There appears to still be a lot of controversy surrounding George’s
excommunication, even in 2008. My understanding of this controversy revolves around
the perception of the question, “Was George’s excommunication fair and
scriptural?” In my opinion, the elders in Fullerton treated George more
than fairly; and I have a very hard time believing that others think
that George wasn’t treated in a scriptural manner. I can’t figure out
where they are coming from. I wonder if it would help them to compare
George’s own excommunication to another similar situation, except in
this case George himself was the one counseling and guiding the disciplinary
action.
In 1979, when the Ottawa Assembly was only a few months old, we were
listening to tape ministry. I don’t remember what the series was called.
However, I clearly remember George saying that if you are aware of sin
in the life of an elder or someone in a position of leadership, you have
a responsibility before God to make it known. He explained that for the
sake of the Lord’s people, to keep them from being stumbled, sin must be
dealt with and removed from the leadership.
This really convicted my heart, as I had been sexually molested by an
elder in the Brethren church that I had previously attended. This elder
was also a very close family friend, whom I had loved, trusted and
respected since I was an infant. The first person I told was Armand, who
then talked to George. George advised and guided us each step of the way
in bringing this sin to the attention of the other elders in that
church.
George and Armand both knew that the sexual molestation had been committed
privately, with no other witnesses to the sinful act. It was definitely
a case of my word against his. Yet through out the whole ordeal, George
and Armand believed me and supported me. George counseled Armand to
support me in whatever way I needed, which he did. As the time drew near
to talk to the elders, I was scared stiff. Armand met with me once a
week to discuss the situation and to pray with me.
Since my Dad was an elder in another Brethren church, George counseled
me to talk to my parents and let my Dad be the one to interface with the
other elders. I did this, and both my Dad and my Mom were wholly and
completely supportive of me over the next difficult months. Dad was
willing to interface with the other elders on my behalf. The argument
that came back from the other elders was that I needed to follow the
instructions in Matthew 18, and talk privately with this abusive elder
first.
George strongly advised against this step. He was adamant that we needed
to follow the instructions of I Tim 5:19&20, which state:
“Do not receive an accusation against an elder except on the basis of
two or three witnesses. Those who continue in sin, rebuke in the
presence of all, so that the rest may be fearful of sinning.”
George explained that the “two or three witnesses” was not referring to
ones that had witnessed the sinful act, but that “two or three
witnesses” were required to be present if an accusation is to be made
against an elder. George strongly believed that this needed to be the
starting point for two reasons:
1) This man is an elder; therefore, any meeting must have others present.It took approximately four months to bring about the actual meeting with witnesses present. The abusive elder kept insisting he would only agree to a meeting with me in private. With George and Armand’s strong support, and with the Lord’s enabling strength, I stood my ground and refused to meet privately, insisting on a meeting with witnesses present. George counseled that if the abusive elder continued to refuse to meet, then the sin needs to be told to the church; and if he still refuses to repent, he needs to be excommunicated. Refusing to meet in order for the sin to be addressed does not prevent the elders from disciplining him.
2) The sin that was committed was sexual molesting. Since meeting privately would further traumatize the offended one (the victim), this step needs to be avoided. Therefore, any meeting must have others present.