The First Baptist Church of Hammond has dismissed Jack Schaap as its pastor in the wake of a Lake County police investigation.

That was predictable.

When you idolize this ….

Jack Hyles Exposé

Fortunately, the church acted properly in this case whereas they gave its predecessor a pass when there was considerable evidence of disqualification. Nevertheless, my heart is saddened when the glory of God is diminished in the eyes of unbelievers on account of such events. I officially separated from FBCH and its ministries almost 20 years ago. It would be wonderful if by the grace of God they were to get a truly qualified man to be their pastor.

Well, the apple didn’t fall far from THAT tree. I wonder which Hyles clone is up next?

-edit-

Please, God, do not let this be something involving sexual misconduct with minors. I don’t like the sound of that press release or story.

And the just makes me even sadder

[Jay] Please, God, do not let this be something involving sexual misconduct with minors.

Improper relationship with a young woman which is under investigation by the sherriff’s dept. You do the math.

First Baptist Church Pastor Dismissed
July 31, 2012
Hammond, IN–At this time, we deeply regret the need to announce that First Baptist Church has dismissed our pastor, Dr. Jack Schaap, due to a sin that has caused him to forfeit his right to be our pastor. First Baptist Church is in full cooperation with our local authorities in their investigation of this matter. Our church grieves over the need to take this action and the impact it will have on our people.
We ask that everyone pray for the families involved and pray that the situation will be handled in a Christ honoring manner. We look forward to the days ahead as we continue to service the needs of our surrounding community and the Chicago area.
For any media-related questions, please contact First Baptist Church spokesman, Eddie Wilson at (219) 945-6475.

PDF attached (from the church’s website)

Let’s start my post off with a little background information about me.

I live in Hammond, IN. I also Pastor a church in Hammond (Bethel Bible Church). I am also the Chaplain for the Hammond Police Department, and drive by FBCH each time I serve at the Police Station. I have not every been, nor am I know, nor will I probably ever be a “fan” of FBCH or HAC. All that being said, I am disappointed that the first few posts “out of the gate” were “I told you so” posts and posts bringing up past moral failures in an “apple didn’t fall from the tree” mentality.

I am saddened that we have not talked about the need to pray for Mrs. Schaap, or for the victim and family. Rather everyone seems to be quick to throw in their “I told you so” two cents worth comment.

Like I said I am no fan of FBCH or of HAC, but as a Pastor in the Hammond area, I can tell you that the Lord’s name will suffer because of this, and Satan will use this event to his gain. Please pray for the FBCH and HAC family. Pray that this will be a wake-up call for them to deal with issues from a Biblical perspective instead of a hyper-fundamentalist/seperatist perspective, and most of all….pray for Mrs. Schaap and the victim and her family.

Who said:

I am saddened that we have not talked about the need to pray for Mrs. Schaap, or for the victim and family

Well I’m one of the ones who posted right off so I suppose I am one of the ones you are addressing. My responses:

• I am saddened by the situation and I am not gloating about this
• My wife and I have prayed for the Schaaps. Just because I did not post that I was going to or we needed to pray is not indicative of prayerlessness on my part.
• I’m not from that part of the country but I’ve been to FBC back when Jack was there (I think it was in 1978 or ‘79 when Jack gave a Doctorate Degree to John Rice’s horse. I was there for that event. The horse deficated at the event. Telling!
• I am not of that stripe of fundamentalism. Not even close!
• I regard the system at that church as incredibly corrupted. (my comments about the Jack Hyles statue!)
• And while I do grieve over the situation from my observations of the weird sex comments by Schaap frankly I am not surprised.
• The first Jack’s ministry was man-centered …. as was the 2nd’s

Pastorwesh,

I consider Schaap to be a false teacher, and have for several years. Unfortunately he does in fact fit the “apple doesn’t fall far from the tree” or “I told you so” mentality. Scripture links sin and false teaching together. So perhaps we should pray for Schaap, but I pray for him as a false teacher and perhaps a predator, not as a brother.

Shayne

[pastorwesh]

Let’s start my post off with a little background information about me.

I live in Hammond, IN. I also Pastor a church in Hammond (Bethel Bible Church). I am also the Chaplain for the Hammond Police Department, and drive by FBCH each time I serve at the Police Station. I have not every been, nor am I know, nor will I probably ever be a “fan” of FBCH or HAC. All that being said, I am disappointed that the first few posts “out of the gate” were “I told you so” posts and posts bringing up past moral failures in an “apple didn’t fall from the tree” mentality.

I am saddened that we have not talked about the need to pray for Mrs. Schaap, or for the victim and family. Rather everyone seems to be quick to throw in their “I told you so” two cents worth comment.

Like I said I am no fan of FBCH or of HAC, but as a Pastor in the Hammond area, I can tell you that the Lord’s name will suffer because of this, and Satan will use this event to his gain. Please pray for the FBCH and HAC family. Pray that this will be a wake-up call for them to deal with issues from a Biblical perspective instead of a hyper-fundamentalist/seperatist perspective, and most of all….pray for Mrs. Schaap and the victim and her family.

I am not rejoicing in this story either. I’ve got family and inlaws who have been profoundly affected by the heresies of Hyles (and Schaap). My only point initially was that of Jesus - every disciple, when fully trained, will be just like his master (Luke 6:40). I HOPE that Schaap hasn’t done anything to merit criminal charges, but from what I’ve read in the links, it sounds like he’s going to be in serious legal trouble (even if whatever is going on doesn’t involve any kind of criminal sexual misconduct).

I hope that through this circumstance, the heresy and abominations of FBC Hammond will be laid waste and that the true, life-altering power of the Gospel of Grace will sweep your town. I will pray for you as you minister in the area.

Of the false teachers of his day, Isaiah wrote: “His watchmen are blind; they are all without knowledge; they are all silent dogs; they cannot bark, dreaming, lying down, loving to slumber. The dogs have a mighty appetite; they never have enough. But they are shepherds who have no understanding; they have all turned to their own way, each to his own gain, one and all” (Isaiah 56:10-11, ESV).

A pastor is called to be a careful watchman over his flock. He is to watch his life and doctrine carefully (1 Tim. 4:16). May this sad chapter awaken some to true Christianity - a Christianity that begins with the transforming power of regeneration by the Spirit of God - the power that comes with a new heart and a new nature to overcome sin and obey God (Eze. 36:25-27). Antinomian easy-believism is not Christianity (1 Jn. 3:6, ESV). It is man-centered kingdom building for the pastor’s “own gain” and prestige. Christ will build His church, and the gates of hell will not prevail against it. That church will persevere in holiness and will be centered around Christ. May the Lord have mercy on those who are true sheep in the Hammond congregation and bring a true shepherd to them with no agenda other than to lift up Christ. I suspect they’ll want to begin by tearing the statue down as well.

I’m not ashamed to happy about much of this. I’m happy he’s caught and won’t be victimizing more kids, at least at this church. I’m glad the (non-culpable members of the) congregation have now a chance (however slim) at getting a pastor that can rightly divide the Word and shepherd them.

but it is also a time for rejoicing when a wolf gets his sheep suit removed good and proper. My prayer is that the next leader of that church will find someone who is not only faithful to the Word, but is at heart, first and foremost, a pastor.

What is really sad is that he was allowed to maintain that position for so long because people are scared to death of ‘the man of Gawd’.

Pastor Wes Helfenbein has a unique opportunity (being in that community) to:

• Provide genuine Bible expository preaching
• Humble shepherding
• And mutual accountability w a congregation

We should be praying for him. Perhaps 50 or so wise ones will migrate over his way and be blessed and be a blessing