News Alert - Redeemer Church of Charlottesville VA First to Leave Sovereign Grace Ministries!
Wednesday, July 25, 2012 at 3:04PM
Brent Detwiler

The following joint statement was sent out yesterday to all the SGM pastors. 

July 24, 2012 

A Joint Statement: Redeemer Church of Charlottesville, VA and Sovereign Grace Ministries 

We want to let you know that Redeemer Church of Charlottesville has decided to end their association with Sovereign Grace Ministries.  Though saddened by this news, we are supportive of their decision. We are very grateful for the humble and careful way they have worked through this and the peaceable and respectful way we have been able to discuss our differences.  But mostly, we are grateful for the long relationship we have had with Keith Breault.  He continues to be a man whom we love and respect. We wish him, his leadership team, and Redeemer Church great blessings and success in the future. Though separating in formal association, we are not separated in mutual affection, mutual respect, and mutual passion to see God glorified through gospel-centered local churches.

Below is a letter from Keith explaining this separation from their perspective.

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I’m writing on behalf of Redeemer Church of Charlottesville to inform you that on July 9th we separated from SGM.

As you can imagine, this decision was difficult for every member of our leadership team and for many in our church -- who have a long history with SGM.  We have enjoyed a rich partnership with SGM and thank God for the ways in which we have been trained, strengthened and fed through this wonderful group of believers.  The relationships we’ve forged within SGM over the years are some of the dearest we possess, and we hope changing our affiliation won’t alter the deep fellowship God has wrought and nurtured.

Over the past year, we have been watching events unfold while simultaneously planting this new church in Charlottesville.  Naturally, we have been evaluating SGM’s leadership in light of how it corresponds with our own priorities and values.  “Consistent divergence” describes the dynamic between SGM’s leadership and our own instincts and convictions.  We love the people of SGM and we love the leaders of SGM, but differences in some key areas make peaceful departure our best option.

This decision and its rationale were expressed in detail to SGM by letter on July 9, with our commitment to uphold respect and goodwill.  In phone calls the following day with C.J. Mahaney, Dave Harvey, and Mickey Connolly -- and a conference call Thursday between Mickey and our leadership team -- we exchanged expressions of mutual encouragement and respect for our varied perspectives.  We also exchanged commitments to conduct this transition peaceably, with the Gospel in mind, wishing each other maximum joy and fruitfulness as we all continue to follow Jesus.

Thank you for your friendship and support throughout our years of SGM partnership.  We invite your prayers as we continue spreading the Gospel in Charlottesville.

With our brotherly love, in Christ

Keith Breault

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Five Observations

1.  It Took Courage to Separate 

2.  The Only Way to Get C.J.’s Attention 

3.  They Evaluated SGM’s Leadership 

4.  SGM Supportive of Decision to Leave 

5.  Exchanging Commitments 

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