Yet another example of Acquired Situational Narcissism, the tendency among clerical leaders that their newfound power and celebrity status distort their perceptions and values and grant them a pass from the normal constraints and expectations of life. After his stint at SWBTS, Mr. Woolman would have benefited from a humbling role as a cashier at a Piggly Wiggly which would have been character strengthening. Instead, he was passed along to an unsuspecting parish. The NYTimes had an interesting take on this ASN syndrome (https://www.nytimes.com/2001/12/09/magazine/the-year-in-ideas-a-to-z-acquired-situational-narcissism.html) and it’s worth a read because it is so ubiquitous. It is another facet of what Pope Francis calls “clericalism”.

My opinion upon reading this, as a heretical, non-orthodox lover of Christ:

This in my view is a thorough and convincing rebuttal of the common Christian narrative of being saved according to God’s plan with the aid of prayer as guided by the Spirit. This guy did all the work and checked all the boxes. If you do all this, and if you ask God, then he is supposed to help you to not do stupid, evil things. Is it too much to ask God to fulfill his and her end of the bargain?

This narrative simply endorses superstitious magic, and seems to remove all critical thinking, skepticism, discernment, and curiosity.

What if we based our faith in Jesus AND critical thinking, skepticism, discernment, and curiousity? You may say I’m a dreamer. I’m not the only one.

You do not have all of the facts.

How did you get this information? Specifically the names and backgrounds of the candidates?

Was this written by a very old AI program? If not, someone sure was not paying attention in journalism class. Or maybe they fell asleep. Todd, not sure how you can sleep at night knowing this has your name on it. Goodness.

Must be a slow news day when a church’s preschool director becomes your lead story. And come on, Matt Queen did not tell you anything. I am sure the people you target in your “story” are keeping receipts.

Libel is a legal term that refers to the making of false and malicious statements about a person in some type of print or writing. This can include false and malicious statements made in writing, printed on signs, or published on a public forum.

I was a member of a church that brought in a new pastor who had a “moral failure” and this was told to us not via the pamphlet that was passed out introducing him and his wife, not at the meet and greet, but mentioned at meeting 1 and then after a flurry of questions, was not mentioned at meeting 2. Oh, and though we asked question after question, if was never fully explained what this “moral failure” was, just that he had a group of hand-picked pastor bros that declared him ok to minister again after a year. God forbid we have full information and make a informed decision ourselves before we vote. Nope, they just kept repeating Hebrews 13:17. So, this story sounds the same. Don’t ask questions!

No,

Perhaps you could share those facts……. or is the SBC still keeping secret files?

Stavros49: After his stint at SWBTS, Mr. Woolman would have benefited from a humbling role as a cashier at a Piggly Wiggly which would have been character strengthening. Instead, he was passed along to an unsuspecting parish.

I’ve said for YEARS that (although it’d be against the Constitution 🙂 ) that EVERYONE should be required to do a two-year term in retail (customer service).

At the same time, I’ve also said that the saying, “The customer is always right.” is expletive-deleted.

It’s a fine balance….a humbling experience, but not one to teach grovelling or fawning. Sometimes one has to stick up for the customer, sometimes one has to stick up for the company, and sometimes one has to stick up for oneself. It’s difficult these days to find a place to work where all of that is possible.

No:
You do not have all of the facts.

Only the fifth comment in;
the sock-puppet Defenders of the Faith (and the ManaGAWD) are running early today.
But then, a lot of trolls camp out on the blogs they hate.

JJallday: Nope, they just kept repeating Hebrews 13:17. So, this story sounds the same. Don’t ask questions!

The Cult of the Blue Oyster has a much better beat:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6xpnyoAOTCo

linda,

Linda,
Please, do correct me if I misunderstand you, but are you saying that our churches should be led by and ministered to by only salaried professionals with degrees from seminaries?

If so, I’m am a bit relieved. Whew! I can blot out all of those things Paul and Peter said/wrote about wives/women! Those men certainly did not meet those qualifications, as did none of the apostles.
(Wow! That could even cast some doubt on Jesus’ authority!)

……We’re almost all churches that existed before non-bivo pastors were a available and before there were churches that could afford to pay salaries…. were non-biblical? That would mean that almost all churches that existed before 1950 were non-biblical????

( BTW, the elimination of bi-vocational pastors would close a lot of churches in rural areas where small congregations would not be able to meet the salaries needed for the pastors and their families to survive – I can name names.)

Long time listener, first time caller. Dee, Todd, gang, thanks for what you are doing to fight the good fight. I appreciate it! The swbts fiasco is a story I’ve been following closely for some time, so when this popped a few days ago it piqued my interest. I’ve spent most of today scouring back over this site, other blogs, media coverage and public records related to swbts. I have to say I am still confused as to what is really going on. Todd, I know you have spent a lot of time on this. Could you shed some light on a few things? A few points and a few questions:
1) I actually think it is good for pastors to have friends. Hate that in this case a friendship is being used against him. I guess that’s why so many pastors do not have friends.
2) Seems like a lot of information shared would be considered highly confidential, even in a church setting. Naming the other candidates and sharing information about staffing decisions? No doubt whoever shared this info thought they were “righting a wrong” or “helping a friend”, but I’ve seen this movie play out before. What they have done is irreparable harm and placed everyone involved in very difficult situations.
3) By now we all know that swbts identified Pastor Woolman as one of the employees in the federal information only known as Employee #1. We also know who Employee #2 is. But no one is talking about Employee #3. Who is this, and could this person be central to everything? Confused as to why swbts names 2 out of 3 and not all 3.
4) Is The SBC Blogger related to The Baptist Blogger? If not, are you friends?
5) My church produces slick brochures. Sorry yours does not, but in researching the community this church is in, seems like it is upper middle class, top ranked schools in the state, full of people who probably expect nothing less than excellence. So I for one applaud this church for trying to put forth excellent content. If their communications person reads this, job well done!
6) With access to SBC data, I can see that this church is in the top 5% in giving to cooperative program, imb, and the namb. That is top 5% out of 40,0000+ churches. Shows the heart these people have to reach others for Jesus. I hate to see them go through this, but if any of their members read this please know that I am cheering you on!

Amy,

Oops…I meant to add, “I’ll hang up and listen!”

linda,

Got it. I agree with you!

Todd Wilhelm: In my opinion, the people in the pews need to take responsibility for investing their gifts wisely.

Just a guess here:

IMHO, much tithing is actually social climbing or “in-group” seeking, on the part of donors.

Nothing to do with wisdom or responsibility or moral clarity or supporting integrity in leadership.

Tithe, turn a blind eye, acquire access to Dear Leader’s inner circle toxic soup group, jump in, rub shoulders, kumbaya hugs, belong, enjoy oh yeah! the “fellowship”, never look back and don’t go deep. Arrived.

The SBC Blogger: the Father up above is looking down with (righteous, judging, factual) love, oh be careful little blogger what you blog!

The Father is keeping a close eye on bloggers, while giving a green light to the endless parade of grifters, abusers, and rapists acting in his name in his church, while peddling pretend salvation?

I have a bridge in Brooklyn that would look lovely next to your (upper middle class!) bird bath.

Sandy,

Amy,

Amy, I do not know TBB but I hope to be like him when I grow up. He represents all Baptists since he is THE Baptist Blogger. I just speak to SBC musings. Hit me up if you are interested in my substack. Weekly insights to the dark underbelly trying to destroy the SBC and its leaders. Prov 12:17

Todd Wilhelm,

Not talking about MQ. Talking about the pastor and church that are the focus of this hit piece. I don’t have a dog in the hunt, just wanted to highlight your heavy handed accusations that have the potential to cause major damage. “The Wartburg Watch – Dissecting Christian Trends”, does that mean the trend is to call for people to step down when only one side of the story has been told? (see previous WW hit piece by TW from November)

Todd Wilhelm: I thought it would be obvious that my reference to Matt Queen was tongue in cheek. Apparently not. I have never spoken with Matt Queen. The second sentence is true.

Thanks for clarifying.

I have seen a couple of situations where the convicted or soon-to-be-indicted politician spills the tea to the investigative reporter that has been following them for years. So having a convicted felon talk to you after the fact actually seemed plausible. Hope that helps.

The SBC Blogger,

I already subscribe to your substack. You do great work, keep it up!

Todd Wilhelm,

Goodness TW. I think we now see your heart. After what Amy shared and that is your response?

Amy: My church produces slick brochures. Sorry yours does not, but in researching the community this church is in, seems like it is upper middle class, top ranked schools in the state, full of people who probably expect nothing less than excellence. So I for one applaud this church for trying to put forth excellent content. If their communications person reads this, job well done!

Umm, sorry, but reading just this point tells me all I need to know about your church and those like it. I pity the people who can’t see the issues.

Todd Wilhelm: With access to SBC data, I can see that this church is in the top 5% in giving to cooperative program, imb, and the namb. That is top 5% out of 40,0000+ churches. Shows the heart these people have to reach others for Jesus. I hate to see them go through this, but if any of their members read this please know that I am cheering you on!”

Also, really . . .

Giving lots of money = a heart for Jesus

I’m not saying that none of them have a heart for Jesus, just that money isn’t the proof.

Parable of the poor widow.

dee,

Oh, but ain’t that America for you and me?
Ain’t that America somethin’ to see, baby?
Ain’t that America? Home of the free, yeah
Little pink houses for you and me
Ooh yeah, for you and me
— John Mellencamp 1983 —

dee: This is the mistake that we baby boomers made in the church. Due to an overwhelming amount of attention paid to those who “made it in business” or other publically highly regarded professions, excellence came to be equated with “doing it like Wall Street does it.”

Which is also why the mail-order delivery warehouses covering square kilometers outside every major city are all blazoned “Amazon” instead of “Sears”.