A Church Group, a Lawsuit, and a Culture of Abuse

[kwassa]

8. yes, it certainly is a good thing.

I wonder about the life and death span of many of these megachurches that depend on the charismatic personal qualities of the founders. What happens when that disappears?

from wikipedia:

Early in 2012, Sovereign Grace Ministries announced their intention to relocate their headquarters from Gaithersburg, Maryland to Louisville, Kentucky, citing Louisville's lower cost of living as well as the growing connection with The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in town.[23] Some critics have suggested that the move may have more to do with the fractured state of the organization's relationship with the SGM flagship church, Covenant Life Church in Gaithersburg.[24]

In late 2012, charges were brought against Sovereign Grace Ministries for allegedly concealing sex abuse among laymen. The plaintiffs claim church leaders did not report accusations of misconduct to the police and offered legal advice to suspected pedophiles.[25] Late 2012 also saw the departure of the movement's flagship Covenant Life Church in Gaithersburg, MD from SGM; a decision supported by an overwhelming majority of voting members.[26] Additionally, the Sovereign Grace churches in Charlottesville, VA, Sarasota and Daytona Beach, FL cut ties with the movement during this period. Daytona Beach's pastor Jesse Jarvis noted a “leadership culture characterized by excessive authority and insufficient accountability” as rationale for the church's departure.[27]