It was reported last week that a lawsuit had been filed against Sovereign Grace Ministries, a network of churches that was founded and is led by C.J. Mahaney. The allegations of the lawsuit include a failure of some leaders to report child sexual abuse and misconduct to the police. Sovereign Grace Ministries has now issued an updated statement regarding this case:
Though not yet served, Sovereign Grace Ministries (SGM) leadership has obtained a copy of the civil lawsuit filed last week against SGM and several pastors of its associational churches. This recent complaint makes broad allegations that SGM pastors were negligent in providing spiritual counsel and pastoral care in situations involving persons who had previously suffered child sexual abuse. It is important to note that it does not allege any act of child abuse by a pastor or staff member of SGM or of an associated church. SGM is not in a position to comment on the specific allegations at this time, but we are beginning a careful legal review of each allegation. Upon initial review it appears the complaint contains a number of untrue or misleading allegations, as well as considerable mischaracterizations of intent.