Recently, I was removed from the membership list of the church where I had belonged for more than 3 decades. Leadership requested that I not attend church functions. The details may be of interest to some people for various reasons so here they are…
Awhile back, I was summoned to meet with the elders so they could inform me of their decision to revoke my teaching privileges. “This has been coming for a long time,” they said. ”Gosh,” I said. “Then why is this the first meeting? I should have been told there was a problem when you noticed the problem.”
Ignoring that, they read a lengthy list of charges, accusations, and grievances which I cannot cite because my request for a copy of those charges was denied. “This was a collection of our thoughts,” they said. “It wasn’t intended to be made public.” As I recall, there was a summarizing statement that basically said, “What you’re doing is not good for you or for anyone else.”
I asked if I was doctrinally erring. They said I was not. I asked if I had sinned. They said I had not. I was told, “It’s not what you say, it’s how you say it.” When I asked for some clarification, they said, “You know what you’re doing.”
I’d been ‘doing what I was doing’ for over 34 years and this was the first time anyone had suggested I needed to stop. Listed among the grievances was an accusation of disrespecting the authority of leadership so I decided not to fight the decision. I’d submit to my elders and stop teaching.
I asked, “What are you going to tell the church?”
They replied, “We’ll just tell them the service is being discontinued because it isn’t working.”
“But, that’s not the whole truth,” I said, with some passion. “You need to tell them that I’m not qualified to teach.”
One of them quickly asserted, “We don’t think you’re not qualified!”
I replied, “You just read several pages of accusations of wrongdoing. What I’m doing is not good for me or anyone else. If those charges are true, then I’m absolutely unqualified.”
“We don’t want to throw you under the bus,” they said warmly.
With a little more passion, I responded, “You’re protecting people from a false teacher. This isn’t a matter of choice. You are obligated to warn them about me. I’ve been teaching here for decades! I’ve influenced countless people. You shepherds are REQUIRED to tell the flock I am a threat.”
One of the many gifts God has given me is an internal ‘irony detector’ and it was going crazy as I lectured the elders in how to properly discipline me according to the New Testament. Honestly, if they had read their list of grievances to the church family, it would confirm their convictions were sincere.
But they didn’t do that.
Instead, they sent a text message to some (not all) of the people who attended the service where I taught. I did NOT receive a text message (irony detector going crazy again). One of the deacons forwarded me a copy:
“Hey [Name]! The Elders have made the decision that the 9:15 discussion service will no longer be meeting. We felt it was no longer beneficial. If that time works best for you, we will have a traditional service in the Chapel. If you have questions, please ask one of the Elders. Thank you!”
Church is family. I don’t think that’s terribly controversial considering we refer to each other as ‘brother’ and ‘sister.’ I know that brothers and sisters don’t always get along. Sometimes family members hurt each other. As a member of a functioning family, I expect the other members of the family will occasionally make mistakes and even sin. When that happens, I don’t get to tell them to find another family. I need to do the hard thing and restore fellowship. I had every intention of restoring fellowship with the church elders. I planned to let emotions simmer down a bit before I tried to initiate another conversation.
The church was transitioning to a new senior minister. The previous minister was retiring and a new guy was hired to replace him. One of the elders actually told me, “You’re gonna love him! He sounds a lot like you!” (This was a couple of weeks before the decision to ban me from teaching.)
When I heard the new guy preach, he did say stuff that sounded similar to the things I have said. He was dynamic and spoke with conviction. Truthfully, he preached a good sermon.
I thought it would be good to have a conversation with the new guy on the off chance that he had heard some things about me. He agreed to meet with me. I suggested we simply state what we’d been told about each other. I told him, “I’ve heard you are the greatest senior minister to ever cross the Indiana border.” That wasn’t much of an exaggeration. The leadership at Fairfield had been telling the congregation how amazed they were that the new guy agreed to join the staff. We were told repeatedly that we are, ‘lucky to have him.’
Then I asked what he had heard about me. He replied, “Not much, really.” He indicated that the elders had removed me from teaching as a favor to him. They didn’t want his first order of business to be dealing with the ‘John Branyan Problem.’ He told me that he didn’t want to rehash what was in the past. He was interested in moving forward.
It struck me as odd that the new guy didn’t ask about the specifics of the ‘John Branyan Problem’ when the source of the problem was right in front of him. Perhaps he already had a complete understanding of the problem and if that was the case, I would ask him to explain it to me. I was still pretty clueless about what John Branyan’s problem actually was.
The new guy scheduled something called a ‘Pre-Vision Meeting’ which was essentially a frank, no-sugar coating discussion about our church’s dire circumstances. We were in decline. If we didn’t take immediate action to infuse the congregation with new blood, we would cease to exist. We needed to “prioritize reaching over keeping.” That is to say, we were shifting focus to make our primary concern be strangers outside our congregation.
Church is family. If the head of a household made the announcement, “We’re going to prioritize having babies over raising children,” it would be reasonable for some of the kids to ask some questions. So, I asked some questions via an email addressed to the new guy, the elders, and the church staff.
“Hello brothers and sisters – I’ve been processing all the info from last night’s Pre-Vision meeting. These are some of the questions that popped into my head in the wee hours of this morning.
- How do we differentiate between those we are trying to reach and those we are not concerned with keeping?
- Is [the church secretary who was fired for losing his temper in public] now a person we are trying to reach? Why or why not?
- Who specifically will walk alongside newly baptized individuals to disciple them?
- What parts of Sunday’s meeting are off limits for discussion with other church members?
- How do we respond to someone who says the tone of the Pre-Vision meeting was too harsh or unprofessional?
- Are any of these questions divisive? Please explain which ones and why.
I asked some questions on the RSVP form which I understand are in the queue to be answered at a later date. These questions can just be added to those questions.
Yours in Christ’s service,
-john”
The new guy responded in less than an hour:
“1. Stop twisting words. Never once was it said we aren’t concerned with keeping; we said we would prioritize reaching over keeping. Those that haven’t professed Christ but are pursuing him are held to different standards than those that confess followership but are exhibiting selfish ambition.
- Yes. Along with every other person in the world that doesn’t follow Jesus.
- Who we decide based on our pastoral responsibility as shepherds.
- It depends on the heart and intent of the conversation.
- We don’t respond to anyone that feels that way. Feel free to forward such persons to the leadership of the church and the elders will respond.
- Yes, your tone and bent is quite obvious. You don’t have to like or agree with the spiritual headship in the church, but your submission and respect of the mantle of leadership they carry is part of biblical unity. Inability to trust and submit is a great reason to find a new church.
- If after 4 hours you don’t feel those questions were answered, then it just starts to feel like you don’t like the answers you have received.
John, allow me to be clear. You as much as everyone else has an opportunity to be an integral part of what God is doing here. We don’t have to see eye to eye or agree on all things. However, your tone (I know you don’t like that word) and your chosen recipients of these questions give evidence of your frustration.
You are going to have to choose at some point whether you want to be part of what God is doing here, or if you don’t want to/cant. However, we as a leadership believe God is very much speaking to us, and guiding us in a direction. That language and expectation will not change. We may be discerning with incredible precision, or we may be off here and there. But that’s a burden for us to carry, not you. Your burden is deciding whether it’s within your ability to submit to your leaders, or find new ones where you can do so without the tension you are clearly feeling.
Thankfully, as we seek to serve Him and seek His direction we are under his promise that he’s going to make it work out and he will get the glory.
Kyle”
The new guy’s response put me in a quandary. He told me I would have to choose whether I wanted to be part of what was happening at the church while scolding me for asking the questions that were necessary in order to make that choice. I don’t think my questions were answered and I’d been told that saying so ‘starts to feel like’ I don’t like the answers.
Church is family. In this family, I’m told that as much as it’s up to me I should live at peace with my siblings. So I sent a 2nd letter to the elders and staff trying to better explain my position. It ended:
“…I sense the resentment my questions create but I don’t know any other way to find out what people think.
I’ve been a member of the family for over 30 years and until recently, nobody has ever suggested I should find another group. In the last couple of months, it’s been made clear that I’m not welcome.
I genuinely don’t understand who is in the demographic of ‘people to reach.’ It’s unlikely that the people who join our congregation are going to speak in tones that we like. I’m fully on board with [the call] for unity. I’m trying to figure out how unity works from the outside.”
This time, It took a couple of days for the new guy to respond. He sent a four-page, single spaced PDF document that contained quite a few assessments of my character and motives.
“What I’m attempting to communicate to you is that you have a life draining impact on others. That’s not a quirk; that’s not because of life on the spectrum. It’s character concerns stemming from a lack of submission and selfish ambitions.”
and
“For one claiming that God has bestowed self-awareness on you, you don’t seem to be aware that you’re quarrelsome demeanor is damaging the church.”
Remember, the new guy has only had one conversation with me and we didn’t discuss any specific sin problems. There was no mention of my quarrelsome demeanor or my selfish ambition. He actually said he hadn’t heard much about me. A four-page personality profile seemed an astonishing accomplishment for someone who has only been in town a few months. As it turns out, the new guy had more information than he originally admitted. In the letter, he stated:
“Your communication pattern has been consistent with someone who uses language and a questioning posture as a means for eliciting response (regardless of the response type) as a primary objective rather than moving others closer to Christ. These are all concerns that have been communicated to you, but that you refuse to acknowledge or receive. For instance…
Are you aware that Lynn’s [the retiring pastor] doctor told him he could no longer meet with you, because doing so was creating so much stress on his heart he was concerned with Lynn’s health? Are you aware that our leadership has spent significantly more time and energy relating to issues specific to you more than any other member of our family? Are you aware that the elders and Lynn felt the need to “pre-apologize” to me for the stress they anticipated you would create for me in my role as Lead Pastor? Are you aware that no less than 10 people approached me after our “pre-vision” meeting to joke that they were specifically watching you, anxiously waiting to see your reaction and how angry you would become? Are you aware that the elders, immediately following pre-vision discussed how long it would take before we got our first John Branyan email (knowing you would be the first)? Are you aware that my first week here I had all staff fill out forms and asked what hidden landmines I needed to be aware of, and almost all of them in some way referenced you personally or issues pertaining to the conversation service? Are you aware that staff and elders have verbalized, often, the feeling of having to walk on eggshells around you and avoiding you on Sunday’s because of the emotional capacity required to be in proximity to you and we believe that will negatively affect us in our primary responsibilities to the body? Are you aware that even your language, and the recipient list for your line of questioning following “prevision” is completely unique only to you, despite having over 70 people in attendance?”
The answer to all of these questions (which I know are rhetorical but I’ll answer anyway) is: “No.” I was unaware of all the gossip taking place behind my back among those who called me brother. I had no idea my spiritual overseers were avoiding me on Sunday morning. I didn’t know they were negatively affected by my presence. None of them ever said anything to me. That information was shared only with each other (and the new guy).
There are scriptures that speak against slander and gossip. The book of Matthew contains the procedure for dealing with brothers when they sin. The bible also speaks about submitting to authorities. At the same time, the bible warns about false teachers. Elevating one scriptural concept to the top of the priority list creates confusion. The new guy made it clear that submission to his authority was the most crucial element of church membership.
“You must understand, it is not your job, your calling, or your responsibility to question church leadership. Church leadership is not accountable to you. We are accountable to one-another, and to God, for our discernment and direction… If you want to be part of what God is doing here, and reconciled in this body…You would need to verbally affirm a chosen trust (It doesn’t matter how you feel; trust is a choice) of their leadership, and full submission to their directives in regard to your interactions within our church family.”
In my family, someone would respond to the statement, “We are accountable to one-another and to God,” by asking, “How does God hold you accountable? How does God let you know you’re wrong?” But those questions are considered divisive at the church.
In my family, there would be a conversation about the statement, “It doesn’t matter how you feel; trust is a choice.” Can you really just decide to trust someone? What if the person demanding your trust has gossiped about you in multiple closed-meetings? Can you REALLY trust a person who makes blind obedience the cornerstone of your relationship?
The only guy I trust without question is the one who rose from the dead.
My mistake was thinking church is family. I wasn’t a brother. I was a ‘subject.’ Instead of being a family member, I was expected to play the role of ignorant support personnel for those who declared themselves to be God’s anointed leaders. So it was kind of a relief when I got this email from church leadership:
“After careful consideration and prayer, the leadership of Fairfield Christian Church has made the difficult decision to remove you from our church membership. This decision was not made lightly and comes after numerous attempts to address the many divisive behavioral concerns that have been raised.
We want to emphasize that this decision is not a reflection of your worth as an individual, but rather a necessary step to maintain the integrity and unity of our church community…We kindly ask that you refrain from attending any church sponsored function at this point in time. In the future, should your posture toward our fellowship change, we would sincerely welcome your repentance and gladly reinstate your membership. May God bless you and guide you in your future endeavors.”
Notice there are still no charges of sin. Their assurance that the decision is ‘not a reflection of my worth as an individual,’ is not for my sake. They said that for themselves. It’s justification for disfellowshipping annoying people. “We don’t like you but you still have worth! For the sake of unity, you need to leave. May God bless you!”
“John, you jerk! This seems vindictive! What possible good can come from throwing dirt at these church people?!! You’re so divisive!!! You haven’t learned ANYTHING!!!!!”
God writes the story of my life, not me. I’m not wise enough to calculate what ‘possible good’ comes from telling the story. Choosing to ‘keep this to myself’ is literally telling God that I’m ashamed of the story He wrote for me. I’m not throwing dirt at church leaders. They threw the dirt in the air and the dust is settling on a whole bunch of people. (I’m not the only one with a story.)
As for the charge of divisiveness, I didn’t kick anybody out of the church. I obeyed leadership’s request to stop teaching. I obeyed leadership’s request that I stop attending church functions. Verbally declaring trust in leadership would be dishonest. I don’t trust people who openly admit to gossiping about me while gaslighting me to believe that a ‘questioning posture’ is a great evil. I’m suspicious of church leaders who seem more concerned with my submission to them than my submission to Jesus.
The church is now prioritizing reaching over keeping by publicly declaring themselves to be ‘creating a better place to belong.’ It’s possible that somebody might go there thinking acceptance is guaranteed. That is not the case. Some might go there thinking that they will find unity in Christ. That is not the case either. Belonging at FCC Kokomo requires unquestioning allegiance to the men in leadership. You will need to decide if membership is worth that price.
To those who will use my ‘church hurt’ as justification for maligning the entire Christian faith, I’m still resting on the finished work of Jesus. No power on Earth can snatch me out of God’s hand. My hope was never pinned on the righteousness, wisdom, or rhetoric of local clergy. My faith is NOT shaken when human beings reveal their imperfection. My faith is rooted in the eternal, unshakable, grace of my heavenly Father. I belong to Him because of Jesus.
(Romans 12:18) If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.”
26 Responses
Hi John, I’ve been to a couple of your shows and got to talk with you. The very church that I met you at kicked me out. I was the chairman of the trustee board and I dared speak against Bernie Sanders abortion stance and the pastor thought I was unwise and too provocative. He was so worried to offend people that what was PC was more important than truth. I was very outspoken and that didn’t help. God bless your ministry.
I’m a bit late, but I completely understand as I’ve been there also, and know others who have been through the same. It’s so common it has a name – it’s the left boot of fellowship (the opposite to the right hand of fellowship). 🙂
In my case it came down to a theological disagreement, which had been fine for a few years, others in the leadership knew my opinion and it was just a difference of viewpoint. But then a new person started attending, learned my viewpoint, and must have thrown a fit about it behind the scenes, because I suddenly found myself dragged before a disciplinary meeting where I was ordered to recant my viewpoint or I wouldn’t be welcome. I asked for them to show me from scripture where I was wrong so I could actually change my mind – they would not even have the conversation. So I was essentially being asked to lie and say I didn’t believe something I did believe, which I couldn’t do, so I was no longer welcome.
There are many parallels to your situation, which reveal a lot about human nature. Also, this happened quite a few years ago, and I have learnt a lot from it.
Firstly, in both of our cases, the leadership were trying to placate a newcomer. But newcomers are often temporary. In my case, that individual found another reason to get upset and left about a year later. In your case, it’s a hired pastor, and they’re always temporary. Church leaders have a tendency to try and make things smooth for newcomers, even if it means upsetting or kicking out people from the solid core of the church. It’s always a bad decision, but it is human nature to make this error.
Secondly, although scripture gives very clear instructions for how to approach issues like this (approach the person one-on-one, then with witnesses, then take them formally before the church), when it comes to a real situation people tend to instead gossip behind your back and then jump to a formal meeting, ignoring what the Bible actually says. This isn’t just your church, it’s what everyone does, even people we respected as solid Christians. When emotions are high, the Bible gets forgotten.
Outspoken thinkers like you and I are intimidating. Church leaders are unwilling to try and engage with us properly, to explain why they believe we are wrong and actually teach us, because they fear on some subconscious level that they’d actually lose that discussion and possibly even end up having to change their own mind. So instead they talk about us rather than to us, and lay down ultimatums rather than engaging. Because they honestly see no other option. They don’t know what else to do. They honestly believe they have to do what they are doing to “protect the flock”, and this is the only road they can see to get there because they feel out of their depth trying to actually “reform” us. We do need to have some sympathy for them even when what they are doing is wrong.
Thirdly, it is probable that the leadership do not realise what they have done. They don’t see how they are at fault, and don’t want to consider it. And your perspective may be faulty also in some details due to emotion, we’re all imperfect. From my experience, do not expect this to ever be resolved. They will always think they did right, and never apologize – and you will always think you did right also. You’ll have to forgive them without an apology, in order to heal the pain in your own heart. Even though it cuts extremely deep – I know this well.
In my case, the leadership of that church are good people. They just made one mistake. Although I have never returned to Sunday worship there and now attend another local congregation, I am now involved in one ministry of that church, and get on well with some of them socially (now that there have been some years for emotions to heal). Remember that the same probably is true in your case.
Much as it hurts, I would suggest refraining from further public commentary on it in this newsletter, it will only deepen the scars. Return these messages to your ministry work – delving deeper into Christianity through thought and humour. If God has closed the door to ministry in that church, but left this door open, He has a job for you to do here. I too wrote a letter to the church outlining what had happened – I think in hindsight it only made things worse. Often, the less put in writing the better.
If posting this gives you access to my email address, feel free to send me a message and I’d be pleased to discuss it with you further, if that would be helpful. I’ll be praying for you.
I have NO DOUBT that you could be a difficult member. 😉 But they handled it (and you) in a complete unbiblical way. And submitting to your leaders without question sounds more like a cult.
I agree…….the sheeps should be free to ask questions to the shepherd.
I can only imagine how heartbreaking this must be for you and your family. I am so sorry you guys are going through this. Blessed to see you leaning into the Lord and standing for truth in the midst of the storm. Thank you for sharing your struggles.
Praying for peace that passes understanding.
Sorry, that happened to you John. I had the pleasure of meeting you at my church a few years ago. I thought you were very funny. We are not supposed to judge others. That’s exactly what your church did. While ignoring their own issues. You deserve better. God has plans for you.
So who is going to confront the pastor on his lying that he didn’t know much about you? When will they repent of the gossip? Of the not going to a brother if there is an issue? The responses you got sound like a bunch of candy coated Christianese and high falootin mumbo jumbo with little substance. If they can’t lay out a specific sin, what is there to repent of? This whole situation is awful and I am so sorry. Church hurt is hard because they are supposed to be your brothers. I am a pastor’s kid, and my dad was treated horribly by one of his churches. I am sorry all this is happening, and I hope that you can find some true community with believers who love you.
There is no one left in the building with the discernment and backbone necessary to confront or hold anyone accountable. Everyone with any biblical knowledge and shepherding instinct was run off. Pray for the vulnerable sheep who still attend on Sunday mornings and are unaware that the Spirit is gone.
Have they brought out the gay unity flags yet? I see “Ichabod” inscribed over their door. There is a purging going on and it is G-d who is purifying His bride. Great families are difficult to find these days, but Yeshua has not left us as orphans! You are loved and appreciated here, by this sister! <3
……..they don’t seem to be open to any corrections. Isn’t that how a person grows in the walk with Jesus?
It sounds like that church doesn’t give any freedom to certain member to point out anything that they don’t wanna hear.
Hey John,
I hate to say it but, “Welcome to the Club”. Been through this twice. Once as the youth pastor who was accused of being “too avant-garde” and replace by a nepo-deacon and once because as a youth worker, the youth pastor believed a teenagers lie versus asking me the truth of the matter.
After bringing my concerns to the staff/leadership of both churches, I was told I “spit in the apple of God’s eye”…the church. All for merely asking clarifying questions similar to yours. Then posting about them, without identification, to a Tumblr blog no one read.
Those of us who have the tendency to be a bit Berean and question why the Emperor has no clothes, tend to become an “issue” or “problem”. I’ll take my tendency to the grave.
Good luck in your search for a new church home as my nickel’s worth of free advice is that trying to stay where you’ve been is a no-win, Kobyashi Maru scenario. And you can’t Captain Kirk your way out. Pray for them but leave them to there devices.
Sincerely,
Eric Lancaster
THEIR….not THERE. *Facepalm*
“You’re not sinning, but repent!!” 🤔 🤷♂️
SO many things I want to respond to, but I’ll just say this: may God bind them in their cowardice and dishonesty until they see His Truth and repent. As the Lead Pastor of a large church and school, it is absolutely the responsibility of my members to hold me accountable. I do hold spiritual authority, but spiritual authority is 100% about responsibility for those under your care, and never about power or control. Pastors are servant-leaders. God bless you, John. Don’t give up on the local church in general – not this one, shake the dust off your feet as far as it is concerned – but do not avoid committing to another body.
John, having once been a member of your planneddemic bible study…. I can confidently say…that imho….the leadership of your current church is full of themselves, NOT the holy spirit…. having once been “targeted” as you were, I find your responses completely reasonable, and you are owed an apology….at least..(tho if I were you, I wouldn’t ever hold my breath for getting one). I have known of and been involved with at least 3 churches who all acted like yours is now…. 2 of them no longer exist…..If you weren’t Biblically or Theologically incorrect, in what you were teaching, I do not see what their problem is…..other than personality…but that usually wins every time. This situation and You and your family will remain in my prayers…and God help that church and it’s so-called leadership
Wow….”You haven’t signed,but we await your repentance”. We have the exact opposite problem at our Church, there’s literally nowhere left to put anybody on Sunday mornings….and it’s not because we’re more concerned with “reaching than keeping”….Sheesh! It shouldn’t surprise us when leadership doesn’t like being held accountable, but it is shocking when it’s Church leadership demanding complete fealty with no questions asked. Will continue to pray you land somewhere that actually follows Scripture, especially when it’s difficult.
Sinned not “signed” Autocorrect is my worst enema….
This is what happens when a church “acts as God” instead of “acting for God”. You’re always right if you create, and then live in, an echo chamber.
Well, well, well……..
I’m glad you haven’t lost your touch! There’s an epidemic going on in a lot of churches nationwide. One that is more concerned with reaching rather than discipling. But then again, doesn’t the Scripture say, “Therefore, go out and reach the lost in the nations?” I’m sure it’s something close to that, right?
I’ve lurked in your message boards and posts for quite a few years now, and I’ve always been impressed by your teachable spirit. Never lose that!
God teaches us that He designed each one of us intentionally. He has a plan and a purpose for each of His chosen. That plan has not changed one bit because He doesn’t change (Hebrews 13:8). Know that there are people praying for you and your family for strength, direction, peace, and hope (not the wishful kind, but the happy certainty).
Thank you for sharing as it has helped me with organizing a few conversations that I am soon to have with my church leadership.
~~Grace and Peace
I’m sorry that happened to you. I believe God is dividing churches. It’s happening in major denominations. Who is following the Bible from those who aren’t. God is closing the door to this one. He will lead you to where He wants you to be. If this is one of your quirky stories & I took it serious & it’s not, my sense of humor wasn’t working. It felt real to me and so my reply.
I’m sorry that happened to you. I believe God is dividing churches. It’s happening in major denominations. Who is following the Bible from those who aren’t. God is closing the door to this one. He will lead you to where He wants you to be. If this is one of your quirky stories & I took it serious & it’s not, my sense of humor wasn’t working. It felt real to me and so my reply.
Unfortunately, this is not satire or a quirky story. It’s absolutely true.
I expect the leadership will blame the whistleblowers when there are “divisions” as a result of light being shed on these things. But, if the truth harms your ministry, your ministry is the problem. Not the truth. 🤷🏼♀️
I appreciate your willingness to share a bit more of what led to your ouster. My heart hurts for you, and it hurts for the next person who will be the object of what seems to be a concerted effort to squelch any expression of frustration.