The Documents
July 7, 2011 in Sovereign Grace Ministries
Here is a link to the documents that apparently brought about C.J. Mahaney’s temporary leave of absence from his leadership role at Sovereign Grace Ministries:
http://www.scribd.com/sgmwikileaks
© 2011, Kris. All rights reserved.
Adding to Joe’s #23
CJ…..It is finished.
Hey John,
I left name and my website which includes my last name on my previous posts. To be honest, I have never been to an SGM church. In my 20s, I was in a cultic-like group and I find this blog to be therapeutic.
My favorite verse in the Bible is from Micah 6:8: “what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God”
I take the do justice part seriously and I think the guys who put up the documents do to. And no, it is not slander.
I’m afraid I cheered and clapped at the absolute top of my lungs when I saw an e-mail that CJ had stepped down. Not because I don’t care deeply about his spiritual welfare, but because I do, and because of what I have watched of his life since TAG days, and because of the lifestyle of lying and false accusations that he has been living for a very long time, and that he maintained even in the past couple of years to some of us personally. The Bible (Prov. 11:10) talks of how there will be shouting/rejoicing when the wicked perish. Psalm 37 has sadly reminded me of CJ for many, many years.The mention of CJ’s name, and some leaders who have attached themselves to him, has caused me to shake for those same many, many years now, and I am shaking now, but soooo grateful that God is at work in revealing at least a little bit of the truth of the evil CJ has been perpetrating. There is a LOT that has been going on to some of the members and pastors under CJ since at least as long ago as the early 1990’s and has continued at least until very recently. And he was confronted on some of his major offenses back in the early 1990’s and has been repeatedly confronted up through the present. He just denied “recalling” things in some cases. I personally was quite saddened to see CJ’s letter to the pastors with no mention of what he’s done to the members of his and SGM churches, or of the specifics he’s done to the pastors, and I was very saddened to see that this is only a temporary stepping down. I’m afraid I didn’t sense a true contrition or sorrow over the extreme depth of his sin and the consequences he has caused in radically weakening the church by causing sincere believers to question their ability to hear and follow God as he has lied about and falsely accused so many of us, while befriending strong spiritual leaders all over the world, so few if any, who were willing to believe us when we cried out for help. He’s also tainted many of these leaders’ reputations by having connected his name to them, at least in the eyes of all who have been hurt by his massive sin, and knew some of what was really going on behind the scenes. How many of us would not attend their seminars or churches because they were connected with CJ and we did not want to have any part in following the evil we saw CJ doing? God has been gracious to us, and CJ says to him also. CJ, may you truly receive allllll of God’s grace to fully feel the depth of the pain and destruction you have caused the church, its people, its leaders, and most importantly, God, as you have caused so may to question Him through your acts. You ministered to me so much in your earlier years. I often wonder now if I was deceived back then, as I was so often told by you and your team since then. I still really hope that what you taught us then was real and not a cover up for your evil. I have been sooooo grieved to see the life you have been living since the early 1990’s. While it has looked quite good to top level Christian leaders, God, apparently(?) some of the pastors(??) and sooo very many of us lower eschelon church members, have seen an entirely different CJ, which I don’t have the sense has yet been exposed. Only when we truly see the depth of our own sin, can we truly, wholeheartedly repent. Then we can experience again, or maybe for the first time(??) the true joy and forgiveness and restoration of the Lord, and His true eternal abundant life of salvation in Jesus Christ. I have been praying for a very long time for this to become a reality in your life, CJ. May you have the courage to drop all of your coverups and stand up as the real CJ Mahaney. That CJ, is the CJ Jesus died for, not the one you’re still, I believe, pretending to be. Perhaps some “real” people, like damaged church members who will not try to cover up for CJ, but who truly want God’s best for CJ and the church worldwide, not just SG Ministries and other leaders, who I don’t believe yet know even a small portion of what has really been going on behind the scenes of CJ’s public life, should be on that examining board, if the real truth is going to come out.Thank you to those members and leaders who have had the courage to try to address CJ and his followers with the real truth. May God Himself be magnified and glorified, not CJ or SGM or even the leaders supposedly helping CJ. Only when God is allowed to work in His truth, will righteousness truly take place in any of this.
And regarding CJ’s son, can anyone of us come close to understanding what CJ’s family has been living with if he lived his life of lies with them anywhere near as much as he has with us? God, please have mercy on us all, and purify Your church.
Michelle
I wansn’t wanting to involve Mahaney’s son. I was asking if there was anything about Mahaney’s cover up in the documents.
If Mahaney did what is being exposed in these documents then it is quite possible that Mahaney covered up his son’s sin while letting the other boys suffer.
People do things that are dumb when they are the son’s age. My issue is more with the cover up.
JRK – The apostolic team heavily involved in massive hypocracy, lying/deceit, sin-sniffing and abuse for YEARS…and you go after someone who has had enough of it and posts the garbage on the wall? You may want to check the definition of gossip….not the SGM definition, but the real definition. What was posted does not appear to be gossip.
“Primarily, I hope and desire to see a restoration of integrity, truth telling and justice in Sovereign Grace so there is no lying, spin, manipulation, lording, cover-up, or partiality.I am concerned for the movement. Some men have followed sinful aspects of your example and leadership the kind referenced in this response. These men have acted deceitfully, judgmentally, unbiblically, and hypocritically. Their example in turn, has harmed others and been corrosive in its effect.”
Amen!
Brent goes on to conclude that there is much good in SMG (something that I agree with), he also asks CJ to apologize in the blogoshpere, twice…and I’ve only read part 1
***The meat is in the footnotes, by the way. ***
Un-
Adam Malcolm – Bob Kauflin – Grant Layman – Corby Megorden – Dave Brewer
So CJ is “An example worth emulating.”
*sigh*
If you were “duped” by this man, than you should be reconsidering your careers as
any measure of wisdom or discernment you may claim to have is beyond suspect.
If you were not “duped” by this man, than you should find an exit quickly and quietly
for the sake of your families. It is the only “biblical” choice you have.
I just read Doris Tomczak’s letter and started wailing at CJ’s apparent continued sin. Whether this is true and really from Doris or not, God knows. But I am soooo aware that the enemy is out to destroy the church through this.Please, all of us need to take seeking God’s will for this and the church as a whole way more seriously than I have, and I have been praying a fasting a lot. But I just had a glimpse of how much bigger an issue this may be than I had imagined, and I thought I knew a lot firsthand. Yes, God, please doooo have mercy on us and bring forth Your truth and righteousness. And Tomczaks, we have been praying for you and will continue whether the above is from you or not. Your family has had a very special place in my life. If I could find out how to contact you, I would tell you more of the specifics. I have always been able to tell everyone that I have only seen complete integrity in what I’ve seen, having lived in very close proximity to you and having had contact with Larry apparently while he was going through the church discipline around 1994, something he was very careful not to let me know about. He only gave me some very godly counsel that I have never forgotten.
Steve,
You and Stunned have very good points. And, I do agree with you. (I used to be a campaign worker so I always cringe when the kids got involved in the limelight. However, I understand why it was brought up. Its’ all good!) Was there anything mentioned in these documents?
Also, did you read the part about asking SGM to pay for Chad’s flight to Phoenix? That was pretty sleazy to ask.
Guy-What size shirt do you wear? I will send you another one.
Kerrin Russell- It seems many have been hurt. I do not know CJ at all. I have never attended a SGM church. Like I said, I am far removed from all of this. I was on the web and came across this site.
CJ may be guilty as charged. He may have sinned and damaged all of you personally. If so, he needs to be rebuked. My concern is how you guys are choosing to do it. This has turned into a stoning. How is telling the world about a guy smoking pot (HOW did you come to know this?) glorifying to the Christ who saved us while we were yet sinners?
It is one thing to rebuke a man or a woman. It is another thing to rejoice and celebrate as you are doing it. That is what I am seeing here. I am observing, objectively speaking, the celebration of the humiliation of another brother in Christ.
John Russ Kreuter –
There is much precedence for a public reading or listing of charges when it comes to
those in public ministry, both in scripture, and from CJ’s own “friends.”
John MacArthur has stated in regard to another controversy –
I would submit to you that TRUTH serves the Gospel of Jesus Christ. More so than any nay saying or pandering to a prideful notion of keeping quiet cause its comfortable.
Secrecy is what got us here in the first place!!
Steve,
I remember when it came out about CJ’s son that most thought that his son is more of a follower than a leader which is why he may have not been expelled. I thought someone said that his son is more likely to do what others are asking of him. I am not saying that should excuse him. I was just giving a reason.
I understand what you’re saying, Kerrin, but it’s very hard for me knowing people personally that Brent has damaged, not to mention all the people he’s damaged through his legalistic teachings.
Those who are long time readers and commenters on the blogs are fully aware of Brent’s “badness” and the damage he has personally contributed to. Next to CJ, he’s probably the 2nd most mentioned “bad guy” on the blogs. But I don’t know…he could be tied with GE and a few other guys by now.
I am, however, thankful for his impeccable note-taking skills (not that such skills surprise me about him) and that God has used him in the exposure.
I will pray for him, Kerrin. Has he ever confessed to you or anyone you know that he’s aware of his own sins and all the damage he’s personally contributed to?
Holy cow. Rome just BURNED.
@John Russ Kreuter,
Being as you’re new here you may want to withhold your judgement about this being a stoning. Perhaps what you are witnessing is the beginning of the downfall of a high-demand/cultic group and those who have been asking for justice for sometime are now seeing a glimpse of it (there are immense shades of grey that come before such a thing that may seem to you like a stoning). Hence a degree of giddiness in the commentators’ tone.
He may be a brother, but he was a brother that built an empire on bad methodologies, harmful practices, awful tactics, manipulation, deceit, etc. Hardly something Christ would be proud of is it?
Lynn
It sure sounded like Mahaney pulled strings to protect his son. That is my issue.
Nickname, Rome burns while the corporate violins play a melancholy dirge for mood music.
Unassimilated-Sweeping sin under the rug is not the answer. Amen to that. I am with you there. The leadership of the church should handle this promptly, but most of us who read this are left to speculate as to what has and has not been done. Speculation is not truth. Therefore, it does not serve the Gospel.
Taking pleasure in retaliation, taking pleasure in public humiliation, and exercising vengeance do not serve the Gospel of Jesus Christ. That is the undertone that is clearly felt here. That undertone is not found in the Sermon on the Mount.
Can you tell me I am wrong?
JRK
I don’t think we are rejoicing except maybe that the hidden sins of a leader have been exposed. This is what a number of us have been saying for quite a while and have been ignored by a lot within SGM.
I hope with this fall that a lot of us mourn like Samuel did after Samuel pronounced God’s judgement on Saul. In the account God had to even ask Samauel how long he was going to mourn for Saul.
Sadly there is a lot to mourn here. There has been a leader lacking in integrity for quite a long time. I am sure this will be sad for a number of regular SGM Members to hear. Look at what devastation Mahaney brought on the Tomczaks.
Didn’t Mahaney continue in sin and as the scripture teaches he should now be rebuked in the presence of all so that other leaders might be fearful of sinning?
So much to go through…… I downloaded everything in case SGM’s attorneys push to have it removed.
Well, Kerrin. There’s your evidence for your divorce case, if anybody questions SGM being a cult.
And JRK – shut up!
And, everyone else: I have read half of document three and I think there is a significant possibility that CJ will face criminal charges. At the very least, it is only a matter of time until the Maryland press gets a hold of this and publicly lynches him.
Kerrin Russell- Hello again. I am new here. My concerns are the name of Christ and the lost world. What message are we sending to those who are outside the church? Have you read the comments?
The goal of church discipline (if that is what you guys are actually believing this is) is restoration, not humiliation.
I downloaded them too. Whoever did this is my personal hero!
Kerrin, I hope this turns beneficial for you.
Joe, I’m d**n curious. Anything you want to highlight on what may be criminal charges!
Joe- I am heartbroken.
@John Russ Kreuter,
Yes, I have read the comments. I wrote my exit story from this cultic group masquerading as a church here: http://www.sgmsurvivors.com/?p=2203 and http://www.sgmsurvivors.com/?p=2234
The men that run this organization have set themselves above the process of “church discipline.” So this is a matter that needed to be taken outside of the normal process. There are no checks and balances within the organizational structure of SGM. The average member has no saying in the goings on and is kept in the dark about much of what does go on. This is about exposing the bad leaven.
I think the rest of the world (and Christianity) should appreciate what is taking place.
Joe,
Would you mind explaining why he would face criminal charges. All I see is email exchanges between brent and him. However, maybe I missed something.
Yes. Joe, Let us know. I used to be in PR. I know all about the press.
Kerrin, your strength in adversity and handling nay-sayers in admirable my friend!
No longer as chicken, beautiful post! Thank you for coming out of the coop and sharing.
I believe Joe is referring to the whole section involving Larry Tomzcak in the 3rd document. It’s pretty serious stuff. My eyes are blurry from reading through about 300 pages. Wow, just wow!
This might help answer your question:
http://criminal-law.freeadvice.com/white_collar_crimes/extortion_blackmail.htm
I’ll write more later, but I am cleaning the house right now!
Joe (and the rest of you probably)-I am done after this one. I have to go mail Guy a t-shirt.
Kerrin Russell- I have gathered what your objectives are. Yet even in war there are laws against taking a leak on the enemy’s flag after you have defeated them.
And this may not be a victory for you. I personally, as an outsider looking in, have only heard a very small part of one side of the story. I will not fall into speculation over what CJ may or may not have done. I sure do not know his heart, either.
I call it like I see it. What I see here is far from love for CJ. At the very least, I see resentment. At most, I see hatred.
Whether or not that is your intent, that is what I have perceived. Thanks for hearing me out.
You know. I had a really bad day. Someone screwed me over on a personal issue and I got used. (Just needed to vent and learn a big lesson)
I realize how SGM screwed over so many more people here, Kerrin, Acme, just to name a few. In honor of you folks, I did tweet the link of the documents to the local press. Hopefully, something will come of this.
Mr. Kreuter,
I’m not going to spend a long time trying to talk to you, because you said you’re done.
However, if you really want to know what is going on, and what has been going on in SGM, read the archives.
You could start with Noel’s story: http://www.sgmsurvivors.com/?p=276
Maybe then you’ll begin to understand.
John Russ–
…and so are our concerns in the “name of Christ” and the lost world, as you say. The message that it’s sending to the outside world is that God is a god of justice. That He takes his name seriously! That He is offended by false preachers and teachers and that he holds them seriously accountable! That he will do all that is within his might and power to protect his glorious bride!
If people in the world see that God doesn’t simply stand by as people in his church abuse others, lie, deceive, hurt, damage reputations, are self-seeking, gravely sin against others whom they are to be protecting and caring for– then maybe they will flock inside the church doors rather than running away.
Trust me, dude. The world isn’t thinking “Oh, those perfect churches are so wonderful. I wonder how Christians keep it all together?” No, the world is disgusted with Christians and with Christ because of cover-ups, lies, deceit, lack of accountability, abuse of power, authority structures, false gospels, and everything else that exists in the “church.” And they don’t want to come near the church with a 10-foot pole. But if God’s people refuse to stand for such in the body, and people seek to fight and preserve what truly is God’s, then maybe people will respect the fact that Christians truly revere the Word and what they give lip service to.
They aren’t surprised by CJ’s actions or that of SGM. What they are consistently surprised at is how far supposed “Christians” will go to cover up their own sins and shortcomings and continue to condemn harshly the rest of the world. The church I will place myself in, the church that I will choose to put myself under their teachings, is the church that is intolerant of ish like this and will have none of it. It’s the church that’s transparent and honest about it’s shortcomings and doens’t wait 20 years before it says it’s sorry!
Trust me. This is encouraging for brokenhearted and weary believers; for believers and sinners alike who are tired and worn; those whose burdens have been too heavy for far too long. I honestly get tired of Chrsitians who think that perfection is what preserves the image of the church and is what advances Christianity. It is not. Jesus fought for truth, for justice, for those who were lied to, taken advantage of and deceived. That’s why he stole the hearts of many. He didn’t make the leaders of that time (the Pharisees and Saduccees) look pretty. He told their business and put them on blast right there in the street in broad daylight. So don’t come in here and say what we are doing is gossiping and that this does a disservice to the body. IT DOES NOT. I believe it restores the image of God–that of a MIGHTY and POWERFUL God who demands justice in this world! Who demands that His name be blameless. Who demands that he will not be mocked.
CJ has taken advantage of, abused and controlled others in the name of God. He has willingly mocked Him. These are huge offenses and for such a public man, his fall will be a public discourse before many. That is the road he has chosen to take. I’m sorry for him that his power got to his head and that he has spun out of control. But I rejoice that there is grace and mercy for him and restoration. He will have to submit to the Almighty, completely and totally and stop talking this Christianese crap and get with the truth. Until then, he’s got a looooooong road ahead of him. But so do the many his ministry has severely damaged.
Brent has been documenting for years. I saw it in action in the late 80’s and it ousted friends of ours from leading the church. Their hearts were a whole lot more suited to pastoring than the ones who were chosen but I guess their theology wasn’t right.
Looks like Brent had a real good habit of documenting.
I feel like the atmosphere on this website does not fit well with the tone of Brent Detwiler’s documents that he sent to CJ Mahaney. As an outsider with no connection to SGM, I’m quite disturbed by all parties represented.
Hi John Russ Kreuter and welcome. The reason many people don’t use their full names is that Kris, for reasons she outlines somewhere up in the tabs, has asked people nto to do it.
Your comment, “Guy-What size shirt do you wear? I will send you another one” made me laugh. Boy, I really needed the smile right now. Thank you.
You are absolutely wrong if you think people here are taking pleasure in public humiliation, etc. I think it is rather unfair of you to accuse of such a thing when, as you stated, you know so little. I think it is rather wicked of you to accuse such a horrible thing. I have yet to encounter one person rejoicing here. Maybe you could consider learning more before picking up and hurling your stones.
You also said, “How is telling the world about a guy smoking pot (HOW did you come to know this?)” I don’t think you understand what is going on. CJ Mahaney has countless times discussed his smoking of pot.
PS. I think the BEST way for the church to earn a voice in the world is to be honest. Those who are not part of the church respect us a lot more than when we are being all religious.
Oh trust me, Cody, anything Brent Detwiler has documented is *WELL* documented – meticulously so!
Stunned,
That is wicked of you. How dare you accuse John Russ Kreuter of doing such a horrible thing. Also, of course their is unnecessary rejoicing here. You don’t have to say “hallelujah” to rejoice… Everyone’s tone (a few exceptions) on this website is full of rejoicing.
And these guys (DH, JH, etc) let that guy (CJ) get away with writing and publishing a book on humility? Geez.
A Kindred Spirit,
I agree heavily. That is my point. Detwiler is being a human being about it. He is being Christ-like about it. This website seems to do the opposite. If everyone is so upset and offended, than the power of this so-called “cult” is still lingering. They are still controlling you in this manner: that you can’t just move on.
cody,
Take some time to scan the archives of this blog and SGM Refuge.
Why on earth did Brent have to make this 600+ page document to convince CJ that he’s a :trainwreck ???
I know that people have been negatively affected by Brent, but I kinda feel bad for him that he had to go through all this work.
This is NOT humility. SGM folks, your prior leader is NOT and never was humble. He has deceived everyone around him for decades. Please don’t be fooled by him anymore. I think Brent did a great service to thousands of people to finally get the truth out.
Mr Brent, would you please do the same with Mr Shank’s “ministry?” Thank you!
Sidney
A kindred spirit,
I have read your comment in a better light due to one of your previous comments. I did not pause to think that Brent Detwiler must have been aware that this would be messy. My apologies. Regardless, I think this website is nauseating and I will now check out!
Sidney, I imagine ‘ol Brent’s not finished.
I’m sure a LOT of people are shaking in their boots right now.
cody,
I still wish you would stay and read a while. I think Kris is putting something together that will help new folks get up to speed.
a quick note to the new people that may be seeing this site for the first time,and the apparent rejoicing in the humiliation of another.Imagine a situation where someone has been stabbing you with a knife for years,
and then someone comes along and stabs that person, so that they stop stabbing you. What emotion(s) would you feel? You would probably feel multiple emotions at the same time, because like most humans, you probably have a degree of emotional depth. it is easy to come into a gathering and start making stark observations, “that is white” “that is black” “that is green”. but, the
nuances of human emotion that you would feel when the source of your torment has been dealt a blow, is no different than those your are witnessing here.
so, if you hear levity in the tone today, the same day this has all happened, read these posts with this in mind.
To those who don’t like the conversation here, may I respectfully suggest that you discontinue reading, especially if you have no connection to SGM and/or have never participated here before?
I don’t think the casual observer (what the self-righteous critics have claimed to be) can really grasp just how amazing it is to finally have the truth revealed in such a concrete way, for those of us who have been dealing with the fallout of SGM’s abusive and harmful practices.
I absolutely do not “rejoice” in any of this. Prior to viewing the background documents, I expressed my hope that this might be the first step in some very necessary changes. Now…well, now I’m not yet quite sure what to think.
I’ve been privy to a LOT of SGM’s garbage over the past 3 1/2 years. Consequently, I’ve occasionally found myself speculating about some of the unknown details, some of the circumstances and motives behind various situations. When it comes to SGM, I’ve never had the tendency to “believe the best.” I’ve theorized about some pretty negative things sometimes.
But I have to say – the documents reveal far worse than anything I ever imagined.
And there is absolutely ZERO “rejoicing” in my heart. I’m…well…like I said – I don’t even know what I’m thinking at the moment.
I do have confidence in God’s timing, and I do believe that God is honored by truth and honesty. God is not pleased when we cover up our wrongs and attempt to portray ourselves as something we are not. Such dishonest hypocrisy will harm others and rot one’s own soul.
I think I have a better understanding, now, of why I’ve seen so much garbage coming out of something that appeared on the surface to be so good.
This email from Steve Shank pretty much shows exactly what kind of people the “leadership” of sgm are:
From: Steve Shank
To: Brent Detwiler, Dave Harvey, Bo Lotinksy; Paul Palmer; C.J. Mahaney;Danny Jones; Larry Malament
Date: October 8, 1997, 9:53 AM
Subject: Atlanta Today
A few more thoughts/impressions regarding Larry and Doris that will help
you prepare for time today… As [you] could predict, they see any reference on our part to disclose xxxxxx, his sin, nationally as smearing reputation, low blow,blackmail…This point brings out the greatest hostility, anger, attacks and threats…the greatest amount of accusation [against] our integrity…