Yesterday Eli McGowan released an article about Joel Webbon contending that he was not qualified for office. You can go read both men’s statements in their own words (here is Joel's); the short summary is that about 12 years ago Joel Webbon- as an unmarried and un-ordained man, but wearing the title of “lead pastor” of a church- was in a fornicating relationship with a woman in his congregation (whom he was dating at the time). There are other accusations regarding Webbon’s conduct, but this is the foundational one. I have read both men’s responses; the following is my analysis of the situation.
It should be obvious at the outset that most of us who are discussing this issue online do not know the people in question personally, and therefore we are making judgment calls based on publicly available information. This is already sketchy, and why things like this really should not be handled on the internet.
However, since this has become a public issue, we need to have a Biblically calibrated opinion on the matter. The following is my best attempt to do so.
First, we must establish at the outset that if we are going to pursue justice we MUST do so impartially (Lev. 19:15). This means that if you already think Eli is an effeminate snowflake, or if you are excited to hear that wolf-pastor Joel Webbon is finally getting his just desserts- then check your heart before entering this discussion. Truth isn’t tribal, and the tribe that we should be concerned about is the Church of Jesus Christ.
So you are welcome to disagree with me, but if you’re going to read this, please promise me that you will read the whole thing. Please. There’s something here to offend everybody. At least hear me out before you start throwing vegetables.
Joel's Explanation
I am satisfied by Joel’s explanation. I do believe that sexual sin of any sort is disqualifying from the ministry for at least a significant period of time until true repentance is proven and trust is rebuilt. That being said, I do not believe that Biblical standards are supposed to be applied like math formulae, but rather that we need to apply the spirit of the law in the context of the situation.
It seems perfectly plausible to me that a young and naive guy who is a gifted communicator would jump into a “pastoral” role with a bunch of zeal and not much knowledge- or self-control. That was not a good situation, and Joel acknowledges it as such. He should have had church leadership that told him to step down- but he did not. He was a foolish young buck, he sinned, he confessed and rectified his sin, and the counsellors in his life at that time were satisfied with that confession. He himself agrees that it was not handled how it should have been at the time. I am not convinced that that is enough cause to demand that he step down now and be punished retroactively. Sometimes life happens and it doesn’t always fit as neatly into our theological boxes as we would like it to.
Hidden Sin vs. Published Sin
It is extremely critical to recognize that Eli’s article is NOT the exposure of a hidden sin, but rather the exposure to the public of a sin that had already been confessed and dealt with among those who deserved such information. Joel’s wife, fellow elders, former elders, and the heads of household in his church were all aware of the details of this situation already. This cannot be overemphasized.
If this was coming out for the first time after Joel had been hiding it for 12 years, then we would be having a very different conversation- and please note that that is one of the major distinguishing marks between this situation and Steve Lawson, Doug Phillips, Bill Gothard, Ravi Zacharias, etc.
What Do We Do With Eli?
I believe that Christian charity demands that we assume that Eli believes he is doing the right thing here. Nevertheless, I disagree with the decision to publish this article, specifically because the situation has already been presented to and dealt with by the people who really need to know and are in a position to do anything about it. Arbitrating this online is not helpful or productive.
While we should indeed rebuke sinful elders “in the presence of all,” I would reserve an online attack like this for exposing hidden sin rather than broadcasting sin that has already been dealt with.
If a pastor was cheating on his wife, manipulating church members into keeping it under wraps, and the man whose wife he was having an affair with was getting the door slammed in his face when he tried to get church authority to address it- then is the time to go public and use some good ol’ sunlight to disinfect the situation. But since this issue has already been dealt with, this seems to be more like re-opening old wounds than disinfecting fresh ones.
Listen to Gamaliel
To Eli, and folks like him, I would repeat Gamaliel’s counsel (Acts 5:38-39). If this ministry is not from God, it will not last. If, however, God is in it, you will find yourself fighting against God.
Don’t be a heckler- a reviler. There are lots of them. They have Facebook pages and Twitter accounts and spend all their time trying to discredit and destroy Christian ministries. It never works.
BUT.
When GOD determines it is time for a ministry to be exposed and destroyed, all that is left is a heap of rubble. It is good to pursue justice, but beware lest your theological disagreements with someone tempt you into becoming a reviler and making personal attacks when you should simply present your arguments and pray for the brother in question. The Bible talks about revilers, and it ain’t good. (1 Cor. 6:10)
Joel Doesn't Help Himself
Joel could really help himself out by doing two things: first, by rebuking the disgusting behavior of his supporters. Paul had hecklers, and he addressed them (2 Tim. 4:14-15), but notice how. He told his people to be on guard against them, and he trusted the Lord to repay him.
Now, I am not convinced that Eli and Alexander the coppersmith are in the same situation. I believe Eli is well-intentioned and is seeking the purity of the Church, even though I disagree strongly with how he is doing so.
Nevertheless, even if he is an Alexander, the Biblical response is not to return evil for evil and insult for insult, but to give a blessing instead (1 Pet. 3:9). The way Joel’s supporters are attacking and insulting Eli is despicable, and frankly it is not Christian. Joel should take the high road, and he should lead his followers to do the same.
God will bring us into judgment for every idle word, and that certainly includes the mockery being thrown at Eli. This is not how Christians handle persecution. This is the arm of the flesh, not the arm of the Spirit.
Now would be a good time for someone to mock my physiognomy.
In addition, Joel really should heed some of the rebukes implicit in this letter about his conduct. I’m not convinced that he is disqualified from eldership, but I don’t even need Eli’s letter to observe red flags. Joking about the size of one’s crotch? Encouraging one’s followers to mock a Christian pastor off of Twitter? Seriously, what is going on with this stuff?
It does not match the Biblical picture of pastoral conduct. And if someone wants to whine that I’m just being ruled by feminine sensibilities, my Scripture references are Titus 2:2, 1 Tim. 3:2, Psalm 1:1, just for starters. If you think Scriptural requirements are feminine sensibilities, I can’t help you.
To The Bystanders
To all the bystanders, we need to show a watching world something better than the soap-opera food-fight that currently characterizes Reformed Twitter. We really can talk about this stuff like adults. We really should be quick to hear and slow to speak and slow to become angry (Jas. 1:19). We really should pursue justice and not just tribal victory. Jesus says we should be known by our love for one another- and right now, we ain’t. (John 13:35)
An Imprecatory Conclusion
I would like to conclude with an imprecatory prayer.
IF Joel Webbon is hiding sin- if he is building for his own glory and not for that of Christ- if he is manipulating and controlling- if he is a wolf in sheep’s clothing- I pray that God would expose him. That he would be ashamed and turned back. That his teeth would be broken and his plans confused. That his ministry would burn to the ground, and that all who see it would tremble and fear and never do such a wicked thing in the Church again.
And may he repent.
IF Eli McGowan is maliciously hounding the Church of Christ, seeking to slander and sow division and discord, then may God bring his counsels to nothing. May He bring upon him the disgrace he intended to bring upon a faithful minister of the Gospel. May He crush Him in a way that would make other revilers of the Church of God see it and fear.
And may he repent.
And IF either or both of these men can give their “amen” to the above- if either or both men are, to the best of their ability, walking in the integrity of their heart before God- then may God bless them with humility, with clarity, with protection, and with victory in fighting the battles of the Lord. May He bring healing and resolution and brotherhood where there is now discord and division. May the ministry of reconciliation start right here, right now, within the Blood-bought people of God, and may God give us all hearts that diligently pursue the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace, and that do so by speaking the truth in love. (2 Cor. 5:18, Eph, 4)
Addendums
The failure to disclose at the Acts 29 meeting is, in my assessment, the most concerning point in the entire accusation. However, I do not have the information as a rando on Twitter to judge what Joel did or did not say or what his motives were. He says their examination was focused on current issues in his life. Also possible.
I’m just going based off of the information presented. I much prefer that he would have been open with this issue at that examination.
At the same time, the fact that none of the people that have ordained or supported his ministry ever since seem to have any problem with it – I have to default to their judgment rather than my ability to assess it from 3000 miles away.
Also, it is essential to understand: My fundamental contention is that it is not my place as a rando on Twitter to take the word of an internet letter and thereby determine that Webbon should step down. If the folks from Acts 29 who approved him, or his church elders, or others in his orbit, with a relationship with him, or with a front row seat on the issue were calling for him to step down, I would happily throw my little $0.02 behind the judgment of the Church of Christ. I would absolutely condemn him as an unqualified pastor.
But the fact that none of these, to my knowledge, are doing so, is why I refuse to do so myself.
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