Whereas, First Baptist Church Jacksonville and law enforcement

A few weeks ago I posted about a watchblogger who has been rebuffed and abused by church leadership at the SBC church in Jacksonville Florida. 
There is an update here.

Now media has picked up the ball, because the church senior leadership tactics speak to the larger community with their use and possible abuse of law enforcement.
People are understandably concerned about the ethics around the investigation.

A reporter found the watchbloggers name on a ‘no tresspass’ report and the story has gone far past SBC blogs and the church into Florida papers over the past couple of days, and apparently has been picked up by three local TV stations.
If grieved and active church members don’t step in and step up, this mega-church abuse of power story will go national.

There are a couple things which jump out at me. 
Church leadership made some serious choices which impact a wider group of people than the few they chose to be abusive toward. They used law enforcement not only to find out the ‘identity’ of this blogger, but private information on two other bloggers as well, one of whom is using her real name.
Lesser levels of leadership at First Baptist Church in Jacksonville were lied to about what was going on, and it remains to be seen now that they know they were lied to, what they will chose to do. The ‘whereas’ deacon resolution warning members disappeared from the church website over the weekend.

My concern is this.
If church leadership will use law enforcement to do it’s bidding at whim, how safe are the church members who have spoken up? Thomas Rich blogged anonymously to protect his family, can he protect them now? He had the time and resources to ask the questions and gather documentation others who attend this church may not have had.
Someone decided Rich was fair game and posted his personal information under the Union-Times article. More covert church enforcement?
People are angry, it is a normal reaction when abuse of power is uncovered. Church members who have been faithful are hurt and polarized and community questions about law enforcement involvement are legitimate.

Given the ‘whereas’ resolution made by senior church officials, how safe is anyone at First Baptist Church Jacksonville who dares ask a question of their leadership?
Judging by some of the comments of Brunson’s fans at blogs over the past months and media outlets the past few days, I’d say, not very.
If church members and bloggers are threatened by enforcers and fans of this minister who can snap his fingers and have powerful people jump, can they trust Jacksonville law enforcement with their safety?

Why can’t senior church leadership produce the documentation of supposed events they say justified using law enforcement to possibly break the law? I don’t think anyone who has followed this story is holding their breath, the supposed events that led to this church obtaining subpeonas don’t appear to have been reported to police.

At any stage in this mess church leaders could have done the right thing instead of using intimidation, bullying and abuse.
If church leadership feel they couldn’t speak adequately (address questions and criticism of the Rich family) they have always had the resources to hire an outside mediator.
They’ve always had the opportunity to behave like Christians.
An SBC minister stepped forward, he was vilified and mocked for his offer and ignored by SBC Jacksonville leaders.  Now that the actions of the church leadership have drawn the attention of media, law enforcement behavior in this mess is under a public spotlight and the larger community has legitimate concerns.

When contacted by Union Times reporter Jeff Brumley, senior minister Mac Brunson had this to say:

But Brunson said Rich’s persistent criticism over nearly two years indicates the writer has an “obsessive compulsive problem” and is “not very stable at all,” Brunson said.

“What you’re dealing with is a sociopath,” Brunson said.

Oh.

There is nothing pastoral, nothing godly in what Brunson had to say; nothing here a servant of God preparing for Easter might offer wounded people in his church and to the public. Nothing redemptive here.  What does this statement say about the character of a minister who when given a public opportunity to speak healing, speaks harm?

Contrast Brunson with another minister who chose a different way to handle questions and criticism in his church. Lessons in Dealing with a Disgrundled Member:

I may have not been able to answer your questions completely, and even if I have, you still may not agree with my decision making. Please know that your disagreement with the pastor of Emmanuel is not only all right, it is healthy. The main thing you should know is that you have every right to question me, and even if you think I make too much money, shouldn’t be a member of the Country Club, or shouldn’t have led the Personnel Committee to hire a particular staff member, our disagreement will never be, in any form or fashion, an impediment to me loving you and being a pastor to you. Feel free to relay what we have discussed to those you are meeting with, and know that you have my complete support in continuing to meet. You can invite anyone and everyone you desire to join you, and if you have more questions, I will be happy to come meet with you. If, after evaluation, you feel you can’t worship with us because of a disagreement, please know that you have our blessing and full support to join another sister church and we will recommend you with Christian love and grace. Bottom line, I’m never above questioning, nor are you are ever beyond my desire to see our mutual walk with Christ strengthened.”