There are four biblical reactions to the suspension of Matt Chandler.
In 2002, Matt Chandler was appointed pastor of Highland Village First Baptist Church, which saw an average attendance of 160 people. The DFW-area congregation, now known as The Village Church (TVC), has spawned other congregations and expanded to more than 14,000 members.
In spite of receiving medical therapy, Chandler was proclaimed cancer-free a year after receiving a diagnosis of brain cancer. In addition to leading the Acts 29 Network, a church planting collaboration with more than 400 congregations in the US and abroad, he is the author of multiple publications.
Then, yesterday, something shocking happened that astonished everyone who is familiar with Matt Chandler and his ministry.
A message for the “Family of Our Church”
A few months ago, a lady approached Chandler with “concerns about the manner he was using direct messaging on social media with a woman who was not his wife,” according to a statement from TVC titled, “A Message to Our Church Family.” Chandler stated in front of the congregation yesterday that the texts weren’t sexual or romantic but that their “frequency” and “familiarity” had exceeded the line.
The church claims that that evening, Chandler discussed his worries with his wife and two elders and “submitted to their guidance in dealing with the matter.” To investigate Chandler’s communications history across all media platforms, the elders in turn hired a private law firm. Although Matt’s overall pattern of behavior has been “above reproach,” their report “led the elders to conclude that Matt violated our internal social media use policies” and “that, more importantly, he failed to meet the 1 Timothy standard for elders being “above reproach” in this particular instance.”
The elders came to the conclusion that “Matt’s behavior was a symptom of unhealth in his life” and that “the wisest course of action would be for him to take a leave of absence,” even if they did not decide that this matter merited disqualification. This leave of absence, they continued, “is both disciplinary and developmental, allowing him to focus on developing better awareness in this area.” And they said, “The elders have given down expectations for his growth, which will define the timing for his homecoming.”
BIBLE’S FOUR RESPONSES
Matt Chandler and TVC are not people I personally know. I only know what has been made public as a result of this announcement, which was just made yesterday. I can, however, make four scriptural claims this morning.
A supervisor must, first and foremost, be beyond reproach (1 Timothy 3:2; cf. 1 Peter 5:3).
Chandler and the TVC elders stressed this point. Because of this principle, the body of Christ will not experience crises like the one we are talking about today. Humans have a tendency to evaluate a movement based on its leaders. Furthermore, it may be terrible for churchgoers when their leaders violate or betray their trust.
As a result, churches need to hold their leaders responsible.
According to the Bible, those of us who teach will be subject to stricter judgment (James 3:1). False shepherds are known to God, and He will punish them for their transgressions (Ezekiel 34:1–10). Chandler and the church elders deserve praise for taking this issue seriously and acting in a manner that seems open and atoning.
Pastors are being attacked, and that has to be acknowledged.
Pastors are experiencing pandemic levels of exhaustion and despair, as Anglican clergyman Tish Harrison Warren observed in her New York Times email yesterday. She cites a Barna research that reveals 42% of pastors had thought about leaving full-time ministry in the previous year. Factors include stress, loneliness, political polarization, dealing with the mortality and suffering brought on by the coronavirus outbreak, and the “relentless pace of challenges.” Satan’s assault on Peter reflects his animosity for all contemporary Christian leaders (Luke 22:31).
While supporting and praying for our pastors, we must also have a genuine concern for people who suffer because of clerical misbehavior.
Josh Patterson, the main pastor of TVC, hailed the woman who approached Chandler for her bravery and conviction yesterday. His church family owes the woman who received his offensive letters sympathy and love. Additionally, the TVC’s religious family and leaders deserve our sympathy and prayers. In order to “fulfill the law of Christ,” we have to “carry one another’s burdens” (Galatians 6:2).
3 STRONG STATEMENTS
I felt personally inspired to make three bold assertions to you and to myself as I prayed about how I should end this challenging Daily Article.
One: We must confess our lack of sympathy and pray for “compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another” if we are receiving this news without a sense of sadness for everyone involved (Colossians 3:12–13).
Two: We must confess our arrogant sin and “clothe yourself, all of you, with humility toward one another” if our reaction to this narrative is one of self-righteous superiority (1 Peter 5:5).
Three: In order to live in such godliness that our private lives consistently glorify our Lord, you and I must pray daily for the power of the Spirit (2 Corinthians 7:1).
Matt Chandler probably had no idea that his private direct messages would make major news months later and have a significant impact on a large number of individuals in the Dallas region and throughout the world. Our private lives may become public more swiftly than ever before in the age of immediate digital communication and worldwide social media.
Billy Graham’s biggest worry was that “before I leave, I’ll say or do anything that would bring some disgrace on the gospel of Christ.”
Today, the less you do so, the more you need to share his dread.
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