and mercy of our Savior. For the sake of His name and the upbuilding of His Church, let us submit our lives, our agendas, and our own failures to the Lord and pray that He would be pleased to use us in our generation for the purpose of bringing him glory.