C J Mahaney’s Temporary Resignation and Sovereign Grace Ministries: Shades of John Piper | The Wartburg Watch

The following article is from The Wartburg Watch and seems to identify several problems with C. J. Mahaney. I found it particularly enlightening when I saw the link between Mahaney and the Shepherding Movement. Looks like the old wolf has not changed his spots. Here's an excerpt from the article:

We first became aware of Sovereign Grace Ministries when a local Reformed Baptist church began to push Mahaney’s books and the pastor began to quote Mahaney. We later learned that he considers Mahaney a friend. Over the years we have followed, with deep concern, various blogs such as SGM Refuge and SGM Survivors, which have documented story after story of people who have been deeply wounded by this ministry.


Over time, we have boiled down the reasons for this abuse.


1. A belief that all men are so sin infected that they must be led by pastors who somehow get a pass on this sin infection. These pastors then have the honor to tell everyone else what is wrong with them. The favor cannot be returned as reported time after time on SGM survivor blogs. To better understand our point of view, refer to our review of Mahaney’s book, Living the Cross Centered Life, which we deemed a deficient gospel. LINK


2. A rigid, hyper-authoritarian, arrogant, self-absorbed leadership structure that uses heavy-handed methods for dealing with people.

We are not shocked to that Mahaney is in trouble. He should be. In fact, we are surprised this day did not come sooner. However, I am not sure the time for rejoicing has arrived. Here are my concerns. I dearly hope that I am in error.


1. Mahaney’s history in the shepherding movement bodes ill for a change in direction.


As far as we can tell, Mahaney, who got his start in the well-documented abusive shepherding movement in the 1970s, has never issued any apologies for his involvement in the terrible abuses of this movement. It appears to us that Mahaney has been “doing an Amway” (running from reputation) in his career by being a serial name changer: TAG, Gathering of Believers, People of Destiny, PDI, and now SGM. He is even a serial theology changer. Does anyone remember the “apostolic team” or a charismatic emphasis?


Unless he has expressed true repentance for the pain caused by this movement, one has to wonder if he truly believes that shepherding methods are a valid means of coercion in ministry. If this is so, nothing will change but the name.

To read the rest of the article, click here: C J Mahaney’s Temporary Resignation and Sovereign Grace Ministries: Shades of John Piper | The Wartburg Watch