Church Split Cheat Sheet

Charges of Disqualification

We are here tonight to address a serious sin you committed in leading a church split against Reformation Baptist Church...

A sin we believe, as your former Elders, disqualifies you from pastoral ministry.

And we believe this church split has disqualified you for at least three biblical reasons.

The Big Question

It is irrefutable that Josh led a church split.

The only question…and the only question that matters and settles all of this is:

Does an elder who leads a church split disqualify himself from pastoral ministry?

1. Division

The division is evidenced in that you left the church to plant a church split against the will of the Elders taking 12 covenanted members from RBC, recruiting 2 more in September (Downings) and continuing to recruit others sowing division in our body leading disciples to follow after yourself just as the wolves in Acts 20.

Acts 20:29–30 I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them.

Titus 3:10–11 As for a person who stirs up division, after warning him once and then twice, have nothing more to do with him, knowing that such a person is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned.

Proverbs 6:12–15 A worthless person, a wicked man, goes about with crooked speech, winks with his eyes, signals with his feet, points with his finger, with perverted heart devises evil, continually sowing discord; therefore calamity will come upon him suddenly; in a moment he will be broken beyond healing.

Proverbs 6:16–19 There are six things that the Lord hates, seven that are an abomination to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that make haste to run to evil, a false witness who breathes out lies, and one who sows discord among brothers.

Galatians 5:19–20 Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions.

Jude 19 It is these who cause divisions, worldly people, devoid of the Spirit.

1 Corinthians 1:10 …that there be no divisions among you.

Romans 16:17 I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them.

2. Insubordination

Elder are called to submit to and obey other elders. While we never gave an explicit command or formally entered Matthew 18 (that’s what the mediation was for) you did not show a submissive spirit throughout the entire process.

The Council of Elders said to slow down, wait, and find a way to move forward together as a church.

All the while you never moved an inch and continued building your church split outside of the parameters the Elder Board agreed to while we were still praying to see if it was even the Lord’s will.

And instead of working with us and seeking council of mediation from sister churches, resigning your membership.

Obeying Elders

Hebrews 13:17 Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.

1 Thessalonians 5:12–13 We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves.

Titus 1:10 For there are many who are insubordinate, empty talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision party.

Insubordination is characteristic of false teachers in direct contrast to the qualifications of elders in Titus 1:5-9.

3. Self-Will and Disunity with Fellow Elders

Both the Division and the Insubordination come together as the fruit of Self-Will/Arrogance

The Biblical qualifications for Elder are an all or nothing list. An elder lacking in even one of these qualifications is disqualified.

In refusing to work with the other elders instead choosing to resign your membership to go your own way, you showed yourself to be self-willed, seeking only your interests and not the interests of the church as a whole.

Our Bylaws demand that we come to a point of unity on any major decision of the church.

Article 5: Section 5 The Board of Elders will aim to act under a consensus. If a consensus is not possible for whatever reason, the act of a 3/4 majority vote of the Elders present at a meeting at which a quorum is present shall be the act of the Board of Elders.

That consensus is a spirit of unity among the Elders. And specifically the elders as a whole because Article 5: Section 1 says The affairs of the church shall be managed by its Board of Elders. Other Deacons, ministry leaders, paid staff, or any other position established by the Elders shall serve the church under the direction of the Board of Elders.

The board, not just a few.

Gentle (The Opposite of Self-Willed/Arrogant)

1 Timothy 3:2–7 Therefore an overseer must be above reproach…not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, …He must not be a recent convert, or he may become puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil.

One of the qualifications requires an elder to be gentle and willing to yield wherever possible not insisting on his own way (1 Corinthians 13:5).

“A gentle man exhibits a willingness to yield and patiently makes allowances for the weakness and ignorance of the fallen human condition. One who is gentle refuses to retaliate in kind for wrongs done by others and does not insist upon the letter of the law or his personal rights. “Graciously amenable,” says one commentator, “yielding wherever yielding is possible rather than standing up for one’s rights.””

Alexander Strauch, Biblical Eldership (Littleton, CO: Lewis and Roth Publishers, 1995), 197.

Arrogant/Self-Willed

Titus 1:6-8 If anyone is above reproach,...He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain, but hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined.

Arrogant can also be translated as self-willed.

“To be self-willed or arrogant is the opposite of being “gentle” [forbearing], which is one of the qualifications listed in 1 Timothy 3:3. A self-willed man wants his own way. He is stubborn, arrogant, and inconsiderate of others’ opinions, feelings, or desires. A self-willed man is headstrong, independent, self-assertive, and ungracious, particularly toward those who have a different opinion. A self-willed man is not a team player, and the ability to work as a team is essential to eldership. We must remember that the local congregation belongs to God, not to the overseer. The overseer is God’s servant, not a master or owner, thus he has no right to be self-willed when caring for God’s precious people. A self-willed man will scatter God’s sheep because he is unyielding, overbearing, and blind to the feelings and opinions of others (2 Peter 2:10).”

Alexander Strauch, Biblical Eldership (Littleton, CO: Lewis and Roth Publishers, 1995), 232.

Elders are called to seek Unity of Mind; Not be Self-Willed trusting in our own Wisdom

Acts 15:25 …it has seemed good to us, having come to one accord, to choose men and send them to you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul.

We see the elders and apostles sought to become on mind on a crucial issue for the church.

1 Corinthians 1:10 I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment.

Philippians 1:27 Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel.

Philippians 2:1–5 So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:2–3 I entreat Euodia and I entreat Syntyche to agree in the Lord. Yes, I ask you also, true companion, help these women, who have labored side by side with me in the gospel together with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life.

Romans 12:16 by being of the same mind toward one another, not being haughty in mind, but associating with the humble. Do not be wise in your own mind. (LSB).

Romans 15:5-6 Now may the God of perseverance and encouragement grant you to be of the same mind with one another according to Christ Jesus, so that with one accord you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. (LSB).

2 Corinthians 13:11 Finally, brothers, rejoice. Aim for restoration, comfort one another, agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you.

Ephesians 4:1–3 I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

1 Peter 5:1–8 So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed: shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory. Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.

Conviction is Not Enough: The Laying on of Hands as Necessity for a New Work

Elders are appointed, presumably by the laying on of hands.

Acts 14:23 And when they had appointed elders for them in every church, with prayer and fasting they committed them to the Lord in whom they had believed.

NT church saw the laying on of hands as a 1. Commendation and 2. Commissioning

1 Timothy 4:14 Do not neglect the gift you have, which was given you by prophecy when the council of elders laid their hands on you.

Acts 6:6 These they set before the apostles, and they prayed and laid their hands on them.

The Proto-Deacons were affirmed and commission to their new work in the church (they were presumably already leaders in the church given the fact they were put forward by the congregation) by the laying on of hands.

Laying on of hands affirms new leadership and commissions.

Acts 13:2–3 While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off.

Even after the Holy Spirit set Barnabas and Saul apart, they were still affirmed and commissioned on their new work after fasting, prayer, and the laying on of hands.

The church is instructed to not be hasty in the 1. Commendation and 2. Commissioning lest they become participants of their sins

1 Timothy 5:22 Do not be hasty in the laying on of hands, nor take part in the sins of others; keep yourself pure.

3 Reasons Why It’s not Just a Paul and Barnabas Disagreement on Philosophy or Time:

Paul and Barnabas is Not an Example

Number 1: Paul and Barnabas are not presented as an example to aspire to.

We should do whatever we can to avoid it if possible.

A better Paul and Barnabas that doesn’t disqualify anyone is baptizing babies versus not.

Paul and Barnabas Does Not by Consequence Lead to Sin

Number 2: Paul and Barnabas’ disagreement/lack of unity did not, by consequence, lead to sin.

Taking John Mark or not was not a sin issue.

So a Paul and Barnabas disagreement, by definition, does not have sin follow as a consequence.

Our disagreement at the least led directly to the sin of division in the form a church split.

If It Was Just a Disagreement Why Not Wait Over a Church Split?

Number 3: If it was just a Paul and Barnabas disagreement on time/philosophy why could you not have waited just a few more months rather than opting for a church split?

Paul and Barnabas split because they were start traveling on their mission (and lest we forget, this after already being clearly sent by the Holy Spirit and affirmation of the church first).

There was no such rush in our situation other than your impatience. Your original time table had said August/September!

Presumably the rush was because you said you left because you didn’t want to cause problems and hurt the church. Go before any damage is done.

But If that were true, then you wouldn’t have left.

The Holy Spirit had made you an overseer of RBC to serve her first over any church you wanted to start (which is a whole other disqualification) (Acts 20:28).

If you really cared what was best for our church you wouldn’t have left with a church split that hurt our church so badly that we are still picking up the pieces.

You leaving because of a “disagreement on time/philosophy” actually proves your self-will and disqualification because it wasn’t really about what was best for the church.

It was about what was best for you.

If it were about what was best for the church you would’ve stayed and slowed down to wait on the Holy Spirit to lead the other elders to come to unity trusting in His sovereignty if thats truly what the Lord wanted us to do.

What Needs to Happen

Repentance. A letter of apology to our church and your church split.

Resign as an Elder

At the least: Stop recruiting members.

Tell Jake and Hannah to stop spreading lies and gossip in our community group and sowing division.

Look at the Fruit:

Would the Spirit of Fellowship, Unity, Love, and Peace bring this?

Personal relationship.

Walls, division, and lack of fellowship between members and former members.

If this really was of the spirit there would be celebration and fellowship to see each other. Not broken relationships.

Its obvious division when you can’t even do a Psalm thing together.

The broken relationships actually prove all of this was of your own will and not of the Spirit.

Galatians 5:19–23 Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

Ephesians 4:3 …eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

2 Corinthians 13:14 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

For Partner:

Honestly Bart, its fine that you’re here cause you need to hear this, maybe you don’t know what you signed up for…

But honestly, you weren’t brought in and haven’t been involved in this whole process so you don’t really have anything to say from first hand

As far as I’m concerned your a partner in this whole thing so either:

Josh did something wrong…

Or that calls all of your qualifications into question here too.

Look at it from our perspective...

You flew down here from Seattle, came to our church, built relationships, only to partner up help lead a church split.

From all I know about you, everything looks like a wolf in sheep’s clothing.

But we’re here to talk about Josh and his qualifications, and since you’ve only known him for around 6 months compared to our 9 years I really don’t see what you have to add.

Summary with No Repentance

All I have to say is this.

Ezekiel 3:18–19 says if you see your brother in sin and do not warn him, his blood will be on your head, but if you warn him of his sin, you will deliver your soul.

From the very first day we became friends sitting around that fire talking about your marriage in a conversation that you said changed your family...

I have always told you the truth., and I’m telling you the truth now.

As far as I’m concerned I’m innocent of your blood.

Ezekiel 3:18-19 If I say to the wicked, ‘You shall surely die,’ and you give him no warning, nor speak to warn the wicked from his wicked way, in order to save his life, that wicked person shall die for his iniquity, but his blood I will require at your hand. But if you warn the wicked, and he does not turn from his wickedness, or from his wicked way, he shall die for his iniquity, but you will have delivered your soul.