New Voice Media | Associated Baptist Press
Saturday, July 31, 2010
| Abuse charge against worship leader rocks prominent Fla. church |
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| By Bob Allen | ||
| Tuesday, December 01, 2009 | ||
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CORAL SPRINGS, Fla. (ABP) -- A Florida Baptist church known for its sometimes-provocative efforts to entice first-time visitors is receiving unwanted attention after the arrest of a staff member on molestation charges. The Coral Springs Police Department arrested Russell Dion Lewis, 28, Nov. 21, on one count of custodial sexual battery and 10 counts of lewd and lascivious molestation. If convicted he could receive up to 15 years of prison. Police believe Lewis, a worship leader and assistant youth minister at Church by the Glades in Coral Springs, Fla., was involved in a five-month relationship with a 14-year-old female. While authorities say the acts were consensual, in Florida a 14-year-old cannot legally consent to sex.
Tom Albright, executive pastor of the prominent Fort Lauderdale-area Southern Baptist church, said upon learning of the allegations church leaders immediately dismissed Lewis for "gross misconduct." He said the church offered counseling to anyone on the staff or in the congregation needing it and is cooperating with authorities in ongoing investigations. "Recognizing it is ultimately a spiritual battle in which the church is engaged, we remain steadfast in our calling and commitment to continue to proclaim the Word of God and provide hope, healing and restoration to anyone seeking God's Grace and peace in these tough times," he said. David Hughes, lead pastor of the 4,800-member congregation founded in 1988, interrupted a scheduled series of sermons Nov. 22 for a "family talk" with the church. "There is brokenness, anger and a lot of hurt," Hughes told worshippers at the 11:15 a.m. service. "This is an ugly story." The pastor was quoted by the Palm Beach Post. A page on the church website offering sermon podcasts had not been updated since the Nov. 15 service at the time this story was written. Church known for unconventional outreach Hughes, pastor of the church for 10 years, is well-known in Florida Baptist life for his unconventional outreach methods. He preached the annual sermon at the recent Florida Baptist Convention meeting, describing his church as one willing to do "anything short of sin" in order to win people to Christ. In the past the church has gotten publicity by giveaways including Hannah Montana concert tickets and a free iPhone and $15 iTunes gift cards to first-time guests promoting a particular series of teachings. Some of the promotions have been controversial. A 2007 sermon series titled "The Bare Naked Truth on Sex" was promoted with a billboard on Interstate 595 showing two pairs of feet hanging off the end of a bed. Another sermon series on stripping away false values described Church by the Glades as the "World's Largest Strip Club." A promotional message invited visitors to "get naked with 5,000 of your closest friends without ever taking off your clothes." According to the Florida Baptist Witness, Hughes told convention messengers Nov. 10 that his church is provocative "because I believe heaven is real and hell is real." He described the congregation as "10 toes over the edge and the ledge" in its commitment to reach the lost. In his Nov. 22 message to the church, however, Hughes said his policy toward child abuse is zero tolerance. "We are all about forgiving," he said, "but when it comes to our children, we're pretty hard-nosed around here." Trend in prominent churches Church by the Glades joins a number of high-profile Southern Baptist churches to be marred by sex scandals in recent years. In 2008-2009 the SBC Executive Committee studied the feasibility of establishing an independent review board to receive and review complaints of clergy sexual abuse. In the end convention leaders recommended against such a body, saying that Baptist church governance does not allow the denomination to intervene in affairs of a local congregation. Christa Brown, Baptist outreach director for Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP), called it a "do-nothing" approach that leaves Southern Baptist churches vulnerable to sexual predators. In addition to preaching the annual sermon at this year's Florida Baptist Convention, Hughes was elected president-elect of the state convention's annual pastors' conference, and will lead in planning the conference's program in 2011. Lewis, the accused molester, is a native of New Mexico. He was reportedly hired by Church of the Glades about two years ago. In a staff profile since removed from the church website, he described his greatest passions as "leading God's worship and helping others." Albright said the congregation and its leaders were "shocked and saddened" by news about alleged "impropriety and criminal action" by a member of the staff. "We are deeply sorry for the hurt and harm this has caused to the victim and families involved, as well as to others in our church family and nearby communtiy," he said. -30- This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it is senior writer for Associated Baptist Press.                 Comments (22)
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written by WoundedbytheChurch, December 02, 2009
If you read this article, purse your lips, furrow your brow, and shake your head, you are naive. Why be surprised? Why believe that this is an isolated incident? Sexual abuse by clergy is taking place all over America...maybe even in your church. The church has abused their servants-pastors, etc., for years. You did nothing. Now the anger, the rage, the pain is coming out of them-sexually. The church, you=are also responsible for every little boy and little girl that is touched by a minister.
Quit casting your staff away like they are nothing. Quit asking them to quietly resign when you catch them in abuse. You are passing on your problem to someone else. You are abusing the children. ...
written by WoundedbytheChurch, December 02, 2009
Slick:
When you are naive and arrogant enough to say that a 14 year old girl-Christa-was a willing participant you fail to understand the power of authority figures on children, and you fail to understand the laws of the state, and you place the decision for right/wrong/sound judgment on the pubescent child and not on your pastor. Grow up. Get your Bible and your head out of your anus and wake up you pompous, arrogant, pharisee. ooooh...did our little feelings get hurt??
written by Slick, December 02, 2009
The remarks of the previous writer reflect anger and bitterness that does nothing but destroy the bitter and angry person. I have observed before that c. brown has been on a vendetta for some time seeking continued punishment and revenge and doing what she can to get back at the man with whom she was involved.
My original point was to address Bob Allen's journalism. There are far more significant and less bitter people to comment on this tragedy than brown. christa brown’s comments are irrelevant. Being part of a church staff, being ordained, being a preacher does not make these people immune to transgressions. No excuses—they are one hundred percent wrong. They are just as wrong as the thief on the cross, the murderer, the embezzler, the person who sells, illegal drugs, and all those people who disobey God every day. The desire of the previous writer seems to be little more than ‘off with their heads’ rather than a hope for God’s grace to abound and people who have done wrong to be restored to fellowship with Him. The prayer ought to be for all of these who have transgressed to fall on their faces before the Lord and seek his forgiveness and restoration. The last thing I am is a legalistic, fundamentalist Pharisee. Unlike the previous writer, I am a sinner saved by grace. And BTW…I’m would not be surprised to learn that the previous writer is c. brown using a different screen name. I use my name
written by christa, December 02, 2009
Whenever I write, I use my real name. I do it as a conscious, deliberate choice. People may not agree with everything I say, but they can at least know who I am. I'm not hiding. That's more than "Slick" can say.
Literally hundreds of kids have been sexually abused by Southern Baptist ministers. So "WoundedbytheChurch" could be any one of countless other individuals. But it's not me. Slick's distorted view is a dangerous one, but tragically, it's a view that is harbored by far too many among Southern Baptists. An underage, adolescent kid is NEVER a "willing participant" in sexual abuse perpetrated by "men of God" who typically use the kid's own faith as a weapon. Christa Brown www.StopBaptistPredators.org Why the hostility?
written by Glenn, December 02, 2009
Maybe I misread Slick's post, but as I read it, I thought he was expressing a certain sadness about the events in Florida. If there was some defense of the youth minster, I didn't see it. So why the hostility toward what he said?
Okay, it's obvious that he and Christa are never going to agree but the comments by WoundedbytheChurch seem way beyond the pale. And, may I add that there are literally thousands of ministers who have been wounded by their own churches because of selfish, un-Christlike behaviors. Views not dangrous
written by Slick, December 02, 2009
My views on those who transgress are not dangerous unless one believes that correction, restoration, and God's grace are dangerous. There has been abuse of young people by adults--both men and women--from every walk of life. It isn't restricted to the ministry. None of it is right. It is always wrong.
For the bitter, there is no place for God's grace and restoration. These vindictive people want nothing but punishment and eternal damnation for those they choose to condemn. Keeping minister's who have committed acts of abuse out of the church does nothing about the problem---if those ministers are not reformed, they are likely to continue their misbehavior outside the church. Nothing here is helped. The vindictive crowd will respond with some triviality like "well, at least it won't happen in the church." If it happens anywhere, it is wrong and a victim is harmed. Continuing to seek punishment and retribution against the minister, teacher, coach, bus driver, shoe salesman, beauty parlor operator, factory worker (get the point?) is wrong and God cannot be pleased with that. The Bible says pray for one’s enemies—not persecute them. The Christian thing to do is pray for God’s intervention and healing for everyone involved. I’ve never condoned or minimized abuse of young people by adults. I can’t see how one can perceive a hope for restoration, healing, and the power to God’s grace to be dangerous. Maybe we’re reading different Bibles. Mine range NIV to NASB, to NKJ, to the KJV with a few other translations thrown in but they all have the same 66 books and carry the same essential meaning. ...
written by Slick, December 02, 2009
There is no fundamentalism in my comments. Feel free to identify any you claim to be so. Fundamentalists are more often associated with condemnation than restoration...punishment rather than forgiveness. I say restore and forgive those who recognize the error of their ways and intend to follow the Lord and His word. Chuck Colson has done far nore good than evil since his restoration.
...
written by WoundedbytheChurch, December 02, 2009
It appears that the title you gave your post showed not the grace you have stated that "WE" must share with others. You are a hypocrite, a fraud, a judgmental fundamentalist, and an arrogant, assanine twit.
...
written by WoundedbytheChurch, December 02, 2009
SLick, let me take your reasoning point by point, not that you will understand. You will not:
"The remarks of the previous writer reflect anger and bitterness that does nothing but destroy the bitter and angry person." God has given each of us our emotions. Anger is a sense of unfairness and bitterness is a sense that what we have done to resolve issues have been batted down. I am angry. I am bitter. Your anger is evident as well. It is OK to be angry. "I have observed before that c. brown has been on a vendetta for some time seeking continued punishment and revenge and doing what she can to get back at the man with whom she was involved." She was not "involved". She was molested. She was victimized. She was not in a relationship. She was an innocent victim of a powerful amn who took advantage of her to satisfy his addiction. She is to be held harmless in the responsibility of having such a relationship. If you do not get this, there is little hope for you. "My original point was to address Bob Allen's journalism. There are far more significant and less bitter people to comment on this tragedy than brown. christa brown’s comments are irrelevant." Now, is this showing grace as you suggest or judgment and condemnation? "Being part of a church staff, being ordained, being a preacher does not make these people immune to transgressions. No excuses—they are one hundred percent wrong. They are just as wrong as the thief on the cross, the murderer, the embezzler, the person who sells, illegal drugs, and all those people who disobey God every day." Now, it seems you are catching on, but just for a moment. "The desire of the previous writer seems to be little more than ‘off with their heads’ rather than a hope for God’s grace to abound and people who have done wrong to be restored to fellowship with Him. The prayer ought to be for all of these who have transgressed to fall on their faces before the Lord and seek his forgiveness and restoration." So, you have knowledge of my intent? I think not. And, where is the grace you espouse? Do I not deserve a taste of such from you? Hypocrite. "The last thing I am is a legalistic, fundamentalist Pharisee. Unlike the previous writer, I am a sinner saved by grace. And BTW…I’m would not be surprised to learn that the previous writer is c. brown using a different screen name." You are a sinner saved by grace. Good for you. And, why disparage a woman who was so abused? You are continuing the abuse. Leave her alone. ...
written by WoundedbytheChurch, December 02, 2009
Slick..."They should have been able to wait a couple of years if they were in love." This is a case of child molestation, not love. He is a predator that molested a little girl. Little girls are not "love interests." How dare you objectify a little girl that way. Get a job, go to work, get insurance. Get therapy.
Prayer for healing
written by Pastor Dave, December 02, 2009
This is my initial posting to ABP. I have read many heated, emotional discussions here but never one with the harsh and totally un-Christian tone as that expressed by Woundedbythechurch. I am truly sorry for whatever happened to you to engender such anger. If it happened at church, I am especially sorry and will pray for you. You suggested that "Slick" get some therapy. I don't know that he needs it but I would encourage you to seek some Christian counseling to help you deal with your anger. God loves you and doesn't want you to live under the control of such feelings. Turn it over to him. God bless, and I will continue to pray for you.
Restoration?
written by Arce, December 03, 2009
It is a continuing problem that churches and their leaders want to "restore" a child molesting or adulterous member of the staff to a position of ministry in the church after a "confession" and apparent repentance. And to not make the molestation or adultery a permanent part of the offender's record. And to avoid involving the civil and criminal systems. What this leads to is the molestation of additional children or additional adulterous actions.
Both adultery and molestation involving a church staff member usually also involve abuse of the authority a church typically grants to a staff member by virtue of the position. Even the adult person who is involved in an adulterous relationship with a staff member is a victim of the abuse of authority. Churches need to make public the offense, involve the civil and criminal justice systems in resolving the matter, and make sure that there is no attempt to hide the fact of the offense by the offender. Churches need to focus on providing the victims with the resources to seek healing: medical attention, outside counseling by a professional therapist with training and experience in treating victims of molestation, all paid for by the church or by the offender through the church or the government office for victim compensation. Restoration of the offender should not include a return to ministry until after a lengthy period of counseling and study, minimally two years, and only with a very public warning to the congregation and community and with an oversight committee to whom the offender must report weekly regarding their life and any temptations that may arise. Most child molesters are not one-time or one-victim offenders; they repeat, called recidivism. Men who have adulterous relationships come in two kinds: Those who do it once and are so devastated by the experience that they never would do it again; and those we call predators, always seeking the next conquest. The one-timers are candidates for restoration; predators are not! Church as agent of the wounds
written by Arce, December 03, 2009
When churches do not follow the path outlined in my previous post and cover up or quickly restore the offender, they also tend to blame the victim, shun the victim, and thereby compound the harm to the victim. In addition, rapid restoration also results in opportunity to re-offend and create another victim. Both types of victims may come to understand that the church is at fault for at least a part of the damage to them, which can readily result in bitterness toward the church and to those otherwise well-meaning people who have facilitated or participated in their wounding.
Churches also need to repent of the behavior they tend to display toward the victims of clergy sexual abuse, whether child molestation or adulterous predation. restoratin
written by Slick, December 03, 2009
Arce,
Thanks you for your comments. I was unclear in my previous use of the term 'restoration.' I should have said 'restoration of fellowship with the Lord" or something to indicate that it was the offender's position with the Lord with which I had concern--not that he/she be restored to a church position. In general, I don't think sexual offenders should be restored to ministry positions but that's God's call--not mine. There are exceptions. King David did experience God's retribution but more importantly, was restored to fellowship with the Lord and was used for His purposes. Paul was complicit in killing Christians and yet God called and used him for His Kingdom. There surly are exceptions today but it’s up to the Lord to take control of that. Admittedly, there is recidivism among sexual offenders but such is not automatic and does not happen in every case. I think it is wrong for us to permanently and forever condemn a person for a mistake, however grievous. God is in the business of calling people to Himself and everyone of us has sinned and fallen short. I still don’t believe God has a hierarchy of sins with one being worse than another. ...
written by WoundedbytheChurch, December 03, 2009
Well Slick....your tune has changed. Sobered up? Took your mood stabilizer? went to mass? Ha!
Victimization
written by beth_dunc, December 03, 2009
Boy, some of the comments here...
When I read the first line in Slick's first comment, I realized there was a fundamental cluelessness of the power imbalance here. It's not love there, no way. The adult pastor has too much influence over the developing mind of the young girl in his charge for true consent to happen. That's why it was illegal, and abusive. I've seen way too much of this cluelessness of the power imbalance in such cases. When the victim is an adult, I can somewhat understand why people are clueless about it. When it is a child, I do not understand it at all. Pastors are supposed to help shape our children, and they do hold quite a bit of authority. As children, we tend to trust the authority figures, especially pastors. And for a pastor to take advantage of the authority and trust is truly despicable. And the child victims are often left with little or no faith. ...
written by WoundedbytheChurch, December 04, 2009
Beth:
Sad thing is, Slick may be the norm. Sad. Unbelievable. And, he is probably a leader in a church and people listen to him and believe him. He, and those like him are the reason I have not stepped inside a church in twenty years, except for funerals and weddings. Been there, done that. THE TEMPLE OF THE HOLY GHOST
written by Thy Peace, December 05, 2009
"Only in the throne will I be greater than thou." Genesis 41:40
I have to account to God for the way in which I rule my body under His domination. Paul said he did not "frustrate the grace of God" - make it of no effect. The grace of God is absolute, the salvation of Jesus is perfect, it is done for ever. I am not being saved, I am saved; salvation is as eternal as God's throne; the thing for me to do is to work out what God works in. "Work out your own salvation," I am responsible for doing it. It means that I have to manifest in this body the life of the Lord Jesus, not mystically, but really and emphatically. "I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection." Every saint can have his body under absolute control for God. God has made us to have government over all the temple of the Holy Spirit, over imaginations and affections. We are responsible for these, and we must never give way to inordinate affections. Most of us are much sterner with others than we are in regard to ourselves; we make excuses for things in ourselves whilst we condemn in others things to which we are not naturally inclined. "I beseech you," says Paul, "present your bodies a living sacrifice." The point to decide is this - "Do I agree with my Lord and Master that my body shall be His temple?' If so, then for me the whole of the law for the body is summed up in this revelation, that my body is the temple of the Holy Ghost. Source: http://www.myutmost.org/12/1205.html Millstones
written by Thy Peace, December 05, 2009
Matthew 18:5-7
5 And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me. Causing to Stumble 6 "If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in me—to stumble, it would be better for them if a large millstone were hung around their neck and they were drowned in the depths of the sea. 7 Woe to the world because of the things that cause people to stumble! Such things must come, but woe to the person through whom they come! ... written by DEBBIE, December 06, 2009
I appreciate Bob Allen reporting on this issue. A problem cannot be fixed until it is identified and as such he is doing a good thing.
It is wrong to say that one is being vengeful for wanting changes to take place to protect children. I am sorry for Slick. I am wondering why you defend the abuser and have so little concern for the victims and future victims. It is hard for one to want to trust a person when he refuses to identify himself and to know he is on staff at a church is more alarming. Christa Brown is trying to bring about changes to protect children. Being soft spoken on this issue has not worked in the past, so it requires a stronger voice, because our children are worth it. “Church by the Glades joins a number of high-profile Southern Baptist churches to be marred by sex scandals in recent years. In 2008-2009 the SBC Executive Committee studied the feasibility of establishing an independent review board to receive and review complaints of clergy sexual abuse. In the end convention leaders recommended against such a body, saying that Baptist church governance does not allow the denomination to intervene in affairs of a local congregation. “ I do not understand how the SBC can make that comment when they quickly kicked a church out for having homosexuals in the congregation and in their directory, but allowing a minister who has raped a child to remain in the ministry they can do nothing about is just plain wrong. It is scaring to hear how many religious leaders come to defend and want to restore a child molester to the ministry and nothing to help the victims or protect future victims. To forgive is one thing – to put that person back in a position to hurt children is just wrong. I suggest that no one try to use the Bible as an excuse for putting such men back in the ministry because the Bible states otherwise. The ministry and the church are hurt more by those who misuse the Bible in this way and for trying to blame the victims. This is a very hard time of year for me. I know that the minister who raped me is still in the ministry and that he takes a group of young people on a trip every year in December. I fear for someone else to be hurt like me and have no one hear their cries It hurt to have to tell my daughter the truth about her father who is a pastor of a Baptist Church who not only raped me but threaten me. I do not want vengeance – I just cannot stand the thought that I said nothing because I was told that it would hurt the church for me to tell and that by my silence he would be in a position to hurt other children. I hope that people will look at this issue and find a way to help prevent such abuse in our churches. I hope I live long enough to see change. So many people have said things will not change, but I still hold hope even with the hurt it brings me. Thanks to all who have listen and tried to bring about changes For the others, I will leave that to God Readers alone are responsible for the content of the comments they post here. The comments are subject to the site’s terms and conditions of use and do not necessarily reflect the opinion or approval of the ABP News. Readers whose comments violate the terms of use may have their comments removed or all of their content blocked from viewing by other users without notification.
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God will forgive the sin if these people will seek His forgiveness and restortation and I hope they do.
What is hard for me to figure is why Bob Allen runs to a general nobody like christa brown from a comment. There are other people more qualified to comment that one who harbors continued bitterness over a situation years ago in which she was admitedly something of a willing participant.
May God restore these people, this church, and touch us all to be more Christlike in the way we conduct ourselves.