We, the undersigned, represent concerned current and previous regular attendees and members of Park Street Church. Recent events at Park Street Church have come to our attention through various news articles and blog posts, as well as and most importantly, concerned friends. We have read these stories and discussed the topics with heavy but prayerful hearts, hoping that the fruit of the Holy Spirit will once again define the characteristics of the church we once attended.
To summarize briefly, a pastor at Park Street Church raised serious concerns about spiritual abuse* allegedly perpetrated by the current Senior Minister and documented these concerns in a detailed 17-page letter sent to the Board of Elders. The concerns included allegations that the Senior Minister coerced other pastors to divulge confidential information and then mis-used that information against others, demanded that staff members remain silent on issues on which they disagreed with the Senior Minister, and created a culture of fear of retaliation. Rather than investigate his claims more fully, or even speak with other staff members, the church fired the pastor. Subsequently, a group of Park Street Church parishioners petitioned for these claims to be reviewed and discussed in a special meeting of the Congregation – which the church’s bylaws provide for – but were denied multiple times. These petitioners , along with any current or former staff, elders, or leaders who do not unreservedly support the Senior Minister, have been painted as troublemakers for speaking out about their concerns.
During our time at Park Street, we were and have been blessed to worship God in a beautiful church with fellow brothers and sisters in our faith, and to learn how to share Christ's love with our neighbors. Many of our memories bring smiles. However, for some of us, our eyes were also opened to leadership practices that were concerning, unloving, and deeply harmful – to ourselves, staff members we respected, and/or fellow congregants.
Some of us left Park Street Church prior to the current Senior Minister's leadership. However, many of those who we saw as enabling concerning practices remain in leadership and seem to be defending the status quo.
It is often said that sunlight is the best disinfectant. We believe that the recent stories in the news and on blogs are bringing to light patterns of a leadership culture that must change if Park Street Church is to be a safe place that offers healing and abundant life.
We deeply desire and are praying for healing at Park Street Church—as its members, petitioners, ministers, and leaders are. However, we recognize that healing and reconciliation can only begin to come about, to the degree that the truth about alleged spiritual abuse is fully uncovered and transparently faced.
In addition, those telling the stories of pain, silencing, and coercion should not be seen as the enemy. Rather, we should seek for all to “come into the light” rather than hide in darkness “for fear that their deeds will be exposed” (John 3:19-21).
With this in mind, we believe:
1. That the petitioners' concerns deserve to be heard and thoughtfully considered, and that the spirit of Park Street Church’s Congregational bylaws should be upheld
2. That a third-party independent investigation by a reputable firm with trained, trauma-informed professionals be held
3. That once this investigation is complete, the report should be made public in its original format online and accessible to all
4. That alleged accounts of spiritual abuse are as serious as any other form of abuse (sexual, physical, etc.), and always warrant an objective, thorough, truly independent investigation
5. That the 5 ministers who did not affirm the Senior Minister's leadership should not be retaliated against, or fear for losing their jobs
Just as the Good Shepherd leaves the flock to tend to His lost sheep, we pray that the leadership of Park Street Church will follow the example of Christ, and learn how to minister to those who are hurting and in need of healing. One person abused in Christ's name is a tragedy.
*The definition of “spiritual abuse,” as defined by Telios Law in an investigation that Park Street Church leaders commissioned in 2022, comes from Scot McKnight, based on the work of Lisa Oakley and Justin Humphrey. According to this source, spiritual abuse is “a form of emotional and psychological abuse. It is characterized by a systematic pattern of coercive and controlling behaviour in a religious context. Spiritual abuse can have a deeply damaging impact on those who experience it. This abuse may include: manipulation and exploitation, enforced accountability, censorship of decision making, requirements for secrecy and silence, coercion to conform [inability to ask questions], control through the use of sacred texts or teaching, requirement of obedience to the abuser, the suggestion that the abuser has a ‘divine’ position, isolation as a means of punishment, and superiority and elitism."
