CLA David Gibbs Jr. to investigate the Schaap scandal

Why is that in many of these IFB churches, the congregations feel bad about the Pastor but ever express concern toward those whom they sinned against?

I thought the authorities were doing an investigation. So why is David Gibbs doing one?

So, one man stands up and announces that he is the Interim Pastor? Does the congregation have any input in this? If not, does not this create accountability issues?

Joe,

I thought the same thing about the interim pastor issue, but please realize that this may simply be the way the story is written — possibly by someone who has no knowledge of church order of any type.

As to the Gibbs issue, I have no answer to that. There are many details missing from this story. Did the church bring him into the mix to represent them and/or conduct an internal investigation? It would appear that might be what is happening.

Perhaps this is just the first version of the story. If it is supposed to be more than that, it is not very well written.

Joe Roof,

Do you KNOW they aren’t concerned about the people sinned against? Certainly they are going to feel bad about their pastor. Only natural right? The pastor in this and other situations is the most visible character so of course they are going to get the majority of the attention. If this happened to Rick Warren or John Piper, guess who would be getting the most attention by just about everyone???

“But I hope they show the good that he’s done for us, too. He straightened up this part of the city, and he’s done a lot for this community. I hope people don’t forget that.”

It always amazes me when people say stuff like this. Fine, he did something that was good. He loved his mother and rescued a puppy from a burning building. Quite frankly, I don’t care, because the issue isn’t about weighing the good against the bad, but whether or not he is guilty of an immoral or criminal act.

Piggybacking off of Susan’s comment - David Berkowitz is a nice guy too, or so I’ve heard. Of course he should stay in jail for what he did.

Just before dismissing the congregation, Pastor Eddie Lapina announced he would be serving as interim pastor for the time being.

“Thank you, First Baptist Church, for coming tonight,” he said. “I’m very sorry.”

While expressing how hurt he was by the situation, he also offered counseling for any person who felt he or she needed it and then asked the church to continue to pray through the tough time.

I don’t have a problem with that at all. The church does need someone to help them steer the ship and chart the course while they conduct a pastoral search. Any church that loses it’s pastor still needs someone to ultimately make the decisions about what they are going to do (whether it’s the Chairman of the Board, an Interim Pastor, or “Chief Ringleader and Head Honcho”.

I just hope that CLA is able to point FBC Hammond to a real Gospel preacher, not a showman or numbers driven CEO. That would be the best outcome, and I think it’s what we should all be praying for. I don’t know why CLA is involved, but I hope that they point the church in the right direction and away from Hylesism.

I really usually enjoy the discussions on SI. While I’m no fan of Hyles or Hammond, I believe there are some short-sighted “pot shots” being taken at IFB’s in general as a result of this. Especially among those who are not IFB’s. We all hate what happened, as we should. We all ought to pray for Schaap’s family and the church, and anyone else involved. If Schaap has broken laws, he ought to be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. If Dr. Gibbs finds anything, he should turn it over to the authorities. I’m thankful they are doing an investigation, that ought to be good news,

Some of this just seems to be venom directed at IFB’s. If Schaap is all you know about IFB’s then you need to get around more. If you want to compare to evangelical leaders, we could talk about guys like Gordon McDonald (had an affair, now back in the ministry) as well as many others. In fact there are a slew of divorced and remarried ministers, even across evangelicalism. And you can’t tell me they were all blameless in the process. You can’t tell me that evangelical churches are “holier than thou” on the subject.

It seems to me our thoughts ought to be “except for the grace of God, there go I”. We waste a lot of time on character assassination. Yes, IFB’s have been good at that too, and there can be a sense of feeling like they are getting what they deserve. But thank God, we don’t get what we deserve if we know Christ! If something like this happened in your family, would you want to talk to someone who has had some of the responses we have heard here and in associated articles? How is that helping at all?

I hope that anyone who comes forward as an additional victim of Schaap’s or another staff member does not go to Gibbs. They need to go directly to the authorities. If they are concerned for the victim and other victims it doesn’t make sense to have Gibbs in the picture—it isn’t for the victims’ benefit. CLA is there to protect the church and I pray that nobody with a story of abuse runs it by him first. Gibbs has been given many awards for “defending the faith” and “protecting IFB churches” from FBCH during their Pastor’s School, and he is certainly not an unbiased third party. If they really want an investigation they would contact someone like GRACE that is truly a third party with no connections there. Makes me wonder if they really want to investigate further. Ultimately 20/20 could do a couple years worth of programs on this one church—it is like a Pandora’s box.

I guess Bro. Gibbs could create a website where all members of FBCH can be directed to for “the truth” about Schaap and his perversions. I guess that is one thing he could do ;-}

Matthew

[Steve Newman]

I really usually enjoy the discussions on SI. While I’m no fan of Hyles or Hammond, I believe there are some short-sighted “pot shots” being taken at IFB’s in general as a result of this. Especially among those who are not IFB’s. …

Some of this just seems to be venom directed at IFB’s.

Please identify the “cheap shots”, “pot shots”. and “venom”.

Frankly your own comments are …. er … what you said

Jim,

Please identify the … er…. cheap shots by Steve Newman.

For “pot shots”, please note some of the comments made on the “if the IFB movement is to have any future thread….” or “The IFB movement itself is built on pride… ” thread.

[Jim]

[Steve Newman]

I really usually enjoy the discussions on SI. While I’m no fan of Hyles or Hammond, I believe there are some short-sighted “pot shots” being taken at IFB’s in general as a result of this. Especially among those who are not IFB’s. …

Some of this just seems to be venom directed at IFB’s.

Please identify the “cheap shots”, “pot shots”. and “venom”.

Frankly your own comments are …. er … what you said

[Matthew Richards]

CLA is there to protect the church and I pray that nobody with a story of abuse runs it by him first…If they really want an investigation they would contact someone like GRACE that is truly a third party with no connections there. Makes me wonder if they really want to investigate further…

I absolutely agree with Matthew Richards on this. If FBCH/HAC really wanted to get to the bottom of this then they would mimic the actions of ABWE who, at the prodding of their abuse victims, contracted with GRACE to investigate the Mission’s actions/procedures/etc.

I find CLA’s involvement with this issue very suspect. Being from the Hammond area, I personally know that Dr. Gibbs has made frequent visits to FBCH/HAC in recent years. That in and of itself makes him unqualified to lead any type of “investigation”. All this seems to be smoke and mirrors. My personal feeling is that way more is going to come to light, and FBCH/HAC are trying to distance themselves from J. Schaap as much as possible. Only time will tell.

Consider that fundamentalism shunned John MacArthur for 20+ years on the non-issue of his blood comment.

Consider that “some” well-known fundamentalist leaders have expressed their displeasure at BJU including books by Dever, piper, Mahaney and MacArthur in their bookstore. (I heard them myself.)

Consider that music still continues to be an issue that causes some fundamentalists to separate from brothers in Christ.

Then consider that many of these same fundamentalists are warning others not to be too critical of Schaap’s behavior, labeling it a fall, an indiscretion, a bad decision, etc.

I’m still waiting for militant fundamentalism to denounce the false doctrine and sinful practices of Hyles and Schaap with the same enthusiasm they use to criticize brethren like the above named authors.

(Corrected …. see following post) Suggestion to Faith First Baptist Hammond community:

DON’T do this:

Anyone with knowledge or suspicion of criminal violations, misconduct, wasteful activities or allegations of civil rights or civil liberties abuse by a First Baptist Church Ministries employee or volunteer should report specific information to our Risk Management Office.

Instead call the police!

Seriously. FBCH has some serious credibility issues.

Source of the below image: http://www.fbchammond.com/contact/report-employee-misconduct/

It is First Baptist Church of Hammond

[Matthew Richards]

It is First Baptist Church of Hammond

Thanks for the important correction!