Guest Post

The following was received from an anonymous reader:


Why do the people of Calvary hide from the truth? Why do they repeat gossip they have heard from the pastors without talking directly to the individuals involved? Why can a pastor say someone is in sin and has lied and so their family can be taken away, but the same idea does not exist for themselves. If they sin and someone accuses them of lying, do they have their families taken away? Plenty of people have been saying Pastor Scott has sinned and lied. Why is his wife and family not taken away from him? If that is even the godly thing to do? Double standards? Are pastors untouchable, like God himself? No.They are just men, to be judged at a higher standard of conduct because of the position of trust they occupy. To be watched closely and expected to be above blame and reproach, within and without the Church. Pastor Scott and his pastors have obviously failed that simple test. They have become a reproach to all that is pure and good and honorable and holy. The innuendo and intrigue surrounding Calvary Temple has God-fearing people stunned. And some are getting fed up with it.  Righteously angry.  Ready to do something, alongside the praying they have been doing for years.

Whether Pastor Scott is guilty of the open allegations exposed by men of integrity via their articles on their blogs, is something outside pastors should investigate. Obviously the pastors inside Calvary are compromised, because Pastor Scott holds their homes, and paychecks, and ultimately their wives and reputations in his hands. As he has destroyed so many people already, he undoubtedly will try to defame them IF they speak publicly. Pastor Richard Miller is a case in point. He left Calvary Temple saying he could no longer support what Pastor Scott was doing. He was marked a heretic, and refused to be allowed to see his son and his grandchildren. Months later, after a meeting set up by his son [a pastor under Pastor Scott himself], he says he has agreed to disagree with Pastor Scott, while Pastor Scott announces in Calvary Temple that Pastor Miller 'repented'. This is a statement that Pastor Miller denied empatically, that he had nothing to repent of and it was not true. He expressed this sentiment with several individuals. However, he would not call Pastor Scott out on such a blatant lie, and was restored to fellowship with his son and grandchildren. Something smells fishy here.  Months later, an anonymous tip came in via Calvary Temple member, that Pastor Miller's legal representative was hired and paid for by Pastor Scott regarding the IRS investigation into Calvary Temple.

Hmmmm, not just fishy, more like a bunch of dead fish.

-anonymous reader-

Wrong Response, Mr Scott

In light of recent events concerning the Duggar family and their eldest son, The Village Church with Matt Chandler, as well as allegations closer to home here in Calvary Temple, I would like to examine some of the incorrect responses by those facing accusations of sin.

1. Focusing sympathy on the perpetrator, not the victims.  In the firestorm of media coverage concerning the Duggar family, very little has been said about the victims. Josh Duggar has been the recipient of countless affirmations of support from the Christian community whereas the victims have hardly been mentioned. Those of us at Calvary Temple experienced much the same when many of us received an email telling of the actions of our pastor. A panel discussion immediately ensued in which all those in leadership spoke of their unconditional support, love, admiration and forgiveness for Mr Scott. Nothing was mentioned concerning the two children that were the alleged victims of abuse. (rather, we were led to believe the actual sin was a single act of adultery). It would be expected that these children experienced life-long, devastating, consequences. Yet, we hear of the "limp" that Scott has had to endure for these many years. "Some of you have just been enlightened of things that created in me, as I've shared with you, a limp thirty five years ago, and I have been limping ever since." (Spiritually Minded Part 3 4/23/08 Wednesday PM). Can we really compare his "limp" with the devastating and life altering consequences in the lives of two children?
2. Can't you forgive?  The burden is often put on the victim to forgive his/her abuser, even to the extent of being told their salvation is dependent on them quickly offering forgiveness. (whether the perpetrator is repentant or not). The victim is allowed little or no time to work through the traumatic experience but must instead act as though all is forgiven and they no longer are in deep emotional pain. Nothing is done for the victim - all the while the church rallies around the perpetrator. In a recent event connected to The Village Church, member Karen Hinkley learned of her new husband's long term, deep involvement in child pornography, lies, cover-ups, and betrayal. The Village Church put her under discipline for seeking an annulment of her marriage. Her husband was to be forgiven, little was said about his victims. (Matt Chandler, the head pastor, has since apologized for this action after an onslaught of negative criticism and publicity). Here in Calvary Temple, the congregation was told to forgive Star Scott of his sin and understand that there would be NO consequences. We were told it would be treading the blood of Jesus beneath our feet if we did not forgive him. As has been said many times, if someone is truly repentant, forgiveness is freely given - but it does not negate the consequences. According to 1 Timothy 3:2 he was disqualified from the role of overseer. And of course, there are legal consequences for the actions outlined in the email written by his own son. 
3. But look at the good I've done. When the email was sent out saying Star Scott had been involved in a heinous sin, he used the following defense of his actions: (you will find his explanation difficult to follow, stick with it, you will eventually get what he is saying). "Through all of this situation I've had to-there are still some things that are having to be dealt with, and I called my family out west, the family that is involved in this situation, and talked with my uncle. I can't-I've got to be very careful that I don't put just anything out that doesn't need to be there that glorifies the enemy, (i.e., the truth) but there's a really good point that I want to share with you. As I was talking to him, he said, "Bob, let me tell you something." He had never said this before. He said, "I want to tell you something. Twenty years ago when I called and talked with you and we'd addressed this situation, ...following that we had a discussion of, What do we do with this? What do we do at this time?'" And this is part of the tragedy (tragedy??? it is a tragedy to deal with the truth coming out? but not a tragedy for what happened?)-I don't know what's going on in the spirit realm, and why we're experiencing and facing what we are. It was never the intent of any of those that were the primaries, but I never knew why it wasn't an intent on that side.  (now here comes the supposed reason there were no charges brought) He said, "We sat down and we talked and I said, You know what? God's hand is on that man, and if one soul can be saved by us bearing whatever burden (whatever burden???)  we need to bear, it's worth it."  (I wonder if the victims would agree with this assessment). And I shared with him on Monday--having never heard that, I shared with him, "I just want to tell you one thing. It's been more than one soul." [Pastor motioned across the congregation, indicating the multitude that have been affected by his ministry.] Amen? God's good! God's good! (Spiritually Minded Part 3 4/23/08 Wednesday PM). So the fact that he believes he did a "great work" excuses him from the consequences of his actions? How is it he was exempt from the consequences of breaking the law? Why did people decide to skirt the law and not report a crime? 
4. Let's call it persecution.  In Calvary Temple, revealing sins (that are of a law-breaking variety) of its leadership and/or members is called persecution. In the true church, it is called TRUTH.  
5. We cannot be distracted:  "We're not going to be distracted by Satan's onslaught, and as we shared here when the men stood the other day with us in the panel...a reminder right now to us as a people, to myself, that this is no time that I can allow myself or that any of us can have the luxury of being distracted. We're at war. God is doing a great thing in our midst". (Spiritually Minded Part 3) The immediate response is to shift attention from the actual sin and allegations of sin to the "great work" God is doing. Taking time to reveal and deal with sin is not being distracted from the "great thing" happening - it IS the great thing happening. God purifies and cleanses us, not allowing us to remain in unconfessed and unrepentant sin. Dealing with sin in the church is not a "luxury", it is biblically mandated.  "For it is time for judgment to begin with God's household; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God?"  1 Peter 4:17  
6. Feel Sorry for Me:  Very much like #1 is the perpetrator himself soliciting sympathy. "As I was looking at getting ready for tonight, I really wasn't looking forward to this evening. I'm just tired, used up right now, beat up, and I thought, Lord, how can I stand and bring Your Word in the condition that I'm in right now? And He said, "Don't let Satan bring you back into the bondage of thinking that you've done something good because of thirty-five years of obedience. You're just an unprofitable servant. The problem is not that incident; the problem is you're depraved." In Calvary Temple, this response is extremely effective. Not only does Mr Scott receive sympathy for his exhausted, beaten up state, he also reminds everyone that they are NO DIFFERENT from himself. He tells the congregation that his sin is not anything other than the actions of a depraved man - just like all of the congregation. But I would contend that the consequences of Mr Scott's sin might be a little different for both the victims and for Star Scott. "But those elders who are sinning you are to reprove before everyone, so that the others may take warning". 1 Timothy 5:20. And finally, he puts God's stamp of approval on himself by reminding the congregation of his 35 years of "obedient" ministry, saying GOD SPOKE TO HIM, and told him to CONTINUE ON.
7. The Devil Made Me Do It: To quote Star Scott again - "the problem is you're depraved." This approach allows the perpetrator to shift responsibility for his actions from himself to satan.  
8. And to continue the thought above, Star Scott tells the congregation that there are to be NO CONSEQUENCES for him (other than the limp, of course). As most of us are well aware, Star Scott falsely teaches that THE SIN NEVER HAPPENED. Therefore, the only thing God speaks to him is to continue on with doing "this great work". The congregation was told to "not tread the blood of Jesus beneath their feet" by requiring an explanation for 35 years of covering a sin. Star Scott himself stated very boldly that he REFUSED to speak to it anymore. It is very convenient for such a one to declare  "I repented, God forgives me, therefore the sin never happened. Case closed. End of discussion".
9. Shoot the Messenger This is another effective technique used to divert attention from the perpetrator. Mr Scott uses the pulpit to create a common enemy. If he can disparage those that have brought out the truth - the congregation rallies around Scott, the "whistle-blowers" lose all credibility, and he has a free hand to continue speak against those that have left. He groups those attempting to speak the truth into one category: "People who have walked out of our midst have absolutely no fear of the Word of God, and have no belief that we can bind and loose, mark, and turn over to Satan for the destruction of the flesh. They walk away with no fear and no reverence for the Word of God or for the authority of the church." (A Little Leaven Pt 1 2008). He indicates that EVERYONE disagreeing with him is spiritually lost. In reality, there is a fear among those of us willing to speak out - a fear that children will be harmed, families will be divided, couples will divorce and loved ones will be lost.   

These are just some of the techniques used for shifting attention from the transgressor. (An additional example can be read at The Wartburg Watch.) There are many others freely employed in Calvary Temple.  




Proverbs 28:13   Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper but the one who confesses and renounces; he finds mercy.  

1 Cor 4:5   The Lord will bring to light the things hidden in the darkness.
John 3:19   This is the judgment, that the Light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than the Light, for their deeds were evil.
John 3:20   For everyone who does evil hates the Light, and does not come to the Light for fear that his deeds will be exposed.
Romans 1:18   For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness.

Covering sin, hiding sin and spinning sin will ultimately destroy a church.