C.J. Mahaney Takes Leave Over ‘Serious’ Charges

In a blog post on SGM’s website, Mahaney says pastors and leaders
within Sovereign Grace have made charges against him and other
leaders over the last few years, and he is taking a leave of absence
“in order to give time to considering these charges, examine my
heart and receive the appropriate help from others.”

Mahaney says the charges, which have been difficult to
read, “are not related to any immorality or financial impropriety,
but this doesn’t minimize their serious nature, which include
various expressions of pride, unentreatability, deceit, sinful
judgment and hypocrisy.”

Although his departure from the Gaithersburg,Md.-based ministry
may have come as a surprise to many, “a process has been unfolding
over a number of months in which the board has sought to evaluate
charges against C.J., assist him in examining his heart and pursuing
reconciliation, and bring accountability and guidance to him in this
process,” SGM Acting President Dave Harvey wrote in a blog post.

Harvey also said the board is examining charges against the ministry
and is “in the process of securing help from an outside organization
that can conduct a thorough and objective review of the charges being
brought against C.J. and SGM.”

The length of Mahaney’s leave of absence depends on findings from
the independent panel, and the board will determine what Mahaney’s
duties will consist of upon his return.

Mahaney has acknowledged some of his mistakes and is looking to
biblical counselor Dr. David Powlison and Pastor Mark Dever. “I
have enlisted them to serve me personally during this time and to
ensure this process of examining my heart and life is as thorough as
possible,” Mahaney wrote.

He also took responsibility for SGM’s problems and said he has begun to
repent of sins he’s committed while in leadership.

“For the past five years or so I have become increasingly aware
of certain deficiencies in my leadership that have contributed to
deficiencies in Sovereign Grace Ministries’ structure and
governance, the lack of a clear and consistent process of conflict
resolution and pastoral evaluation, and the number of former
Sovereign Grace pastors who are offended with me/SGM,” he explains.

“My friends, though my soul can be easily overwhelmed as I
contemplate my sin and its effects on others, I am also resolved to
examine my heart, address the past, and play my role in preparing SGM
for a future of planting and serving churches,” Mahaney wrote.

The leaders at SGM continue to support Mahaney and his actions.

“The charges against C.J. are serious, but his response has been
one of self-examination and, when possible, specific confession to
those sinned against,” Harvey wrote. “We … believe the leave of
absence is appropriate in the present circumstances to afford C.J.
the time to reflect upon his heart and to allow an independent panel
space to conduct its review.”

Mahaney has become a well-known pastor in his time at SGM, and has
published several books. He was senior pastor at Covenant Life Church
in Gaithersburg for 27 years.