A volcano explodes on IO. News Pics by James Webb.
“All get what they want; they do not always like it.” (Think about churches that make publicity their main aim.) CS Lewis
I will write a post about this last month in the near future. My mother is now on “Comfort Measures Only.” I suspect she will pass in the near future, but who but God knows? There has been a serious conflict with a relative but not with my immediate family. I felt that due to these circumstances, I needed to leave her where she was with professionals caring for her. More on that later as well. This situation is hard enough without serious conflict. OTOH, my son got married on Monday, and it was in a beautiful setting out in the country on a farm. So joyful for his wife and him. I love her!
Cornerstone Church is a typical hidden SBC church. (“We are not really SBC, no matter what your lying eyes tell you.”)
Cornerstone Church is an SBC church located in Marion, Illinois. Try as I might, I could not spot any explanation on their website of their SBC roots. They apparently are big into biblical counseling of the ACBC sort and have an “institute” to learn how the average person can become a Biblical Counselor. Why bring this up? I have written extensively about the flaws in the ACBC system. Sin is the focal point of their system, so I believe the church stressed that “sins were committed” as opposed to cries were committed. Here is a post that I wrote on the subject. Biblical Counseling: Anyone Can Do It, Sin Is the Focus, Confidentiality Is Not Guaranteed and Women Should Beware.
For those wishing to read more on this disturbing subject, here is a list of my posts.
- Part 1: The Biblical Counseling Movement and Timberlake Baptist Church and Counseling Center
- What is the Difference Between Nouthetic and Biblical Counseling? Just the Spelling.
- Biblical Counseling Training: Inadequate Education, Problematic Resources and Questionably Educated Leaders
- Heath Lambert Channels Martin Luther (As If) and Writes the 95 Theses of Biblical Counseling
- Heath Lambert’s 95 Theses of Biblical Counseling Reminds Me of Bob’s Advice in Stranger Things 2: It’s All Easy Peasy.
- John Piper and Heath Lambert of the Association of Certified Biblical Counselors Views of the Mind Demonstrate Why We Have a Problem With the Biblical Counseling Movement
- Biblical Counseling: Anyone Can Do It, Sin Is the Focus, Confidentiality Is Not Guaranteed and Women Should Beware
- Another Reason to Avoid Biblical Counseling: Confidentiality Is Not Guaranteed When Sin™ Is Involved
- Julie’s Story, Part 1: Of Domestic Abuse, Association of Certified Biblical Counselors, and Cross Walk Church, Appleton, WI
- Julie’s Story Part 2: Shame on ACBC and Cross Walk Pastors. They Failed Julie and Then Blamed Her For Not Reporting Child Abuse Sooner
- Association of Certified Biblical Counselors and Southern Baptist Theological Seminary: People With Delusions May Be Faking It and Christians With Schizophrenia Are Probably Not Christians!
Cornerstone Church’s Executive Pastor was fired for “inappropriate behavior.”
Baptist Press posted Illinois church staff member dismissed during criminal investigation. The following quote from the article reveals the minet of the pastors/leaders.
The executive pastor of Cornerstone Church in Marion was dismissed after allegations of inappropriate behavior involving church members who were under age 18 at the time. The allegations were brought to the church leadership team late last week. After an investigation by the elders and the engagement of local law enforcement,
Here are the problems that I noticed.
- “Inappropriate behavior” is throwing eggs at someone’s house. It is not sexual behavior with participants in the church.
- These multiple victims were under 18, which means it is quite possible that multiple crimes was committed.
- When the leaders were told of this, they conducted a preliminary investigation. If this is true, they still don’t understand that churches must call in investigators immediately. They are not equipped to conduct Investigations within the church.
Quick diversion: Baptist Press claims they will post all instances of sexual abuse in the SBC.
Editor’s Note: In support of the sixth strategic action of Vision 2025 adopted by messengers to the 2021 SBC Annual Meeting, Baptist Press will continue to report every instance of sexual abuse related to Southern Baptist churches, entities, institutions or leaders of which we are made aware.
Cornerstone Church’s response link.
The Leadership of Cornerstone Church is devastated to confirm allegations of moral failure in one of its senior staff members. On Friday, evidence was provided of sins committed by Executive Pastor Tivo McCrary against several teenage members of the congregation. Leadership took swift action to remove him from the building, and he was terminated upon the findings of our preliminary investigation. Law enforcement is now investigating and leadership is cooperating fully.
Leadership had absolutely no previous indications of inappropriate behavior. McCrary’s background checks were clear and employment references completely favorable. We are now listening to our church family and reviewing our abuse prevention and screening processes. Our chief concern is to support the healing journey of those affected by McCrary’s sinful behavior.
In Christ,
Cornerstone Pastors and Elders
Once again, there are some questions.
- These actions by Tivo McCrary were deemed moral failures by the church leaders.
- The church discovered what were deemed McCrary’s “sins.”
- These actions were far worse than inappropriate behavior. That is such a stupid term for Tivo’s actions.
- These “sins” were committed against several teenagers in the congregation. It appears that McCaray is some sort of predator, not your garden variety “sinner.” I wonder if they tried “biblical counseling” to heal him of his “sins?”
- These actions are possibly criminal.
- The church appears to have conducted a preliminary investigation before calling the police. Do these leaders know that they aren’t qualified to do an investigation?
- When will churches learn that background checks, while necessary, are ineffective? “Only 3% of all predators are ever convicted. Background checks will not catch roughly 97% of predators” link.
- I suspect that Tivo has offended before. He was likely given favorable references to get him out of another church. (It’s called “passing the trash,” which SBC churches are particularly adept at.
When Christians use “Biblicalese,” they can appear ignorant to local media, thus damaging their witness.
Note how WPSD titled their post. WPSD Local 6 reported on this in Report: Southern Illinois pastor fired for alleged ‘sins committed’ against teenage congregants.
A memo from the church published by WFCN says was he fired because of “sins committed…against several teenage members of the congregation.”
If I heard that, I would shake my head. Sadly, the church may believe this conduct is merely a sin.
Notice how this post by the Illinois Baptist Association states that a criminal investigation is now ongoing. It should have been constant from the day the church received the information. Church staffer dismissed during criminal investigation.
In a public statement posted on its website, the church said an employment firm had conducted background checks on McCrary before he joined the Cornerstone staff in 2019. The church expressed concern for victims and their families. They are also listening to any further input from the congregation about possible allegations.
Local law enforcement in Marion is conducting its own investigation that could result in criminal charges.
Here is a final example of how this plays in the press. In the concise video, the words of the church. “inappropriate actions,” and “sin committed” are repeated by WCFM. The video mentioned that these actions were against teens and that a criminal investigation is ongoing.
The SBC crowd needs to do better at communicating with the broader culture. The SBC is losing members by the day and may find itself irrelevant as society moves to deal with widespread sexual abuse. I sure hope the Sex Abuse Implementation crowd comes up with something soon. This has gone on long enough.
And the beat goes on…..sigh..
They never learn…
Again?
Here at TWW, it’s getting like an old scratched 78 rpm phonograph record,
Chester the molester seems to always find mighty rich diggins’ in SBC land.
He (Chester) mines with impunity.
Does anybody know why Billie Joe MacAllister jumped off the Tallahatchie Bridge?
Muff Potter,
Bobbie Gentry does.
Muff Potter,
It does cause me to wonder why they seem to love the SBC churches.
Is it too much to ask Pastor to keep his pants on?! Of course, folks who use the title of Pastor to commit inappropriate behavior sinful CRIMES are not true pastors at all.
Hmm. I also have reservations about using vague, spiritualized language in a situation like this. And I agree church staff should not be playing detective in cases of suspected child abuse. However, at least on the face of things, this church got a lot of things right. They took action as soon as they knew there was a problem, and they aren’t covering for the accused. We could wish they were more direct about what he was accused of, but I think they said enough that anyone who googles this guy in the future (eg potential congregant or employer) is going to see the red flags.
There’s a valid, non-cya reason not to say “pastor was accused of criminal behavior/sexual assault of minors.” He might not have been accused of that! There was a case in my state that came to light a few years ago, of a youth pastor serially emotionally abusing teenage girls. 20+ women accused him of psychological manipulation. It was extremely creepy, but not criminal. For most of the survivors, particularly the earlier ones, there was no overt sexual component. They, and many of the people they initially reported to, didn’t have language for what he was doing wrong. This case could be like that. If so, good on them for actually firing the guy. The pastor I’m referring to was reported multiple times and never lost his employment.
“The church expressed concern for victims and their families. They are also listening to any further input from the congregation about possible allegations.”
Uhhh … Folks don’t call the church, call 911! Take your input to local law enforcement.
The church did get law enforcement involved, which we want. And saying the guy committed crimes is up to law enforcement and the local district attorney, not a church.
It bothers me a great deal that some churches WILL call sex abuse a crime (good!) but WON’T call it a sin. (Hiss, boo.)
No, it is a failing, a lapse, inappropriate behavior, anything but a sin.
Kudos to this church for calling the cops AND calling sin out as sin.
In its current poor spiritual condition, with the inability to discern enemies in the camp, the SBC is easy-pickins – a haunt for evil. Most SBC churches are powerless against bad-boys in both pulpit and pew because they are too trusting of everybody that walks in the door. If the New Calvinists can so easily boot out 150 years of non-Calvinist belief and practice within SBC, it’s no problem for pervert and pedophile to enter the camp undetected.
dee,
I wonder if things are more hidden in other denominations or if the SBC is somehow a “breeding” ground or if it is a more attractive (sorry for the pun) “magnet” for deviants.
church got a lot of things right. They took action as soon as they knew there was a problem, and they aren’t covering for the accused
CMT,
Yeah. I mean it’s not like he was stealing money from the church building fund. I suppose they would have considered that a crime, and probably would have called the cops and had them investigate immediately.
But, if an older man in a position of authority wants to mess around and do dirty deeds to a bunch of minors….. say, in the church broom closet or in the back of the church bus, or even his bedroom…… meh, boys will be boys. No point in overreacting and calling the cops and damaging man’s reputation and testimony unless they just have to.
If you think I’m being sarcastic, you’re right. If the molester was a public school teacher, a pediatrician, a physical therapist, a tennis coach…… I don’t think people would have reacted the same way.
“Inappropriate behavior” and (unspecified) “SIN”.
More like “Privilege of Pastoral Rank”.
Only question is Which orifices/acts did PASTOR prefer and what’s PASTOR’s jail-bait body count?
In one word: YES.
Orders from Captain Bonerhelmet cannot be infringed in any way whatsoever.
And Chester can point fingers and announce “I Thank Thee, LOOOOOOOOORD, that *I* am nothing like those Filthy Romish Papist PRIESTS over there…”
Or those greedy New York jooz…
“and we are now listening to our church family…” Did anyone in the church family shout “It’s about damn time!” Especially when kids are involved, please people call the police and make a report first! I can’t tell that to enough young people. Also, when and if they find out through a real investigation that he has done this before, will they go after the other church who gave him a good reference?
Oh, and Dee, so happy that everything went well with your son’s marriage and I am so happy that you have a wonderful daughter-in-law. I do too and it is a big blessing.
Church folks need to realize that there are a lot of “pastors” behind bars for committing “sins” and “inappropriate behavior” … including several ex-SBC church leaders.
Nancy2(aka Kevlar),
Oh, I agree it could all be a nasty, minimizing, nonsense statement trying to cover the church’s behind. The point I’m trying to make is that there isn’t enough information here to tell. I suggested one reason for vagueness above. I can think of others (eg what if these kids are identifiable by others in the community, and aren’t ready to have their neighbors know what their pastor did to them?)
If people want the culture around handling abuse to change, I think it’s important to acknowledge what churches get right. They did call the police. They did fire him, and they didn’t do it on the DL (no “He’s been called to another ministry, PTL!”). That’s not to say best practices were followed here. But if a church is (apparently) trying to do the right thing, is it fair to jump on them for poor wording? I agree “sin” or “moral failing” is not helpful terminology, but I’ve been in church cultures where this was the gravest language available for wrongdoing by a leader. Especially if they are big into biblical counseling, they may be ignorant of what else to call it, and need education not ridicule. (As for investigating on their own, personally I think clergy and church staff should be made mandatory reporters in every state. No more wiggle room).
Off Topic:
I picked the following Baptist News Global article off Dee’s Twitter (now, stupidly called X): My brief life as a megachurch pastor, by Martin Thielen, October 25, 2023.
https://web.archive.org/web/20231026184535/https://baptistnews.com/article/my-brief-life-as-a-megachurch-pastor/
Many thoughts crossed my mind — and I also said some prayers for him — as I read Martin Thielen’s article. His article is well worth the read….
One of the comments I thought (and the only one I’ll write in my comment here): “This man (Martin Thielen) is a man of integrity.”
“Inappropriate behavior” and (unspecified) “SIN”.
More like “Privilege of Pastoral Rank”.
Only question is Which orifices/acts did PASTOR prefer and what’s PASTOR’s jail-bait body count?”
“In one word: YES.
Orders from Captain Bonerhelmet cannot be infringed in any way whatsoever.”
“And Chester can point fingers and announce “I Thank Thee, LOOOOOOOOORD, that *I* am nothing like those Filthy Romish Papist PRIESTS over there…”
“Or those greedy New York jooz…”
And thus TWW hits a new low. I’m always amazed that stuff like this never gets posted on Julie Roy’s site. Probably because you are asked to give your own name and be respectful.
Time for that Il Divo song to be played.
Lighten up Lowland, we’re all adults here.
Would you rather we didn’t have freedom of the press here at TWW?
CMT,
Got it. I understand what you’re saying.
I just think that with they way criminal/abusive behavior in churches and seminaries has been all over the news, blogs, and Christian websites over the past few years that even this church would at least have the gumption to have the investigation done by trained, professional law enforcement officers from the get-go….. and have the backbone to call a spade a spade instead of protecting the brand, or whatever it was they were trying to do.
researcher,
That was interesting, thanks for sharing!
His comment that most of the members of the congregation were affluent reminded me of an incident. A couple years after my husband candidated for an associate pastor position at a local church (husband was the senior pastor’s top choice, but they ended up going with an internal candidate), we ran into the now-former senior pastor. He told us we’d dodged a bullet. The church was small to mid sized, in an affluent part of town. The pastor told us the congregation had a lot of managers and executives in it, with too many people all trying to manage, and they eventually managed him right out of the pastorate.
How do we know all the churches called Cornerstone aren’t affiliated to all the other churches called Cornerstone?
How do we know all the churches called Grace aren’t affiliated to all the other churches called Grace?
Theologically, they are the church of one: one mush.
If they would only call themselves St Vedast’s or St Theobald’s we would know what we are talking about, and where.
Lowlandseer,
Which Il Divo song is that?
Satire, a genre employed by Jesus, Paul and the prophets, pictures church bosses pretending to differ from another class when they are identical: the biggest error in the diplomatic RC entity is to muscle in on ordinary people’s thinking and standards.
Didn’t St Paul mention “their god is their belly button”?
Noo Joisey specifically had a big impact on my own life (religion being an international phenomenon).
(I picture Officer Dibble in Top Cat.)
Whether strongarmers cite “Kansas City” or “The Bible” makes no difference.
I think that in this case “initial investigation” meant “brief inspection” or “taking cognisance”.
It’s not as if it’s not the church’s job to call the cops as well as everybody else’s.
Did they put off terminating him for months or years?
The biggest question is, did the congregation members delay before talking about this at all?
I agree they are stupid to used so called spiritual language, because that shows their unreal basis altogether. They should use the term “committed offences”.
I’m reeling because I was at a “bible study” and we were derailed by unattributed remarks in the “notes” and in the newsletter account of the sermon. A child of one of the leaders is undergoing a devastating breakdown. Several people have suffered head injuries that didn’t get prayed for.
At churches (in England), people actually don’t look after each other.
As always dee, keep posting those NASA space pics.
They look like sci-fi frames, but the kicker is that they’re real.
They are sooper-kool.
Sarah (aka Wild Honey),
One of the things I’d wondered as I’d read the article is: “What would happen if every pastor refused to pastor that church?”
The local church you write about: I wonder what would happen if they had to try and make it without a pastor….I wonder who would end up managing it. And I wonder what they’d preach.
A vicious group of members drove out the faithful, kind-hearted, scholarly pastor at the church I attended as a kid. The next pastor was a lightweight who preached a 3-week series about finding God on golf courses in Hawaii. We were fortunate that he agreed to shepherd us along for a while, given that he was well past retirement age.
Cruelty is their creed and mean spirits are what drives them.
There’s a lot of that going around in my area … there are a lot of pastors here who find God on the golf course weekly, some every other day!
NOT IN CHRISTIANESE!
Christianese is more detached from reality than top-end psychotics.
What ever happened to Rich Buhler’s “God lives in the Real World”?
And if they are in Positions of Authority (“Touch not Mine Anointed!”), they’re cruelty and mean spirits give Permission by Example for everyone under them to do the same.
“The Cruelty IS the Point.”
(Extra Sci-Fi channel on YouTube called this “Rule by Vice”. Their type example was Baron Harkonnen from Dune.)
A phrase that should never describe church members … but that’s the state-of-the-onion at some churches. You will never find “vicious” members in the true Body of Christ, in the Kingdom of God … only in institutional churches where my-way-or-the-highway reigns.
Max,
Certainly, black-and-white thinking was the problem, but among a few very mean schismatic members rather than the pastors. The schismatics wanted everything to be simple. They couldn’t stand it when the preacher used foreign terms, such as the Greek word agape.
Meanwhile his sermons introduced me to several ideas, not just agape but also reconciliation, and the possibility of learning enough to have moments of perfection later in life. He even preached a sermon about God allowing someone to suffer too much. Most of us treasured him.
Perhaps that pastor found another church….a church that treated him well. Wouldn’t THAT be justice. 🙂
“We Don’t Want to Hear any Big Words, Preacher! YOU’RE ONLY HERE TO KEEP US COMFORTABLE!”
— reported by my writing partner (the burned-out country preacher)
“And make it short! The monthly potluck lunch is today!”
That’s not a problem in that church.