Jeff Lehmkuhl Recants
Brent T. posted this letter on the Assemblyboard on March 3, 2004: "This is a letter sent to several “saints,” in San Luis Obispo, by Jeff Lehmkuhl. I have a signed copy of it in my possession." In this letter Jeff recants his repudiation of George Geftakys and the Assembly ministry.
"...but this one thing I do, forgetting the those things that are behind, and reaching forth unto those things that are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing you be otherwise minded, God shall reveal this unto you.” (Phil. 3:13-15)
February 25, 2004
Dear ______
I am sure that you are probably wondering what this is all about. Well, here it is a year later. And truthfully, the timing of this letter is more a coincidence than you might suppose. It is rather the product of an early morning prompting by the Lord this morning at the conclusion of months and months of wrestling in my thoughts, in the Word, and in prayer. I am sure that as I explain myself, and it will take a bit of doing, that some of you will disagree with me or see things differently. I am not worried about that. That is up to you. If you read to the end of the letter, it is my hope that you will see that I am only believing God for His best for each of you by this and nothing else.
It has taken me this year to come to the place I found myself at this morning; spontaneously repenting before the Lord for my failure in my service to you as a leader. But perhaps not in the way some of you will think. I failed to stand firm for God’s interests in the gathering here in SLO that He had raised up and which He certainly had no intention of destroying. He did not destroy this gathering. Men did and I realize now, that as a leader, I did not do all that I could do to stop this from happening. Our God is a God of restoration and gathering; a God of healing and binding up; a God of Resurrection and new life. If He, and He knows the truth of all of our errors and sins, would not extinguish a dimly burning wick, should I have? I allowed things to happen that caused the gathering to become disheartened with no alternative apparently available to it but to disband. Any and all of these things were sinful and wrong. This was done in a variety of ways some of which included: stepping out of leadership, allowing Brent and Suzie T. and my brother-in-law access into and influence in the gathering that they never should have had. This led some of you to believe that it was okay to listen to what they had to say and to put confidence in them when they ultimately demonstrated that they were only committed to destroying, dividing and abolishing the gathering. Allowing Heidi Johnson to come and disrupt the worship of our Lord, a meeting that was just a horror to most of us, my family included. This never should have happened. I read the articles on the web and let them affect me when the Lord’s word tell me that I have no business listening to gossip. I should never have looked at any or it. I believe that these things and more are totally contrary to scripture. They should never have been allowed. For this I ask your forgiveness.
Further, I ask your forgiveness for even bringing up these details just mentioned. I am sure that most, if not all of you, do not want to be reminded of such events. For me it is necessary because I don’t want to miss the lessons that the Lord has for me. It has taken me this long to see how hard it is for me to go against the grain and stand by my convictions especially when it is costly and very unpopular. This, I am learning to do. This letter is some evidence of this. I conferred with no one and sought no one’s approval on this letter except my Lord though I knew that many if not most would not agree with me. That can no longer determine me. His Word and His Spirit must. This is not to suggest that I don’t believe in the scriptural thought of “in the multitude of counselors, there is wisdom”. I still believe in seeking Godly counsel. In fact, many years of studying, praying, and counseling have brought me to the biblical convictions that I have that dictate the thoughts of such a letter as this. So, in order for me to “forget the things that are behind and reach forth to what’s before” this letter to you was necessary.
Most every day I am reminded of John 8:31, “If you continue in my word, then are you my disciples indeed…” And, “he who loves his life will lose it.” (John 12:25) I am so compelled to, by love, continue in His Word; not by guilt but by love because it is His character and His way of doing things. To continue in His Word means just simply that; to continue in those things that He has shown me and those things that He is showing me. To be a worshipper in Spirit and in truth; to follow Him; to be a witness; to be a disciple and a discipler; to answer His great commission; to live in simple obedience to His word by faith, seeking to apply it in every practical way; to serve Him; to continue in prayer; the word, worship and fellowship; to gather to Him, the living head, in New Testament simplicity; to go the way of the cross; all of these things and more once again come fresh into mind and heart and I joyfully want to respond. This I intend, by the abundant, sufficient grace of God to do. “And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work.” (II Cor. 9:8)
Although I truly do not know what the future hold, I know that ultimately it is bright and that it is my determination to direct my steps into His will. And in the meantime, as I mentioned above, I plan to “continue in His Word.” Pray for me that I would and that I would be willing to be led by His Spirit that the Father may be glorified through the Son. One practical implementation I will mention to you is that each Sunday my family and I are worshipping the Lord together at our home. This is a simple but joyful time for us. If you so desire to come sometime, you are certainly welcome. I do want you to know that I remain your brother and friend. Always know that you can come and talk or pray or fellowship with us. We have time and an open door for you. May the Lord bless each one of you in whatever endeavors/fellowships you are involved in for His glory. May you love His cross and cling to Him as enough for your every need.
Finally, I do not mean to stir up any trouble for you. That is the last thing I want to do. Nor do I want to put any guilty upon you. You do no owe me anything. You don’t even need to respond to this letter. I am not writing it to evoke a response. I prefer that my thoughts to you stay with you alone. I must admit, I don’t enjoy being the subject of more gossip but if I must, I am willing to pay that price. It matters not to me anymore. If it does, then I really have learned nothing through all of this.
“Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jesus in sincerity.” (Eph. 6:24)
Grace be you.
Your brother,
Jeff Lehmkuhl
