Carter Announcment

We’re grateful to God that,

by His grace, our church has seen few serious moral failures.

But as many of you are aware,

a deeply painful situation has unfolded among us over the past year.

Charlotte and Chris Carter’s marriage has ended in divorce following a period of unfaithfulness on Chris’s part.

With sorrow, we share that the elders

—after much prayer, pastoral care, and many private conversations with Chris Carter—

have exercised church discipline in response to his ongoing, unrepentant sin.

Though he has been repeatedly warned and lovingly exhorted to turn from his sin,

he remains unwilling.

In accordance with Scripture, we have made him aware that this is evidence of a heart not walking by the Spirit,

but according to the flesh.

As Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 5:5, we have “handed [him] over to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, so that his spirit may be saved on the day of the Lord.”

What we mean by this,

is that he has been excluded from being a member of our church family in Christ,

and so in a real sense belongs again to the world, where Satan rules.

We pray that,

as he experiences the emptiness of the world

and the loss of fellowship with God’s people,

he will yet come to repentance and be restored.

While he is not welcome to participate in the life of the church in this current state,

he knows that the door remains open should he be willing to repent and seek restoration.

Through this painful season,

Charlotte has shown remarkable faith and courage.

She continues to walk with the Lord,

and we want to affirm our deep love, support, and ongoing prayers for her and the girls.

Many of you have already stood by her in tangible ways

—please continue to do so with compassion and care.

This situation is also a sobering reminder of the destructive power of sin,

particularly sexual temptation.

 1 Corinthians 10:12 warns, “So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall.”

Let this be a clear warning,

especially to those of us who are married:

to never entertain even a fleeting fantasy or desire for anyone other than your spouse—

especially during seasons when your marriage may feel strained or difficult.

If you are struggling in this area—

or in your marriage more generally—

please know that you do not need to walk through it alone.

Our Pastoral Care Team

(AM - Bob, Dorothy, Gilly, Tim G and Myself - PM - John and Alison, Tim G and myself)

or indeed your home group leaders,

are here to support you.

Whether you need someone to pray with,

talk to,

or help you take the next step toward healing or accountability,

we are here to help.

For us all,

let us continue to bear one another’s burdens in love,

walk humbly before our Lord,

and hold fast to the hope of redemption

and restoration that Christ alone provides.