We support the Victims of Tom Chantry & ARBCA

Please note that my comments are directed specifically at those in the original AC back that did not report the findings to authorities, those involved with recommending him to any other church, those involved with the Committee and AC that recommended the readmission of a church led by Tom Chantry into ARBCA, and those who refused to listen in the current AC to those of us demanding change prior to the conviction. I do not hold to the requirement of all those in ARBCA unnamed or even all those in attendance as delegates are in need of repentance of the error that some in ARBCA are. I ask forgiveness of those in ARBCA who are not related to this situation as I believe the petition is overly broad in its wording regarding those who remain in ARBCA but are unnamed. I pray and hope for the reforming of the organization and specific repentance of those involved and pray for the forgiveness of those I may have unintentionally offended by signing this petition without addressing the broadness of the wording at the same time. I support the victims, I openly ask for the repentance of those involved with cover up, I do not believe all members, all delegates, or all ARBCA churches are in need of repentance.

I regret that innocent people within ARBCA churches as well as delegates to the GA working to bring about change and transparency have been hurt by the wording of this petition and ask their forgiveness for implying by my signature that I believed they needed to repent and be saved. Only those responsible for this injustice are in need of repentance, and I would like to make it clear that I do not believe there should be a blanket condemnation of all ARBCA church members or delegates.

For shame, ARBCA! I'm thankful that the ARBCA Awareness people are exposing the cover up

Our prayers go out to the victims and their families. May all laymen in ARBCA churches rise up and repent!

All this is an example for all of us to take heed to. God speed.

Those involved in the cover up need to repent.

2 Corinthians 5:16 So sorry for the victims. So sad to see men I held in such high regard involved in covering up something that should of been dealt with immediately. This is reminiscent to the Church of Rome’s scandal. But even worse because from these churches the true doctrines of grace are set forth. At the root of these sins are spiritual pride. How sad.

Having followed this story for a couple of years (on this blog and Brent Detwiler's blog), I am astonished that those ARBCA leaders who participated in the cover up still will not admit they were wrong. I am particularly appalled at Walter Chanty who has been lionized by the association. Please, Walter. Admit you screwed up. And that your son did wrong.

It is my conviction and desire to support the innocent victims of Mr Chantry and to demand full civil justice be executed upon him for hus crimes.

Back in 2000, had ARBCA the common sense and decency to follow the law and report to the police, Tom Chantry would have been held accountable for his crimes 20 years ago. He would not have had the opportunity to hurt even more children. ARBCA and its leadership have been called out privately by several churches in the past. They chose not to repent. Now, they are being called out publicly. This petition is not new information. These leaders are not above reproach. They should NOT be held on a pedestal and idolized. That would go against the 1st Commandment. We hear so much about the 4th and the 9th, but what about the 1st? ARBCA has been held up on a pedestal for way too long, to the detriment of lost congregations and the shunning of long time friends. ARBCA likes to ignore or blame the victims. They blame the people who love them enough to call them out, instead of repenting of their litany of sins against God. Some have called us reckless troublemakers. None of these things cover over and erase the sins they have committed. Not in our eyes, and certainly not in the eyes of God. To the true victims and survivors: We continue to pray for your healing. We pray that the justice given now and in the future would give you the strength and comfort of the only One who can heal your hearts, minds, and souls. Thank you for your courage and bravery to stand for the truth!

ARBCA, you have failed once again in your handling of the Tom Chantry issue and continue to bring dishonor to Christ and His church: 1) In 2000 you failed to report credible allegations of child abuse to the police, as required by the law and Christian prudence. 2) In 2015 you recommended Tom Chantry's church for membership into ARBCA while knowing of his abusive past, as well as the then current police investigation of child molestation. 3) In 2017 you falsely reported to the General Assembly that ARBCA had handled the situation in accordance with the law. 4) In 2018 you produced two Administrative Council Reports that attempted to justify your past actions. Both reports are filled will bogus excuses and finger pointing and are completely void of any repentance. They may express sympathy for the victims but your words are worthless because they lack action. Can you give us one example of how you have supported the victims? 5) On May 9, 2019 you issued a statement following the General Assembly that acknowledges Tom Chantry's guilt, yet you still refuse to take any accountability for the harm you have done to the victims. You are blind guides. Policy and organizational changes, along with expressions of sorrow and compassion for the victims, are not a substitute for true repentance. "For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death." (2Cor 7:10)

I stand with, and pray for these survivors.

Our hearts and prayers are with you.

The wheels of justice grind slowly but they do grind to powder. I wholeheartedly agree with this petition and do express my sincere REBUKE of the 2019 ARBCA GA delegates and all those remaining in ARBCA. Have you no shame?! Repent or you will all likewise perish! Seek the Lord while He may be found and call upon Him while He is near! It is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God! But you have neglected the more important matters of the law- justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former.

There were absolutely no good reasons to wait until now to make statements like these. This delay in supporting victims, and condemning evil against children should have been loudly called from the hilltops many years ago even before there were criminal charges against Tom Chantry. Those who dismissed men who brought truth to light by suggesting that it was a distraction from the gospel work or as gossip misunderstand gospel work. May the Lord have mercy on you as you repent of your actions and lack of action. I pray that those responsible for allowing Tom Chantry to re-enter the ministry at any level with knowledge of his past actions would now do the right thing by resigning their own pastoral roles. You have allowed wolves to enter in and have become like wolves yourselves - disregarding even your own elders, but more importantly bringing shame upon the name of Christ and His church. Repent and humble yourselves before the Lord. Seek forgiveness directly for particular sins against God’s people and the victims of this man’s sins.

Should be Omniscient, Omnipresent, and Omnipotent...

"As conscience grows more passive and the evil spirit supplies his guidance, some Christians begin to lower their moral standard - thinking they henceforth live according to a higher life principle, and therefore treat immoral matters as not quite so immoral any more." - Watchman Nee 1Timothy 3:2, seems to be a biblical standard to be discarded by some in leadership, it is incomprehensible that anyone that understands the Omnipresent, Omnipotence, and Omnipresence of God can somehow think that there is no day of reckoning without full public repentance.

I stand in solidarity with these victims

"Repentance" turn around, renewing your mind, transforming yourself with a belief in God that you are incapable without the Holy Spirit and you are literally reaching and grabbing Him by "faith".

Praying for the victims!