Broad meadows

It has been my great privilege to serve the members of FBCOFER and the community of Eaton Rapids through them these past 25 years. It was with great sadness that it all came to an end this past week as many of you know. I have sent a copy of the letter I received from the elder board and a short explanation as to what happened to a few of the members through messenger.

To me, the years the current pastor has walked those halls have been marked with many red flags. Asking for double the offered vacation time. Rare appearances in the adult Sunday school class.More recently a flood of new teachers who have no speaking record at all in the adult Sunday school class and now they are teachers. Even if this wasn’t a direct contradiction of not allowing new members into leadership positions, it still wouldn’t be wise. And completely skipping perhaps the most important step of church discipline, bringing that member before the church to explain, and also allow them to defend them selves to the membership. This step is vital to keep a rogue board from railroading those with whom they disagree.
I also observed other things about him as well. He would seem to deny conversations that I knew we had had ever took place. I would ask him a question about some previous things either I said to him or he said to me and he would act as though he didn’t remember them, even though they should be very memorable. These are all small deceptions that narcissists use to protect themselves. But ultimately, I had to know what was going on there. So I designed a test to see what kind of men I was dealing with.

Ostensibly, what I was asking was to return to teaching, something I truly loved and to which I felt God was leading me to. I certainly had a long track record in teaching there and over all those years, no complaints. Granted what I was asking to teach was controversial, but when did discussing controversial subjects become forbidden? But the tests that I set up, using scripture, are meant to find out more about, at least initially, myself. But it can also be used to test others. This can especially be useful when the person in question is extra crafty.

Our first meeting which was primarily guided by me using questions designed to elicit certain responses that should be easily answered by someone Bible and historically literate. And they did so. At the end of the session, I specifically asked if there were any objections to what we had just interpreted. Three of the men there said nothing, the pastor said no. I left that meeting immediately after that feeling very upbeat.

Our second meeting which occurred this past week was anything but cordial or controlled. Anytime I tried to speak I was interrupted. Anytime I asked a question that would prove my point, they would refuse to answer. And then came the testing moment.I specifically asked why they didn’t object when I asked them to. They said that they did. A lie. That’s when I knew. And they knew it too. That’s why they reacted so harshly.

I’m not the first person to accuse him of lying. During the split meeting, he was accused. A women stood up during one of his sermons and said the same thing. And now I can add my voice to that list. I told the board at that time it was their duty to hold him accountable, but they clearly refused, even knowing better. That’s when I was thrown out.

There were many off-ramps they could have taken when I put this test together that would have both vindicated them and allow for interesting discussion. They missed them all. But now this brings into question all of there decisions. Did Heart and Hands really need to be kicked out? We have had the same set of rules in place for them since they have been there. I know we bristle at being told what we can and can’t say on our own property about our own religion, but H&H gives out tens of thousands of meals each year in our community to families in need. This ugly dismissal has given FBC a black eye on social media and in the community, while simultaneously destroying a long held ministry in the church. You don’t think that people realize it’s our faith that drives us to help? The fact that it’s in a church says that clearly.
The steps I have taken in this manner were to find out what kind of men we were dealing with. You will probably hear a lot of slanderous accusations against me in the coming weeks. Take everything you hear from them with a grain of salt and remember all the different ministries I have participated in while there and the results of them.

Given the above reasons, it’s clear that the pastor and elder board has exceeded biblical authority multiple times. We have given them too much power and trusted their judgment too easily and without question. They have abused that trust. The membership has clear cause now to dismiss both the pastor and elder board for these abuses. And my advice is to not allow anyone who has been an elder back in that position. We didn’t get to this point by accident.

I am available to talk to any individuals or groups of individuals away from the FBC campus as I’m not allowed to be on the premises anymore. For those that know me, let that sink in. I have never harmed or deceived anyone there and no one can truthfully say otherwise. I know no one likes standing next to a lightning rod when there’s a storm, but this is huge test for FBC. If you fail it, FBC will continue to deteriorate spiritually.

I don’t ask to be reinstated because I think that would be too painful for both of us. But if you stand up and remove these men for cause and summon me for further information, I will make myself available. Even with how it has ended, my time with all of you has been the best and most meaningful time of my life. May God’s Holy Spirit guide you and protect you. I love and will miss you all.

Brad Coontz