Acts 29 Network: Difference between revisions
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{{Short description|Christian network}} |
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{{for|the apocryphal/pseudepigraphical work sometimes known as Acts 29|The Lost Chapter of the Acts of the Apostles}} |
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{{COI|date=October 2014}} |
{{COI|date=October 2014}} |
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{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2024}} |
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{{Infobox church |
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{{Infobox Christian denomination |
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| denomination = |
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| name = Acts 29 |
| name = Acts 29 |
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| image = Acts_29.png |
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| fullname = |
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| alt = |
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| image = Acts_29.png |
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| caption = |
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| landscape = |
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| main_classification = [[Protestant]] |
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| imagesize = 200px |
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| orientation = [[Calvinist]] |
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| caption = |
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| theology = Calvinist |
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| coordinates = |
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| polity = |
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| country = |
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| governance = |
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| location = |
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| structure = |
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| churchmanship = |
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| leader_title = President |
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| membership = 730 Churches |
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| leader_name = Brian Howard<ref name="NYTReturns2022">{{cite news |last1=Graham |first1=Ruth |title=Popular Pastor Returns After Absence Over an 'Inappropriate' Online Relationship |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/12/04/us/matt-chandler-village-church-dallas.html |access-date=January 11, 2023 |work=The New York Times |date=December 5, 2022}}</ref> |
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| attendance = |
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| leader_title1 = Executive director |
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| website = {{URL | http://www.acts29.com}} |
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| leader_name1 = [[Matt Chandler (pastor)|Matt Chandler]]<ref name="NYTReturns2022"/> |
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| former name = |
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| fellowships_type = |
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| bull date = |
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| fellowships = |
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| founded date = 1998 |
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| fellowships_type1 = |
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| founder = [[Mark Driscoll]]<br />David Nicholas |
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| fellowships1 = |
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| dedication = |
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| division = |
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| events = |
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| division1 = |
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| people = [[Matt Chandler (pastor)|Matt Chandler]] |
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| status = |
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| founder = {{hlist | [[Mark Driscoll]] | David Nicholas}} |
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| parish = |
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| founded_date = 1998 |
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| archbishop = |
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| defunct = |
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| bishop = |
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| congregations = 730 |
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| abbot = |
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| members = <!-- or | number_of_followers = --> |
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| vicar = |
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| provost-rector = |
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| ministers = |
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| provost = |
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| missionaries = |
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| churches = |
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| hospitals = |
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| dean = |
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| nursing_homes = |
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| aid = |
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| precentor = |
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| primary_schools = |
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| other_names = |
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| asstpriest = |
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| publications = |
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| honpriest = |
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| website = {{official URL}} |
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| curate = |
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| minister = |
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| assistant = |
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| warden = |
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}} |
}} |
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'''Acts 29''' is a |
'''Acts 29''' is a global family of [[church planting]] churches that adheres to [[Calvinist]] theology.<ref name="AnnualReport-2014">{{cite web | year=2014 | title=2014 Annual Report | url=http://www.acts29network.org/mediafiles/uploaded/2/0e3443531_1405587431_2014-annual-report.pdf | publisher=Acts 29 | accessdate=August 19, 2014}}</ref> It derives its name from the [[Acts of the Apostles|Book of Acts]] in the New Testament, which has 28 chapters, making Acts 29 the "next chapter" in the history of the church.<ref>{{cite web|last=Evans|first= Lyndsey|title= Acts 29 Network brings micro-churches to Fort Worth neighborhoods|url=http://www.the109.org/community/story/2011/09/4895.acts-29-network-brings-micro-managing-churches-fort-worth-neighborhoods|publisher= The 109 |accessdate=January 4, 2013}}</ref> A number of other Christian organizations also use the phrase "Acts 29" in their respective names.<ref name="acts29-ministry">{{cite web | year=2014 | title=Acts 29 Ministry | url=http://www.acts29ministry.com/ | accessdate=August 19, 2014}}</ref><ref name="acts29-missions">{{cite web | year=2014 | title=Acts 29 Missions| url=http://acts29missions.org/ | accessdate=August 19, 2014}}</ref><ref name="act29-ministries">{{cite web | year=2014 | title=Acts 29 Ministries| url=http://www.acts29ministries.org/ | accessdate=August 19, 2014}}</ref> |
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== History == |
== History == |
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Acts 29 was founded in 1998 by [[Mark Driscoll (pastor)|Mark Driscoll]]<ref name="EE">{{cite book|last1=Henard|first1=William D. |last2=Greenway|first2=Adam W. |title= Evangelicals Engaging Emergent: A Discussion of the Emergent Church Movement | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=1_6CokjhoZgC&pg=PA8|publisher=[[B&H Publishing Group]]|year=2009|pages=8, 245|isbn=0-8054-4739- |
Acts 29 was founded in 1998 by [[Mark Driscoll (pastor)|Mark Driscoll]]<ref name="EE">{{cite book|last1=Henard|first1=William D. |last2=Greenway|first2=Adam W. |title= Evangelicals Engaging Emergent: A Discussion of the Emergent Church Movement | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=1_6CokjhoZgC&pg=PA8|publisher=[[B&H Publishing Group]]|year=2009|pages=8, 245|isbn=978-0-8054-4739-2|accessdate=February 2, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Thomas|first=Scott|title=Happy Birthday and Happy 15th Anniversary, Mark Driscoll|url=http://www.acts29network.org/acts-29-blog/happy-birthday-and-happy-15th-anniversary-mark-driscoll/|publisher=Acts 29 Network|accessdate=August 23, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131112010415/http://www.acts29network.org/acts-29-blog/happy-birthday-and-happy-15th-anniversary-mark-driscoll/|archive-date=November 12, 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref> and David Nicholas.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Stetzer|first1=Ed|author-link= Ed Stetzer | last2= Bird | first2 =Warren|title=Viral Churches: Helping Church Planters Become Movement Makers|year=2010|publisher=[[John Wiley & Sons]]|page=89|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=WZ-aa38c8AcC&pg=PA89|accessdate=February 2, 2013 | isbn=978-0-47055045-8}}</ref> Beginning September 17, 2007, with the Raleigh Boot Camp, Acts 29 began using [[Great Commission Ministries]] as its mission agency for fundraising and leadership training.<ref name="GCM2007">{{cite web | year=2007 | title=Annual Ministry Report | url=http://www.gcmweb.org/Libraries/Annual_Ministry_Report/2007_Annual_Ministry_Report.sflb.ashx | publisher=[[Great Commission Ministries]] | accessdate=January 12, 2013}}</ref><ref name="Acts29GCM2007">{{cite web | url=http://www.acts29network.org/sermon/fund-raising-great-commission-ministries/ | accessdate=January 12, 2013 | publisher=Acts 29 | title=Fund Raising – Great Commission Ministries}}</ref><ref name="GCM Partners">{{cite web | year=2014 | title=GCM Partners | url=http://www.gcmweb.org/who/Partners.aspx | publisher=[[Great Commission Ministries]] | accessdate=August 19, 2014}}</ref> [[Matt Chandler (pastor)|Matt Chandler]] was appointed as the president of Acts 29 Network in 2012.<ref name="Outreach2012">{{cite journal | journal=[[Outreach Magazine]] | title=A Change of Leadership at Acts 29 Network | date=March 28, 2012 | url=http://www.outreachmagazine.com/news-and-stories/4663-acts-29-network-undergoes-leadership-shake-up.html | accessdate=January 16, 2013}}</ref> Chandler announced plans to keep the network's objectives intact while reorganizing to address the global scope of the organization. The offices and leadership of Acts 29 moved from [[Mars Hill Church]] in Seattle to The Village Church in Texas in March 2012.<ref name="Outreach2012" /><ref>{{cite web|date=March 28, 2012 |first=Mark |last=Driscoll |title=A Note on Some Transitions |url=http://www.acts29network.org/acts-29-blog/a-note-on-some-transitions/ |accessdate=February 2, 2013 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140628093351/http://www.acts29network.org/acts-29-blog/a-note-on-some-transitions/ |archivedate=June 28, 2014 }}</ref> The offices of Acts 29 are now{{when|date=July 2024}} in [[Mission Viejo, California]].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.acts29.com/connect/ | title=Connect }}</ref> |
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In August 2014, Acts 29 removed [[Mark Driscoll]] and [[Mars Hill Church]] from its membership. According to the Acts 29 Board, this was due to "the nature of the accusations against Mark, most of which have been confirmed by him."<ref name="Throckmorton">{{cite web | year=2014 | title=Acts 29 Network Removes Co-founder Mark Driscoll and Mars Hill Church From Membership (UPDATED) | url=http://www.patheos.com/blogs/warrenthrockmorton/2014/08/08/acts-29-network-removes-co-founder-mark-driscoll-and-mars-hill-church-from-membership/ | publisher=[[Patheos]] | accessdate=August 19, 2014 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140818225759/http://www.patheos.com/blogs/warrenthrockmorton/2014/08/08/acts-29-network-removes-co-founder-mark-driscoll-and-mars-hill-church-from-membership/ | archive-date=August 18, 2014 | url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="Acts29-Driscoll">{{cite web|year=2014 |title=A Message from the Board of Acts 29 concerning Mark Driscoll and Mars Hill Church |url=http://www.acts29network.org/acts-29-blog/a-message-from-the-board-of-acts-29-concerning-mark-driscoll-and-mars-hill-church/ |publisher=Acts 29 |accessdate=August 19, 2014 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140810083820/http://www.acts29network.org/acts-29-blog/a-message-from-the-board-of-acts-29-concerning-mark-driscoll-and-mars-hill-church/ |archivedate=August 10, 2014 }}</ref><ref name="CT-Moon">{{cite news|last1=Moon|first1=Ruth|title=Acts 29 Removes Mars Hill, Asks Mark Driscoll To Step Down and Seek Help|url=http://www.christianitytoday.com/gleanings/2014/august/acts-29-removes-mars-hill-asks-mark-driscoll-matt-chandler.html|accessdate=August 9, 2014|work=[[Christianity Today]]|date=August 8, 2014}}</ref> Subsequent years saw the network restructure, with a focus on diversification, financial accountability and devolved leadership, transforming "from an American-based network to a diverse global family of church-planting churches".<ref>{{cite web | year=2017 | title=How Acts 29 Survived and Thrived after the Collapse of Mars Hill | url=https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/how-acts-29-survived-and-thrived-after-the-collapse-of-mars-hill/ | publisher=[[The Gospel Coalition]] | accessdate=March 4, 2019}}</ref> |
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== Board members == |
== Board members == |
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As of |
As of January 28, 2024, its board consisted of: |
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<ref name="Acts 29 - Leadership">{{cite web |
<ref name="Acts 29 - Leadership">{{cite web | title=Leadership - The Acts 29 Board | url=https://www.acts29.com/board/ | publisher=Acts 29 | access-date=January 28, 2024}}</ref> |
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* Brian Howard — president |
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* |
* [[Matt Chandler (pastor)|Matt Chandler]] — executive chairman |
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* Hunter Beaumont — board member |
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* '''Dwayne Bond''' | Board Member | Lead Pastor at Wellspring Church in Charlotte, NC |
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* Rodney Hobbs — board member |
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* '''Gareth Paul''' | Board Member |
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* Chris Lewis — board member |
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* '''Ryan Kwon''' | Board Member | Lead Pastor at Resonate Church in Fremont, CA |
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* '''Vic Keller''' | Board Member |
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* '''Sergio Queiroz''' | Board Member | Lead Pastor at Primeira Igreja Batista do Bessamar in Brasil |
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== Character == |
== Character == |
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{{third-party|section|date=October 2014}} |
{{third-party|section|date=October 2014}} |
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Acts 29 is a |
Acts 29 is a global family of church planting churches that originated in North America and now has representation in Europe, Australia and New Zealand, Latin and South America, Africa, and Asia.<ref name="AnnualReport-2014"/> |
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Acts 29 has been described as part of the [[emerging church]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Jameson|first=Norman|title=SBC Pastors' Conference slate raises ire|url=http://www.abpnews.com/archives/item/6237-sbc-pastors%E2%80%99-conference-slate-raises-ire#.UoFvWZSG2kU|accessdate= |
Acts 29 has been described as part of the [[emerging church]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Jameson|first=Norman|title=SBC Pastors' Conference slate raises ire|url=http://www.abpnews.com/archives/item/6237-sbc-pastors%E2%80%99-conference-slate-raises-ire#.UoFvWZSG2kU|accessdate=November 11, 2013|publisher=[[Associated Baptist Press]]|date=March 21, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131112035713/http://www.abpnews.com/archives/item/6237-sbc-pastors%E2%80%99-conference-slate-raises-ire#.UoFvWZSG2kU|archive-date=November 12, 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Palmeri|first=Allen|title=Theology committee tackles Emerging Church|url=http://www.mbcpathway.com/2008/01/article77651c138029-htm/|accessdate=April 7, 2011|newspaper=The Pathway|date=January 28, 2008|publisher=[[Missouri Baptist Convention]]}}</ref> However, [[Darrin Patrick]], former vice president of Acts 29 has pointed out "bad things" in the emerging church such as "the fascination with [[deconstruction|deconstructing]] almost everything while building almost nothing", and "ugly things" such as "conversing about God's Word [the [[Protestant Bible|Bible]]] to the neglect of obeying it, deviating from historical orthodoxy and the lack of clarity regarding issues of theology and sexuality."<ref>{{cite web|last=Patrick|first=Darrin|title=Emerging Church - The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly|url=http://www.acts29network.org/sermon/emerging-church-the-good-the-bad-and-the-ugly/|publisher=Acts 29 Network|accessdate=April 7, 2011|authorlink=Darrin Patrick}}</ref> |
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== Reactions == |
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=== Four Values of Acts 29 === |
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Steve Lemke of the [[New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary]] cited interactions with Acts 29 instead of local Baptist churches on the part of Pleasant Valley Community Church in Owensboro, Kentucky as a reason they were denied acceptance into the Daviess–McLean Baptist Association, saying, "those who want to be accepted should make themselves acceptable."<ref name="Lemke">{{cite web | title=Thoughts on the Daviess–McLean Baptist Association Decision about Pleasant Valley Community Church Part 2: Reflections on the Significance of What Happened | last=Lemke | first=Steve | publisher=[[Southern Baptist Convention]] | work=SBC Today | date=November 4, 2011 | accessdate=January 12, 2012 | url=http://sbctoday.com/2011/11/04/thoughts-on-the-daviess-mclean-baptist-association-decisionabout-pleasant-valley-community-churchpart-2-reflections-on-the-significance-of-what-happened/}}</ref> |
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In 2012, Matt Chandler became the President of Acts 29 and outlined four values for the future of Acts 29. As he states, "these aren't complex and seem to me to be no-brainers, even though it might take years before some of them are a reality. I will be and am currently putting my efforts and influence to work in these directions."<ref>{{cite web|last1=Chandler|first1=Matt|title=President|url=http://www.acts29.com/hope-1-plant-churches-that-plant-churches/|website=www.acts29.com |publisher=Acts 29|accessdate=3 August 2016}}</ref> |
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Roger Moran, a former member of the Southern Baptist Convention's executive committee and head of the Missouri Baptist Layman's Association has criticized Acts 29 on matters of doctrine, vulgarity and drinking. In his view, Acts 29 and other emerging church movements have become a "dangerous and deceptive infiltration of Baptist life".<ref name="EthicsDaily">{{cite news | last=Kaylor | first=Brian | title=SBC Agencies Asked to Investigate 'Cussing Pastor' | date=June 24, 2009 | work=Ethics Daily | url=http://www.ethicsdaily.com/sbc-agencies-asked-to-investigate-cussing-pastor-cms-14435 | accessdate=January 12, 2013 | quote=As messengers to the annual meeting of the Southern Baptist Convention walked into the Kentucky Fair and Exposition Center in Louisville, they were handed a copy of Missouri layman Roger Moran's nearly 50-page ''Viewpoint'' document attacking the 'Emerging Church Movement' and the church-planting Acts 29 Network.}}</ref><ref name="BP2007">{{cite news | last=Miller | first=Norm | title=Alcohol, Acts 29 and the SBC | date=March 20, 2007 | work=The [[Baptist Press]] | url=http://www.bpnews.net/bpfirstperson.asp?id=25221 | accessdate=January 12, 2013 | quote=Moran addressed the Executive Committee Feb. 20 regarding his concerns relative to Acts 29, saying in part, 'One of the most dangerous and deceptive movements to infiltrate the ranks of Southern Baptist life has been the emerging/emergent church movement. Not since the stealth tactics of the CBF (Cooperative Baptist Fellowship) have we seen a movement operate so successfully below the radar of rank and file Southern Baptists.'}}</ref> |
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#Planting Churches that Plant Churches |
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#Pursuing Holiness and Humility |
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#Being a Radically Diverse and Global Community |
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#Praying for Conversions Through Evangelism<ref name="Acts29-About">{{cite web | year = 2014 | title = Our Values | url = http://www.acts29network.org/about/ | publisher = [[Acts 29]] | accessdate = Aug 19, 2014}}</ref> |
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The full brief on "The Four Values For Acts 29" can be found on the website of the Acts 29 Network.<ref name="Acts29-Values">{{cite web | year = 2014 | title = Four Values For Acts 29 | url = http://www.acts29.com/about/| publisher = [[Acts 29]] | accessdate = Aug 3, 2016}}</ref> |
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=== The Mission of Acts 29 === |
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In March 2019, Acts 29 included 740 churches on six continents. The stated mission of Acts 29 is to be a diverse, global family of church-planting churches characterized by theological clarity, cultural engagement and missional innovation.<ref name="Acts 29 - What We Are">{{cite web | year = 2018 | title = About Acts 29 - What we are | url = http://www.acts29.com/about/ | publisher = [[Acts 29]] | accessdate = October 18, 2018}}</ref> Acts 29 makes no claim to be a model or a style, stating "[W]e have churches with live preaching and others with video-delivered sermons. We have independent church plants, replants, and existing churches that want to focus on planting new churches out of their existing congregations. Simply, we seek to be a movement of church-planting churches."<ref name="Acts29-Story">{{cite web | year = 2014 | title = About Acts 29 - Our Story | url = http://www.acts29network.org/about/ | publisher = [[Acts 29]] | accessdate = Aug 19, 2014}}</ref> A number of Acts 29 churches belong to a [[Christian denomination|denomination]] as well. For example, Christ the King Presbyterian Church in [[Raleigh, North Carolina]] is a member of the [[Presbyterian Church in America]],<ref>{{cite web|title=Why We Do It |url=http://www.ctkraleigh.org/about-us/why-we-do-it/ |publisher=Christ the King Presbyterian Church |accessdate=7 April 2011 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20101027041806/http://www.ctkraleigh.org/about-us/why-we-do-it/ |archivedate=October 27, 2010 }}</ref> while [[The Village Church]] is a member of the [[Southern Baptist Convention]].<ref>{{cite web|title=What is Our Denominational Affiliation?|url=http://www.thevillagechurch.net/sermon/what-is-our-denominational-affiliation/|publisher=The Village Church|accessdate=1 October 2012}}</ref> |
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=== The Doctrine of Acts 29 === |
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Acts 29 claims to stand in the tradition of historic evangelical confessionalism, stating, "while we believe it is vital that the Elders of each of our churches determine where they stand on doctrines of second importance, we do wish to make known our convictions on the following five theologically-driven core values."<ref name="Acts29-Distinctives">{{cite web | year = 2014 | title = About Acts 29 | url = http://www.acts29.com/about/ | publisher = [[Acts 29]] | accessdate = Aug 3, 2016}}</ref> |
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# Gospel centrality in all of life. |
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# The sovereignty of God in saving sinners. |
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# The empowering presence of the Holy Spirit for all of life and ministry. |
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# The fundamental moral and spiritual equality of male and female and the principle of male servant-leadership in the home and church. |
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# The local church as the primary means by which God chooses to establish his kingdom on earth. |
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The full definition of the distinctives can be found at the Acts 29 Network website.<ref name="Acts29-Doctrine">{{cite web | year = 2016 | title = The Doctrinal Distinctives of Acts 29 | url = http://www.acts29.com/about/ | publisher = [[Acts 29]] | accessdate = Aug 3, 2016}}</ref> |
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In early 2014, Acts 29 member Sam Storms gave a lecture on the Acts 29's Distinctives in which he explained their importance.<ref name="Acts29-BlogDoctrine">{{cite web | year = 2014 | last = Storms | first = Sam | title = Why Our Doctrinal Distinctives Are Important | url = http://www.acts29.com/why-our-doctrinal-distinctives-are-important/ | publisher = [[Acts 29]] | accessdate = Aug 3, 2016}}</ref> In the lecture, Storms stated [timestamp (3:32)]: |
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<blockquote>We have no desire to be different for [the sake of] being different ... That's not the purpose of these distinctives. We don't want to just stand out in a crowd and take a position that is contrary to others. We have no impulse or instinct to do that in Acts 29. We really do believe that these distinctives make a difference in how we live and how we minister ... I'm not suggesting for a moment that in calling them 'distinctives' that other Christians don't believe them. I hope and pray that most do. We're not unique in our emphasis on these points, but we do emphasize them — that's the point! We unite around them, we strive for them ... If you're wondering, "Who are these people? What do they stand for? What matters to them?" The answer is found in these distinctives.<ref name="Acts29-BlogDoctrine" /><ref name="SamStormsVideo">{{cite web | year = 2014 | title = Why Our Doctrinal Distinctives Are Important | url = http://vimeo.com/93528043 | publisher = [[Vimeo]] | accessdate = Aug 19, 2014}}</ref></blockquote> |
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Additionally, Acts 29 holds to the [[Lausanne Covenant]] Statement of Faith.<ref name="Acts29-Doctrine" /> |
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== Reactions == |
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Christian Piatt of the ''[[Huffington Post]]'' has criticized the network for disguising the traditional evangelical agenda of conformity and conversion behind the veneer of the new missional church movement. He also criticizes the emphasis on male leadership.<ref name="PiattHuffPost">{{cite news | last=Piatt | first=Christian | work=The [[Huffington Post]] | url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/christian-piatt/evangelical-20-the-decept_b_1299486.html | title=Evangelical 2.0: The Deception of Driscoll's Acts 29 Network | accessdate=January 12, 2013 | date=March 1, 2012 | quote=I'm all for congregational and denominational change. But when it's the same old white guys preaching largely the same old agenda, it smacks more of a desperate power grab than a genuine longing to better know and connect with the world around us.}}</ref> |
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Acts 29 churches have faced criticism for a number of high-profile church discipline issues. On April 13, 2016, then vice president of the network Darrin Patrick was removed from his position at The Journey for misconduct and was required to step down from all external leadership positions.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://thejourney.org/Leadership-Update |title=Leadership Update | the Journey |accessdate=April 13, 2016 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160413044609/http://thejourney.org/Leadership-Update |archivedate=April 13, 2016 }}</ref> |
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=== Controversies === |
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In February 2020, it was announced that Steve Timmis had been removed from the position of CEO of the Acts 29 Network amid allegations of an abusive leadership style; five staff members had previously raised similar concerns with Chandler in 2015, only to be fired and asked to sign non-disclosure agreements.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.christianitytoday.com/news/2020/february/acts-29-ceo-steve-timmis-removed-spiritual-abuse-tch.html |title=Acts 29 CEO Removed Amid "Accusations of Abusive Leadership |date=February 7, 2020 |accessdate=April 25, 2020 |quote=According to a copy of a 2015 letter sent to Acts 29 president Chandler and obtained by CT, five staff members based in the Dallas area described their new leader as "bullying", "lacking humility", "developing a culture of fear", and "overly controlling beyond the bounds of Acts 29", with examples spanning 19 pages. During a meeting Chandler arranged with two board members to discuss the letter, all five were fired and asked to sign non-disclosure agreements as a condition of their severance packages.}}</ref> |
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Acts 29 churches have faced criticism for a number of high-profile church discipline issues. On 13 April 2016, [[Darrin Patrick]] was removed from his position at The Journey for misconduct and was required to step down from all external leadership positions.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://thejourney.org/Leadership-Update |title=Archived copy |accessdate=2016-04-13 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160413044609/http://thejourney.org/Leadership-Update |archivedate=2016-04-13 }}</ref> He is no longer listed as a member of the Acts 29 Board of Directors.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.acts29.com/about/|title=About|publisher=}}</ref> |
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In February 2020, it was announced that Steve Timmis had been removed from the position of CEO of the Acts 29 Network amid allegations of an abusive leadership style; five staff members had previously raised similar concerns with Chandler in 2015, only to be fired and asked to sign non-disclosure agreements.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.christianitytoday.com/news/2020/february/acts-29-ceo-steve-timmis-removed-spiritual-abuse-tch.html |title=Acts 29 CEO Removed Amid "Accusations of Abusive Leadership |accessdate=2020-04-25 |quote = According to a copy of a 2015 letter sent to Acts 29 president Chandler and obtained by CT, five staff members based in the Dallas area described their new leader as “bullying,” “lacking humility,” “developing a culture of fear,” and “overly controlling beyond the bounds of Acts 29,” with examples spanning 19 pages. During a meeting Chandler arranged with two board members to discuss the letter, all five were fired and asked to sign non-disclosure agreements as a condition of their severance packages. }}</ref> Timmis is also no longer listed as a member of the Acts 29 Board of Directors.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.acts29.com/about/|title=About|publisher=}}</ref> |
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Criticisms have also been made over how church discipline has been conducted. The Village Church in Dallas offered a general apology after a female member was disciplined for annulling her marriage to a man who admitted to viewing child pornography. No elders or leaders were removed from their offices, but the church said in an email that the action taken against the woman was "unbefitting" of a church leader.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2015/may-web-only/matt-chandler-apologizes-for-village-churchs-decision-to-di.html|title=Former Member Accepts Acts 29 Megachurch Apology in Church Discipline Case| |
Criticisms have also been made over how church discipline has been conducted. The Village Church in Dallas offered a general apology after a female member was disciplined for annulling her marriage to a man who admitted to viewing child pornography. No elders or leaders were removed from their offices, but the church said in an email that the action taken against the woman was "unbefitting" of a church leader.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2015/may-web-only/matt-chandler-apologizes-for-village-churchs-decision-to-di.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150904052833/http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2015/may-web-only/matt-chandler-apologizes-for-village-churchs-decision-to-di.html|archive-date=September 4, 2015|title=Former Member Accepts Acts 29 Megachurch Apology in Church Discipline Case|work=[[Christianity Today]]|access-date=November 10, 2016}}</ref> |
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==See also== |
==See also== |
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== External links == |
== External links == |
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Latest revision as of 01:41, 19 July 2024
 | A major contributor to this article appears to have a close connection with its subject. (October 2014) |
| Acts 29 | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Classification | Protestant |
| Orientation | Calvinist |
| Theology | Calvinist |
| President | Brian Howard[1] |
| Executive director | Matt Chandler[1] |
| Founder |
|
| Origin | 1998 |
| Congregations | 730 |
| Official website | acts29 |
Acts 29 is a global family of church planting churches that adheres to Calvinist theology.[2] It derives its name from the Book of Acts in the New Testament, which has 28 chapters, making Acts 29 the "next chapter" in the history of the church.[3] A number of other Christian organizations also use the phrase "Acts 29" in their respective names.[4][5][6]
History
[edit]Acts 29 was founded in 1998 by Mark Driscoll[7][8] and David Nicholas.[9] Beginning September 17, 2007, with the Raleigh Boot Camp, Acts 29 began using Great Commission Ministries as its mission agency for fundraising and leadership training.[10][11][12] Matt Chandler was appointed as the president of Acts 29 Network in 2012.[13] Chandler announced plans to keep the network's objectives intact while reorganizing to address the global scope of the organization. The offices and leadership of Acts 29 moved from Mars Hill Church in Seattle to The Village Church in Texas in March 2012.[13][14] The offices of Acts 29 are now[when?] in Mission Viejo, California.[15]
In August 2014, Acts 29 removed Mark Driscoll and Mars Hill Church from its membership. According to the Acts 29 Board, this was due to "the nature of the accusations against Mark, most of which have been confirmed by him."[16][17][18] Subsequent years saw the network restructure, with a focus on diversification, financial accountability and devolved leadership, transforming "from an American-based network to a diverse global family of church-planting churches".[19]
Board members
[edit]As of January 28, 2024, its board consisted of: [20]
- Brian Howard — president
- Matt Chandler — executive chairman
- Hunter Beaumont — board member
- Rodney Hobbs — board member
- Chris Lewis — board member
Character
[edit] | This section may rely excessively on sources too closely associated with the subject, potentially preventing the article from being verifiable and neutral. (October 2014) |
Acts 29 is a global family of church planting churches that originated in North America and now has representation in Europe, Australia and New Zealand, Latin and South America, Africa, and Asia.[2]
Acts 29 has been described as part of the emerging church.[21][22] However, Darrin Patrick, former vice president of Acts 29 has pointed out "bad things" in the emerging church such as "the fascination with deconstructing almost everything while building almost nothing", and "ugly things" such as "conversing about God's Word [the Bible] to the neglect of obeying it, deviating from historical orthodoxy and the lack of clarity regarding issues of theology and sexuality."[23]
Reactions
[edit]Steve Lemke of the New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary cited interactions with Acts 29 instead of local Baptist churches on the part of Pleasant Valley Community Church in Owensboro, Kentucky as a reason they were denied acceptance into the Daviess–McLean Baptist Association, saying, "those who want to be accepted should make themselves acceptable."[24]
Roger Moran, a former member of the Southern Baptist Convention's executive committee and head of the Missouri Baptist Layman's Association has criticized Acts 29 on matters of doctrine, vulgarity and drinking. In his view, Acts 29 and other emerging church movements have become a "dangerous and deceptive infiltration of Baptist life".[25][26]
Christian Piatt of the Huffington Post has criticized the network for disguising the traditional evangelical agenda of conformity and conversion behind the veneer of the new missional church movement. He also criticizes the emphasis on male leadership.[27]
Acts 29 churches have faced criticism for a number of high-profile church discipline issues. On April 13, 2016, then vice president of the network Darrin Patrick was removed from his position at The Journey for misconduct and was required to step down from all external leadership positions.[28]
In February 2020, it was announced that Steve Timmis had been removed from the position of CEO of the Acts 29 Network amid allegations of an abusive leadership style; five staff members had previously raised similar concerns with Chandler in 2015, only to be fired and asked to sign non-disclosure agreements.[29]
Criticisms have also been made over how church discipline has been conducted. The Village Church in Dallas offered a general apology after a female member was disciplined for annulling her marriage to a man who admitted to viewing child pornography. No elders or leaders were removed from their offices, but the church said in an email that the action taken against the woman was "unbefitting" of a church leader.[30]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ a b Graham, Ruth (December 5, 2022). "Popular Pastor Returns After Absence Over an 'Inappropriate' Online Relationship". The New York Times. Retrieved January 11, 2023.
- ^ a b "2014 Annual Report" (PDF). Acts 29. 2014. Retrieved August 19, 2014.
- ^ Evans, Lyndsey. "Acts 29 Network brings micro-churches to Fort Worth neighborhoods". The 109. Retrieved January 4, 2013.
- ^ "Acts 29 Ministry". 2014. Retrieved August 19, 2014.
- ^ "Acts 29 Missions". 2014. Retrieved August 19, 2014.
- ^ "Acts 29 Ministries". 2014. Retrieved August 19, 2014.
- ^ Henard, William D.; Greenway, Adam W. (2009). Evangelicals Engaging Emergent: A Discussion of the Emergent Church Movement. B&H Publishing Group. pp. 8, 245. ISBN 978-0-8054-4739-2. Retrieved February 2, 2013.
- ^ Thomas, Scott. "Happy Birthday and Happy 15th Anniversary, Mark Driscoll". Acts 29 Network. Archived from the original on November 12, 2013. Retrieved August 23, 2012.
- ^ Stetzer, Ed; Bird, Warren (2010). Viral Churches: Helping Church Planters Become Movement Makers. John Wiley & Sons. p. 89. ISBN 978-0-47055045-8. Retrieved February 2, 2013.
- ^ "Annual Ministry Report". Great Commission Ministries. 2007. Retrieved January 12, 2013.
- ^ "Fund Raising – Great Commission Ministries". Acts 29. Retrieved January 12, 2013.
- ^ "GCM Partners". Great Commission Ministries. 2014. Retrieved August 19, 2014.
- ^ a b "A Change of Leadership at Acts 29 Network". Outreach Magazine. March 28, 2012. Retrieved January 16, 2013.
- ^ Driscoll, Mark (March 28, 2012). "A Note on Some Transitions". Archived from the original on June 28, 2014. Retrieved February 2, 2013.
- ^ "Connect".
- ^ "Acts 29 Network Removes Co-founder Mark Driscoll and Mars Hill Church From Membership (UPDATED)". Patheos. 2014. Archived from the original on August 18, 2014. Retrieved August 19, 2014.
- ^ "A Message from the Board of Acts 29 concerning Mark Driscoll and Mars Hill Church". Acts 29. 2014. Archived from the original on August 10, 2014. Retrieved August 19, 2014.
- ^ Moon, Ruth (August 8, 2014). "Acts 29 Removes Mars Hill, Asks Mark Driscoll To Step Down and Seek Help". Christianity Today. Retrieved August 9, 2014.
- ^ "How Acts 29 Survived and Thrived after the Collapse of Mars Hill". The Gospel Coalition. 2017. Retrieved March 4, 2019.
- ^ "Leadership - The Acts 29 Board". Acts 29. Retrieved January 28, 2024.
- ^ Jameson, Norman (March 21, 2011). "SBC Pastors' Conference slate raises ire". Associated Baptist Press. Archived from the original on November 12, 2013. Retrieved November 11, 2013.
- ^ Palmeri, Allen (January 28, 2008). "Theology committee tackles Emerging Church". The Pathway. Missouri Baptist Convention. Retrieved April 7, 2011.
- ^ Patrick, Darrin. "Emerging Church - The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly". Acts 29 Network. Retrieved April 7, 2011.
- ^ Lemke, Steve (November 4, 2011). "Thoughts on the Daviess–McLean Baptist Association Decision about Pleasant Valley Community Church Part 2: Reflections on the Significance of What Happened". SBC Today. Southern Baptist Convention. Retrieved January 12, 2012.
- ^ Kaylor, Brian (June 24, 2009). "SBC Agencies Asked to Investigate 'Cussing Pastor'". Ethics Daily. Retrieved January 12, 2013.
As messengers to the annual meeting of the Southern Baptist Convention walked into the Kentucky Fair and Exposition Center in Louisville, they were handed a copy of Missouri layman Roger Moran's nearly 50-page Viewpoint document attacking the 'Emerging Church Movement' and the church-planting Acts 29 Network.
- ^ Miller, Norm (March 20, 2007). "Alcohol, Acts 29 and the SBC". The Baptist Press. Retrieved January 12, 2013.
Moran addressed the Executive Committee Feb. 20 regarding his concerns relative to Acts 29, saying in part, 'One of the most dangerous and deceptive movements to infiltrate the ranks of Southern Baptist life has been the emerging/emergent church movement. Not since the stealth tactics of the CBF (Cooperative Baptist Fellowship) have we seen a movement operate so successfully below the radar of rank and file Southern Baptists.'
- ^ Piatt, Christian (March 1, 2012). "Evangelical 2.0: The Deception of Driscoll's Acts 29 Network". The Huffington Post. Retrieved January 12, 2013.
I'm all for congregational and denominational change. But when it's the same old white guys preaching largely the same old agenda, it smacks more of a desperate power grab than a genuine longing to better know and connect with the world around us.
- ^ "Leadership Update | the Journey". Archived from the original on April 13, 2016. Retrieved April 13, 2016.
- ^ "Acts 29 CEO Removed Amid "Accusations of Abusive Leadership". February 7, 2020. Retrieved April 25, 2020.
According to a copy of a 2015 letter sent to Acts 29 president Chandler and obtained by CT, five staff members based in the Dallas area described their new leader as "bullying", "lacking humility", "developing a culture of fear", and "overly controlling beyond the bounds of Acts 29", with examples spanning 19 pages. During a meeting Chandler arranged with two board members to discuss the letter, all five were fired and asked to sign non-disclosure agreements as a condition of their severance packages.
- ^ "Former Member Accepts Acts 29 Megachurch Apology in Church Discipline Case". Christianity Today. Archived from the original on September 4, 2015. Retrieved November 10, 2016.