Greenwood Community Church Sex Scandal
This is very sad. Just a few minutes ago one of my best friends emailed me to tell me about the sex scandal that was revealed in his church this past Sunday. My buddy Chris attends Greenwood Community Church in Colorado. This is now the 2nd tragic evangelical sex scandal to be revealed in Colorado in the past two weeks (ie., Ted Haggard).Todays Rocky Mountain News reported the story:
For the second time in two weeks, a Colorado flock heard a Sunday sermon about sin and sexual scandal - not somewhere "out there," but in their very midst."I have to confess to you, I have failed. I feel responsible for this taking place," Pastor Tom Melton told a packed crowd at Greenwood Community Church in Greenwood Village. Last week, high school pastor Don Ryan confessed to sexual intimacy with a 16-year-old girl from the church. Out on bail, he faces serious prison time.
Click here to read the whole article.And, here's the statement on Greenwood Community's website:
On November 14, 2006 Don Ryan, the former High School Pastor here at Greenwood Community Church, came to our senior leadership and confessed that he has committed a sexual indiscretion with a student for which he is solely culpable. This event was immediately reported to the Greenwood Village Police department. Therefore, he has been removed from pastoral staff and any type of leadership at Greenwood. This is a heartbreaking loss for everyone, but our hope is in the power of our Savior to begin the healing and restoration that only He can bring about. We are very saddened by the revelations and our thoughts and prayers go out to the victim, the victim’s family, as well as all others concerned and touched by these events. The church leadership takes these allegations of inappropriate behavior very seriously and has cooperated with the authorities in their investigation. As we wish to protect the privacy interests of the individuals who have raised these concerns, we cannot comment any further on the case, or the investigation. We ask that all of those involved with these events and the investigation appreciate the seriousness of the claims and fully support the victim, the victims’ family and all others involved. Please pray for everyone who has been impacted.
Now that you know the story, please pray for this church.