“This investigation was primarily decided by local fellow pastors who did not appear independent in spite of their claims.”

Sticking together in case they need to be backed up someday, too.

“Independent” is not a word that should be used for this investigation.

“This “independent” investigation was done way too quickly … Was the outcome predetermined?”

Predetermined outcomes are always arrived at quickly.

dee,

America has no shortage of yahoos, but why did so many go into ministry?!

Many of us have said all a long that an independent review of Michaal’s spiritual abuse claims against Mark is the only way to be fair to all parties. Yet the booker is always right crowd in leadership have enbedded themselves in. The 67 percent and the present leadership are accountable to God and God does not like ugly!!! Dee do not count the 33% as being out the picture.

One thing that the vc report states is that Mark could ask Michael about confidential things he was told. Even our friends in the Catholic Church take that very serouisly yet the vc Ministers do not?

“They did not provide a copy of his credentials but said he had them.

This is the most stupid part of this whole process. Just make a copy of his diplomas, etc., and call it a day. What in the world is so hard? This group sure wasn’t going to do that.”

I think we have a good handle on his academic credentials. The issues are that they aren’t quite all one would expect for a minister nowadays and that he seems to have obscured what they were. Now academic degrees aren’t essential; my late uncle’s highest regular degree was a BA (Cambridge) yet he was considered one of the top scientists in his field (he was a fellow of the Royal Society and an international member of the US National Academy of Sciences, he was also totally upfront about his highest degree though he could have claimed an Oxbridge MA). Hence the obscuring of his credentials by Booker is the major issue here. If he had been clear about what he has, people wouldn’t be speculating about why the details were obscure and wondering what else was missing. He should also have been clear about when and where he was ordained.

janiceg: Even our friends in the Catholic Church

That’s a little sneery.

“Mark Booker is biblically qualified for his role.”

The decision to shoehorn the whole situation into this shoebox gives the report a “through the looking-glass” air.

1 Timothy 3: 2-7 “Now the overseer is to be above reproach, faithful to his wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him, and he must do so in a manner worthy of full respect. (If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God’s church?) He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited and fall under the same judgment as the devil. He must also have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the devil’s trap.”

This is subjective. Some of what we’ve read at TWW indicates that Mr. Booker is “quarrelsome,” that he is not “gentle,” that he is not “temperate.” Did the Vicinage Council representatives investigate his family life to see whether his children obey him at all times? The very fact of the investigation indicates that not everyone considers him “above reproach.”

Titus 1: 6-9 An elder must be blameless, faithful to his wife, a man whose children believe and are not open to the charge of being wild and disobedient. Since an overseer manages God’s household, he must be blameless—not overbearing, not quick-tempered, not given to drunkenness, not violent, not pursuing dishonest gain. Rather, he must be hospitable, one who loves what is good, who is self-controlled, upright, holy and disciplined. He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it.”

It certainly sounds like Mr. Booker is “overbearing.”

In summary, it seems as though the Council men decided that having some of the qualities listed in each epistle was good enough and simply ignored the others in order to conclude, it seems, that Mr. Booker is good enough for a church that was on the way to dissolution anyway, and anyone who’s not happy with that should leave. Maybe they can rename it “The Church of Mark Booker and I’m Not Too Sure About You” before they sell the building.

I’ve known these ministers for years, and never once did any of them complain of a toxic culture among staff.

The VC is right that there was and is a toxic culture, but it was on the board and personnel committee. Former elders have said board meeting were “raucous” years ago. No wonder they objected so strongly to allowing members of the congregation to observe meetings.

The VC focused only on the ministers and gave the board a pass. They even had the gall to imply that the division within the congregation is the ministers’ fault (one especially).

I can tell you it’s not. There was already an effort to deal with the rot on the board. It just got accelerated by the firing, and then the board made it all about Mark.

Stavros49,

Interesting analysis.

Friend of Park Street Church: I’m wondering if any of you here on TWW have lived outside the US and seen a healthier church more broadly.

IMO, the healthiest church on the planet is the persecuted church … where the Body of Christ depends on God daily in difficult situations … where believers pray and experience His power and provision to survive … where they love each other … where there is no barrier between pulpit and pew. In America, we are are largely ‘doing’ church rather than ‘being’ the Church. We aren’t desperate and hungry enough for God’s presence, so He gives us what we want but sends leanness to our souls.

Max: In America, we are are largely ‘doing’ church rather than ‘being’ the Church.

In large part, ‘Church’ in America, ain’t much different than McDonald’s and KFC.

dee: Booker wanted a plum pastorate …

but ended up turning PSC into a prune

Max,

“where the Body of Christ depends on God daily in difficult situations … where believers pray and experience His power and provision to survive … ”
+++++++++++++++

Churchin’ In America is just too cute. …..Cute as a button.

Cute as a McDonald’s Happy Meal.
.
.
I’d rather chew on a pine cone in the scenic outdoors.

Or figuratively in an cavernous old library in big city, ….with long long solid wood tables and cute little individual reading lamps.

There are many problems with this report, which Dee and other commenters have covered well, but I was really blown away by the inclusion of that chart on church decline. There are no citations in the report, so we are left guessing where it came from. Did the council just make it up based on their intuition? Is there any research or data to back it up? This is one of many examples of unprofessionalism in the report.

I am also shocked at how tactless it was to include the chart, with commentary that locates Park Street just north of “implosion” and “death.” This is an extremely serious assertion, and their recommendations completely ignore the dire implications of their own analysis. They say that all the church needs to do is listen to the VOCA consultants and hold a “solemn assembly,” and apparently that will reverse the decline and make everything right. These recommendations are radically out of step with their diagnosis of the problems.

Unlike many people here, I do not think Park Street is doomed. Park Street has been around for over 200 years, and in that time there have been seasons of fruitfulness and seasons of trial. Ultimately, if Park Street makes it to the other side of this, it will not be because of anything Mark, or the elders, or the petitioners, or any other person has done. It will be the work of the God who raised Jesus Christ from the dead, and who despite appearances, is still active and working through his church.

This is not to minimize the seriousness of the situation, or to excuse church leaders for their many sins and offenses. It is only to say that the ultimate fate of all our work is in the hands of God, and this is why those working hard for justice and healing at Park Street can know their labors are not in vain.

Muff Potter,

it’s very true.

well, one watch of Antiques Roadshow and you see the craftsmanship that was.

Grieving: Hatchet

100% true

Seeking Truth:

Unlike many people here, I do not think Park Street is doomed. Park Street has been around for over 200 years, and in that time there have been seasons of fruitfulness and seasons of trial. Ultimately, if Park Street makes it to the other side of this, it will not be because of anything Mark, or the elders, or the petitioners, or any other person has done. It will be the work of the God who raised Jesus Christ from the dead, and who despite appearances, is still active and working through his church.

This is not to minimize the seriousness of the situation, or to excuse church leaders for their many sins and offenses. It is only to say that the ultimate fate of all our work is in the hands of God, and this is why those working hard for justice and healing at Park Street can know their labors are not in vain.

The church, ultimately, cannot be doomed, since Jesus said that the gates of hell will not prevail against it.

However, individual, local churches do rise and fall at times. (The Rise and Fall of Mars Hill comes to mind…)

Even when abuse or high conflict isn’t present, sometimes a church has to close for other reasons.

That was the case with my dad’s church. They got too small to be financially sustainable, knew they had to close, and went through a very careful, and painful year-long process to do just that. The amazing thing was that they thought through exactly which charities would get the proceeds from selling off the church building and the parsonage. When his church gave over the checks to these charities, the recipients often had tears in their eyes, just the amazement – this is EXACTLY the amount our organization needed!! Also, their church building went to another church body. They really wanted an active church to have the space.

So God was definitely in the process of my dad’s church closing, and His people followed, even though it was painful. Also, my dad’s pastor got a call to another church in the area, where he is now going.

They were a spiritually alive church that closed.

Other churches are spiritually dead, but look like they’re flourishing by all external measures (butts in the pews, dollars in the offering plates, programs, ministries and missions supported, etc., which often get confused for fruit).

Also, it’s possible to have spiritually alive people in spiritually dead churches, and vice versa. This side of heaven, both the tares and wheat grow together in the field. Only the wheat is the church. Ultimately, only God knows which is which. People are complicated. And it’s not harvest time yet.

I completely agree with you, that the labor of the Balbonis, the resigned elders, the petitioners, etc. and others for PSC is not in vain. Not by a long shot. It might not have the outcome the laborers long for, and God’s timetable is often very confusing to us.

But I think of the strong bond of those in the 1/3rd of PSC as a precious thing. I think the longing for a healthy church is a good thing. I think a knowledge of how Christians can fall for choosing our church leaders on the basis of “casting vision,” or “getting things done” (for God’s Kingdom of course, all while running over other believers) is a good thing – because I think this tendency a cancer in American evangelicalism.

I personally, have been immensely encouraged by the courage of the Balbonis, the petitioners, Cindy Cutlip, and The Five. I have met and reconnected with some beautiful souls at PSC these past several months. Your passion for Jesus and His bride is beautiful to behold – and it has been costly.

I also think that some of you are going to understand church-marginalized people in a way you never have before. Maybe God will put similarly hurting people in your path, and you can see and understand them, and sit with them and listen to them – which is the most healing thing you could possibly do.

I see Resurrection hope in that, too.

elastigirl,

sorry, that was probably confusing.

i’m tired.

Elizabeth Klein: church-marginalized people

Lots of these marginalized types have been highly successful and used by God in the history of God’s people.

Hudson Taylor
Gladys Aylward
George Muller

The Casper ten Boom family asked to work with their pastor in saving people during WW2 but their pastor would have none of it. They went ahead with their work sans their local church.

” there was not evidence of disqualifying sins, as described in 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1,* of such severity* that they called for the Senior minister to be disqualified from pastoral ministry.”

Does that mean that there was actually evidence but they didn’t regard it as severe enough?

Ava Aaronson,

I love the Ten Boom family! Dad & I made a trip to Amsterdam in 2009 to see the Beje. I grew up in a small Christian Reformed Church, where a member’s mom was actually in Corrie’s 1st grade class, and knew the family somewhat.

Eyewitness: 100%. The “staff” are relegated to employees, employees that apparently are not currently, nor ever were, part of the local body of Christ, where “The eye cannot say to the hand, “I haveno need of you!”

In the book, A Church Called Tov, the whole final chapter contrasts the business culture that began to take hold in the church about 50 years ago vs. the biblical vision of the role of pastor and the nature of a congregation in a journey together toward becoming more like Jesus.

A Church Called Tov is a great resource! Reading thru the sequel, Pivot, just now.

I’m also reading Bully Pulpit: Confronting the Problem of Spiritual Abuse in the Church by Michael J. Kruger. PSC leaders’ behavior is described, over and over and over again, in the pages of this book, as well as many other resources on spiritual abuse.

I just don’t understand how the Vicinage Council failed to see this, while claiming to have the appropriate amount of expertise to discern abuse. It’s plain as day.

Seeking Truth:

… Those working hard for justice and healing at Park Street can know their labors are not in vain.

I read a Dr. Diane Langberg quote just now, which I hope is an encouragement to all those wounded Park Streeters, who have so faithfully labored for her:

“Some years ago, I stated that ‘trauma is the mission field of the 21st century.’ I still believe that is true. However, now I also know that the voices of the traumatized are prophetic – the voice of our weeping God calling us to Christlikeness. The vulnerable, the oppressed, and the battered and abused are the call of God.”

Just a couple of things. First, it is common for 4C’s VC’s to be made up of local persons. The VC for my ordination in Minnesota was made up of persons from the Minneapolis area. I’m not saying this group did a good job or had the expertise to do this investigation, all I’m saying is that there was not necessarily anything nefarious in the make up of the council-simply business as usual.

Second, I continue to be astounded by the 52% drop in worship attendance during Gordon Hugenberger’s tenure. Someone mentioned in an earlier comment that he was much loved by the congregation. I’d heard this as well. The only disses I heard about him (second hand) was that his sermons were too long and that he was more theologically conservative than his predecessor. And having worked with Dr. Fisher I would agree with that. And Dr. Hugenberger had a long tenure, so what gives with the drop in attendance? Did people stop driving in from the suburbs?Did the college & grad student ministries crash? I wish the VC had addressed this.

Third, my experience tells me that PSC has never had a history of tight staff supervision. As an intern there I was attached at the hip to the Minister of Education and I could not tell you who he reported to. Maybe it was the CE committee. I don’t recall him talking about staff meetings, etc. The entire staff did meet daily for a half an hour mid morning. When I worked with Dr. Fisher at another church we did have weekly staff meetings and monthly on on one supervisory meetings. However, Dr. Fisher was never directive (at least with me) – quite laissez faire. I can’t imagine he was much different with the staff at PSC.

Eyewitness: Does that mean that there was actually evidence but they didn’t regard it as severe enough?

It sure sounds like it, which simply emphasizes that the “Biblical qualifications” are completely subjective.

Cynthia W.: It sure sounds like it, which simply emphasizes that the “Biblical qualifications” are completely subjective.

Rank Hath Its Privileges, and even the Bible must bend the knee to Power.

Eyewitness: IT’s also part of image management when a crisis arrives to say, “But look at all the good things we’re doing!”

Il Duce made the trains run on time, and Der Fuehrer stamped out Homosexuality and Pornography.

Eyewitness: narcissism. It’s not something you go to management classes to learn

Nor can a narcissist unlearn narcissism … such behavior springs from a dark corner of the soul. Narcissism is a sad thing to behold when it is in the pulpit; it is so unChristlike. I suppose one could humble themselves, confess and repent of narcissistic sin … but the proud and arrogant find this extremely hard to do.

Former Boston Girl: I continue to be astounded by the 52% drop in worship attendance during Gordon Hugenberger’s tenure … he was much loved by the congregation … so what gives with the drop in attendance?

There has a been a mass exodus of churchgoers from the American church over the past 25 years. This is following the decline of church attendance in European churches; many of those old cathedrals have closed. I suppose there are various reasons for this, but attendance is declining even among committed Christians. Covid has been blamed for some of it, but I think that has been overworked. Some folks are getting tired of church as entertainment; big screens, fog machines and skinny jeans just won’t keep them in the pews. And then there are those who consider “high” church to be too stuffy – too much ritual, not enough life. Bully pulpits and yes-men elder-rule, like the system at PSC, have also attributed to a drop in membership. Perhaps the largest growing segment of Christianity in America are the “Dones” … done with church, but not done with Jesus. It will be interesting to see where church in America goes from here … perhaps next time around we will see ‘the’ Church emerge from the ashes.

Grieving,

The dates for the statistic are quoted in the report-2004-2018, I believe.

Max,

I am aware of everything you cite. I was asking about PSC, specifically. Given that probably new people were also attending during those years-that means that many long term attenders were gone. Why?

One reason PSC has lost attendance is that during the 2010s there were a lot of new church plants coming to Boston that attracted the young adults that PSC was basically refusing to court. Now it’s even gotten worse and the current leadership seems to have no desire to understand what younger people are looking for in worship and community.

And church attendance is declining everywhere. The PSC is being run is helping this trend.

Dear Vicenage Council:
Huge church atrophy, eight ministers opposing the Senior Minister (Kris Perkins, Dan Verrengia (wanted to retire elder board? Grace Chapel snatched him up with a quickness. I think you better change your story) Kim Morrison (who was randomly accused of spiritual abuse, although there was never an indication that she was disciplined for any rough/inappropriate behavior on her volunteers, a lovely woman, who was wildly successful in her homeless ministry, and a woman who beat Mark out for the position of Director of City Outreach btw, but was condemned by the Telios Institute of Spiritual Abuse, where Mark Booker has a ski buddy. A bit of a conflict of interest VC? “Oh no, never our Mark Booker nor ever could he, with his angelic countenance, be guilty himself “spiritual abuse.”)
The list of incoming ministers opposing him goes on: Michael Balboni, Julian Linnell, Ray Kam, Damien Long, and Tammy McLeod) five of whom now have their jobs on the line as whistleblowers because they contested the significant leadership issues, and against him, Pastor Booker and this “insightful” elder board of ours took disciplinary action against, even though they are now considered a protected class. That my friends, is a violation of Massachusetts state law, even for church employees. Our “one voice” elder board didn’t have the backbone to confront it which therefore makes them complicit with Pastor Booker.

Our prior senior minister Gordon Hugenberger was a person of the most upmost integrity and the most genuine character, that he held this church together seamlessly in spite of the conflict between conservatives and liberals, egalitarian and complementians. You dishonored him greatly by saying his staff had never been managed. Every single Monday there was an hour plus long staff meeting where all the ministers were involved, not just the handful of full-time ministers, because Pastor Booker doesn’t like pushback. Pastor Hugenberger empowered his employees and gave them the latitude and the trust to run their ministries without being micromanaged. Pastor Booker is the utmost coward, as most bullies are, and wants to exact his vision at any cost, which he refuses to put before the congregation in spite of the demand by the bylaws to do so. Again, something, the elder board completely overlooks. Gordon Hugenberger was beloved, I can’t say the same for your wondrous Pastor Booker. Pastor Hugenberger gave his 4 PM ministers, the latitude to create their own sermons, albeit they went over them with Gordon ahead of time. People loved Gordon, and you never heard a bad word about him. I loved his graduate level sermons, and the 4 PM sermons were less intense intentionally because the 4 PM drew in more newcomers and younger people often less seasoned in the faith. Pastor Booker is not worthy, by any stretch of the imagination, to follow in that man’s shoes.

And you have the audacity to say that the minister should have offered their resignations to Mark when he came on board. How dare you insult the ministry staff this way, whom many of us had built trust with over decades, and shared things about our lives that we wouldn’t tell her therapists! There would be no financial support offeredThere would be no financial support offer to them or their families! How grossly stupid and insensitive of you to say such a thing. Mark Booker needed to come into this church and love this church, including the gift of our incumbent ministry staff that he was given. But his pride does not allow him to do so.

It should be pretty telling to you, that hardly anyone knew about the deadlines surrounding contacting you, much less participating in an in-person interview, perhaps only to the Mark Booker dittoheads. In fact, no one ever received a confirmation that our emails were received by you, much like those to our elder board where our emails just go into a cyber void.

I want to inform you that in spite of your comment that the 4 C’s vetted Mark Booker, his contract of employment was between Park Street and himself, so misrepresenting himself on a résumé is STILL an immediate cause of termination, which you do not have the authority to override. If we had an elder board with any ounce of integrity he would have been terminated immediately. I will tell you that I was on the Search Committee for the Director of City Outreach and helped interview Mark in a telephone interview, and we found a curious that he never disclosed the difference between his honorary masters of arts title, and an actual masters degree, which graduates of Oxford and Cambridge are required to disclose. As I understand it, he did not disclose this to the search committee for the senior minister position nor other people who interviewed him.

Furthermore, if you had any inclination about employment law, you would know that issuing discipline against whistleblowers, even in a church, is illegal in Massachusetts. Now, pastor Booker is jerking Ray Cam around about coming back from his sabbatical, Which he was supposed to do as of May 1, but has been evasive about setting a date – a backhanded way of terminating him.

Did you people interview any of the people who had left due to Mark Booker? I’m guessing not. The whole point is that the elder board and Mark Booker are driving people out who disagree with this “vision” he’s never disclosed, (I was in such person told to find another church) but which clearly compelled him to ax one of our major services, until there was a major public outcry, and a vision to throw our ministry staff into complete upheaval – clearly a vision, which is so incongruous with who we are that it’s destroying the church. But you’re going to conduct “safe interviews” and tell us that there’s nothing wrong with the church. 33% of congregants oppose this man and seasoned pastors start circulating a résumé around 10 to 15% disapproval, but there are no real problems with our church. The truth is, Mark was fired from his last pastoral role and it would be a death to his career as a minister to lose the role at Park Street. I take it you know this and you felt sorry for this problem minister. So instead, you write this garbage glowing report about Pastor Booker, akin to something his mother might’ve wrote, as though there weren’t a thing wrong. We had to subsidize this problem minister to the tune of $300,000 out of our endowment fund this year – a budget downturn unheard of in my 15 years as a member. There is no question that this “investigation” of yours was a joke, and you never intended to delve into the real problems of this church, and asked the hard questions that needed to be asked. Mark has a pretty face and a deceptive, sweet, humble countenance, as many deceivers do, that a seasoned council should not have been fooled by. YOU BETRAYED THIS CHURCH. Shame on you for wasting our precious time and taxing the patience of this congregation.

Very Much Signed,
Susan E. Lane

Observant Outsider: a lot of new church plants coming to Boston that attracted the young adults that PSC was basically refusing to court. Now it’s even gotten worse and the current leadership seems to have no desire to understand what younger people are looking for

This is the dilemma faced by “traditional” churches everywhere … trying to strike a balance between what the younger folks want and what the older folks have had. Church plants have become successful because they attract primarily younger members with a more contemporary format, without having to battle the older folks who don’t want that. Personally, I don’t care what the format looks like as long as there is some substance to it by keeping the Main Thing the main thing. Both traditional churches and contemporary churches miss the boat when they cut Jesus out of the equation to pursue doing church the way they want to; in so doing, they do church without God.

Gus: It shouldn’t work like that – some disqualifying problems are absolute.

“When someone shows you who they are, believe them the first time.” #MayaAngelou.

Credentials were not a dealbreaker among the disciples and in the Early Church.

The question of Truth, i.e. lying and deception, is a dealbreaker for a church leader, back then and now.

A church hiring a leader who deceives and lies about his credentials is in for a wild ride, a treacherous trek. Best case scenario… up and leave, running fast the opposite direction.

There are church plants rising up on every corner in Boston? Opportunities abound.

The Leavers can find each other on social media. Everyone packs up and finds a new fellowship at some point. Success stories abound.

When the wheels roll out of the Temple, as in Ezekiel, the faithful move along, too, to be present where God is present while vacating where God has departed. Go with God, friends.

My apologies….I’ve not yet finished reading the comments, so someone might’ve already commented on this…. 🙂

Quoted in Dee’s OP:

The council cited the fact that Mark Booker was fully vetted by the Credentials Committee as a part of his application for ministerial standing in the CCCC. This included reference checks, review of his academic credentials, review of his ordination to ministry, as well as examination of his theological beliefs. He was approved for membership in the CCCC.

From the above quote, it appears that the VC “blindly trusted” that the PSC Credentials Committee and / or the CCCC had done their “homework” when vetting Mark Booker….the reference checks, the review of Mark Booker’s credentials, the review of Mark Booker’s ordination into ministry, etc.

For an independent investigation (in this case, the VC) to trust the information supplied to them by the people they are investigating suggests that the independent investigation is anything but independent.

Gus: – he didn’t directly lie about his credentials, but is evasive and probably deceptive

i.e. Full Plausible Deniability, following every Letter, Jot, and Tittle of the law.

“The appearance of law must be upheld, especially when it’s being broken.”
— Boss Tweed, Gangs of New York (Martin Scorcese film)

Grieving: This is a peculiar statistic.Attendance also skyrocketed under his tenure.Is this 52% down from the peak?From attendance when he started?

Church attendance naturally ebbs and flows, especially when there are lots of new (closer) churches sprouting up all around the metro area.We shouldn’t be looking to numbers as a measure of health.

I think it is important to note that when Danny Harrell left the excitement in the afternoon services decreased. Although Walter Kim was loved, the 2 afternoon services were reduced to one under his leadership.

I continue to think that when Danny left – a large portion of people who questioned, thought and believed differently than many of those more conservative congregants where were in leadership positions – no longer felt as though they were welcome.

Shortly after his departure is when I think decline at Park Street really started to happen.

I’ve been an interested observer as someone in the Boston area who knows many in the PSC community. I haven’t commented before, but I’m surprised no one has mentioned (unless I missed it) this amusing bit from p. 16 of the report. [emphasis added]

“We have prayerfully worked to be objective in our process. The similar findings in the VOCA Center report and our report indicate that THE TRUTH HAS BEEN DISCOVERED and that an additional investigation is not necessary.”

Now THAT is a big leap. Two friendly investigations with pretty obvious bias towards the current leadership both agree. Therefore, THE TRUTH HAS BEEN DISCOVERED. Q. E. D. Move along, nothing to see here.

I am also curious about any clear evidence that Ron Hamilton had been providing counsel to Booker back in September. A Wartburg Watch post from March 27 says: “A reliable source has notified us that Rev. Dr. Hamilton has been in communication with the Senior Minister since September, providing counsel on multiple occasions, and recently advising the Senior Minister to not resign in response to the current allegations.” https://thewartburgwatch.com/2024/03/27/park-street-church-petitioners-and-proposed-vicinage-council-investigation-reprinted-here/

If that is true, it would be alarming if the VC report didn’t at least acknowledge this possible conflict of interest, but perhaps the source was incorrect. Has Hamilton addressed anywhere what communications he’d had with Booker before leading this council?

https://www.ccccusa.com/ministries/conference_care/biblical-peacemaking/

“In more extreme circumstances, we have learned the value of gathering a Vicinage Council of experienced local pastors and lay people to evaluate, mediate, and offer counsel to a congregation in conflict.”

“and lay people”? Why were lay people excluded from this Vicinage Council?

And why has the video of Booker’s installation service been hidden?

It’s currently “unlisted” on the church’s YouTube channel:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pHTDysOUTTk

At 1h26m40s “ministers from our sister churches” come to the platform “to lay hands on Mark”.

Jerome:
https://www.ccccusa.com/ministries/conference_care/biblical-peacemaking/

“In more extreme circumstances, we have learned the value of gathering a Vicinage Council of experienced local pastors and lay people to evaluate, mediate, and offer counsel to a congregation in conflict.”

“and lay people”? Why were lay people excluded from this Vicinage Council?

Excellent question. I am simple-minded, but when I see the word “Congregational,” I think of the congregation.

dee: Guess where I saw Corrie Ten Boom? Many years ago at PSC. She was so little they needed to get a special riser for her to stand on or she wouldn’t have been seen at the pulpit.

Heart heart heart heart heart! This makes me smile.

So… when is the Special Meeting at Park Street Church scheduled for?

So, I just saw the latest letter from the PSC elders to the congregation.

As expected, they say exactly what leaders in abusive churches say: you who have spoken out with your concerns about Mark Booker’s moral fitness for leadership, etc., are evil and divisive, and need to repent.

In response, here are some excerpts from an interview with Dr. Diane Langberg from the March 8, 2022 episode of the “In All Things” podcast, hosted by Justin Ariel Bailey, with Dr. Tara Boer (https://inallthings.org/podcast-redeeming-feature-conversation-diane-langberg/).

**************************************************************************************

Dr. Diane Langberg: “Abuse,” if you trace that word back to the Latin, it basically means “to use wrongly.” … So when we experience abuse, someone has exploited us, has violated us in some way, tread on us. They’ve taken advantage of our vulnerability as humans, and used their power to use us wrongly.

Dr. Tara Boer: I really appreciate your discussion of the different forms of abuse. I think it’s so important that those are named well and defined well, especially in the context of the church and the power dynamics that come with that… Discernment is really important as we ensure that what we’re taught in the church is really God’s truth…

I was wondering if you could talk a little more about what spiritual abuse might look like in our churches, and how we might be able to detect and confront that when that happens.

Diane Langberg: We have to start with the fact that “spiritual abuse” is an oxymoron. If something is of God, it bears His nature. And so if we, working for Him in some position, or with degrees or whatever, we use our words, our position, our authority, anything to take advantage of, misuse another person, to feed ourselves in some way – it’s spiritual abuse. We have used spiritual tools and positions to hurt someone.

Which of course looks nothing like God…

Tara Boer: I, too, have been in a profession like you, where I’ve heard stories of people that have sought counsel from religious leaders in their church. And I’m sometimes hearing the messages that they received from those religious leaders are really not that helpful, in terms of them naming abuse as what it is, and being able to find safety after that…

Diane Langberg: Oftentimes, that spiritual authority is used to protect a system, not a sheep or a lamb. And so, even in hearing about abuse and and believing the story, you know, “Just forgive and go on, and it’ll be fine…”

What will be fine is maybe the system. Not the sheep or the lamb. And eventually, not the whole body. Because that will seep out, and do damage to the entire system. Eventually – which we’ve seen a lot of in the news.

Justin Ariel Bailey: I wanted to ask you about that, because we are in that cultural moment where light is being shed on abuse in institutions. There’s the #MeToo movement, along with the corresponding #ChurchToo movement. And that’s revealed, in many ways, how pervasive the problems are, especially in some of our religious institutions.

But there’s also been pushback, a desire to protect the institution, protect the system. And there’s a concern that people will go too far, that there will be spurious accusations, or that “cancel culture” will get carried away and take down beloved pastors, leaders or institutions.

How would you respond to that resistance?

Diane Langberg: First of all, it doesn’t make sense, in terms of the reality.

I have worked with trauma and abuse victims for 50 years, this year. That’s a whole lot of people. And in the course of that work, I have come across two, who were not telling the truth… So I think we are saying that we are afraid of something happening that is extremely rare.

And so when we build our responses based on something extremely rare, we’re going to miss the great majority of people who have been terribly wounded, often in God’s name.

Justin Ariel Bailey: Often, it seems like there is so much fear for the institution, and not for the victim. You’re afraid that if this institution gets something revealed about it, it will compromise any good work that they’ve been doing.

How do you respond to that concern for institutions, that a lot of times is allowed to trump concern for victims, and a desire to listen to the voices of those who have suffered?

Diane Langberg: First of all, we have to look at Jesus’ response to institutions. He did not protect them. He cracked whips and turned tables over twice, because the first time they didn’t listen and course the second time, they didn’t listen, either. His response was to weep and to say, “Jerusalem, Jerusalem, I would… but you would not. You wanted to preserve your institution.”

And in doing so, He told them they were robbers, blind guides.

And a den of robbers – which means a safe place for those who steal. Which is backwards from a sanctuary! The word “sanctuary” means the opposite of that.

And I think that’s part of what God is doing in the midst of all of this trouble, and stories, and sadness and grief that so many of us have.

He’s shining the light on His church. “You have loved your institutions more than you have loved Me.”

And we become a den of robbers. We are a safe place for those with power, who steal. We’re not a safe place for the little ones. And that breaks His heart.

So I think we would be very wise to listen to Him in these situations that we wish were not true. And see what He’s teaching us, and how we have loved our institutions, and protected our institutions, and all these systems – using His name – and looking nothing like Him.

So He’s calling to us, in the midst of this.

Tara Boer: I tend to hear this overriding narrative, that these things just don’t happen here. Or that, we’re close enough, we know everybody, they wouldn’t do that type of thing…

I’m wondering if you’ve found other ways that we could break through that barrier, with that idea that things like that just don’t happen here.

Diane Langberg: Well, that statement, I think, frankly, defies the Scriptures – which says that the human heart is so deceitful that nobody gets it. And so to say, “That doesn’t happen here,” is to disbelieve.

And we also do not understand the power of deceit – in ourselves, or in others.

So you can have somebody who is kind to you, who gives a lot of money to the church, who cares about certain things – who is a tyrant at home, who only hits his wife where nobody can see (or abuses in other ways) – and everyone says that he’s a very nice man.

And so when you say, “Well, he did this to me,” they say, “That can’t be true. And it can’t be true, because of these other things that he does.”

But the other things that he does, make it so that you won’t believe that it is happening. And so he can do it some more. And we have been deceived by the deceivers, and by THE deceiver, in thinking that we have somehow managed to create a place on this earth, with human beings, where these things don’t happen.

There is no such place!! That’s called heaven. It’s not here.

Justin Ariel Bailey: You cite a study, where you talk about the fact that, as people ascend in leadership or ascend in their platform, the more they lose empathy for those who are below. And you say that’s scary in any sphere, but it’s terrifying in the church.

I’m wondering if you can say more about the relationship between, as people get larger platforms and get more power, and how they can lose an empathetic connection with those that they’re seeking to serve.

Diane Langberg: I would say, first of all, that many of the people in those positions have never used their power well. It just didn’t show. The bigger and more famous and everything else they got, the more it started to show.

So it’s not usually something where you wake up one morning and start doing. It’s how you live your life. It could have been a bully to two kids on the playground, it could be that kind of thing – and nobody would think twice about it maybe, except the two kids and their parents. But over time, the burden and expectations that are placed on you because something you’re doing is getting bigger and bigger – the part of you that feels little (which is why we bully people) gets terrified more and more.

And the only way to cut down that terror is to make everybody else small. And in order to do that, you have to treat them certain ways. And to try to find ways to do that, that are deceptive, so they don’t know you’re doing that – but eventually, it really starts to show. You’re practicing maintaining all the power, and taking it away from other people.

And you wind up trampling on them, and somebody squeaks. And everybody says, “It can’t be true.”

The bigger the system, the more threatened you are, that somebody will find out that you’re really not what they think you are – and so they have to do more to cover it up. And they have to have more power to make themselves feel better.

It’s a relentless cycle. Highly destructive, as we know. Not just to the person who’s doing it, but to everyone around them.

**************************************************************************************

Friend of Park Street Church,

Remember the Bylaws?,

Remember the Bylaws?,

NAAH: Just like our top executive over-stretches his clout to control the DOJ, Congress, FBI, CIA, etc. I lament the firing of the canine ‘Commander’— he must be confused who is the good guy and who is the bad guy.

Hi, NAAH.

Deletion by editor

It would be better to discuss ideas and practices, not name specific people in government. It would be relevant if it were clearly written to be about TWW topics.

This paragraph doesn’t relate to Park Street Church or abuse within a church. I don’t think it should be here.

And Dee, if you want, do delete this post that quotes the content that should be posted on a different blog.

Susan E Lane: There is no question that this “investigation” of yours was a joke, and you never intended to delve into the real problems of this church, and asked the hard questions that needed to be asked. Mark has a pretty face and a deceptive, sweet, humble countenance, as many deceivers do, that a seasoned council should not have been fooled by. YOU BETRAYED THIS CHURCH. Shame on you for wasting our precious time and taxing the patience of this congregation.
Very Much Signed,
Susan E. Lane

Exactly, exactly! I’m so discouraged and disappointed by this charade! I happen to know one of these men tangentially and am desperately trying to figure out what to say and how and when… and hopefully in a calm manner so I’m not accused of “sowing dissension” or other abusive rubbish. Like, how can I trust this person now?!

Once again I’ll say it… the betrayal only exacerbate the abuse… it is itself more abuse!

Ok… back to catching up on the rest of the comments!

“Ideally, a member of this team would interview Mandy Booker, looking for behaviors consistent with someone who is a victim of spousal abuse as well as other mental health issues commonly seen in someone who is attracted to an abuser.” [from above from A Former Member of Park Street Church]

(1) I’m so very, very sorry for all the painful experiences that you have mentioned here. It sounds like you have been very deeply hurt by the institutional church. I’m so sorry and hope you can find comfort and support here!

(2) I’m not sure I completely understand each item, especially when you use the word ‘minority’… do you mean Black, Indigenous, People of Color? BIPOC?

(3) Perhaps it is helpful to this thread, in the grand scheme of things, that you wrote what I’ve quoted above…. Perhaps others have this thought, but don’t voice it.

I’m trying very hard not to overreact to this statement. Unfortunately it is one of the very worst things people think about victims of domestic abuse (DV) and intimate partner violence (IPV). The reality is that NO ONE IS ATTRACTED TO AN ABUSIVE PERSON. Sorry to shout… this idea is just beyond victim blaming. Even if a person was an interested in self harm, that is a very different thing than waking up to find oneself ensnared in the web of an abuser… especially ensnared by marriage. There are many important distinctions between what you have experienced (if you have experienced abuse, that is up to you alone to name, just to be clear) and DV or IPV.

Please, please, take these two free online training courses and really listen to those who have experienced DV and IPV!

https://new-hope-education.thinkific.com/collections

Janiceg: Be warned psc elders abusers don’t change there ways. Whether it is 6 days or 6 months down the road you will dealing with this same issue again with Mark….

Exactly! And related to why victim blaming in DV and IPV situations is so destructive… the problem is not something that exists between the two parties. It is a deep problem INSIDE the abuser. Take away the partner / spouse / significant other and the abuse will just adapt.

To be even more clear, statistically the most dangerous times for victims / survivors is when they have just left an abuser.

“Studies on domestic abuse and intimate partner violence indicate that the most dangerous time for a victim is when they attempt to leave or have recently left the relationship. This is because the abuser may feel a loss of control and escalate their violence to maintain power and control over the victim.

Websites such as the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCADV), the National Domestic Violence Hotline, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provide resources and information on intimate partner violence, including statistics and research findings on risk factors and patterns of abuse.”

Friend of Park Street Church: *NICE stands for the National Institute of Coordinated Experiments. It’s a fictional organization depicted in the novel.

And in those days before government and Microsoft documentation exhausted al possible letter combnations, Lewis could coin some real groaner acronyms.

I hope you alleged evildoers of PSC can take a small measure of comfort in seeing some of the things TWW has been called. You are in excellent company! I think “Daughter of Stan” may be Dee’s personal fave…)

**************

Wartburg witches
Obscure
Wenches
O glorious wenches
Minions of Satan
Hatemongers
x#&**#xx!@
Narcissistic zeroes
Morons
Warthogs
Quite a gossip column
How did we ever get along without you?
Assyrians
Philistines
Full of ****
Bored housewives
Yellow journalism
Discernment Divas
Feminist Heretic
Discernamentalist Diva Mafia
Poor reading comprehension
In Need of ESL
Anti-Christian bigot
E Pharisee
Discernment blogger
Moronic fools
Pit of venomous snakes
Blasphemy
Garbage
Ungodly
A cult following
Judas
Dripping Faucets
Just like Doug Wilson’s comment section
Daughter of Stan
Minion of Satin

Friend of Park Street Church,

Very sorry for offending you !
I am a dog lover and kept thinking why ‘Commander’ was fired for defending his boss against those who were supposed to defending the same. But he is not one of CS Lewis’ talking animals, cannot defend himself. Hope the media do some FU with the vet psychologist in Delaware.——–sorry again for chatting about a dog instead of PSC.
Dee please delete all NAAH messages— I dont mind at all.

Susan E Lane: Mark has a pretty face and a deceptive, sweet, humble countenance, as many deceivers do, that a seasoned council should not have been fooled by.

The problem with deception is that you don’t know you are deceived because you are deceived.

So, what the heck is the deal with so many Booker supporters at PSC?! Is he that good of a preacher?! I haven’t heard anyone accuse him of being a good pastor even by those who support him (he doesn’t have that skill set). He’s also demonstrated to be a poor leader and staff manager. So he evidently is a good preacher/teacher?

A pretty face, touch of charisma, and a gift of gab doesn’t cut it as “Pastor” in the Kingdom of God.

Elizabeth Klein: I hope you alleged evildoers of PSC can take a small measure of comfort in seeing some of the things TWW has been called. You are in excellent company! I think “Daughter of Stan” may be Dee’s personal fave…)

Don’t forget the regular troll¹’s “Wartburg whiners”

—
¹uses the name of a Roman intellectualfrom the 1st century

A Former Member of PSC,

A Former Member of PSC,

Thank you for sharing your story….and I’m so sorry for what’s happened to you….all those “churches” you left lost an incredibly valuable member.

Micah: I’m wondering if there is indication of Booker being fired?

I can answer this definitively. Mark was NOT fired from his previous ministerial position. He resigned, much to the chagrin of his bishop and many at his previous church. I’m not sure where this rumor comes from, but I think it’s important to keep any falsehoods from spreading so we can keep an eye on the real problems, not imagined ones.

NAAH: I wish to point out: the group of people who laid hands and prayed for MB were NOT VC members. They were the PSC ministers/elders/deacons at that time(at least as far as I can identify)

“Ministers from sister churches” were called to the platform to participate with the PSC ministers’ laying of hands on Booker. I’d be surprised if none of the VC were in the group.

I’ve not yet finished reading the comments….I’ve been following all the conversations…. 🙂

Friend of Park Street Church: In case this hasn’t been posted before, here is the latest abusive email from the sycophantic board of elders at Park Street Church.

https://mailchi.mp/parkstreet.org/letter-after-vicinage-report

After I reading your comment, Friend of Park Street Church, I read the email you provided the link to (I’ve deleted the identifier at the end of the link in what I quoted above from your comment)….

I’d comment on the abusive email you linked to — An Important Update from the Board of Elders, Park Street Church, May 6, 2024 — but I’d need to use too many expletive-deleted words (in more ways than one 🙂 )….

To ensure it doesn’t get “lost”, I’ve made an Internet Archive of the An Important Update from the Board of Elders link, and I’ve included the link below….

https://web.archive.org/web/20240507182627/https://mailchi.mp/parkstreet.org/letter-after-vicinage-report

Elizabeth Klein: I am seeing the behavior of Mark and PSC leaders on every page of this book.

When you see it, you can’t unsee it … when you know it, you can’t unknow it … it’s in your knower. The 2/3 majority at PSC cannot see, they have been blinded.

And the latest is out from Mark Booker

https://mailchi.mp/parkstreet.org/senior-minister-letter-may-7

Seeking Truth,

Seeking Truth: I can answer this definitively. Mark was NOT fired from his previous ministerial position. He resigned, much to the chagrin of his bishop and many at his previous church. I’m not sure where this rumor comes from, but I think it’s important to keep any falsehoods from spreading so we can keep an eye on the real problems, not imagined ones.

Hello, “SEEKING TRUTH”
You have made a very interesting and ‘honest’ statement. ‘I am not sure where this rumor comes from… important to keep falsehoods from spreading.” This mixing up of truth. rumor, falsehood is exactly why naive PSC members at PSC are shocked and grieved since Oct 2023. The 3 ministers who left before Michael bravely and sacrificially spoke up. The true reason why each of these 3 beloved and gifted ministers left was never explained. What was printed on the bulletin or verbally announced during worship service was NOT the truth (i.e. they were fired). Each of us had to snoop around for gossips and rumors in order to form our own interpretation—- until one day a reliable insider broke the gag rule and would say positively: HE WAS FIRED. This is the major reason for ‘revolt’. Will you kindly search for all possible rumors how to help him resign ?

Friend of Park Street Church:
And the latest is out from Mark Booker

https://mailchi.mp/parkstreet.org/senior-minister-letter-may-7

So, a friend of mine read this latest letter from Mark Booker to the PSC congregation.

Then, he asked ChatGPT:

“Write me a letter from the vantage point of a pastor credibly accused of manipulation, deceit, and spiritual abuse. This pastor has fired people because he is threatened by them, and they have gone public with it, but he doesn’t want to admit fault. The letter should trick some people into thinking it’s an apology letter, but shouldn’t actually admit anything. The letter should remind all people of their wrongdoing, and call the church to move forward into an unspecified (but articulated) future. And the pastor should use his family to garner sympathy for how hard this has been on him. In this letter, gaslight the congregation as much as possible.”

And this was the sample letter ChatGPT came up with:

“Dear Beloved Church Family,

As I sit down to write this letter, my heart is heavy with the weight of recent events. It deeply saddens me to address the turmoil that has engulfed our congregation in recent weeks. Yet, even in the midst of adversity, I am reminded of the steadfast love and grace of our Lord.

First and foremost, I want to express my gratitude to each and every one of you for your unwavering support during these challenging times. Your prayers, encouragement, and faithfulness have been a source of strength for my family and me as we navigate through these stormy waters.

However, I must also acknowledge the pain and confusion that many of you may be feeling. The allegations that have been brought against me have undoubtedly caused distress and raised questions about the integrity of our ministry. While I am deeply saddened by these accusations, I want to assure you that I am committed to seeking resolution and healing for all involved.

In times like these, it is easy to succumb to division and discord. Yet, as followers of Christ, we are called to a higher standard. We are called to extend forgiveness and grace, even in the face of adversity. Let us not forget the words of our Savior, who taught us to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us.

I also want to take this opportunity to address the impact that these allegations have had on my family. My wife and children have stood by my side with unwavering love and support, despite the unjust attacks that have been leveled against me. Their strength and resilience serve as a testament to the power of faith and the bonds of family.

As we look to the future, let us commit ourselves to a path of reconciliation and restoration. Let us not dwell on past grievances or assign blame, but rather, let us focus on building a stronger and more unified community. Together, we can overcome adversity and emerge stronger than ever before.

In closing, I ask for your continued prayers and support as we navigate through this difficult season. May we emerge from this trial with a renewed sense of purpose and a deeper commitment to living out the love of Christ in our lives.

With love and gratitude,

[Your Name]”

*****************

Not so far off from what Mark Booker actually wrote, is it?

Just so you know, things have changed since the annual meeting and Mark’s support in the church is sliding. While (slightly less than) 2/3 voted to affirm Mark as senior pastor, some did so tenuously or with reservations. Since then, things have gotten worse. From the disciplining of the five ministers to the treatment of Susan Lane, more congregants have been convinced that something is amiss. The VC report might convince a few who were waffling, but when things continue to be revealed and more people continue to leave, the congregation will continue to wake up. If they knew when they voted to hire Mark that it would come at the cost of so many beloved ministerial staff, Mark never would have been chosen. While it was absurd to include in the report, the figure showing the life-cycle of churches will be prophetic: PSC is headed to implosion and it will take a miracle to stop that.

Elizabeth Klein: https://religionnews.com/2023/11/20/dont-go-into-a-relationship-or-institution-thinking-you-can-change-them/

Other relevant quotes from the article with PSC in mind:

“when you think a person with a bad history (whether that is a history of unfaithfulness, abusive behavior or any kind of character issue) will change for you, there’s an element of self-pride there”

“people don’t show who they are at first. Some are skilled with smoke and mirrors”

Max: might as well let the chatbots start preaching!

it’s already happening!

“Hundreds attend church service generated by ChatGPT”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YBw5ii2BdLA

Please pray for the Park Street five!!! ..they are meeting with the personal department and 2 elders about there jobs today through friday.

Max: a remarkable resemblance … AI is scary stuff … might as well let the chatbots start preaching!(I suspect some pastors are already “borrowing” sermon notes from AI)

I doubt Mark Booker used AI to formulate his letter to the PSC congregation.

I just think it’s interesting that what he says is so generic, and yet so typical of a spiritually abusive pastor trying to hide behind Christianese, that a computer program can recognize it and basically burp out a letter remarkably similar to the one Mark sent.

I’ve been studying AI for work to see if it might help us or if it’s a liability. I’m listening to the audiobook, “You Look Like a Thing and I Love You.” It’s so interesting!

Max,

No they definitely did not anticipate this. I’m not sure what the discussions were when Kris Perkins was told by Mark to leave for basically no reason, but things have gotten so out of hand. I think there is just a lot of disdain and blame put on Michael and the five ministers for how public things have gotten. They assume that they have talked to the press (they never did) and there is this grand conspiracy to slander Mark/attack the church.

It’s also worth pointing out that everything coming from the Elders is actually not representative of every elder. Notice how when it comes to interacting with the congregation, only a few names come up over and over again. This is because they say the right things and other elders are not allowed to speak openly or express their individual opinions. Leslie Liu was similarly punished for speaking out of turn at the annual meeting, though this was not broadcasted publicly and I don’t think she will be pushed out.

Observant Outsider: the Elders … when it comes to interacting with the congregation, only a few names come up over and over again

Yes-men, who sit at the right hand of Mr. Booker … loyal to the end, they control the narrative. We’ve seen it multiple times on The Wartburg Watch … the same old playbook. This, of course, has nothing to do with the Kingdom of God or pursuing the Great Commission … just who is going to rule and reign over the PSC kingdom.

janiceg: Manipulation and censorship sounds like the spiritually abusive leadership is having fun watching the church crumble from within its own walls.

Just like it takes good leadership for an organization to succeed, it takes bad leadership for one to fail.

Friend of Park Street Church: I’ve been studying AI for work to see if it might help us or if it’s a liability.

The time is coming when they (the great ‘they’, which alludes to all of us) will rue the day they hatched AI.

Muff Potter,

Muff Potter: The time is coming when they (the great ‘they’, which alludes to all of us) will rue the day they hatched AI.

dee,

dee:
researcher,
it is more than evident to church watchers and advocates that this was in no way an independent investigation. No matter how they spun it, it wasn’t. The outcome appears predetermined. The Board, VOCA, and the Vicinage all agreed. I bet they went out to celebrate on the Tithers dime.

By the way, I posted my MBA diploma on X. It took me about 3 minutes to dust it off, take a picture, and post it. That should be required of the pastor, now and in the future. Something is peculiar here. Even the Vicinage wouldn’t make that happen.

Friend of Park Street Church,

Friend of Park Street Church:
I’ve been studying AI for work to see if it might help us or if it’s a liability.I’m listening to the audiobook, “You Look Like a Thing and I Love You.”It’s so interesting!

To Friend of PSC and Muff Potter and Dee and to Whom this may Concern:
Wish to identify myself as one of all humans made in the image of God, trying but often failing to speak the truth and with love— yet trusting the Holy Spirit can empower forgiven sinners to defeat the Father of Lies (Satan). Who am I to judge? Remember our Lord has already won the victory…… we must trust and obey His command to love Him and love one another as He loves all of us.

From all walks of life, including hi-tech nerds and computer-illiterates like me, we who support the Universal church (with roots of PSC) are clinging tightly to the True Vine. We trust the Holy Spirit is omnipotent and omniscient. Can a battery-operated desk fan oppose a tornado? We have no fear of artificial or Satanic intelligence. The Spirit of Truth will expose ALL LIES, whether from congregations or deacons or elders or pastors or VOCA or the 4C council. Our Lord is a consuming fire. THOUGH THOU SLAY US, YET WILL WE TRUST IN THEE. Let us humbly confess our sins, accept His merciful love, and follow our Savior to seek the lost.

Observant Outsider: when things continue to be revealed and more people continue to leave, the congregation will continue to wake up

“Woe to them that are at ease in Zion” warned the prophet Amos.

Even if they stir from their slumber, do you really want to be part of a congregation which didn’t have enough discernment to do the right thing with Mr. Booker and his yes-men elders, allowing this mess to spiral into a deeper hole?!

Headless Unicorn Guy: What ever makes you think he even has a Bachelors?

We do know that Mark Booker has a bachelor’s degree from Rhodes. He announced his appointment to PSC in the Class Notes section: https://issuu.com/contemporarymedia/docs/rhodes_magazine_fall_2020

The question is whether or not Booker earned 2 master’s degrees from Oxford U., or if one of them is actually “the Oxford MA,” which is an honorary title purchased several years after a bachelor’s degree, with a small fee.

Elizabeth Klein,

Mark CV’s has what’s called a Masters of Arts distinction from either Oxford or Cambridge that’s simply an honorary title that one gets after they complete their bachelors degree. It gets you into the elite boys clubs in England basically. It is not a masters degree as other places in the world know it where you have a two-year curriculum, and research done in preparation for a thesis. Both Cambridge and Oxford tell their graduates either don’t put that title on your resume if they require a masters degree or make certain that you disclose to your potential employer that it is not a masters degree otherwise you set yourself up for termination for misrepresenting yourself. As I understand it from some higher ups, (I’m not giving names) Mark did not disclose this information when he was applying for the job. If that’s true, it means he was deceptive during his application process, and most ethical organizations would terminate him immediately. A simple inquiry of the search committee members and the elder board at the time would suffice to identify if Mark ever disclosed the information. The elder board doesn’t want to touch the subject, and the 4 C’s said they “vetted him“ but never touched the subject as to whether or not he disclosed that he did not have a true MA degree. The job description for the Senior Minister position would require a masters of divinity at least, or it’s equivalent. They’re simply trying to avoid the subject now rather than answer the question directly. The 4 C’s tried to make the point that Mark is capable of the position, but that’s not the issue. The point was did he earn the position due to deception, and, if so, this demonstrates highly unethical behavior right out of the starting gates, and that perhaps his reason alone to terminate him.

Erp: A cv was posted on https://thewartburgwatch.com/2024/02/23/park-street-church-and-red-flags-fired-pastors-misplaced-credit-unanswered-letters-hidden-credentials-and-creeping-authoritarianism-what-you-should-think-about-before-you-vote/

I think there is little doubt that he has earned a Rhodes Bachelor, an Oxford BA (later aged up to MA), and an Oxford Master of Studies in Theology with a thesis of “The use of the fear of the lord in Paul and the background of the Jewish wisdom tradition” (admittedly I couldn’t find that thesis online but that is really only common for PhD theses). I would say this is good prep for going into an academic career in theology (next step would be a doctoral program). It doesn’t include practical training as a pastor which is sort of expected nowadays in many denominations.

I had also found using the wayback machine that Oxford theology department at the time he was a student may have encouraged senior students (those already with a bachelor’s degree elsewhere) doing the BA to treat the MA upgrade as an earned MA. Booker was likely tempted/misled to put MA without explanation and has since doubled down, perhaps not wanting to admit to a mistake.

This seems like a plausible explanation.

Again, this is something that Mark Booker had every opportunity to be upfront about. Why didn’t he just clarify this when questions were raised, instead of sending that bizarre letter to the whole congregation this past Dec about how ppl are threatening to expose his ed creds (if there’s nothing to expose, then why feel threatened?).

Oxford’s instructions on the use of “the Oxford MA” are confusing. https://www.new.ox.ac.uk/oxford-ma-0#:~:text=In%20most%20UK%20universities%2C%20the,conferred%2021%20terms%20after%20matriculation.

On the one hand, they point out that it’s not what most educational institutions even in the U.K. would consider a real master’s degree. On the other hand, if one has the Oxford MA, then one is to use the “MA” designation in one’s resume – but just not in addition to the bachelor’s degree that’s getting upgraded?

That seems weird to me.

The Vicinage Council’s report said that Booker’s ed creds have already been vetted by the CCCC Credentials Committee. So I looked up the process to becoming a minister in the 4C’s, and according to this document, the CCCC’s Credentials Committee would have had to receive Booker’s transcripts in order to let him become a 4C’s minister: https://www.ccccusa.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/MinCredentialsAppInstructions.pdf.

Oxford U. wouldn’t give out any info about Mark Booker when the Globe reporter, Danny McDonald, contacted them and looked into it.

So if anyone is interested in doing more digging here, the next step would be finding out who’s on that CCCC Credentials Committee and asking them about exactly what transcripts they received from Mark Booker.

Here’s my problem (one of them!) with the Vicinage Council. Haven’t they ever heard of Ravi Zacharias???

Don’t they know that when people started raising serious questions about Ravi’s integrity – including Ravi’s educational credentials – that his denom (Christian & Missionary Alliance) did an investigation, and Ravi was cleared, allowing him to continue in ministry, unscathed? Don’t they know that the RZIM board also claimed that they had thoroughly looked into all the allegations against Ravi, and insisted that they were all baseless?

If the Vicinage Council has not heard about any of this, and the subsequent implosion of RZIM, then what are they doing advising PSC, which prides itself on being able to engage with culture??

“The Credentials Committee looked into this, so we don’t have to,” isn’t going to fly in today’s culture anymore. Nice chart on PSC’s decline, but churches everywhere are declining. Here’s a better question: how many people are leaving their churches, specifically because of a lack of integrity in leadership?

In today’s #ChurchToo environment, the increase of the “nones,” etc., pastors, elders, church & denominational committees with power, etc. are not entitled to automatic trust. Trust has to be earned.

Further, as an alum of Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary myself (MASF ’17), I am deeply offended that the VC brushed off this question about Mark Booker’s ed creds. Tom Petter served on the VC. He is a GCTS faculty member. And Nick Granitsas has taught courses on CCCC polity at GCTS.

As a GCTS student, I was taught that academic integrity matters.

But now you have a GCTS faculty member who is part of a Council blowing off some PSCers’ concerns about Booker’s ed creds – questions that are legit enough that you had a Globe reporter poking around to try to find answers.

It never occurred to Tom Petter to pull Mark Booker aside and say, “Hey Mark, please just tell the PSC congregation what degrees you actually earned, and the difference between a MA and “the Oxford MA” (if what Mark has is actually the Oxford MA)?

It never occurred to Nick Granitsas?

Does it not occur to Tom Petter & Nick Granitsas how much GCTS students look up to their GCTS teachers?? We look up to you as Christian examples to follow.

This isn’t the way.

Susan Lane,

“…an Oxford BA (later aged up to MA)…

Oxford theology department at the time he was a student may have encouraged senior students (those already with a bachelor’s degree elsewhere) doing the BA to treat the MA upgrade as an earned MA. Booker was likely tempted/misled to put MA without explanation and has since doubled down, perhaps not wanting to admit to a mistake.

“…the MA with distinction is not a masters degree. It is simply an honorary title given to someone with a bachelors degree and gets you into some exclusive clubs in the academic world essentially.

…it’s something you paid dues into, and therefore can add the distinction to your résumé.”
+++++++++++++++++

how extraordinarily disappointing. how utterly meaningless.

an entry level degree ‘aging up’, without earning it.

(i never had this privilege. i’m earning my way, through hard work and enormous sacrifice.)

buying your way into achievement and influence. disgusting.

wreaks of the exclusive men’s club in english period piece.
.
.
if true, in the end, this was his choice. he didn’t have to choose the fake path of unearned merit.

elastigirl: wreaks of the exclusive men’s club in english period piece.

Well yes, women btw could do all the work and take the exams since the late 1870s but could not get the Oxford BA until 1920 (Cambridge was even later, my grandmother studied and took the exams there around 1915 but didn’t get her degree until 1948, her two eldest daughters got theirs at the same time, also retroactively). The Oxford and Cambridge Club, as it is now known, which draws from OxBridge graduates though you also have to be nominated and elected, only allowed women as full members in 1997 (after the universities publicly disassociated from it over their policy).

Has anyone else notice this week’s bulletin?. Large number of jobs opening.

Job Opportunities at Park Street Church
Park Street Church is posting the following staff positions to be filled:

Director of Facilities

Director of Communications

Facilities Technician

Administration, Communications, and Finance Coordinator

Ministries Administrator

Who left? rich did,

janiceg:
Has anyone else notice this week’s bulletin?.Large number of jobs opening.

Job Opportunities at Park Street Church
Park Street Church is posting the following staff positions to be filled:

Director of Facilities

Director of Communications

Facilities Technician

Administration, Communications, and Finance Coordinator

Ministries Administrator

Who left?rich did,

Wow, seems like a lot of positions to fill.

Are those positions to fill for staff members who’ve already left, or are they newly formed positions? Or both?

Elizabeth Klein: Wow, seems like a lot of positions to fill.

Are those positions to fill for staff members who’ve already left, or are they newly formed positions? Or both?

I believe the openings are all previously filled positions that haven’t been re-hired yet…

I’m curious why Director/Minister of City Engagement isn’t listed, if that role hasn’t been filled. I could be wrong but I also don’t believe Assistant Minister was posted before it was filled.

mle bire: I’m curious why Director/Minister of City Engagement isn’t listed, if that role hasn’t been filled.

After reading that list of titles, I’m curious why there isn’t a “Commander of Great Feathers” or “Pastor’s Assistant of the Toilet (Pastor-Apostle’s Butt-Wiper)” or something similar.

Has anyone heard anything about The Five?

I mentioned a minister from the area who has been following the Park Street situation closely and is familiar with the requirements at Oxford, where his alleged degrees are from. This was their comment about Mark’s CV:

Oxford is very clear that in their usage “Master of Arts” is not a degree. They offer many different Masters degrees, as anyone can find online, but they have never offered a “Masters of Arts” degree. What he earned was a Bachelor of Arts degree. The “Master of Arts” designation is an honorary status that means that he can vote in university elections. Oxford is clear that if a graduate lists this, they are not supposed add a subject area (like computer science or theology), because you cannot get the Master of Arts in a subject. Graduates are also not supposed to mention a “First” because even the worst students, or even a janitor who never was a student can be granted this honorary status and no one gets a better status  (a “First”) than anyone else. A “First” implies that the student or individual earned a 70% or better grade. But there is no grading for their “Master of Arts” status since there were no exams and no papers on which a grade could be computed. If the graduate wants to inform an employer of his subject area and the fact that he did very well, (in England they do not have grade inflation like we do, a 70% is comparable to “cum laude” in America, if not “magna cum laude.” So he means to imply that he did well, and perhaps he did, but in his CV he mislead all Americans and 60% of all Brits! 

The problem is not a poor education. He had a great education. The problem is his character/morals. He failed at a crucial point when, he was discerning, as PSC was, that the Lord was calling him to Park Street. But if the Lord wanted to call him, he would not have needed a deception to make it happen.

Susan Lane:
I also inquired about Mark’s Master’s thesis, which would seem to imply he had a true” Masters. This was their answer:

His CV lists two master’s degrees, but the first of them is what Americans would call a Bachelor of Arts degree in Theology degree at Oxford. At Oxford or Cambrige, they are very clear that “Master of Arts” is NOT a degree. It is sometime called “a mark of seniority,” or a “status,” or a “rank.” If you want to know his degree was, it was a Bachelor of Arts, Theology.

Who is the “they” that provided that answer?

The PSC Search Committee, or the CCCC Credentials Committee?

Susan Lane:

… The concern is with his possibly intentionally misleading the Search Committee, and misleading all the rest of PSC, and continuing his misleading claims in that letter he wrote to the congregation in late December.

Really, all he needed to say was that he forgot to tell the search committee that the Master of Arts at Oxford is similar to what Americans would call a Bachelor of Arts.

100% agree.

Elizabeth Klein,

Sorry, I can’t divulge my source. It’s person with close ties to the church.

Susan Lane:
Elizabeth Klein,

Sorry, I can’t divulge my source. It’s person with close ties to the church.

It would be very interesting to see if the CCCC Credentials Committee would confirm what MA degrees Booker actually earned, since the Vicinage Council also thinks that they don’t have to answer to the little people & their pesky questions.

According to the CCCC Credentials website, they would have had to receive his transcripts to approve him as a CCCC minister.

Max: Have they been seen in recent days at the church?

Tim and Julian are scheduled to meet with Mark by Wednesday. Prayer is needed.

Elizabeth Klein,

I think that they can bring another person, but I’ve been hearing bits and pieces from everywhere. If someone else wants to confirm that that would be great.

Elizabeth Klein:
Btw, here is the document that Mark Booker would have had to fill out and submit to become a minister in the CCCC:

https://www.ccccusa.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/MinCredentialsAppInstructions.pdf

Oops, those are the instructions for the application, not the application itself. (FWIW, here’s the application: https://www.ccccusa.com/resources/applications-forms-2/ministerial-application/.)

Anyway, the point is, a candidate must submit educational transcripts to become a CCCC minister.

I think homeoffice@ccccusa.com should provide a clear answer to “the Oxford MA.”

Former Boston Girl:
Elizabeth Klein,

I don’t recall submitting transcripts for my 4C’s ordination so perhaps this is a “flexible” requirement.

Interesting… thanks for the info!

The VC refused to look into Booker’s credentials because they said the CCCC Credentials Committee had already looked into it. This doesn’t answer the question!

Tammy McLeod asked for prayer today everyone. She didn’t mention why. I have no clue what happened yesterday with Tim and Julian, but I’m sure we’re not going to get any kind of an announcement until a decision is made on the five ministers.

Prayers lifted for Tammy.

Max,

I was thinking about that, too, Max. That meeting, I had completely lost trust in Mark and the elder board. It confirmed everything about them being underhanded and manipulative. But God can work miracles. I’m just holding onto that.

Julian is traveling for the next 10 days doing mission work. His meeting will be then

Janiceg,

His meeting will be held after his return.

NAAH:
Susan Lane,

Susan Lane,

janiceg,

Elizabeth Klein,

Dear siblings in Christ, supporters of the Universal Church (incl. PSC)

Yes certainly I will pray for Tammy Macleod, who has highest seniority among our current ministers. Meanwhile, I am wondering why PSC posted 5 new admin. jobs in the same time frame that our five seasoned ministers were getting interviews. We all know the PSC budget deficit is out of proportion to loss of PSC members, because many active members reduced their donation pending the status of these ministers. I am wondering if the newly posted jobs will be funded by diverting funds from the ministerial budget i.e. the five ministers may be subjected to a pay-cut. If that happens, Tammy Macleod will suffer most. From personal experience, I know the expenses required by a chronically handicapped family member is much much more than health insurance would cover. Therefore, as we faithfully pray for dear Tammy, let us be prepared to offer her tangible support. e.g. PSC members can make donations to the PSC Ministry and Operations budget with specific designation for Tammy Macleod, just like we can donate to the Missions budget specifically for any missionary e.g. to Andrew May, or to CRU, or to Bill & Paula.

In three days we shall celebrate Pentecost:
O Spirit Divine, descend upon our souls!
” HEAL OUR WOUNDS, OUR STRENGTH RENEW, ON OUR DRINESS POUR THY DEW,
WASH THE STAIN OF GUILT AWAY, BEND THE STUBBORN HEART AND WILL.
MELT THE FROZEN, WARM THE CHILL, GUIDE THE STEPS THAT GO ASTRAY.”

I was particularly concerned about the Ministries Administrator position because I thought that’s what Damien was doing. Of course, as I’ve mentioned many times, there’s no position being offered for an Employee Relations Representative. If Mark says that he intends to mix this responsibility with other responsibilities in a position, that’s bad practice. An Employee Relations Representative should not report to Mark. That’s a conflict of interest, because if employees are coming to express concerns about the leadership to this person, Mark should not be in the position to terminate them. It really should be accountable to the Personnel Committee, although there have been questions about their bias as well as who is selecting them.

I have always questioned the brashness which Mark has had to terminate our ministry staff, especially the longtime incumbent like Kris Perkins, because I think his and the Elder Board’s intent is to get rid of the higher paid positions and bring in some young blood that you can pay cheap. It’s a tactic that cutthroat organizations use and has no place within a church. A former elder, who very much supports Mark, brought this idea up. They never said that that was his MO, but the fact that they brought it up is disconcerting since they had led under Mark’s leadership. An organization would never admit to this, but it becomes pretty clear when the highest paid members start getting pushed out the door.

All we can do, as I see it, is to demand that the leadership come clean, and forging their own path without the involvement of the congregation. We need to demand that they come clean. Also, about the deceptive tactics that have been used to exact this agenda. They need to take action surrounding involving the congregation, encouraging collaboration, and yes, that means pushback sometimes, and not just privately. And then we need to demand that if there are financial issues, they need to come to the congregation with them, not try to handle them themselves. It’s like you said, though, if Mark guts this ministry staff, then he will gut his support. You can’t last on the endowment forever.