SGM-Mahaneygate: Expedited Covenant Life Meeting 4 Nov 2012

Covenant Life Church (SGM), Gaithersburg, MD
Flagship SGM Church
Founded by C.J. Mahaney
Mahaney Fled Covenant Life "With Pending Issues"

Friday, October 19, 2012

Dear Church Family,

Last Sunday in church I promised an e-mail regarding decisions and discussions from our pastors retreat. After considering this more and communicating with many of you, I’ve concluded that it would be wise to talk about this in person. So I’m writing to ask you to attend a Members Meeting two weeks from now on Sunday, November 4, at 6 p.m. I recognize this is a faster-than-normal turn-around for scheduling these meetings, but I think it’s a priority to dialogue with the church family sooner rather than later.

During the meeting we will share some of the direction of the pastoral team’s discussion over the last few months, including our church’s relationship with Sovereign Grace Ministries. As a follow-up to the Members Meeting, we’ll hold Coffee & Conversation meetings in November to continue the dialogue (as well as meetings with anyone who wants to talk to their pastor).

While we didn’t plan this members meeting in response to the lawsuit (which we just learned about Wednesday afternoon), it will be an opportunity for us to give any update that we can. The update since yesterday is that the text of the lawsuit is being spread widely through electronic and traditional media, and we have read an electronic copy of the complaint. No papers have been served as of this writing (to the church or any Covenant Life pastor). We are of course meeting with the church’s attorneys to understand the nature of the suit and its allegations. As I said in my e-mail to you yesterday, child abuse is reprehensible and deeply grieving, and we ask you to pray for all involved.

Joshua Harris
Protege of C.J.
Mahaney,
Pastor of
Covenant
Life
 

Let me conclude with this reminder: None of us would have chosen the events of the last 15 months. But our Heavenly Father is good and not surprised by them, and we encourage you to continue to trust him. He is the God who says, “I am God, and there is no one like me, declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things which have not been done, saying, ‘My purpose will be established, and I will accomplish all my good pleasure’” (Isaiah 46:9-10 NASB). Because Jesus has saved us, we can know that God is lovingly and perfectly ruling over all the events of our lives for his glory and our good.

Let’s continue to follow him with faith!
Sincerely for the pastors,

Joshua Harris