It occurred to me earlier today that there may be some confusion over my quote in the commercial appeal in late September when it is compared with my response to Rev. Weatherwax. There is no contradiction, but as has been wisely said, "You should always lay things out very plainly for people otherwise they may well miss the point."
The CA article quotes me as saying that I had wanted to create a forum for members of the church to discuss these issues. That quote is quite correct (though it is difficult to anticipate just what part of what you had hoped would be published will actually get published). I had desired to do that long with providing commentary and covering what I saw as the issues that would not be allowed before the church (see mission statement).
In my letter to Rev Weatherwax, I noted that it was my personal blog and not a forum. This is true as well and extremely sensible given the context of our correspondence. The blog started as a personal blog, became a forum (by definition) when people posted their opinons, and (by definition) reverted from a forum to a standard blog when I turned comments off.
If you read the correspondence between myself and Rev Weatherwax, these points become abundantly clear, but just in case there was any question at all, I wanted to do some preemptive clarification before some tried to bring this to my attention.
Saturday, October 14, 2006
Thursday, October 12, 2006
A New Low--Reamed with Lies by a Family Friend
The administration has fired an unexpected volley at me showing beyond a shadow of a doubt the lengths at which it is willing to go to marginalize, demonize, and delegitimize anyone who asks questions or asks for a proper hearing of all evidence.
I believe this deserves to be covered here. I had laid down my sword. I quit pursuing the blog and trying to get information to the
I recently wrote the letter immediately below to the Bellevue Deacon body. The letter is civil, even-handed, and pleading in nature--it's urges the body not to judge Dr Gaines or Mark Sharpe until a fair hearing per Matthew 18 has been allowed. How it could be interpreted as offensive or an affront is beyond me. Shortly after I sent this letter, I received an email from Rev. Phil Weatherwax at
I wrote back defending myself, and he claims not to have even read my attempt at defending myself. Our entire correspondence, starting with my open letter to the Bellevue Deacon Body, is below.
If this is what these men mean by "attempting to reconcile" then we are in trouble. If he truly believes I am in the wrong, then this set of correspondence is nothing but a manifestation of Ez 34:4: “The diseased have ye not strengthened, neither have ye healed that which was sick, neither have ye bound up [that which was] broken, neither have ye brought again that which was driven away, neither have ye sought that which was lost; but with force and with cruelty have ye ruled them.” This is one of the saddest days I've seen in my young life.
Finally, days ago I copied to Dr Gaines my initial response debunking beyond question these lies along with the original letter containing the lies. I have yet to hear back from him in any way.
Correspondence follow below:
October 8, 2006
Dear
Tonight I write you as a concerned member of our wonderful church. For months, many of you have heard whispered rumors and nameless fears—concerns about the direction of the church, actions of the Administration, and divisiveness of certain members. Sadly, I find myself in the last category mentioned, one who has been titled a divider of the brethren.
I write to you not in an attempt to divide, for that has never been my goal. I would simply ask that you examine both the accusations of Mark Sharpe and the Administration’s response to those accusations.
Each of you found himself in a deacon’s meeting not so very long ago during which Dr Gaines commented on some of the issues that have been driving the recent controversy. Because of Sharpe’s conspicuous absence during this meeting, one deacon asked if Sharpe should be present while the deacon body heard the matter. Dr Gaines’ response was that Sharpe’s presence would be the last thing such a meeting needed.
Dear Brothers, you know as well as I do that this is not the way these matters are to be handled. Mark Sharpe has for months, and to no avail, tried to address the body of whom he is a member. We see from Scripture that when a brother has something against another brother, he is to confront that brother, then confront that same brother with witnesses, and then if the brother will still not hear him, he is to take the brother before the church.
Mark Sharpe has made far more than a good-faith effort to follow Matthew 18. Time and again he has met with Dr Gaines, only to be told that he should leave the church. He is currently being prevented from completing Matthew 18’s mandate because the Administration will not allow him to speak to the Deacon or Church bodies.
Brothers, you are vested with respect and responsibility, and you dare not turn your backs on a violation of a Scriptural mandate, especially when such a violation is being committed by the Church’s leadership.
Some of you may reply that First Timothy 5 notes we are not to receive accusations against an elder unless it comes from two or three witnesses (indeed, I know of a deacon board member who contends that Matthew 18 does not apply to the pastor). Gentlemen, I can tell you that others who share Sharpe’s concerns are willing to speak, but only with the presence of authorities on the law in the room—this should tell you something about the gravity of this situation. The Administration will not receive them, and is thus preventing them too from completing their mandate as laid out in Matthew 18.
This brings me to the heart of this letter. I would beg you each to come forward in a visible, unmistakable way to show your concern and worry over the actions of the leadership specifically pertaining to this highly visible breach of Biblical conduct—the denial of men the opportunity to exercise Matthew 18, a fundamental part of the Christian walk. If, for this, you require two or more witness, I will personally join Sharpe, and I can provide you an enormous list of others who will do the same.
You may well respond that you have a ministry, a position, or a reputation that cannot be jeopardized by the action I’m suggesting. Well, it is not without reason that you have these things, and I thank God that He has given them to you. I also remind you, gently, that it is He who has given them to you, and this not without requirement on your part. He has given them, and you have a responsibility to serve Him above any office or privilege He grants you. We would all do well to be put in remembrance of Jesus’ words to Pilate: “You have no power over me unless it is given you from my Father.” He was of course right. No one holds any authority or power over us except that power which God ordains and allows to be exercised. Nothing can be done to us or taken from us without God’s express permission. This said, it’s easy to see why the apostles, and we too, could say: “We should obey God rather than men” or perhaps better for our purposes, “We should fear God rather than men.”
My brothers and my lay leaders, some of you know me, some of you have taught me in Sunday School. I beg for your ears now. Regardless of your thoughts on Sharpe’s concerns themselves, surely you realize that the Administration’s refusal to allow him to carry out Matthew 18 is without defense. Please dear friends, do not condemn our Pastor or our Brother, Mark Sharpe, without insisting that both sides be heard in a biblical manner. Be wise in this and insist on being able to question both men from the floor (pre-sorted questions and rehearsed responses do no one any good). Proverbs 18:17 says, “The first to present his case seems right, till another comes forward and questions him.” Brothers, do not be paralyzed by inaction. “We should obey God rather than men.”
Sincerely,
Josh Manning
From: Weatherwax, Phil [mailto:*******]
Sent: Tuesday, October 10, 2006 7:12 PM
To: *******.com
Subject: your letter to the deacons
Josh Manning,
I read your open letter to the deacons and have spent some time dealing with my impressions about you, your motives, the issues you address, the scripture you are so quick to claim, and the platform on which a young church member has been thrust into the very fabric of church life. I have quite frankly, struggled with my feelings about all of the above.
First, let me address you and your motives and I must confess that I know little of you but know your parents well. I know that in your young twenty three years you have had somewhat of a history of leaving churches and joining others so loyalty to
The one thing comes to my mind and I am sorry if it is not true, (but then truth has not governed what has been put on your web page either) is that you are a law student who is trying a case in the court of public opinion and using the tactics used by many lawyers today. Let me give you a few of those tactics that I see.
First: it matters not whether what you say is true just get it out in front of the people and create a reasonable doubt. All you have to do is get one out of twelve to doubt. Haven't there been a few items which have hit the page and then strangely disappeared when they were proven to be false. Yet you issued no apologies to the ones who read it, may have even believed it. No retractions were made so people who saw it are just left with doubt which in some cases is not even reasonable.
Second: use influential people,sometimes called expert witnesses to make your case. The bit with Pastor Adrian Rogers was scraping the bottom of the barrel. To use an excerpt from Pastor Rogers that had nothing to do with the present situation was so wrong. Some might assume that Pastor Rogers was in full agreement with you. Do you think today he would undo what he did when he passed the mantel and washed Pastor Gaines feet? I think not and I don't think he would have endorsed you using that excerpt in the way that you did? Help me with the legality of that act anyway. It maybe crossing a fence that you did not have permission to cross. I do take my hat off to you at the credentials of the expert witnesses that you have brought to the
Third: when public opinion or evidence is against you suppress it, squash it, minimize it or discredit it. I am not only not a lawyer but I am far from being a computer and a WWW expert. Help me understand if I am wrong but was not your page originally set up to be a "blog" that was linked with the "savingbellevue" web page? Is not a blog an interactive page that allows people to express their opinion no matter which side of the aisle they are on? I guess what made me begin to wonder about your motives was early on when you announced that you were the Supreme Blog Master. Someone had to be the one to determine what went on the site and what didn't and you determined that it would be you. You have established yourself as the one who makes that determination. I would imagine if it would have remained as a true blog you would have been overwhelmed with the opposition to your views and the desire on the part of the vast majority of the BBC membership to see you ride off into the sunset and try some other case. You have done an excellent job of getting your side only before the BBC membership. What more can Mark Sharpe possibly say to the deacons then he has had your platform to say without the possibility of refutation.
Fourth: When the facts aren't on your side attack the person. I have grieved to the point of becoming sick to my stomach over the attempted assination of the character of my Pastor. Having been in that position before, I can feel the pain that your constant attacks have put on Pastor Gaines and his family. God only knows the damage you have done and done it apparently with no remorse. I look first at the infamous "fence" incident. Having been a witness for the Lord for many years and knocked on many doors unannounced I have gone through gates, privacy signs, dogs, and a hundred other impediments to be able to witness to someone. I am sure that in the same situation, I would have done the same thing and not thought about it until the "Manning-Supreme Blog MASTER" report caught me. It seems like a lot of something about nothing. What really brought me to write this long email is that the very thing that you have persecuted my Pastor over you yourself have done with no apology and no apparent remorse. Yes, you did do it. You took the deacons book and published as the Supreme Blog MASTER, the names addresses and phone numbers of all the deacons. Some of those deacons put their unlisted numbers in that listing solely for the use of the Deacon network and you published home numbers for everyone to see. What about that Deacon doctor who has an unlisted number and an "on call network," and you have just given his patients his home number. I think you realized your mistake because all but the name and email addresses soon disappeared. Now how about that gate that you jumped over and the fact that you trespassed into those families lives. Not only that you gave the gate key to others so they could enter. Where is the private and public apologies for that? I can hear you saying, "Well I thought it was the right thing to do at the time."
What about the dream and the Amen-er. You have done your best to make the pastor out to be a liar and some kind of a brute beast who squashes dissenting opinions. Well I was the one who finally talked to the man who happens to be a very good friend of mine and there was no dream that ever was a part of any conversation I had leading up to the confrontation and subsequent talk with the man. My friend received it well, was not offended with me or the pastor and I saw him sitting quietly in the pew Sunday. I can tell you from having preached to the man and taught him in Sunday School for years he can be annoying if you are not used to him. Again, story completely blown out of proportion and for What?
Fifth and final lawyer tactic. It really doesn't matter if you are right or wrong, whether the man is guilty or innocent, win at all costs is the order of the day, and if you can bring down a giant the more prominent you will become. At this time let me apologize to those many wonderful lawyers who practice law with integrity and moral character.
Josh, I am sorry but I think you are a shark who smells blood and is now going for the kill, trying to make a name for yourself. I see no other dog you have in this hunt. If I am accurate as I believe I am you need to repent and cease and desist.
Reading David Bishop's well written letter which you did chose as the Supreme Blog MASTER, to publish let me briefly address, the "where there is smoke there must be fire, and it is a pretty thin pancake that doesn't have two sides and we need to get both sides together and have this ironed out in a public forum."
Mark Sharpe has had more time with the pastor and his associate in his brief one year tenure then most of his staff have had. I Wish Pastor would jump my fence and come see me. I would apologize for not having the gate open for him. Isn't that what you are wanting a forum with the pastor and leadership.
Mark has not been able to be reconciled and restored through all these meetings and I believe the reason is simply, he does not want to be. For some reason he is enjoying the notoriety and the attention. He wants to bring down the pastor and with him the church that over and over you guys claim to love. How can I make such a statement. Well I simply refer to Mark's own words, "I ask for the Pastor's resignation." What gall! What can he hope to gain out of a meeting with the pastor and deacons. Certainly not fulfillment of Matthew 18. I look at every attempt attempt the Pastor and his leadership have made to explain their view of the situation and each only became fodder for Mark's cannon to fire back them and post on your website where only your opinion can be seen. It was interesting that David used a political debate as a comparison of how the truth can be brought out. I happened to be watching a little of the Corker vs. Ford debate and it proved to be nothing but a mudslinging contest with no more knowledge of the truth then we had before it started. Yes Pastor Rogers said, It is a pretty thin pancake which only has one side, but he also said, "there is no winner when you get in a fight with a skunk." I will add to that one "especially if you invite him into your house for the fight."
I have a hard time believing any of what you say when so much has been proven to be false, twisted or inconsequential when compared to the statements of trusted staff and laity. It is also hard for me to believe you when you have moved away from your original issues which were stated to be foundational to try to find new (usually laughable) items in the things that Pastor has said and preached.
I think it would be appropriate for you to give it up, apologize to the pastor and church and move on.
I give you no permission to reprint any of this letter unless you print it all. Anyone can cut and paste what I say and make any point they want. Please don't abuse my integrity by doing that.
Yours without apology,
Phil Weatherwax
Minister,
From: Joshua H. Manning [mailto:********.com]
Sent: Wednesday, October 11, 2006 1:18 AM
To: Weatherwax, Phil
Cc: Gaines, Steve
Subject: RE: your letter to the deacons
Dear Mr Whetherwax,
I need to preface this entire letter saying that I have held you in very high regard for a very long time. I think of so many times when in my home I’ve heard wonderful things said of you. I have considered you one of the strongest leaders
I don’t desire to debate or argue with you. The letter to the deacon body was not sent to you, so I think it may have been forwarded to you, I presume (and if I’m wrong, I’ll be glad to admit that when informed and apologize) by the pastor’s offices, so that it, and I, could both be handled. You have done that task. But you’ve also said some things that for my own sake and yours I feel I need to contest:
1) My loyalty/participation at
You mention that I’ve a history of leaving and joining other churches. All incidence of comings and goings occurred while or before I was 16 years of age. The last time I left a church I was sixteen (1999). I left Cornerstone Baptist (I’ve never attended Emmanuel) in
You say that you know my attendance has been spotty. Sir, that is a lie. You do not know that. You cannot know that because my attendance since 1999 has been exemplary—Phil Newberry and Rob Mullins should both be able to comment to this. I even spent the first three years of college coming back home on weekends (a two hour drive from my dorm) just so I could attend
Further, you contend that my involvement in ” the youth and college activities showed even less of a commitment to the church programs and its staff and lay leaders.” I wasn’t aware that
Since much of your letter was predicated on that false supposition, I’m afraid your arguments will experience a cascade failure of sorts—the faulty assumptions skew the validity all conclusions built thereon.
2) I am neither a lawyer nor a law student—this again creates another set of cascade failures because you’ve predicated statements based on a falsity. And for the record, I’m a graduate student.
3) If by “trying in the court of public opinion” you mean “presenting allegations that should come before the church under Matthew 18 (and possibly 1 Timothy 5) but are not because the church administration will not allow that” then you are right. But I doubt this is what you meant. There is a distinction, whether you or the administration realize it, between the court of public opinion and Matthew 18. The part that seems to confuse many is that a byproduct of Matthew 18 being fully carried out is that public opinion is formed. This is unavoidable given the fact that we are dealing with thinking human beings.
4) I’m honestly having a hard time following your second enumerated point. To my knowledge I’ve not commented on Dr
And, sir, before you accuse me of more of this, I can produce testimony from an impeccable source who even the most skeptical on the other side would believe. And that testimony would state that I told this person that I strictly wanted to avoid pitting “Rogers against Rogers” on the blog by responding to his quotes being touted by the administration with other quotes from him that bolster my position. This person will tell you that this is exactly what I have said to her. I will seek this person’s permission to divulge his/her name if you’d like.
5) Regarding your third enumerated point: You have again, again sir, stated falsities. A blog is not designed to be an expressly interactive interface, look it up. You’ve mistaken a blog for a chat forum. They are not the same. Again, before you accuse me of something based on a definition, look it up. Blog is common parlance for Web-Log. The idea is that of an open diary or running commentary. Some blogs have an option that allows readers to comment on what the blogger has posted. I turned this feature on and allowed a multitude of comments both from people who applauded my actions and people who hated them. I was even handed. The comments I disallowed were those which were unedifying from both sides. I eventually disabled the comment option because of the flood of foul, ungodly comments. Most of these I note came from those who support the current pastor—I’m not at all implying guilt by association, this is just an observation.
Next, the blog was not set up to be part of savingbelleuve.com. In fact, if memory serves, the blog dates back to a few days prior to savingbellevue’s start and my knowledge of the project.
I never, never proclaimed myself “Supreme Blog Master.” Where in the world can you justify saying that? Go search the blog. That isn’t there. A search of every email I’ve sent for the past year will not return any results for that phrase or anything remotely like it. I did determine that I would be the one to filter the comments while they were still enabled because it was my blog. Again, you’re commenting on things you seem to have absolutely no knowledge of: a blog is by definition a web log. It’s possible for many people to run a blog, but this one was mine personally. There is no reason in the world why I should give up the right to choose what gets posted on a site that bears my name. You know that would be unwise, and I daresay you’d never give anyone such authority over something bearing your name. Don’t condemn me for the same—especially when the same is so easily obtainable through reason and common sense. Finally, my assertion of authority in the blog is stated at this hyperlink: http://bellevuetruth.blogspot.com/2006/09/comments-are-ended.html. Read that post and please tell me if anything in my words or implications comports with the title of Supreme Blog Master.
Next, I have never removed one item from the blog because it had been proven false because not one item on the blog has yet been proven false to me. Even Sharpe’s testimony which is most likely the hottest debated issue, has yet to be proven false in any way that I am aware of. But testimony is testimony regardless of fact. If the testimony is factual and true, then it stands on its own. If it is false, then it condemns the one who spoke it. But the fact that something may be false does not nullify its existence (we don’t strike perjury from court records), therefore it would be foolish and counterproductive for me to remove anything from the blog: its express purpose was to get at the truth of things whether the truth condemn or vindicate parts of the church.
Under this same point you refer to two other things: 1) a possible deluge of pro-Dr Gaines comments that would send me off into the sunset and 2) my doing an excellent job of getting mine and Mark Sharpe’s side before the church. Addressing 1: I turned comments off for the reasons I stated earlier to you and also on the blog itself (if you want the exact article addressing this it’s at http://bellevuetruth.blogspot.com/2006/09/comments-are-ended.html, and you should also see http://bellevuetruth.blogspot.com/2006/09/cleaned-up-comments-pages.html). Regarding 2: Good night man! Should both sides not be heard? I even let the other side post! What a choice of points to attack me on!
Under this same heading you say “What more can Mark Sharpe possibly say to the deacons then he has had your platform to say without the possibility of refutation.” Mr Weatherwax, you miss the point entirely. This is not about getting it out there without possibility of refutation. This is about trying to get things done via Matthew 18 (the way in which information is dissiminated to the church is nowhere mentioned in the passage. In fact, most are forced to fall back on the 1
Finally under this disgraceful paragraph, you say that “when public opinion or evidence is against you [sic] suppress it, squash it, minimize it or discredit it.” I think I’ve shown that to be false already, but I would also ask what evidence has been given that discredits anything said? What one shred of evidence can you point to that has been suppressed or minimized? Sharpe has asked for receipts and financial documents that could easily disprove every single financial question. The administration has refused. If by “us suppressing” you mean “the administration not providing any evidence only opinion” then you’ve got us there.
I’ve posted what the Chairman of the Deacons has said in defense of the pastor. I’ve given a him a forum and even let him rebut—and this while he has not allowed the same privilege of rebuttal to Sharpe in deacon’s meetings. I’ve even tried to speak with the pastor, and he doesn’t seem to be interested. Sir, this seems a joke in horrible taste. If only it were so.
6) Regarding your fourth enumeration: There is much here that will be addressed by the last paragraph you’ll find at the end of this email. Moving on: As for the rest: First, I defy you to point to one unjust, unreasonable allegation I have made toward Dr Gaines on that blog. One. I have reported on testimony. I have been very careful not made allegations, though I have analyzed what some of the leadership has said. Next, you probably won’t hear me saying “I thought it was the right thing to do at the time” as you thought I might because I am vehemently opposed the attitude that gives rise to statements like that. Right is right, wrong is wrong. Time rarely plays a role.
You speak of the “amener” and say “You have done your best to make the pastor out to be a liar and some kind of a brute beast who squashes dissenting opinions.” How did I do this? I have not made him out to be any such thing. My exact response when Sharpe commented on this in the interview was “[Speaking of Mark’s allegations] This is pretty shocking, [I summarize what Sharpe has just said.] Is that correct? MS: That is correct. JM: Now Mark, these are pretty serious statements.” The above comes straight from that first interview with Mark Sharpe (http://bellevuetruth.blogspot.com/2006/09/on-record-firsthand-information.html). The above statements in no way, no way, comport with your accusation. Mr Weatherwax, you are old enough to know that words mean things. They have exact meanings. What I said in no way fits the words you used.
You say that the “amener’s” testimony contradicts Mark’s. Well, the thing that would help everyone establish what’s going on would be to allow Matthew 18 to be fully executed. Then all could be dealt with in the open. But again, the administration you’re a member of will not allow this.
And sir, the “amen’s distract” argument is so sad that I hesitate to address it. How can you say this after you’ve sat in an auditorium where the pastor has time and again solicited such comments, and even chided the congregation for not amening? I’m appalled by what seems to be a lack of intellectual integrity. But this is far less appalling than most of what I’ve waded through to make it to this point.
Again, much of what’s located under your fourth enumerated point will be dealt with by a solitary paragraph at the end of this email. Once you’ve read that paragraph, go back and reread your fourth enumerated point. I will hope for an apology afterwards.
7) Regarding your fifth enumerated point. Isn’t it hard to argue that I say right or wrong don’t matter when scripture is what I’ve been appealing to all through this? And contextualized scripture at that. Go read that blog. It’s chocked full of contextualized Scripture.
Next, I do care whether the man is guilty or not. I would point you to a line in my letter to the deacon body that said “Please dear friends, do not condemn our Pastor or our Brother, Mark Sharpe, without insisting that both sides be heard in a biblical manner.” That should debunk your contention well enough, but if not, go find the purpose statement to my blog. It was hoped to dispel false rumors against all involved.
I’ve no interest in bringing down a giant. I’ve honestly got too much to do to worry about bringing down a giant. Sir, I am studying in
Also, while your apology to lawyers with moral character and integrity does not constitute a de jure attack on me, it does constitute a de facto attack. So far you’ve been wrong about every single accusation you’ve hurled at me. Every single one, sir. Let that sink in. And now you have the unmitigated audacity and gall to attack my character. I’ve not attacked anyone’s character, especially the pastor’s. Search the blog. I have asked questions, but that does not constitute an attack—especially the way I’ve asked them. I’ve even commended the church when they’ve done what I felt was right. Sir, we cannot live in a society that does not ask hard questions and try to get answers. Those are not attacks. They are immunizations, designed to fortify us all.
Further, sir, I did not in any way know of or participate in the posting of David Bishop’s letter. I’ve no problem at all with your addressing it. I do have a problem with you again lying about me when you address it. Once again, read the final paragraph of this letter and then bite your tongue.
Your statement that “Mark Sharpe has had more time with the pastor and his associate [sic] in his brief one year tenure then most of his staff have had. I Wish Pastor would jump my fence and come see me. I would apologize for not having the gate open for him. Isn't that what you are wanting a forum with the pastor and leadership [sic]” is a non-sequitor—it does not follow—in regards to the unlocking of the gate. You miss the point that your wanting to have an unlocked gate does nothing to change the fact that these men broke the law—in public at Sharpe’s neighborhood. Further, I’m sure the pastor will make himself available to many who ask, especially deacons. I suspect they need only ask. That’s what Sharpe did. I would advise you to do the same. Going even further you say “Isn't that what you are wanting a forum with the pastor and leadership“ in regards to the fence incident. Again, sir, words mean things. A forum is not an in-home visit. Look it up. I and others want a forum with the pastor and the church, not a visit from the pastor. He has not taken what Sharpe said individually or with witnesses, and I’ve tried to talk with him to no avail, thus the next step is going before the church under Matthew 18.
You say that you believe Mark’s motivations are less than altruistic. That is your right. I do not dispute it. I can tell you that I’ve talked with Mark many times and I do not believe there is any evidence in Mark’s words, attitude, or demeanor—and again this is after having spoken with him privately on more occasions than I can remember—that his intentions are anything less than unimpeachable. You may disagree. That is your right, but don’t claim that a call for resignation equals self-servingness. Did you feel the same when Republicans called for President Clinton’s resignation (I in no way mean to insinuate that the President and Dr Gaines are in any way, shape, or form comparable). Did you feel it was self-serving or the right thing to do? (A more intriguing question is “are those two things mutually exclusive (as you seem to imply)?” For the record, they are not necessarily mutually exclusive at all, but we won’t go into that.)
You say “What can he hope to gain out of a meeting with the pastor and deacons. Certainly not fulfillment of Matthew 18.“ Well, I think that’s why we’re a tad more interested in dealing with the church. Sharpe has fulfilled the first portions of Matthew 18 and to no avail. Going to the church will at this point fulfill Matthew 18.
You also note that fighting with a skunk is a bad idea. Well you’re right, but you make this a tad too easy on yourself in my view. You have taken nothing by lies from the previous paragraphs and concluded seemingly that I am the skunk. What may be worse is that you’ve not actually done this, but have concluded that we’re the collective skunk (I can’t believe I’m actually reduced to writing these lines) based upon our desire to see Matthew 18 carried out and our willingness to go to the congregation—after being blocked by the admisistration—if that’s what it takes force the fulfillment of a biblical mandate. If that is the definition of a skunk, then sir I reek to the heavens and am proud of it.
Mr Weatherwax, you say that much of what I’ve said has been proven false. Sir, again, I ask you, where is that proof? Where is the signed testimony, where are the financial records? Yet again I say, words mean things. “Proven” does not mean “is alleged.” I would never say that it is proven that our pastor has done wrong. It hasn’t been! We want a forum where those who claim to have such proof may present it. If we fulfill Matthew 18, we may actually get to the bottom of all of this and then the proof will be, as the saying goes, in the pudding. Sir, if you and the administration are correct, this could all go away with the fulfillment of Matthew 18. Don’t you see, I want to get to the root of this as much as anyone does! I hate dealing with this, sir. I loathe it. I miss peace and quiet and being able to be nurtured at my church. I miss feeling that I can trust my leaders. I miss being able concentrate on my studies and being able to sleep with an unburdened mind. But believers are to be warriors for truth, and when such luxuries do no afford themselves on the battlefield, we must press on. So be it.
You say, “your original issues which were stated to be foundational to try to find new (usually laughable) items in the things that Pastor has said and preached [sic].“ Mr Weatherwax, by now I sound like a broken record, but would you please do your research. Here is the mission statement of my blog: http://bellevuetruth.blogspot.com/2006/08/quis-custodiet-ipsos-custodes-at.html. How are my mission statement and your version of my mission statement remotely comparable. How dare you libel me, and sir I say libel because I have the proof in black and white sitting on my web browser.
The last thing I want to address is your request for the full publication of this document if it is ever reprinted—and here you imply that I might take your words out of context. If you will remember though, I only published correspondences that were not designated as private and I always published them in whole until I was asked to stop by the author. Only then did I resort to using pull-quotes, and even then I explained to both the original author and those reading the blog that I had wanted to completely contextualize the correspondence but the original author would not allow me to. Don’t bring a straw man argument against me—especially one that’s already discredited by what’s on the blog at http://bellevuetruth.blogspot.com/2006/09/round-two-commentary-on-bellevue.html and http://bellevuetruth.blogspot.com/2006/09/ive-officially-been-demonized.html.
Finally, at the end of my reply to your fourth point I said that you would need to see the last paragraph of this email and then reread your fourth point (and I think your letter as well). I will hope for an apology after you do that. The last paragraph I referred to is below, but first I want to say that I truly regret having lost a family friend and someone who I had respected. This is the most painful of the cuts I’ve recently received because it came from someone I hoped could be trusted to want to uphold Matthew 18 regardless of all else. Someone who would insist on Scripture being upheld no matter what and regarding whomever—myself and the pastor not the least of whom might be held accountable under such a stand. Maybe in time some relationships can be restored. Now for that last paragraph:
I have never, ever, under any circumstances written one thing that has been on savingbellevue.com save what their webmaster liked from my blog—and that was not written for them, it was written for the church and posted on my blog. I do not have editorial control of the site. I do not own it. I do not operate it. I do not post to it. It was created without my knowledge, and my blog predates my knowledge of savingbellevue.com. I first saw savingbellevue.com on August 27 as indicated by an email record I have and as can be corroborated by a log file that all website keep. The first post, if you care to check my blog, was on August 16. I say this to say that my work was and is independent of savingbellevue.com’s. You have spent two and a half pages accusing me of being involved in something I was never involved in. I guess the difference between my situation and the church administration’s is that I’ve been accused yet I have the proof that I am not guilty and I will produce it as soon as anyone asks. I’ll be more than happy to get that log file for you and I will forward you the email I referenced if you would like.
Regrets over a broken friendship,
Josh Manning
PS If you sincerely believe that all questions can be laid to rest by proof that exists, execute Matthew 18 so that all such proof may come before the church and the proper names cleared and the church body reassured. You know as well as I do that this makes sense in biblical, logical, and common sense terms. That’s a pretty strong, three-pronged test for an action. Support that action, sir.
From: Weatherwax, Phil [mailto:********]
Sent: Wednesday, October 11, 2006 12:12 PM
To: Joshua H. Manning
Subject: RE: your letter to the deacons
Josh,
Thanks for your response. If I might make one initial correction---Weatherwax not Whetherwax.
Let me throw out a bunch of questions for you and maybe some day we can sit down and discuss them.
Is any of what I said true? Is all of it true? Is it laced with truth and untruth? Did I believe it to be true when I wrote it? Any of it? All of? What was my motive in the first place? Does it matter? Why did I do it? Did someone put me up to it? Pastor? Administrative staff? Why did I respond, I am not even a deacon? Was it meant to be a dialogue between Josh and I or did I have plans to send it to others? How many? who? Did I think Josh would use all or part of it? Forward to his mom and dad or Mark or others? Did I think it would hurt Josh? If so would he forward it to his folks and would they be hurt also? Would this mean that a great friendship built on mutual love and respect would be gone forever? Did it really hurt your feelings? Why? Because of who said it? Because it was completely untrue? Partially untrue? Because some people would get it and they would make wrong judgements about you based on information that is not all true, completely true but damaging, or totally untrue. Would it be because you cannot respond to any of it? Because you don't know who might read it? Did this really break fellowship with you and I? Your folks and I? Have you lost all respect for me? Have I lost all for you? Can it ever be resolved? Are you so hurt that you will not ever have fellowship with me? Should we not have more back and forth over the internet? Can't we get some of the obvious discrepancies ironed out? Should we not go to some kind of Biblical resolution? perhaps Matthew 18? Whose interpretation do we use? Who is the offended party? Am I totally offended by what you fired back. Perhaps I can examine the Manning's personal and family life and see if I can dig up some dirt on them and publish it on the internet and force him to come to the Matthew 18 table.
Who did you make my email known to? Who did you make your response known to? Who did I make mine known to and what motives did we have in those exchanges. How many people have lost respect for you, Riad, Jessie, Mark, Steve Gaines, Mark D., Harry, Chip and oh yes Me, Eddie and Jo Ann. When we seek restoration and reconciliation, and when we do it out of what we say is love and respect for our church are we creating unity in the bonds of love by what we have just been doing? Are people being hurt that we do not know? Are we sowing seeds of love and unity or discord and division? Is this the right way to resolve our apparent differences???????????????????????
Josh, as I have examined the answers to the above questions in relation to the email I wrote I have to say that the answer to the last question is no. What we are doing and where this is headed can only cause division, hurt, broken friendships, lost respect, and a badly wounded body. I look at my two beautiful daughters and their families, and I don't want them to have no respect for you and your folks and others who have been at the forefront of all this. Josh it is happening, friend against friend mother against children, minister against minister, member against member. It is getting worse and worse and a polarization is taking place that is so divisive. If we truly love the bride of Christ we cannot go on. This is not the way to do it. I don't want you to lose the respect that you say you have had for me. I have tried in the best way I know how for these many years to live before you and your folks and the many friends that I have in AR with integrity and true moral character and I hope you see how it can be destroyed by the written word.
I was just thinking and can say this with a clear heart--I really do love you and this email has allowed me to put aside everything and just reflect on that alone. I desire that all that is being said will stop and maybe the Pastor's committee and the new staff position can create a forum for reconciliation and build respect and confidence in the body of Christ for our church.
I did not circulate this letter or the other. My wife and family do not know that I sent it. My desire was to show you how much hurt and division can be caused by the venue that has been chosen for this fight.
I really would love to meet with you sometime just the two of us and talk it out. My wife and I have on occassion said some hurtful things to each other that we have later regretted and really didn't mean at the time we said them but somehow our relationship was bigger and stronger than those momentary lapses and we grew past them. I hope ours is likewise.
I really did not read what you wrote -- I'll wait to hear it in person.
God is Love and Jesus is wonderful, (Adrian Rogers, always ended his letters this way and he was and is so right)
Brother Phil
From: Joshua H. Manning [mailto:******.com]
Sent: Wednesday, October 11, 2006 2:10 PM
To: 'Weatherwax, Phil'
Subject: RE: your letter to the deacons
Mr Weatherwax,
The answers to a massive number of your questions are found in my earlier response to you. You want to dialogue, you say. Well, dialogue requires two parties listening to each and responding. You’ve apparently not done that since you “really did not read what you [I] wrote.” Read it, then we can talk about dialoguing and I’ll be glad to answer those questions you sent me. As for a personal meeting, what would be the point of that since you’ve shown this little interest in what I’d have to say in response to you? Why would you take hours out of your day for a personal meeting when you won’t take mere minutes to read the thoughts before you—I assure, those are the same thoughts you would get face to face. Also, if you’ll read my response, you’ll see what face to face is not an option at this time.
Sincerely,
Josh Manning
PS You mention Matthew 18 in regards to me. I am on record and will continue to be on record saying that if anyone wants is execute Matthew 18 against me, I will be glad to cooperate in anyway. In fact, if any believe I have sinned against the church, it is incumbent upon them to execute that passage against me. I will cooperate as long as it is fully carried out, not just made to be a political paper tiger.
From: Joshua H. Manning [mailto:********.com]
Sent: Wednesday, October 11, 2006 6:46 PM
To: 'Weatherwax, Phil'
Subject: RE: your letter to the deacons
A final thought occurred to me earlier this afternoon, Mr Weatherwax. You condemned me for not allowing others the ability to rebut allegations (I have already shown this to be patently false). But you, sir, have done what you condemned me for, in that you hurled accusations at me and then refused even the courtesy of allowing me to defend myself. You accomplish this by refusing to even read that which I have said to set the record straight and defend the honor of my name.
In effect, had we been sitting down at a table, you’d have throw lie after lie at me and then placed your fingers in your ears and hummed a tune as I defended myself to you. How dare you accuse me of depriving others of a fair hearing when I never did and when you have done just that in black and white. How small is your consideration for the truth or for hypocrisy itself?
Josh Manning
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