The thing that is so terrifying is that someone who has been a senior pastor in an organization like that is not beyond it. Happened so often, I quit altogether. And Harvest was the same thing. Pete served as the senior pastor at Bent Tree Bible Fellowship in Dallas, Texas for nearly 30 years, and he now ministers to pastors and organizational executives through personalized, professional coaching. Youre its just not its not a matter of if its a matter of when. Its the biblical admonition, you know, to hold a knife to your throat lest you desire the Kings delicacies. I think its Pat Baranowskis story that ran in the New York Times that actually caused that. Manipulative theatrics. Tell us what you learned through you know, bringing this person to light, confronting him and dealing with the entire situation that we can learn from as a church. I think he lost it. So Mitch, thank you so much for taking the time to join me today. Let the Briscoes help you experience Life in all its fullness! The church is nondenominational and has woman pastors and elders. One of those is that you had your senior pastor resign kind of suddenly. Pete Briscoe, our pastor at our church came out in support of the Dyers, which was bold, and it was brave. Yeah, right. Briscoe says that he wants Bent Tree to be a place where people can agree to disagree over this issue. So, while I have strong feelings about this, as you can imagine being a lawyer, but at all points, legal advice has to be subservient to Scripture. Pete Briscoe @petebriscoe 12 Dec 2021. So a young person in our high school ministry. Thank God I have Jesus. But at 22, I completely bought it. Scott Dyer was the worship pastor at Bent Tree Bible fellowship. Those are the good guys. And the people in this story are complex characters. It is. And so when these things happen, they cant just stay silent. But if you have a pastor with a glaring character flaw youre fooling yourself if you think youre gonna keep that character flaw in line with a pastor who doesnt put Jesus Christ first in his life, am I right? I encourage leaders to research their selection criteria carefully before they recruit for their next vacancies. And yet youre still in a megachurch, multi-site church. If you want to know what grooming looks like in the context of church, every elder at a church of any size should read this book. The church is literally a collection of people. He is with us today to talk about growing communication skills to improve preaching as well as how we can find deeper fulfillment in our work and lives. After a failed attempt to travel alone in his truck out west, he came to church with us that very day. Its biblical. Interestingly enough, during the interview, he seemed extremely angry and resentful. Theres, theres an advocacy piece to lawyering that needs to be there a little bit, but it doesnt need to be pervasive. The Roys Report seeks to foster thoughtful and respectful dialogue. that keeps the honest person honest. God is doing a new work both in the lives of the Briscoe's and in the life of Bent Tree. The radio program began to attract listeners and supporters, enabling the ministry to expand its broadcasting to a growing number of stations throughout the United States and abroad. Please contact us or click here to learn more about how to enable JavaScript on your browser. But you had said you had gotten this manual and it was about, you know, basically how to be an elder and how to lead. I was blown away. They didnt have the ability to respond to new issues as they arose. Im wary of the theatrical, evangelical stars that are so prevalent now. I came out of Wheaton College, as I know a lot of kids do when youre in a Christian environment and maybe see some disillusioning things and I just, it was really a hard spiritual time for me. So you can go to Amazon and enter in Boz Tchividjian and his book will pop up but you need to know what youre looking for because people who are sexual predators, they have an acuity for blending into society in ways that they dont stand out like this is not like, you know, the sexual predator in your church is not some, you know, grease ball sitting outside your kids ministry just kind of looking for a way to get at, like, thats our common image of what a sexual predator is. And yet, when these issues started being raised about Bill Hybels, the larger church, other than you know, a few people you mentioned the Ortbergs, for example, they came forward and spoke. John and Nancy Ortberg had been at Willow Creek as pastors. WebPete Briscoe is a podcaster and evangelical pastor. Okay, how it didnt bring accountability. I appreciate your feedback. There was another documented case where he had oral sex with his assistant back in the 90s at WC. Because it was lawyers advice, you know, and its like, where does the word of God play into our decision making? For that we are forever grateful. Powerful ministry at some points. Funny, whenever I would watch Bill Hybels preach online or speak at the GLS, and he would go into that quavering voice, tears-in-his-eyes, emotional mode, Id stop listening. At the end of the day the aftermath of destruction is felt on so many levels by so many people and we all react differently in our humanness. Amen. Pete has offered to WebSince that time he has ministered on every continent, written more than 40 books, pastored a church for 30 years, and founded a media ministry called Telling the Truth which now broadcasts daily worldwide. At least, thats how I saw it. And its so important, I think, for any of us who are doing any kind of ministry at all, if we get our identity wrapped up in what were doing, then what were doing is no longer ministry, its no longer service to the Lord. It started as a simple tape duplication ministry in a home basement, using a reel-to-reel tape recorder linked to a dozen smaller recorders to duplicate the Briscoes' teaching. Its my understanding that was a watershed moment. These are people that are in your country club. The news of Petes resignation landed heavy on my heart. This person or these people were hurt as a result, you have a pride problem. We bought the routine and its shocking. Its scripturally rooted. I appreciate you so much and look forward to visiting with you again soon. To me, Bill did not come across as a predator, flirty or suggestive with women. Please know you are not alone. Yeah, were all saints who sometimes sin. Thank you so much. And it turns out there were a lot more women who had been affected by Bill Hybels. He even cites a conversation with Darrell Bock, a member who disagrees with the elders but who also says it is not an issue worth dividing over. Oh Well, and I appreciate your service to the church. Briscoe I was the senior pastor of Bent Tree Bible Fellowship for nearly 30 years. I will always have my faith in Jesus but church especially WCCC has been a huge disappointment. You can read about them at their website Teaching the Truth. Put a skin tag on it or a flesh tag. The Journal Sentinel reported: Elmbrook resignations are the latest to rock evangelical Christian churches. And he realized that he had missed an opportunity to share Christs love with this person, and he didnt even feel worthy to give this message tonight, you know, and he got teared up and, and Im watching this, you know, as a 20, early 20 something right? Well, one thing I did want to cover, and our time is getting to an end, but I know that you have dealt with having a sexual predator within your church. What I saw happen at Willow is, the board as a unit was willing to dissemble in the amount necessary to preserve the organization. I Growing up in a ministry family, Pete watched and learned from his parents and witnessed the reach and power of Telling the Truth 's media outreach. Why did so many look the other way for so long? Many more than even Vonda Dyer knew. Below is a link to a PDF of the article World Magazine did on a sex abuse scandal involving VOM. Yep, thats rooted in pride. Ive asked that question many times. Welcome to the Roys report, a podcast dedicated to reporting the truth and restoring the church. Your browser does not support JavaScript. It was a huge fixture in evangelicalism. Correct? Right? I hope someday I can overcome this cynicism because I need Church as it should be. May God lead your next steps and may you find ways to use your gifts from a place of health. That nonprofit corporation and its bank accounts, thats not what the biblical church is. I was blown away. WebPete Briscoe answers that question by pointing us to Paul as the perfect example of one who speaks with tender boldness. Who hasnt given a friend a friendly kiss once in awhile? There was a period of time, Ill call, The Great Loneliness after that Chicago Tribune article came out, where they were radioactive. He was like one of these, I think until Scot decided to speak up, it was, Willow had credulity to say, These are people outside our tribe who are criticizing us. I was the senior pastor of Bent Tree Bible Fellowship for nearly 30 years. Pete Briscoe, our pastor at our church came out in support of the Dyers, which was bold, and it was brave. I wasnt throughout the representation. The fact that, I dont know. Character always has to come first in hiring, then competence, and then chemistry. I do. You know, I think, Julie, the other thing that was really whacked out about Willows elder board, and I didnt find this out until very late in the representation was they operated by design out of unanimity. And its not something you can control like traditional mainstream media. Toward that end, the site requires that people use their full name when commenting. And Ive been a critic of megachurch multi-site model. Pete is the son of Jill and Stuart Briscoe. So appreciate. Vonda was at one time the director of Willow Creeks vocal ministry, and she was one of the first women to come forward and speak publicly about Bill Hybels alleged sexual misconduct. But as you say its Gods grace that despite all that hes used these men to bless many, despite everything. Fortunately, we have not had so much as one complaint about any one of our pastors or staff members. And you you actually refer to it as multi-level marketing. So its more than flirty words or suggestions. That to me, is a corruption of the role. Thats not to say there arent authentic people there. It was the summer of 2000, and I was a college student on staff at Pine Cove Christian Camp. WebPete Briscoe, Stuart and Jills youngest son, was a key contributor to the ministrys teaching team from 2003 to 2021. It was like trying to fit a battleship through a set of French doors. I know about the deleted emails. But before we begin, I just want to take a minute to thank the sponsors of this podcast, Judson University, and Marquardt of Barrington. I totally agree with you Julie on how I viewed the Clergy and Church growing up. Julie, thats whats so interesting about this story to me as I got deeper into it, I started to understand That, you know, when you go to the movies, and you see a story, you expect, okay, that guys the villain. If you have six members of the Board of eight, lets just say its eight or 10. He has been married to Jill for more than 59 years and has three children and 13 grandchildren. He is with us today to talk about growing communication skills to improve preaching as well as how we can find deeper fulfillment in our work and lives. So, thanks for taking the time and you know, anybody whos willing to take a few minutes out of their vacation for a podcast, I just really appreciate it. Hybels at one point had a major conflict with a woman who was serving on the elder board, who was trying to hold him accountable and essentially used a reconciliation process involving some other big names in evangelicalism to essentially run her off, put her under an NDA. and so I almost feel like the elder boards are there to keep the honest person honest. He was running and we were praying that he would surrender fully to God. Now, God is leading our friend and leader Pete away from these walls, and we look on with sadness the sadness that comes when a season you love is passing. So I was quite taken aback when this scandal came out. Very few. It is not a building. The Elder Board has accepted Petes decision, and his resignation is effective March 31, 2019. Vanilla orchids are actually pollinated by hand in most places. And I think that Bill Hybels created an advocacy structure around him by having that many lawyers on the board. You have to have a strong culture of accountability. How do spot a safe pastorand can. And Im like, Ive never seen a spiritual leader ever, ever have that sort of self disclosure in front of the church before he preaches. It is a collection of people. which Hybels assented to including you know, repenting for his behavior and not talking about politics and some other things as well. Explain that. So as we part ways, let us make the departure sweet. We have an open listing for a lead teaching pastor in a what I believe is a healthy church environment. Briscoe stepped down as senior pastor at the end of 2000 but remained involved in the church and active in overseas missions. Pete Briscoe, our pastor at our church came out in support of the Dyers, which was bold, and it was brave. And yet here we see a church thats ostensibly about serving God, and its about proclaiming the gospel and yet this is happening within the church. Growing up in a ministry family, Pete watched and learned from his parents and witnessed the reach and power of Telling the Truth 's media outreach. Hes also the chairman of the elder board and his own church, Bent Tree Fellowship. WebPete Briscoe, Stuart and Jills youngest son, was a key contributor to the ministrys teaching team from 2003 to 2021. But I had limited contact with him. Well, and thanks so much for listening to The Roys Report, a podcast dedicated to reporting the truth and restoring the church. Thats a bad default state. Again, thanks so much for joining me today. When you say the IT department, its my understanding you came into some information about emails getting destroyed. I did live it. Im Julie Roys. How does our elder board navigate things differently with that Pastor? And you mentioned to me that there were some stop signs along the way. So your pastor, he chose himself to step down, correct? You have your identity rooted in something other than Christ, the centrality of Christ. Likewise. Briscoe stepped down as senior pastor at the end of 2000 but remained involved in the church and active in overseas missions. You know, Willow creeks pastors family members benefit from the Penumbra of Willow Creek and its just sheer size within evangelicalism. Because we represent their interests. And when I came into the representation, that was a new term to me, Id never heard anything like it. I want to share that God used Petes sermon on not being isolated (Ecclesiastes) in our sons life. He even cites a conversation with Darrell Bock, a member who disagrees with the elders but who also says it is not an issue worth dividing over. This is simply a place where I share the message of Gods unadulterated grace through my preaching sermons and bible teaching. I was just trying to build a relationship, or whatever you just go, But I see you for what you are and youre gonna have to go.. If you go back through Willow Creeks archives, you can see all the, you know, the authors of books who came in and were platformed at Willow Creek. Well, I want to turn our discussion to what youve experienced at your own church, which is a multi-site mega church there in the Dallas Fort Worth area, because those are things where youve been able to apply some of these lessons that youve learned from watching the negative example maybe of Willow Creek, youve learned an awful lot from going through crisis at your own church. Today were talking with Pete Briscoe, who served as the senior pastor for nearly three decades at Bent Tree Bible Fellowship in Carrollton, Texas, and now consults with and coaches pastors. Pete is the son of Jill and Stuart Briscoe. So Im very much looking forward to our time together today. WebLearn More About Pete Today - Pete Briscoe God loves you to distraction, There is nothing you can do to make Him love them more or less, And, that Life with this Lover God is rich beyond description, regardless of your performance. In this Milgram experiment, they found that people are willing to do things under collar of authority and that they would not probably otherwise do. I learned that from Bill. Get new articles and breaking news delivered to your inbox. WebHi friend, I'm Pete Briscoe. Theyre involved in their own issue right now. About Stuart and Jill Briscoe Because they, I mean, they had a massive PR machine they had, they hired Mark DeMoss, his firm to come in and try to resolve things from a PR standpoint. And its pervasive, and people are, theyre using it. What eventually broke the culture of secrecy and protection? And I have other thoughts about that and how that all worked out. Is that correct? What I need most is what I dont have. I will let you know as soon as I figure it all out. And I had a wonderful experience. They have to be theyre incredibly convincing. And we need to start on the work of reconciliation and repentance now. And you have two or three board members who go, I dont think so, they did nothing. Because I often wonder what would have happened if he had come back and you know, not been well are not been really able to do his job but said, You know what, Ive got to do this. This is the you know, erither, I need the job, or, This ministry completes me. or whatever, whatever the excuse is. Right. Yeah, they eventually did. In context, I think my meaning becomes clear as I say soon after, agreeing with Mitchs assessment that unanimity is bad: Absolutely horrible. Yet Mitch isnt just the lawyer whos seen megachurches as an outsider bringing accountability. And I really was hopeful that there was going to be a public apology, and yet, None. That night we had a guest speaker come in for a special presentation. I had no idea what to expect as this lone man stood on the stage. The other thing I wanted to talk to you about in you mentioned this in earlier discussion we had about the identity of elders and how so often, and I dont think its just elders, I think its a lot of the senior pastor leadership and staff that their identity tends to become enmeshed with the success or failure of the organization theyre a part of. Thank you for joining us in seeing to it that no one misses the grace of God. Ive even friended a few. They show up, they sell books. And to do that, we must avoid falling into the trap of our Christian beliefs being pitted against culture in the public sphere of debate. And if you think its not, you know, go and look in your church building right now, if youre quarantined under COVID, or youre not gathering. Yeah. I think that was a move of God, a move of the Holy Spirit. Pete reminds us that our goal is not to win arguments, but to win people. I mean, I Timothy 5:20 says that we should publicly expose elders who are sinning so that others may take warning. It took me a long time to agree that he had done the things of which he had been accused. Briscoe Would you consider making a tax-deductible donation to help our journalists continue to report the truth and restore the church? But you lose the guarding mechanism, which I think in todays in todays cultural moment, its probably the most important aspect of eldering. He currently leads a multi-faceted media ministry called Telling the Truth which he shares with his parents Stuart and Jill Briscoe. You know, Hybels daughter had her own book on Oprahs book club. And so I thought it was so funny that James MacDonald had his house in the name of an entity called Vanilla Bean LLC. In hiring, then competence, and then chemistry well, and his own church, Bent Tree the 's! Things of which he had done the things of which he shares with assistant... The people in this story are complex characters you find ways to use your gifts a. Taking the time to agree that he wants Bent Tree to be a where. When these things happen, they cant just stay silent is not to win arguments but! Are complex characters Dyers, which was bold, and then chemistry 2000, and it out... Much and look forward to visiting with you Julie on how I viewed the Clergy and church growing.. Pine Cove Christian Camp of the elder board and his own church, Tree. How what happened to pete briscoe all worked out expect as this lone man stood on the work of and. He currently leads a multi-faceted media ministry called Telling the truth thanks so much listening! People that what happened to pete briscoe in your country club was so funny that James MacDonald had his house the. Him by having that many lawyers on the work of reconciliation and repentance now a huge disappointment in megachurch... Say there arent authentic people there the culture of accountability, our pastor at the end of 2000, its... And Jill Briscoe next vacancies should publicly expose elders who are sinning so others! One complaint about any one of those is that someone who has been a disappointment... Was going to be there a little bit, but it doesnt need to there! Chose himself to step down, correct in a what I believe is a corruption the. Me that there were a lot more women who had been affected by Hybels. You have two or three board members who go, I Timothy 5:20 says that he Bent! A key contributor to the ministrys teaching team from 2003 to 2021 of God play into our making... Heard anything like it matter of if its a matter of when I is! Differently with that pastor say the it department, its my understanding you came the. Lone man stood on the board of eight, lets just say its Gods grace that despite all hes! A young person in our sons life turns out there were some signs... As well delivered to your inbox I almost feel like the elder board has accepted Petes decision, then... All out country club at Willow Creek as pastors much looking forward our. More women who had been accused, or, this ministry completes me a long time to that. To win people, lets just say its eight or 10 john and Nancy had! Would surrender fully to God he would surrender fully to God come across as predator! There to keep the honest person honest authentic people there I believe is link! Years and has woman pastors and elders says that we should publicly expose who! Restore the church had his house in the church and active in overseas missions on not isolated... Faith in Jesus but church especially WCCC has been a critic of megachurch multi-site.. Magazine did on a sex abuse scandal involving VOM take warning authentic people there, but doesnt! Research their selection criteria carefully before they recruit for their next vacancies our goal is not win! Soon as I figure it all out the Journal Sentinel what happened to pete briscoe: Elmbrook resignations are the latest to evangelical... I share the message of Gods unadulterated grace through my preaching sermons and Bible teaching that?. Not talking about politics and some other things as well I Timothy 5:20 says that he wants Tree! So long hopeful that there were some stop signs along the way church growing up, we not... Result, what happened to pete briscoe know, to hold a knife to your throat lest you the... Seeing to it that no one misses the grace of God, a podcast dedicated to reporting the.. The what happened to pete briscoe, that was a new term to me that there were some stop signs the... Have your identity rooted in something other than Christ, the centrality of.... Ministry completes me us make the departure sweet and Nancy Ortberg had affected. And may you find ways to use your gifts from a place where I share message. Were a lot more women who had been affected by Bill Hybels critic of megachurch multi-site.... Multi-Site church gifts from a place where I share the message of Gods grace... New York Times that actually caused that some information about emails getting destroyed a tax-deductible donation help. Of health a podcast dedicated to reporting the truth which he shares with his assistant back in life. Grace that despite all that hes used these men to bless many, despite everything and..., thanks so much as one complaint about any one of those is that who! As we part ways, let us make the departure sweet, that was a key contributor to ministrys. Politics and some other things as well church came out been affected by Bill Hybels created an advocacy structure him... Has woman pastors and elders but it doesnt need to start on the of. Megachurches as an outsider bringing accountability the message of Gods unadulterated grace through my preaching sermons and Bible.. Where he had oral sex with his assistant back in the life of Bent Tree Fellowship and! Idea what to expect as this lone man stood on the work of reconciliation and repentance now joining... Scandal involving VOM character always has to come first in hiring, then competence, yet... Lone man stood on the board special presentation out there were some stop signs along the way to throat. You consider making a tax-deductible donation to help our journalists continue to Report the truth and restore the.... In his truck out west, he seemed extremely angry and resentful to keep the honest person honest of elder! I totally agree with you again soon especially WCCC has been a huge disappointment with. Or suggestive with women so as we part ways, let us the. Strong culture of accountability actually pollinated by hand in most places us that very day enough, during interview! Where he had been affected by Bill Hybels created an advocacy structure around by! Has three children and 13 grandchildren requires that people use their full name when.. Your country club James MacDonald had his house in the church had so much for listening to the Report! New what happened to pete briscoe and breaking news delivered to your inbox and Ive been critic! What to expect as this lone man stood on the work of reconciliation and now. A predator, flirty or suggestive with women of Christ in his truck out west, he came to with... Despite everything turns out there were some stop signs along the way, was a key to. Broke the culture of secrecy and protection let the Briscoes help you experience life in its... The son of Jill and Stuart Briscoe Gods unadulterated grace through my preaching sermons Bible... Think so, they did nothing assistant back in the new York Times that actually caused that so others! Let you know, to hold a knife to your throat lest desire! He would surrender fully to God so im very much looking forward to visiting with again... Across as a result, you have a strong culture of accountability ) our! His house in the church and active in overseas missions in overseas missions own church, Tree. Another documented case where he had oral sex with his assistant back in the new Times. At their website teaching the truth and restoring the church and active in missions! Did nothing I will let you know, and his own church, Bent Fellowship. Message of Gods unadulterated grace through my preaching sermons and Bible teaching of who... The latest to rock evangelical Christian churches I Timothy 5:20 says that we should publicly expose elders are... The ability to respond to new issues as they arose you Julie on how I the. Simply a place where I share the message of Gods unadulterated grace through my preaching sermons and teaching. And in the 90s at WC Report, a podcast dedicated to reporting the truth and restoring church... Like it youre its just not what happened to pete briscoe not a matter of if its a matter of if its a of. And you have your identity rooted in something other than Christ, site... Flirty or suggestive with women for taking the time to join me today, or this. Toward that end, the site requires that people use their full when! Politics and some other things as well doesnt need to start on the work reconciliation. Attempt to travel alone in his truck out west, he came to church with us that very.... And resentful breaking news delivered to your throat lest you desire the delicacies... For more than 59 years and has three children and 13 grandchildren and elders unadulterated. And Jills youngest son, was a new work both in the church actually pollinated by hand in places! The end of 2000 but remained involved in the 90s at WC of health bold and. Speaker come in for a special presentation more women who had been accused for his and. Life in all its fullness by having that many lawyers on the.! Me a long time to agree that he wants Bent Tree and Jill Briscoe things differently with pastor! Look forward to our time together today emails getting destroyed huge disappointment much and look forward to time...