Letter from the Elders

The elder board has posted a letter to BCC on the church website:

To Every Member of the BCC Family

We know how trying these last days have been for you. We also know you are confused and hurt. We are very sorry for that. You deserve full disclosure on the details that led to Dave's dismissal and we are delivering that.

The cottage meetings we mentioned on campus last weekend have occurred each night this week and we are committed to continuing with the meetings for long as there is a need. The meetings have been running three to three and a half hours and include both an explanation of the background and an opportunity for your questions. Childcare is available at Kids Place for toddlers through 12-year-olds. Please pray for clarity and wisdom, and call the church office to make arrangements to be there or sign up online. These meetings are occasionally painful but entirely necessary; in the end, we believe a number of hearts have been changed.

As you may have heard, some individuals have insinuated there may be a vote concerning Dave's reinstatement. Please understand clearly, there will be no vote. As church elders we are obligated and legally bound to protect the assets of the church, whether human, financial, or spiritual. Further, we are personally committed to protect the sanctity of our worship time at Hope Park.

The bylaws that govern BCC are designed not only protect the church and its members, they are also required for our status as a tax-exempt religious organization. Those bylaws are very clear that members do not have a vote on any matters. While this may be a common structure among churches, we recognize this leaves people feeling powerless. Please understand that though we did not set up this government, we have just cause for our actions, we have considerable legal counsel advising us along this path, and we will see this through. We are compelled by our living savior, Jesus Christ, to persevere knowing that "you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."

We are grateful for the many, many messages of encouragement. The growing support we are receiving affirms our resolve on this matter and lifts our hearts ... which have been heavy for some time. Please pray that EVERYONE will care enough about this matter to attend a cottage meeting - and attend thoughtfully. Pray that they will seek wisdom and to recognize truth. We are so proud of this church and we know that she is bigger than one man. To that end, please pray for Dave and Paula, as we know you are.

In His Grip,

The Elders

I should probably bullet point this letter for the hard of reading.

-- There will be no vote. You can scream and shout (put your hands up and shout! c'mon now! don't forget to say you will! don't forget to say yeahahahahah), and you can make T-shirts, and brew up your special brouhahas, but by intention and by design there will be no vote. If you have a problem with that, take it to Dr. Foster who created the by-laws, transitioned the governance from the congregation to the elders, and never wanted you to have a vote at any time before.

-- Go to a meeting! Seriously. You gotta go. On my knees begging you. Really. I am on my knees, reaching up over the little drawer that holds my keyboard and typing blind to beg you please please please sign up for a meeting. (Okay, I'm sitting comfortably, but still go.)

-- In times like these, the truth, as I said in an earlier post last night, is a "dangerous" thing.