Bob Jones University

Strict Separation (Really, Really Strict) (Seriously)

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ClarenceSexton

In 2011 Clarence Sexton went to Pastor’s school at FBC Hammond and showered the church and now-disgraced pastor Jack Schaap with praise.

In 2013 Clarence Sexton is not only on the list of speakers who will be preaching at Bob Jones University’s Bible conference, he’s speaking twice and closing out the conference.

Now stop and consider that BJU would NEVER have someone from a “liberal” denomination or even a leader in the Southern Baptist Convention come to speak at their school because of their huge emphasis on “separation.” Yet, apparently, somebody who merely loves and preaches for a school that is embroiled in abuse, scandal, and horrifying theology is ok since at least those people are still Independent Baptists.

As I have said many times before, the lunatic fringe of fundamentalism is never quite as far away from the “normal” fundamentalists as they would love for you to believe. In fact, if Clarence Sexton is any measure, they’re not different at all.

82 thoughts on “Strict Separation (Really, Really Strict) (Seriously)”

    3. He said he and another felt the presence of the Lord.

      Did these leaders, later, feel the absence of that same “good communion” in those periods in which those “dreams” came true for jack schaap? And if so, why did they not stop their hailed MOG from his demise and possibly the church’s? What were they thinking or was it that Jackie boy II used his powers to corrupt!?

      Of course! …PIRATE… (If you don’t get the PIRATE thing, just ask but hint hint… It’s in the first movie of Pirates of the Carribean!)

      ~~~Heart 😆

  3. These conferences are:
    -Filled with Worship (of one another)
    -Filled with Love (of hearing themselves speak)
    -Filled with humility(they expect to see in their followers)
    They are the true “American Idol”

  4. That video is not quite as fulsome as the one I mentioned this morning (the one I said mysteriously disappeared when Schaap was arrested), but it makes the same point.

    It reminds me of the Spanish proverb, “Dime con quien andes, y te diré quien eres.” (“Tell me who you travel with, and I’ll tell you who you are.”)

  5. When I went to BJU in the early 1970’s, we had different denomination Sunday Schools. There were Methodists and Presbyterians and several different flavors of Baptist. The GARBC Baptist girls SSclass was the largest, though.

    1. Funny. I grew up in GARBC then went to BJ. Took Baptist History which was an apologetic for:

      a) the theory that throughout church history there has always been a faithful remnant that is Baptist in doctrine if not in name (our own sanctified version of apostolic succession, I guess) with the dubios battlecry “We are NOT Protestants!” (Presumably because we Descendants of the Faithful Remnant are of the line that had separated from the Roman church long before the Reformation–Luther & Calvin were latecomers to the party and still don’t quite have it figured out.

      and b) the family tree of fundamentalism–who separated from whom and was in turn separated from. After a long list we finally got to the GARBC and I thought, “and here we are, the faithful remnant.” Imagine my shock when the prof went on, “And then the GARBC went bad and the truly faithful separated from them.” Wut?!

      That must have happened after the GARBC Sunday School class on campus, ay?

        1. As that was over 20 years ago(?!), the exact details have become fuzzy. Most likely had to do with the old “approval system” that recommended colleges and other p

        2. …other parachurch organiztions. If all of the “approved agencies” like (Cedarville, Grand Rapids Baptist College) weren’t exactly up to par on “standards” then they had “gone liberal” which automagically implicated the entire GARBC since they didn’t instantly UNapprove a college the moment a dorm student was permitted to listen to a cassette tape with a hint of percussion (other than classical music of course because percussion is obviously okay in that select context).

          Much more relevant than the misnamed Baptist History class would be a recounting of the Derailment of Fundamentalism. We can trace the death of true fundamentalism to when “Liberal” gradually changed meaning from “modernist who doesn’t believe in the supernatural and therefore becomes his own arbiter in Scripture redaction” and instead became “a believer who is more permissive than I in the cardinal doctrines of music, dress, hair length, movies, Bible versions….”

          Hearing that the BJU of my parents’ generation was more unified around the Fundamentals rather than extra-biblical “standards” (as evidenced be SS classes for different denominations) gives me more confidence in their sanity. That’s the first I’ve heard of such openness other than knowing that BJ1 was Methodist.

          We have seen some hopeful evidence of positive change at BJU under the administration of Stephen, though the Bible Conference roster does give that optimism a bit of a kick in the teeth.

        5. In regards to the GARBC and its school like Cedarville, I’m pretty sure the CRITICAL “separation” issues for BJU involved the fundamentalist trinity of hair, music and pants…

  6. Do their Bible “conferences” not remind you of a Wilds style version of camp for adults? Think about it.

  7. The whole thing is so weird. But if you are honored to be the closing speaker at the BJU Bible Conference, you really are more special that the other speakers. That slot was historically reserved for Ian Paisley, and it’s like a 3 hour service.

    1. Ian Paisley, the Northern Irish terrorist leader?

      Shoot, why not have Mohamed Atta as your keynote speaker?

        1. Wikipedia says Ian Paisley is still alive. He’ll be 87 in April.
          When he recovered from an illness last year, his son, Ian Paisley, Jr., was quoted as saying “There is life in the old dog yet,” which raises many questions about their relationship.

        2. When I found out the affiliation between Paisley and BJU, I decided I’d never do business with BJU. I was horrified to learn of the association.

        3. I have never gotten the impression that Ian Paisley Jr. sees eye to eye with his father. My first BC, they were both speakers. I enjoyed hearing Paisley Jr. speak much more than I did hearing his father and even then, I picked up on some points where they seem to not agree. But I can’t even remember what they were now. And his father’s message seemed to go on and on about how great it is to be fundamentalist and how all great it is to be suffering for his cause, whereas his son’s message was some real, good doctrine.

      2. Late to the punch (I can’t imagine I didn’t see this earlier!): I actually know Ian Paisley’s brother, Harold. (Or, rather, my family does–or at least we know the same people. :)) Quite a bit more sensible of a man than what I’ve heard of his brother, and I’d consider him a very godly man. When I found out who his brother was, I was pretty surprised!

    2. Sexton had Paisley speak at his Bible Conference at Clown College. I wasn’t there but a lot of former students were annoyed. Not because of the man’s raging bigotry mind you, but because he isn’t Baptist.

  8. Aren’t abuse, scandal, and horrifying theology the criteria for being an Independent Baptist Church?

  9. I am ashamed I was so blind for so long. Thank you for exposing this hypocrisy.

  10. Bible Conference at a Bible college has GOT to be a form of torture. ugh. I cannot even imagine sitting through one day. 🙄

    1. When I attended Bob Jones and then GRBC I always found creative ways to skip Bible conference. Fun memories I haven’t thought about in years!

  11. At Moody Bible Institute, Founder’s Week was the big one. As far as I’m concerned, a mix of the good and the terrible.

  12. Sexton to FBCH in this video:

    “I am sure many people believe the thing that is essential in putting this kind of meeting on is the size of this ministry – But it isn’t. It is not the size, it is the spirit of this ministry. And that is the thing that is so refreshing – the Christ-like spirit. When I am thinking of my own life and ministry about what is happening here this week, I am grateful to be an independent Baptist. To be identified with people, like the people who are here. And I know this this pastor (Schaap), and he appreciates his precious people..faithful…his choir, ushers, greeters, all that’s happened, all these children – dressed so appropriately – everything…That takes more work than anyone can imagine. And I am just so thankful to be a part of this – to be apart of this whole movement. ”

    “God has given you another pastor, with a pastor’s heart. That’s a thrilling thing. And I love you, Pastor Schaap, I really do and I am praying for you. Praying that every dream God has given you will be fulfilled. And I believe God’s hand is on his life. And I know the Lord has been blessing here…and continues to bless…”

    1. This was said AFTER Schaap’s taught heresy in “For Christ’s Sake” sermon and his book “The Divine Intimacy”, and after Schaap simulated masturbation in front of thousands of teens from youth groups far and wide.

      1. WOW!

        And what is Sexton saying about jack these days, if anything at all?

        Ridiculous!

        ~~~Heart 😯

        1. I believe that Clarence Sexton has wiped all mention of Jack Schaap from his web site stuff and doesn’t mention him.

        2. If Sexton mentions Schaap (or even Hyles) while speaking at BJU, I will be very surprised, to put it mildly.

    2. Schaap’s “ministry” may have had a few hiccups here and there, but at least the children were dressed appropriately. Isn’t that the main thing?

      2. Apparently… one can tell that they have a Christ-like spirit by how they are dressed.

    3. Schaap enjoyed the prestige and puffed himself up! You should read the book Profaned Pulpit by Jerry Kaifetz – Jerry knew Schaap personally. In fact, the Kaifetz’s were the first wedding Schaap ever performed.

      Very good book and truthful!

  14. “As I have said many times before, the lunatic fringe of fundamentalism is never quite as far away from the “normal” fundamentalists as they would love for you to believe. In fact, if Clarence Sexton is any measure, they’re not different at all.”

    Right on Darrell. They are peas in a pod. They support each other because it’s all about traditionalism: traditional culture, traditional worship styles, traditional this and that…

  15. I naively preached against one of BJU’s esteemed men of God once. I blasted Chuck Phelps from the pulpit. They did make it clear that I wasn’t going to preach again, but I never knew why.
    In retrospect I see that it was flat out that I offended them because of their dying admiration for their hate-filled self-righteous monster and his minions.
    I have no regrets.

    1. glad you spoke some truth and shed some light on that man’s insanity, honesty and truth are not popular topics, these men make cash and make a living doing their sermons and coming up with these imaginary fantasies , this guy is crazy period, setting around creating fictitious fantasies

  16. Anyone else notice how Sexton was enjoying all the initial applause he was getting? Did you see the wink he gave at the very beginning? And the way he was licking his lips?
    I can’t claim to know a person’s heart, but it appeared to me that he was relishing being in the limelight and had sort of an arrogant and prideful look on his face.
    Idk, just an observation.

    1. I usually just listen; what struck me was how, uh, “fake” it sounded — it sounded like he was just saying a bunch of stuff because it was expected or requested of him. He just sounded like his heart wasn’t in it.

      1. It’s expected in IFB churches that grandiose introductions are given for guest speakers, and then the favor is returned by said guest speaker.

        That being said, I believe Dr. Sexton was uncomfortable with the applause. He doesn’t allow that in his church, but I’ve heard him say that he will not tell another church how they should behave if he finds they do something different than his church.

        As far as his comments about Jack Schaap, I read that he was “deeply saddened” and his heart was broken for the victim and her family, and for Mrs. Schaap.

  17. “It takes a lot of WORK”…that’s what IBFers are about – WORK – not grace – work. 🙁

  18. All I can say is: “take the high road Dr S” and way to go with “choosing the best”.

  19. Various thoughts:

    – I’m kind of fed up with the exaltation of man – the almost obligatory standing ovations that these men get or expect, and the crowd going wild.

    – Laugh moment: “I’m glad to be identified with the people here” Like Jack Schaap?

    – “I know this pastor deeply appreciates his precious people” He went a little overboard with some of ‘his precious people’ and it landed him in jail.

    – I’m; I’m just so; so thankful to be part of this; to be a part of this whole movement” Polished shafts and all?

    – …be encouraged by what God is doing in his [Jack Schaap’s] life. God was apparently giving Dr Schaap messages that the rest of fundamentalists rejected as heretical

    – You had a real pastor in Dr Hyles… and God has given you another pastor. Unconscious truth; Jack Schaap was similar to Jack Hyles

    – I’m praying for you, Dr Schaap, praying that every dream God has given you will be fulfilled. That was DREAM, Dr Schaap, not FANTASY

    – I know that the Lord has been blessing here, and continues to bless. This just makes me sick – how far away from the Bible does a man’s preaching have to be before others stop lifting him up? When will numerical success stop being the ultimate goal? Little wonder Jack Schaap studied Hybels and Warren and Ostein

    – We’ve sensed the Lord’s presence here. Apparently, your sensor needs calibrating

  20. “We have met the enemy, and they are us.” (Pogo)

    I recently went to a funeral for the mother of an IFB friend. I had gone to this church for 18 years, then moved slowly to the Episcopal Church.

    The people greeted me happily, asked how I was doing, and told me they missed me. They were genuine, warm, and have been totally supportive in the family’s grief and need.

    They are *good people.*

    But …

    But …

    As conservatives they support government policies which would devastate the seniors in the church. My wife heard a group of men some months back talk about how they had run a gay couple out of a neighborhood.

    When their prejudices are not activated, they are indeed good people. When their prejudices are engaged, you understand what fundamentalism will lead people to do and to support.

    And the funny thing is that for years and years I was very much like them — except I kept having experiences that knocked a lot of prejudices into the garbage. As I lost many of mine, I began to see how those prejudices caused behavioral and spiritual blindness in those who had them.

    I am still blind in many areas, I am quite sure. But I am amazed by how easy it is to think that one is close to God and yet have one’s actions and attitudes be so devilish.

  22. The IFB is not a movement – its a system. The players within know exactly what’s expected and are careful to calculate each step they take. Sexton will do his best to tip his toes in each ‘camp’ – BJU, HAC, West Coast, etc.

  23. They say the same exact thing everywhere they go. God recently rescued my family from a very big IFB church in California. We were members there for 23 years. I just couldn’t take the arrogant attitude from the pulpit anymore. We are serving the Lord in a different church in our city. Don’t tell anyone, they have a drum set on stage. 😯

    1. Go ahead and lower yourself by going to a church that has drums!! haha lol

  24. Even if Sexton had never had a kind word for Schaap, what the heck is BJU doing having a KJV-only guy in their pulpit? BJU was beyond that crap 30 years ago. I didn’t expect that under Stephen they’d be going backwards.

    1. I was getting a vibe from one of the speakers (I can’t remember which and don’t really care anyway): he didn’t get to pick the other speakers at this conference. One of the speakers seemed like he was here to preach from the Bible (unlike a few others here) but he doesn’t see eye-to-eye with all the crazies here.
      I was thinking, if I were a conference speaker but I didn’t agree with everyone in the conference, I think I would still speak there. Get more face time for myself (my ministry/whatever, take it or leave it all y’all haters; name recognition inside or outside Fundyism is good, right?) anyway. I’m not the one responsible for picking all the speakers; I should feel privileged the hosts picked me. (But then again, should I be glad I was lumped in there with the Sextons and that Song of Solomon level-1 mushy guy?)

      1. Normally, one would know that one doesn’t have to agree 100% with every speaker in a conference. Thus if I were a speaker (not that as I woman I ever would be), I could go and magnify Christ, even though I disagree on certain things.

        However, fundamentalists hold separation as a major doctrine and they usually separate from other believers over trivial things; thus when they decide NOT to separate from someone, it raises eyebrows a bit since it’s so unexpected.

  25. Fellow believers who (I pray) have been set FREE in Christ,

    I am sad for this turn of events (BJU, my alma mater) to now be showcasing Sexton. Please (make sure your seatbelts are on), someone, tell me that Stephen did *not* select each of this year’s BC speakers… (I believe that his selections must be approved by his dad, and confirmed by the Board of Directors; this is inside information, despite what the “official talking points” are on the topic.) Am especially dismayed that the University is going down this road of linking Sexton/HAC/etc. to BJU. Let us ask God to open the spiritual eyes of the school’s leaders… I believe they may mean it in a “friendly” way, but I do not believe (based on my own lengthy past IFB history) that *they* can see the additional damage that may come. (One well-known IFB church/school w/which I am well familiar is *great* friends w/Sexton at the highest leadership level, and that is, I believe, the “link” that opened the connection of Sexton to speak at this year’s BJ Bible Conference…)

    Having an IFB “pedigree” is a frightening thing (and watch, now, for that very phrase will probably be quoted): Grew up attending an IFB church. Moved to another state to a town with *no* IFB church; well-intentioned parents wanted a Francis Schaefer-type place where people *think* (scary, scary thing: both parents had attended huge “pagan” universities, and when they became JESUS-followers, these two intelligent people turned their backs on evolution – without bunches of preaching, but by reading John Whitcomb’s books – which happened to be how God worked in *their* lives/*their* thinking), so… a brand-new church began in.our.livingroom. Yes. (The pastor of the church – which is now a well-known IFB church – never identifies my parents, their baby-steps of faith, etc., and perhaps this is just as well that our family name is not attached to that ministry…) The church shortly thereafter began a Christian school. Before they could get the upper grades established, these same earnest parents (earnest to do the “right thing”, I truly believe) sent several offspring to… the h.s. then associated w/FBCH. (FBCH had not yet discussed starting HAC; that was to come later.)

    While at HBHS God sent a teacher to speak genuine kindness *and* truth into my life (though that teacher may have been filled w/fear for their job); *that* teacher, ladies and gentlemen, reads **this** blog! 😀 (I know, because I have read their name as a recent poster here!) To **you**, my teacher at that time (think: early ’70s), a humongous, heart-felt “THANK you!” GOD put you into my path, to begin my thinking to truly be daily *asking God* for discernment and understanding — even around those who call themselves… “Christians”! To others of you who *are* teachers: ***Never*** underestimate God’s powerful work *through* your life — whether or not you may ever see it *at the time*. NEVER! (Sorry for shouting, but so excited to say “Thanks abundantly!” to that teacher…)

    Once our home church’s school got their upper grades started, we began attending that school. Later (will spare details here, but think of several other “re-locating out-of-state” IFB stories), God sovereignly directed me to attend an out-of-state h.s.: MBA (WI; affiliated w/MBBC). After finishing there, I attended (and graduated from) BJU.

    Yes, I have seen the many, many things in IFB churches and schools from, as it were, a “front-row seat”. My heart aches over the things that IFB-ers have worked so hard to cover up over the years; why could there not be *genuine* transparency, rather than repeated covering-up of offenses? I have also seen many individuals who were overly trusting of their leaders… Dear friends in Christ! Let us not be “sheeple” to any *person*; we are ***HIS*** people, and the sheep of ***His*** pasture (Ps. 100).

    May each one reading these words know for certain that HE is “God”; He will *not* let those who cause harm (spiritual, emotional, physical) to be held guilt-less! Please forgive the lengthiness of this post, but I so want others reading this to *know* that God ***is*** in control — whether or not *you*/*we* can see it at the time (think of my teacher at HBHS; God *bless* and *encourage* that person), and whether or not those doing wrong (think: “mis-leading others by word, attitude, or example”) *appear* to be receiving God’s judgment. He will *not* fail OR forsake you, brothers and sisters!

  26. I first became aware of BJU in the mid-80’s. Some of us singles from a Maryland IFB church went to BJU for a Sword of the Lord conference I believe in 1988. I’d never been to one before. Jack Hyles was the “keynote” speaker. When he got up a segment of the crowd erupted in hysterical applause to a standing ovation, which caused everyone to stand! Never seen THAT before. I thought something was dreadfully wrong with that kind of display. At the end of the standing O, a man in the back yelled, “THAT’S MY PREACHER!” Bizarre.

    1. That was the very last year Hyles ever spoke at Jaw Bones. The revelations of his extracurricular activities became widely known that year.

  27. Raised in a GARBC church, i left for about 10 yrs only to feel I needed to provide my children a religious education and found this IFB church that seemed to correlate with my experience growing up,which by the way was very positive,no harranging about standards etc. The longer I attended the more I found myself saying to my kids,thats not how real Chrisians act.There was something different but couldn’t quite put my finger on it…The emphasis on standards, the lack of uplifting sermons, very little about Grace, overemphasis on judgement and very little joy. I never really felt the peace that was evident in my growing up church years. Now after reading sites like this and some of the Quiverfull sites I now understand the horrible doctrines that have invaded our churches.

  28. No wonder he’s so happy to be an Independent Fundamental Baptist because they are the BEST PAID pastors in the nation; and from what I have seen, they get paid a LOT more than they actually do!

    Apparently Clarence Sexton didn’t do his research before talking about Hyles or Schaap or was just going along with protecting their names regardless of the scandals! 😯 😯 😯

    1. “… they get paid a LOT more than they actually do!”

      Huh? They get paid more than they get paid?
      What do you mean?

      1. Oh, for example, our pastor built a “prophet’s chamber” in his basement so his son, wife, and their kids could move in and live with them while he was looking for a full-time pastor position after he was no longer the youth pastor at his former church. Guess where all the bills for the “built” went — yep, pastor turned them into the bookkeeper and was reimbursed for ALL expenses without the congregation knowing about it.

        Same pastor took funds from the budget to carpet the “youth pastor’s house”. My husband was the janitor at the time. Again, the congregation was NEVER asked about this, but the youth pastor after this all came up had the nerve to say to my husband how badly the foyer needed to be re-carpeted because the pastor and youth pastor’s houses were all nicely cared for, but God’s house was in need of ALL NEW CARPET! Apparently our former pastor ripped that section out of the O.T. where it talks about man’s houses all being nice but God’s temple was in a tent!

        👿 😈 😥 ❗

        1. I went to a different fundy church, but I could see similar stuff happening. It seems college students and staff were doing a lot of free labor for the pastor. Someone would take his car to the shop for him, mow his lawn, and other maintenance/construction. All because they “love their pastor” of course, but that is misuse of employees and students…and maybe even church resources. Just things that made me go hmmmmmmmm.

  29. Did the comments made by Clarence Sexton about Jack Schaap come BEFORE or AFTER the details of Schaap’s crimes became known?

    If before, then so what? Apparently Schaap had a lot of people fooled. Unless Sexton has since come out and defended Schaap, this is just more whining and crying by some loser who is still sore over not being able to go to movies as a kid or something.

    1. Jason,

      What a stupid comment.

      The only people fooled by Schaap were the people who WANTED to be fooled. There were huge warning signs, obvious to anyone with eyes to see, long before he finally got caught (and do you really think that a man who loved his “polished shaft” sermon only did this ONE time?). People in this church actually DELIVERED this girl to him (see the link at the bottom of my post). Too many of the congregation were, and are still, complicit in this evil.

      http://eaandfaith.blogspot.de/2012/10/jack-schaap-scandal-and-heresy.html

      http://eaandfaith.blogspot.de/2012/07/jack-schapp-exposed-and-then-fired.html

      Sexton praised this man, the rotten fruit of a rotten tree, in 2011. Schaap’s crimes became known in 2012. Before, then, Schaap showed himself to be a vile excuse for a man, cited in the 20/20 story, and then loudly, proudly, in his pulpit in April 2011. Pastor’s School was in March of 2011. So, if this were Schaap’s only infamous moment, you would have a case. However, Darrell provided a link to a book written by Schaap in 2005, in which he makes perverted misrepresentations of the text to give you the lovely image of having sex with your Bible. Since then, far too many IFB people have done everything in their power to excuse Schaap. So, while it is too much to expect Sexton to have the prescience to condemn Schaap before his criminal activity became known, it isn’t too much to expect a good man to condemn Schaap for his creepiness (that book, plus the polished shaft sermon) and hatefulness that he had already exhibited toward women before that Pastor School.

      The IFB “church” is beautiful white marble on the outside, but full of stinking corpses on the inside.

      After the affair was revealed, First Baptist Church expelled the girl, an honor student, from the church-operated school and asked her family to leave the congregation (http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2013-03-21/news/ct-met-megachurch-pastor-sentencing-20130321_1_jack-schaap-pastor-megachurch).

      Punishing the victim. It’s part of the godliness that makes the IFB such a wonderful place.

      This is what you are attempting to defend with your pathetic, snarky little comments.

        1. Oh, Nooooooo no no no no.

          That evil young girl led that Man of God (TM) astray with her womanly wiles.

          Sorry. I didn’t mean to use the word in that sense. I was using it in the general sense, and I shouldn’t have done that.

      2. Well said, MSK.
        Schaap’s sick views and strange behavior have been well known for many years.

        Here is a now-famous video where he vents his hatred of women. (This version has inserted comments by an atheist blogger, because FBCH has wiped the original from the Internet. But Schaap’s words are my point, not the comments on them.) Schaap gave this speech well before Clarence Sexton’s most recent valentines to Schaap.

        https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c_Z0tIZjjoo

        1. I couldn’t find a copy of the sermon where Jack Schaap offers to “slap” any “Grandma” who disagrees with his teachings that young women should not kiss their boyfriends. But it was a few years earlier than all this.

    2. Jason,

      Jack Schaap was being very inappropriate – even from the pulpit – way before his arrest. Clarence Sexton is without excuse.

      Here is a video of Schaap faux masturbating with an arrow in front of a few thousand teenagers at FBCH’s 2010 Youth Conference. And as someone already said, he perverted (literally!) the Lord’s Supper in his book The Divine Intimacy years earlier. Why did Sexton not question any of this public perversion before Schaap’s arrest?

      http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tr0UpQXYkGs

  32. Along with paying our former “pastor”. $50,000 a year, we found out MUCH later that along with his cleaning business he had on the side, he also had a lawn mowing business, and he was dabbling in selling real estate! He ALSO DEFAULTED and let a house where he had for many years an adult foster home (oh yeah — that was a “ministry” 😯 ) go into foreclosure, and HE STILL pastors after a foreclosure! Someone he managed to reverse the foreclosure, even after the Sheriff’s took possession!

    There were times, if you tried to schedule a meeting with the pastor about something, you would have to wait a couple weeks to see him because of his outside “businesses”, and we were still stupid enough to pay him $50,000 a year!

  33. This was Sexton’s response, on his Facebook page, to the exposure of Jack Schapp’s grooming of a child and subsequent child abuse. https://www.facebook.com/pastorsexton/posts/484947034866129

    The Fall of a Friend

    There are times for God’s people to be silent and times when they need to speak. I have gone through another spine surgery and while at home recuperating, I have had a lot of time to ponder the goodness of the Lord and to praise Him for his care and keeping of my life. Let us remember that He never changes. The clearer our vision of God, the clearer everything else will be.

    Just before I went into surgery I received the heart-breaking news concerning Brother Jack Schaap. Immediately, I called him and told him I had heard of his sin, and that I loved him and I was praying for him. I told him that if he desired to talk with me about this, I was willing to listen.

    At the same time, I also spoke with Cindy. She was so heartbroken. Of course I told her Evelyn and I loved her, and that God will come to her aid and He will see her through this.

    In forty-five years of ministry, I have not witnessed anyone who gave up so much for a moment of pleasure. This must be a warning to all of us.

    Jack and Cindy Schaap have two wonderful children. Their son and daughter are admirable young adults in every sense of the word. They are married to outstanding Christians, and each of them has a beautiful family. I want them to have the brightest future possible. God is with them.

    Many will be quick to condemn not only the Pastor, but also the grieving church which he pastored. Please allow me to say just a word about the First Baptist Church of Hammond, Indiana. It is an Independent Baptist Church and a truly great one. It is made up of great people who have a great Saviour. The Lord Jesus is with them. This great church has responded biblically and with compassion.

    Upon finding the facts, the deacons of the church acted immediately to dismiss the pastor. Unanimously, they agreed that he has disqualified himself. They prayed for divine direction and the Lord is with them. The church did what was right even though their hearts were broken beyond what we who look on are capable of understanding. This is the Bible way. They are continuing to do the right thing, including cooperating with all local authorities. First Baptist Church of Hammond has displayed in their behavior a true biblical pattern. Christ remains their only head and the Bible, God’s Word, their sole authority for their faith and practice.

    In conclusion let me say that I am grieved beyond words for people I genuinely love, but at the same time I am grateful to be an Independent Baptist. Dear friends, let us speak every word we speak as if it were spoken in the presence of Jesus Christ. It is.

    Pastor Clarence Sexton
    Galatians 6:6-10

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