Dr. Robert A. Morey,
It is with great regret
and sadness that I address this open letter to you. Though I was willing to
meet with you and the Board of Faith Community Church regarding your public attack
upon my character you were unwilling. As you have unfortunately made what
should have been a private issue public, I am bound by Scripture to respond to
you publicly.
"In one passage Paul gives special directives concerning
the discipline of church elders:
"Do not receive an accusation against an elder
except on the basis of two or three witnesses. Those who continue in sin,
rebuke in the presence of all, so that the rest also will be fearful of
sinning." 1 Timothy 5:19-20
Paul here gives us special caution to protect
elders from individual attacks: action regarding wrongdoing in this case should
require the evidence of two or three witnesses. "Those who persist in sin" are
to be rebuked "in the presence of all." This is because the bad example of
wrongful conduct by elders will very likely have a widespread negative effect
on others who see their lives. Then Paul reminds Timothy to do "nothing from
partiality" in this situation, a very helpful warning, since Timothy was
probably a close friend to many of the elders in the church at
Paul's command to rebuke a sitting elder publicly
means that some statement of the nature of the offense must be made to the
church ("rebuke them in the presence of all," v. 20). On the other hand, not
every detail of the sin has to be disclosed to the church. A helpful guideline
is that the church should be told enough that (1) they will understand how
serious the offense was, (2) they will be able to understand and support the
discipline process, and (3) they will not subsequently feel the sin was
minimized or covered up if more details somehow leak out later.
Such a public disclosure of the sin of a leader
will signal to the congregation that the elders of the church will not hide
such matters from them in the future. This will also increase the confidence of
the church in the integrity of the leadership board. It will also allow the
sinning leader to begin the gradual process of rebuilding relationships and
trust with the congregation, because he will not have to deal with people who
have a hundred different speculations about what his sin was, but with people
who know the specific sin, and can see the genuine repentance and change
regarding that area of sin in his life.
What about the serious sins of people who are not
church leaders? Scripture gives no command to disclose publicly the sins of
people who are ordinary members but not recognized leaders in the church.
Leaders, however, are treated differently because their lives are to be "above
reproach" (1
Let me be clear from the
outset of this open letter that I am seeking your public repentance for the
following things:
The sins I have listed
above are grave and serious, especially considering your position as an elder
and the fact that you have violated your own teachings which you have repeatedly
asserted, and proved to be in accordance with God's word. In light of this I am
providing all of the documentation necessary to demonstrate that you have in
fact publicly committed the sins I have listed above. My firm hope is that you
will repent so that we can be reconciled and that the saints will have cause to
fear God. You are a great man of God and your behavior towards me has brought
shame to your ministry and integrity. Please see this as an opportunity to
practice what you preach so that any tarnish of your integrity may be wiped
away from the minds of God's people.
As I look back at the
timeline and the turn of events that have occurred over the past month I am
shocked and bewildered at how things have transpired. On January 4th
2007 you wrote the following in response to my official resignation:
Dear
Given
the extreme financial crisis that the ministry is presently going through, it
was with great sorrow that I informed all the staff that we would have to lay
off more staff members once my equity loan is exhausted. I suggested that any
staff member who could take a job elsewhere and lessen the expenses of the
ministry until the building be sold would be deeply appreciated for sacrifcing (sic) for the ministry in its hour of need.
We will pray that God provides good employment for you and the other staff
members who are seeking work elsewhere at this time. You are to be commended
for "seeking first the
Jude
3,
Dr.
Bob Morey
You wrote this a mere 10 days before
publicly accusing me of trying to split FCC on the 14th of January
2007. For the majority of these 10 days you were on a well deserved vacation in
On January 14, 2007 in the
presence of many witnesses you publicly testified that I was not involved in
any "moral or doctrinal apostasy." That you would make such a statement is
curious considering the fact that you immediately afterwards accused me of
actively attempting to split FCC by drawing away members to attend another
church. Since you have preached on numerous occasions against the sin of schism
how can you say out of one side of your mouth that I am not involved in any
moral apostasy and then out of the other side of your mouth accuse me of moral
apostasy? Why was I not confronted by you personally regarding your belief that
I was trying to split your church before you publicly accused me of doing so?
The last time I spoke with you, you offered nothing but your willingness to
help me.
On January 15, 2007, the
day after you publicly accused me of trying to split FCC, you wrote the
following to me:
"You called me as I was at the airport- no place
to discuss things- I told you that you were not ordained as a pastor or elder,
I tired to get you to see that you were not ready to pastor your own church.
But once I got back I found that you were trying to split FC and steal sheep to
make up your church!"
First of all,
you said that ordaining me as an elder was "only a matter of a ceremony."
Secondly, you did no such thing as trying to get me to see that I was not ready
to pastor but instead listed the difficulties associated with such an
undertaking (which is to be expected when undertaking any worthy task).
How did you
come to "find" that I was trying to split FCC and steal sheep to make up my own
church? Who are the witnesses to my doing this? When we last spoke on 1/12/07 I
made it very clear to you that I had not contacted anyone from FCC to let them
know that I had been asked to start Christ Church Highland. To this day I still
have not contacted anyone and told them to leave FCC. In fact, none of the
people of Christ Church Highland can stand up and honestly say that I asked or
told them to leave FCC; they have left willingly of their own initiative and
accord. I would be more than willing to stand in front of FCC and call for
anyone who is willing to say that I contacted them and told them to leave FCC
and come to Christ Church Highland. You have accused me of trying "steal sheep"
from FCC. If you are so convinced that I committed this sin it should be no
problem for you whatsoever to produce witnesses whom I contacted prior to, and
after, January 14, 2007 and asked to leave FCC.
Regarding your
assertion that you did not ordain me I have attached a photocopy of my
certificate of license to preach the Gospel, which was signed by you
personally, as well as photographs of the ceremony which you were more than
willing to call an ordination at the time. You have claimed to have the video
of the ordination ceremony. Please release it. Christ Church Highland will
gladly pay for the duplication and release of the complete and unedited video
of the ordination ceremony. If this video supports your case then there is
nothing to hide. You know, as well as I and those ordained with me do, that you
swore us to keep the same commands that Paul charged
On January 15,
2007 you wrote:
"People have reported to me things you have said
that have shocked and sickened me. I feel betrayed. That you would tell people
that there is no biblical basis for me to have an assistant, or that I fired
you because you wanted to provide for your family, or that FCC should cut CBUS
before it fired "pastors," etc. have made me ill. How could you say
these things?"
I am truly
sorry that "people" have reported things to you that have "shocked and
sickened" you. What I am even sorrier about is the apparent fact that "people"
have reported things to you, that have "shocked and sickened" you, that are
wholly untrue. I have asked before and I will ask again, what "people?" We last
spoke on the 12th of January 2007 while you were on your way back to
On January 15,
2007 you wrote:
"What is the real shame is that none of this was
necessary. As I said at the staff meeting, IF we
do not get the trip money and IF the tax refund does not come by
March, THEN
we will be in trouble because I will be out of money. In March we
would have to do things to reduce the expenses.
Clark, when I got back, I heard that the trip
money was received Friday. The rest will come in thirty days. Half of the tax
money came in as well. THIS MEANS THAT THE CRISIS WILL NOT HAPPEN IN MARCH. But
you jumped to the wrong conclusion, panicked, and made some bad decisions based
on fear. The crisis has been averted. You could have continued as my
assistant."
I agree with
you wholeheartedly that none of this was necessary. The only reason people in
FCC know that I was asked to start Christ Church
I have as my
witnesses the entire staff (as well as your email response to my letter of
resignation quoted above) that I was told along with the rest of the staff that
if "your family depends upon Faith Defenders for a paycheck then you need to
look for work elsewhere." Tom Maxham emphasized this point to the staff
himself. I was later told on the same day by Cindy Ortiz that "if I found
another job I should accept it." I have a new house, a pregnant wife, and two
little boys that depend upon me to provide for them. I am bound by the blood of
Christ Himself to consider my family before any ministry obligations I may
have. Given the uncertain future of Faith Defenders I simply could no longer
depend that I would be able to provide for my family as an employee of Faith
Defenders Inc. I resigned from Faith Defenders (a decision that was commended
by you in writing) not knowing that I would be asked to pastor Christ Church
Highland. Am I to be held at fault merely because people that live near me want
me to teach them everything that you taught me? I honestly thought you would be
glad that Reformed teaching would be spreading to an area that is completely
bereft of it. I certainly did not expect to be publicly accused of the
egregious sins that you have accused me of, especially without any warning or
attempts to dissuade me from what I have been accused of.
"Clark, when I got back, I heard that the trip
money was received Friday. The rest will come in thirty days. Half of the tax
money came in as well. THIS MEANS THAT THE CRISIS WILL NOT HAPPEN IN MARCH. But
you jumped to the wrong conclusion, panicked, and made some bad decisions based
on fear. The crisis has been averted. You could have continued as my
assistant."
First off, let
me say that I hope the people of FCC have been told that there is no longer any
impending financial crisis in March, 2007 and that they no longer need to give
above and beyond what they already have been giving above and beyond.
I fail to see
how I jumped to the wrong conclusion given that I was told that I needed to
start looking for work elsewhere. What other conclusion should I have come to?
Through prayer I came to the conclusion that I could no longer entrust my
family's livelihood to the future success of Faith Defenders. It was simply
time for me to move on, having lost my confidence in the organization's leadership.
But all of
this is beside the point. If I am guilty of the evil of schism and have
confessed to you and Tom Maxham some "serious sin" that precludes me from
ministering, how in the world could I still have possibly been able to
"continue as your assistant?" Once again you have contradicted yourself.
According to you I am not guilty of any moral or doctrinal apostasy yet I have
apparently been on a crusade to "steal sheep." According to you I have
confessed to some "serious sin" in counseling with both you and Tom Maxham, yet
I still could have "continued as your assistant." How is it possible for all of
these propositions to be true? How can I be the schismatic and "serious" sinner
that you have accused me of being and yet still somehow be qualified to have
continued as your assistant? If I am so unqualified to pastor, as you have
said, why did you let me preach, teach, and counsel in your place? Why did your
own people refer to me as their pastor? Why would you expose your people to
such a dangerous person as you have painted me to be?
On January 16,
2007 you wrote:
"On
the basis of Tit. 3:10, I am bound by the Word of God to officially refrain
from any further contact with you. It is better for both of us to go our
different ways before we destroy any hope of future friendship. In this light I
am no longer going to meet with you, take your phone calls or response to
letters or emails. The issue is
over."
So on the 15th of January 2007
you were willing to meet with me but on the 16th you accuse me of being
a heretic and refuse any further contact. Your assertion that Titus 3:10 refers
to any kind of divisive person is incorrect (made in writing to Chase Richardson). I
offer the following documentation as proof that Paul was referring to those who
are divisive through heretical doctrines. Again, how can I not be guilty of any
moral or doctrinal apostasy and yet have Titus 3:10 applied to me by you? And
what is more, how dare you twist the Scriptures to justify your actions?
"But
because, after all, there will be heresies
and heretics in the church, the
apostle next directs Titus what to do in such a case, and how to deal with
such, v.10. He who forsakes the truth as it is in Christ Jesus, who
broaches false doctrines and propagates them to the corrupting of the faith in
weighty and momentous points, and breaks the peace of the church about them,
after due means used to reclaim him, must be rejected." Matthew Henry's
Commentary on Titus 3:10.
"For Paul as well the Church there is no Jewish airesis rather he uses the word twice in an emphatically derogatory manner: in 1 Cor. 11:18 f. parallel to schemata to mean dissensions, division, and in Galatians 5:20 in a vice list ("works of the flesh") along with "plots" (eritheiaia, RSV "selfishness") and "divisions" (dixostasiai, RSV "dissension"). For Paul, then, aireseis are dissensions based on false teachings which threaten the church's unity.
The
meaning that aireseis had later
in the church, heretical groups, sects (cf. Ign. Eph.
6:2; Trall. 6:1; Mart. Pol.,
Epilogous alious; Justin apol. i.26 33, etc.), appears in 2 Peter 2:1, where the
false prophets are said to lead into destruction through false teaching. The airetikos anthropos of Titus
3:10 is, therefore, the heretic who has turned aside from "true doctrine". -
Exegetical Dictionary of the New Testament, Volume 1, edited by Horst, Balz, and Gerhard Schneider, pg. 40
"Calvin
says, "By heretics he does not mean only those who embrace and defend known
error or some pernicious doctrine, but in general those who do not assent to
the sound teaching which he has just layed down." A
speed reader may find some difficulty in understanding what Calvin means, for
the two parts of his sentence seem to say much the same thing. True, the two
parts overlap; but it appears that the first part appears to denials of major
doctrines - denials so fundamental that hardly anyone could think them
unimportant - and that the second part indicates matters that most people would
consider of less importance. Calvin's definition or description does not
include the idea of factions or schisms, as Calvin himself notes; but the
factions are formed on the basis of false doctrine.
The
adjective airetikos occurs
just this once in the New Testament. The noun occurs nine times. In Acts 5:17
it is translated as "the sect of the Sadducees." However factious the Sadducees
may have been, they were united on theological and political principles. Acts 15:5
refers to the sect of the Pharisees, about whom the same can be said. Acts 24:5
speaks about the sect of the Nazarenes, that is, the Christians. The context
here is Tertullius' accusation against Paul before
Felix. In reply (Acts 24:14) Paul says, "After the way which they call heresy,
so I worship the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in
the law and in the prophets." Clearly this usage is strictly theological. The
Christians, from Tertullius' point of view, were no
doubt a faction, but obviously based on substantial theology. Acts 26:5 and
28:22 add nothing further. In 1 Corinthians 1:10 the theological sense may not
be absent, though it is not prominent. The context in Galatians 5:20 has to do
with various forms of immorality. 2 Peter 2:1 is unmistakably theological:
false teachers, false prophets, damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that
bought them. Finally, the adjective in the present passage refers to doctrine
more than to immorality or factiousness. It was genealogies and disputes about
the Law. Heresy, therefore, is theological deviation." - The Works of Gordon
Haddon Clark, Volume 15, The Pastoral Epistles. Pgs. 172 & 173.
Paul
speaks about a "heretical person." Originally, the word
"heresy" (airesis) simply meant "that
which one chooses for himself", "an opinion". This meaning gave rise to
another, namely, "a set of persons professing certain definite principles or
opinions," hence a school or party; for example, the "party of the Saducees" (Acts 5:17), and "the party of the Pharisees"
(Acts 15:5; cf. 26:5).
While
in certain contexts this neutral meaning persisted for awhile, the term began
to be used also in an unfavorable sense. Cf. our English word faction. In that
sense there were factions in
Accordingly,
a factious person is here a person who without justification creates division.
In light of the context it is probable that the rendering "a heretic" is not
far off. At any rate, the word is moving in that direction. The factious person
of whom the apostle is thinking has accepted the sinister philosophy of the Creatan errorists who specialize
in foolish inquiries and law-skirmishes (see on verse 9). As has become clear,
their error touched both doctrine and life, as is usually the case. It is true, of course, that the term as here used need not be
restricted to a particular type of fanatic. Every factious person stands
condemned here. ... Such a person is not living and seeing straight. He is
mentally and morally turned or twisted ... He is actually living in sin." - The
New Testament Commentary, pgs. 395 & 396, by William Hendriksen and Simon J. Kistemaker.
"An heretical man, airetikon anthropon, hoereticus; whoever, by his own forwardness, breaks up the
unity of the church (comp. 1 Corinthians 11:19; Galatians 5:20; Romans 16:17),
especially by propogating errors which conflict with
the orthodoxy of sound Apostolic doctrine." - Lange's Commentary on the Holy
Scriptures, volume 10, page 21.
You have quoted Acts 20 in reference to
your dealings with me (see attached email from the 15th, January
2007). Again I have to ask how in the world you can say that I am not guilty of
any moral or doctrinal apostasy and then justify your treatment of me on the
basis of Paul's admonition to the Ephesians to beware of savage wolves? Below I
have listed the documentation that demonstrates the proper interpretation of
Acts 20. If, as you said publicly, that I am not involved in any moral or
doctrinal apostasy then there is no possible way that this passage can apply to
me. Thus, your use of it and Titus 3:10 as justification for your cutting off
all contact with me is invalid and unbiblical. To be
honest, I never thought I would see the day that you would twist Scripture to
your own ends. You of all people know how serious a matter it is to misapply
what God has revealed.
"Be
on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has
made you overseers, to shepherd the
"Of
whom was the apostle thinking? First of all, of the Judaizers
as his letter which was not long before this time written to the Galatians
makes rather certain. But he does not attempt to specify, errorists
of other types will also appear. In his later letters, he deals with various
kinds of them. Not a little debate has centered about these "wolves" mentioned
in Matthew 7:15 and here in Paul's address. The point debated is whether errorists are to be included. This has been denied, and we
were told that wolves are men who deny Christianity in toto.
But these men are not really dangerous; even a simple Christian recognizes them
for what they are. And what about the sheep's clothing? Now the fact is, every
false doctrine rends and tears to the degree that it is false. It is most
destructive when it parades as the true teaching of Christ or of his apostles.
When Paul speaks of men arising in the church
itself who speak twisted, distorted, perverted things, diestramnena (perfect
participle from diastrepho, "having
been and thus still being perverted"), let us not think that these are not
wolves. Paul merely drops the figure. Men that bring in
destructive doctrine from other churches are bad enough, but still worse are
men that arise in one's own church and teach such doctrines, and the worst are
false preachers and pastors. This is not an anti-climax but a climax. The name
used for the perverters in verse 30 cannot be milder
than that employed in reference to those in verse 29. The wolves spare not the
flock, they destroy souls; but these others actually divide the church by
drawing poor, deluded disciples after them. They cause great schisms and
sects." - The Interpretation of the Acts of the Apostles, by R.C.H. Lenski, pgs. 851 & 852.
"Wolves
are predators that attack the flock and slaughter many of the sheep (compare
Matthew 7:15; 10:16; John 10:12).
"Savage wolves." The
metaphor of wolves attacking the flock is a portrayal of false teachers who
enter the church to deceive the members and lead them away from the faith. Both
Peter and Jude oppose false teachers and scoffers who have furtively slipped
into the church and led the people astray. For instance, these teachers deny
the return of Christ, despise authority, reject Jesus Christ, repudiate
Christian conduct, and live in immorality (see, e.g., 2 Peter 2; Jude 4-19).
"Even from among your number." Not only
do false teachers slip in among the members of the church (compare Jude 4), but
even within the church the danger of heresy is real (see 1 John 2:18-19). Some
people in the church become false prophets, who at times disguise themselves as
angels of light (2 Corinthians 11:14). They purposefully strive to draw
believers away from the truth of the gospel." - New Testament Commentary, Acts,
by Simon J. Kistemaker, pgs. 733
& 734.
"The
enemies to whom the apostle's warning refers, are described, on the one hand,
as ravening wolves, that is, as men who are obviously seducers and murderers of
souls, and, on the other, as false brethren who arise in the church itself, and
who, with specious words, teach false and dangerous doctrines. The apostle
earnestly warns his hearers against both of these classes of men. The former
may be easily recognized; the latter are more insidious and more dangerous
enemies." - Lange's Commentary on the Holy Scriptures, Volume 9, pg. 880.
Dr. Morey, in the presence of hundreds of
witnesses you publicly testified that I was not involved in any moral or
doctrinal apostasy. How then, given the proper interpretation of the passages
listed above that you have used in reference to me, can you explain accusing me
of such great sins? Either you were lying when you said that I was not guilty
of any apostasy or you are sinfully applying the above scriptures to me.
In an email to Dustin Hoffman on January
17, 2007 you wrote the following things:
"Dustin, they are
calling people day and night trying to steal as many FCC people as they
can. Ask them if they are calling people. If they deny that they are doing so,
then they are lying to you. If they admit they are calling people, then
they are guilty of schism.
Dustin, do you really think hate, gossip, and
slander is a good foundation for a new
church? Shouldn't love be the foundation? If you become
involved in starting a "church" that is based on the sins
of gossip and slander, it will not last.
If you have any love of Christ and his church, put
a stop to Clark's and Lewis' gossip and slander phone campaign."
Dr. Bob, here
we again have evidence that you have slandered me and accused me of actively
seeking to spread gossip and slander among the saints. Prove it. If I have
waged a day and night phone campaign trying to "steal as many FCC people" as I
can it should be very easy for you to produce witnesses that will testify to
this. The fact of the matter, Dr. Morey, is that it is you who are guilty of
spreading gossip and slander and you need to repent. I am still more than
willing to meet with you and the Board and anyone who is willing to claim that
I contacted them and asked them to leave FCC. I have nothing to hide because I
am not guilty of any of the things you have accused me of. The only person who
has split FCC is you through your needless and groundless public accusations
against me.
Christ Church
Highland has not been founded upon "the sins of gossip and slander." We seek
only to minister God's word to God's people. Gossip and slander have no place
in any church, new or old, which is one of the reasons I am writing this open
letter. You have stained your legacy and caused God's people to sin by
listening to your public gossip and slander. For the sake of Christ and the
peace of FCC please repent.
You also wrote
in your January 17, 2007 letter to Dustin Hoffman:
"Lastly, put yourself in my shoes. Do
I know things about
Did these personal failures in his
life force me to require him to go to Tom for counseling? Yes.
But would I be breaking pastoral
confidentiality if I revealed them to you? Yes. Thus I cannot reveal to you or
anyone what
While it is true that
Things said to me in private as his pastor will go
with me to the grave. I know that
Dr. Morey I
cannot believe that you have sunk to such sleazy tactics as the ones used
above. I am well acquainted with the qualifications listed in the Pastoral
Epistles and I am not aware of being in violation of any of those
qualifications. For you to publicly claim that I am involved in some serious
personal failure (even one you won't directly mention) confessed to you in
counseling is despicable. When was I ever in counseling with you or Tom Maxham?
When were my appointments? Where is the signed confidentiality statement that
all counselees have to sign? Where are Tom's records of my having been in
counseling with him? I have counseled many people from FCC along with Tom and
am well aware of the copious notes he takes during counseling. For you to make
such public insinuations is reprehensible Dr. Morey. Is this the level of
integrity and "honor" that all the counselees can expect from FCC?
I am not aware
of having violated any confidentiality agreement. What private business of
Faith Defenders have I made public? Once again you are the one doing all the
attacking and gossip. I have reread the agreement that I have signed and have
failed to find one point that I have violated. Dr. Morey please stop saying
things about me that are untrue.
"I know that
If you claim
to be a man of honor then do what is right and repent of your public sins. Only
then will I ever again consider you someone of honor and integrity. You claim
that I have attacked you but it is you who has done all the attacking. Find one
person that can bear witness to my calling them and saying anything remotely
close to the ugly things you have accused me of. This brings me once again to
ask how you could possibly say from the pulpit that I am "not involved in any
moral or doctrinal apostasy" and yet say that you know things about me that
"would empty" Christ Church Highland. Which is it Dr. Bob, both propositions
cannot be true?
On Wednesday,
January 17, 2007 you wrote the following about me to the
"4. Having ordained and
sent himself, he has decided to build his church by stealing sheep from another
pastor's flock. Instead of winning the lost, he has spent his time stealing
people from FCC. He should have concentrated on converting goats instead of
rustling sheep!
5. How has he managed to
steal sheep from FCC? By showing more love for Christ and preaching the Gospel?
No, by spreading hate, gossip, slander, and anger.
6. Since he and his
stooges are slandering me and the staff in order to build their church, have
they found any moral or doctrinal issues to point to? Not that we have heard
of."
Your accusations that I have ordained and sent myself are almost
humorous. When did I ever claim to have ordained or sent myself? You know very
well that you ordained me as a minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ through
the laying on of hands, and that you swore me to keep the same commands Paul
charged
Having been in attendance at FCC's first service I did not see a
congregation made up of people that you had converted. Instead I saw people who
had been previously attending other churches. Does this mean that you split
those churches because you did not start FCC with your own converts? Were you
"sent" to
Once again the above quotation provides yet another witness to
your accusing me of trying to "steal sheep" and waging a campaign of "hate,
gossip, slander, and anger." Again, I plead with you to repent of such sinful
behavior. You know that there are no witnesses against me of my having called
or contacted anyone in an attempt to slander you and take them away from FCC.
Please come to your senses, with all the trials the ministry is going under you
don't need the pressure and guilt of having acted so recklessly.
Also, please stop accusing me of having slandered your staff. Once
again, where are the witnesses to my having done so? This controversy is
between you and me. Unfortunately you have foolishly made this a public controversy.
Please do not make this any worse than it is by dragging the staff of Faith
Defenders into this, I have nothing personal against any of them. In fact I am
deeply saddened that I have been cut off from many on the staff who I
considered personal friends. Why trouble them with baseless accusations
especially when they have the stress of possibly loosing their jobs to contend
with?
You have "not heard of" any moral or doctrinal problems regarding
you or the staff because I have not (until this letter) accused you or your
staff of moral or doctrinal problems. However, in light of your repeated public
slander of my character I am now forced to claim that you, Dr. Morey, have
seriously fallen short of God's word. You have revealed a serious flaw in your
character that must be dealt with. How unfortunate it is that you have made
your sins publicly evident. I am however convinced that great good can still
come from this and that you and FCC can be greatly strengthened through your
public repentance which will provide all of FCC with great cause to fear God.
You go on to write in your letter to the
"7. What accusations are
they spreading? Groundless and silly accusations! The following is an imaginary
conversation.
Gossiper: Hi! I am
calling to tell you not to go to FCC but to come and join us at
FCC: Why should I leave
FCC and move over to his church?
Gossiper: Dr. Bob secretly
sold the church and has millions of dollars in a hidden account! He is a thief!
FCC: Do you have any
proof that the building has been sold? Wouldn't the new owners move in? Have
you asked the real estate agent if the building has been sold?
Gossiper: I don't need
proof. I refuse to call Dr. Bob or the real estate agent. They are all liars.
FCC: The Bible tells me
not to listen to any accusations against my pastor unless they are based on the
Bible and there are two or three eyewitnesses to confirm it. Do you have two or
three witnesses to verify that he has sold the building?
Gossiper: You are being
silly.
FCC: I think I am going
to call Cindy.
Gossiper: No! Cindy is a
wicked woman. Tom is a fool. April and James are behind it all. And as for Joe,
TJ, Tim, Susie etc., they are all evil people.
FCC: I am sorry but I
will not listen to such stupid accusations. You do not have two or three witnesses.
You have not given me a single verse from the Bible. Get thee behind me, Satan!
As I will point out this
Sunday, this is the same old stupid satanic device used last year. Those who
are dumb enough to believe that I have sold the building or some other stupid
accusation and refuse to call the staff to ask for the truth, deserve to go
with Clark, who is a self-ordained "pastor" with a so-called "church" based
upon hatred, gossip, slander and lies. It will not last long. I feel sorry for
those deceived by him."
I seriously mean no disrespect when I say this but, are you
alright Dr. Morey? Are you suffering from some kind of illness that has caused
you to do and say things that you would otherwise not do or say? Is it possible
that the stress of losing your building and ministry has gotten to you? Who on
earth told you something so stupid that I have claimed you had sold the
building and were hiding the funds? Did you really think people would believe
that I had said such obviously ridiculous things? My guess is that this is
merely a straw man invented by you to cover up your obviously incorrect
dealings with me. If you paint me as having made such foolish claims then it
draws people's attention away from questioning you regarding your claims that I
have tried to split FCC. Yet once more I must ask for the witnesses who have
apparently made such ridiculous accusations against me.
Here again you pit me in the position of having slandered my
former co-workers. Again, I ask you to please stop saying things about me that
are not true. Your staff is loyal and does not need to believe that I am their
enemy in order for them to remain loyal to you.
In your "Pastoral Letter" addressed to FCC you wrote the
following:
"It is not unto edification as well as forbidden by Scripture to engage
in pointless arguments (2 Tim. 2:24). I am too old to play the "He said / She
said" game. Person A tells you that Person B said such and such to him. If you
foolishly play the game, you will go to Person B and ask him if he said that to
A. B will say that he never said it. You run back to A, and he calls B a liar.
Then you run back to B and he says that A is a liar. You end up chasing your
tail like a dog."
Please stop trying to
paint this as a "he said/she said" issue. Dr. Morey, you wrongly made this a
public issue through your repeated public attacks upon my character. I have
provided with this letter all the documentation necessary to provide the proof,
and the necessary two or three witnesses needed to make an accusation against
an elder. This controversy is not about what was said privately but about what
you said publicly, thus giving me every right to call for your public
repentance. For you to hide behind 2
You go on to write in
your "Pastoral Letter:"
"The Scripture also
teaches that any accusation claiming that sin has taken place must concern a
biblically defined sin. Accusations that are based on your own feelings or
ideas mean nothing. If you accuse someone of committing a sin, you had better
have a chapter and verse in the Bible that says it is a sin!"
I
have provided in great detail the documentation necessary that you have accused
me of great sins. To accuse someone publicly without witnesses to the sins of
church splitting, spreading gossip, slander, hate, and anger is sinful
according to the following Scriptures:
Exodus 20:16 "You shall not bear false witness against your
neighbor.
Proverbs 10:18 He who conceals hatred has lying lips, And he who spreads slander
is a fool.
Colossians 3:8 But now you also, put them all aside: anger, wrath,
malice, slander, and abusive speech
from your mouth.
Proverbs 6:16-19
There are
six things which the LORD hates, Yes, seven which are an abomination to
Him: 17 Haughty eyes, a lying
tongue, And hands that shed innocent blood, 18 A heart that devises wicked plans, Feet that run rapidly
to evil, 19 A false witness who utters lies, And one who spreads
strife among brothers.
Proverbs 16:28 A perverse man spreads strife, And
a slanderer separates intimate friends.
1 Peter 3:10 For, "THE ONE WHO DESIRES LIFE, TO LOVE AND SEE
GOOD DAYS, MUST KEEP HIS TONGUE FROM EVIL AND HIS LIPS FROM SPEAKING DECEIT.
James 1:26 If anyone thinks himself to be religious, and yet does
not bridle his tongue but deceives his own
heart, this man's religion is worthless.
Proverbs 12:17 He who speaks truth tells what is right, But a false witness,
deceit.
Psalm
15:1-3 A Psalm of David.
O LORD, who may abide in Your tent? Who may dwell on Your holy hill? 2
He who walks with integrity, and works righteousness, And
speaks truth in his heart. 3
He does not slander with his tongue, Nor does evil to
his neighbor, Nor takes up a reproach against his friend;
So
because of your own words and the above Scriptures I am now writing this letter
confronting you and asking for your repentance. You have accused me of serious
sins and have refused all requests for you to provide witnesses or answer for
what you have said. You have no right to make such public accusations and then
refuse my attempts to question you or your supposed witnesses. In doing so you
have abused the power and authority given to you by God and have behaved as a
spiritual despot whose words are above being questioned. Dr. Morey, please stop
acting like a pope and act like the humble preacher I've known you to be.
You
go further in your "Pastoral Letter" by saying:
"What facts can we all
agree upon?
1)
2)
Last year, James
Mulroney,
You
are presumptuous to list the above as "facts we can all agree on." I dispute
your alleged "facts" by the following points (I am not answering your "facts"
in the same order in which you list them):
On
February 8, 2007 FCC Board Member Mark Ziebold wrote to Dustin Hoffman:
"Dustin,
I am just about to run into a meeting, so I don't know when I will be able to
call as I have a work event this evening. The short answer to your
question in the voicemail is that I did get names, but I do not know which
allegations are matched with what name. I am still trying to connect the
two and find out if anyone has a problem with disclosing this to people who ask
(they shouldn't if they are making the allegation, but I haven't talked to any
of these individuals about this). Just for your information, I was given
4 names so it isn't like everything is happening based on one person's
account. I'll see what else I can track down for you as well and I'll be
in touch.
Mark"
So apparently Mark was
given 4 names that were supposed witnesses against me of the various sins I
have been accused of by you, Dr. Morey. Upon contacting Mark I was told that he
was not at liberty to reveal to me who these four people are.
In a follow up email to
Dustin Hoffman, FCC Board member Mark Ziebold wrote the following:
"Thanks for your understanding. As I found
out, the list of people were not necessarily witnesses against Clark, but they
were involved in the situation as either hearing something that was said or
that they were called. As I asked further questions it became apparent
that none of them were contacted by Clark, and I believe that the two non staff
members, or at least one of the non-staff members on that list, were contacted
by another individual that we already have spoke of who may have just said some
incorrect or unfortunate things--I never received clarification on this
point.
Based on this (that they are not giving any public testimony and they are not
saying that Clark contacted them), I don't feel that they are really a part of
this issue anymore and I am not going to give them out as I feel that the group
was mislabelled or the person who wrote that email meant something different
that I misinterpreted."
So upon further
examination we find that the four names given as witnesses are in fact witnesses
of nothing that I have been so egregiously accused of. The reason for this is
simple; I have not committed what you so publicly have accused me of Dr. Morey.
As I close this letter I
would like to once again focus the reader's attention to the timeline of this
unfortunate controversy.
Over the course of twelve
days you brought upon me the most significant trial I have ever had to endure.
You were my beloved mentor and spiritual father, yet in the space of a few days
you viciously attacked me in public; all without warning, without pleading with
me to repent of what you supposed me guilty of, or ever providing any
witnesses, or allowing me to examine any of my supposed accusers. Those in FCC
who I considered close personal friends no longer return my calls despite my
telling them that I have no interest in splitting FCC or wish them to leave
FCC.
When
you were publicly attacked on air by Hank Hanegraff
or by Living by the Word Ministries you demanded that you meet your accusers.
Yet you deny me the ability to follow the example you set for me. I plead with
you to please repent so that we can be reconciled. You don't have to support me
or Christ Church Highland, but you cannot possibly allow yourself to continue
in the sins you have committed against me.
This
open letter has been addressed to those saints who, on their own initiative,
have contacted me during this trial and offered their support and prayers. I
have also sent this to the staff of Faith Defenders Inc. and the Board and
Deacons of FCC as these people are the closest thing to being able to hold you
truly accountable for your actions. May God grant us grace.
Giving
Thanks in All Things,
Clark
Christian Gallagher
Pastor,
Christ Church Highland