Men occasionally stumble over the truth, but most of them pick themselves up and hurry off as if nothing had happened. ~Winston Churchill
He said, she said… Recently, we updated our readers on KingsWay Community Church in our post entitled “Peacemakers and Sovereign Grace Ministries – Can There Be Peace Without Repentance?”
Several anonymous commenters hounded us about whether Gene Emerson, senior pastor of KingsWay, lied at a Family Meeting held in 2001. What exactly was said at that infamous meeting?
After being challenged to provide “proof” of our charge against Gene Emerson, we received an UNSOLICITED e-mail that absolutely stunned us! An individual who was present at that 2001 Family Meeting wanted us to know EXACTLY what had been spoken. Yes, we are now in possession of “the smoking gun”.
This individual, whom we deem to be extremely credible, has requested anonymity, and we are honoring that request. We made it patently clear in our post "The Wartburg Watch Unveiled" that we wholeheartedly support anonymity on blogs. Based on our research, spiritual abuse is escalating within the body of Christ; therefore, it is crucial that individuals who bravely report that abuse be shielded. Sometimes the only way the truth will come out is when those reporting spiritual abuse are guaranteed anonymity. For this reason, we protect anonymous individuals here at The Wartburg Watch.
It is important to point out that Virginia is a one-party consent state. In other words, recordings in that state are allowed as long as one party knows the recording is being made. During the recorded meeting, Emerson stated that tapes were being made available to all members who were not present.
We have listened to this Family Meeting in its entirety and are flabbergasted by what was discussed. It is far worse than we had even imagined! Over the next two days we will be revealing and analyzing the content of this unconscionable meeting that should become the poster child for how NOT to run a church. Shame on the leadership of Sovereign Grace Ministries!
Lydia's Corner:Exodus 19:16-21:21 Matthew 23:13-39 Psalm 28:1-9 Proverbs 7:1-5
Man, I am so jealous..Christians get all the best deviant behavior from priest child abuse, to spiritual abuse, to polygamy, to sexual affairs (straight and gay, mind you!), to adultery, greed, lying…look I’m tired of it, just cause you guys invented the concept of sin doesn’t mean you get to have all the fun yourself without sharing!!
Thanks for following up on this story….it needs to be told.
Don’t yuo guys know that anonymous sources are never credible? They will come here and insist on a name or else it cannot be believed. They have to have a name so they can do damage control by maligning the source. I know the game. I read the playbook and even worked from it for far too long.
(Never mind they would read the paper and believe a “high source” in the White House that was quoted if it fit their views)
I’m not gettin’ that, Karlton. What is your standard for judging “deviant behavior?” If indeed you do believe the practices you iterated are morally objectionable, shouldn’t you be all in favor of Christians policing themselves? Or are you like unto Richard Dawkins, who, supposedly being an ardent atheist, nevertheless adopts a teleological or “progressive” view, if you will, of nature. My evidence re Dawkins: I’ve heard him pontificate many times that, ahem, the times are a’ changin’ for the better because, well, you know, we’re not so anti-homosexual and, and stuff.
Lydia
Wait until they see how much came from this source. The proof is in the recording (s).
Surly….
It was a joke, sarcasm, witticism, jesting, drollery, ribbing, irony, joshing, tongue-in-cheek, facetiousness, jocularity, waggery, banter, teasing, badinage, repartee, riposte, you know ->Funny!
It’s like when someone says “Hey let’s get some pizza delivered”
and you respond with “But pizza doesn’t have a liver!”
think about it…
Karl
So what is a livery-a place to buy livers?
OK, just for fun … here is a new survey…these are 10 anagrams which can be made with the words “Sovereign Grace Ministries”
Vote for your favorite…
Sin Caregiver Goes Minister
Minister Grace Ignore Vises
Ego Screamers Invite Rising
Virgin Origami Erectnesses
Overreact Miseries Singing
Resign Coverage Ministries
Career Gingivitises Sermon
Secret Gearing Revisionism
Incest Rosemaries Grieving
Ovaries Sect Regimen Rising
Karl
Particularly like the Gingivitis one!
Recite Sermons, Raise Giving
equus asinus
Interesting name.