The successor of John Piper and lead pastor at Bethlehem Baptist Church in Minneapolis has resigned over alleged leadership issues in the congregation.
Jason Meyer, the pastor for Preaching and Vision of the church’s Downtown campus, resigned from his post last week, The Roys Report said.
He succeeded Piper in 2013 after his election in 2012.
Three other church leaders have also left the church prior to Meyer’s departure, including Bryan Pickering, Ming-Jinn Tong and Richie Stark.
Pickering, former pastor for Care and Counseling, claimed that he resigned from the church due to concern over “unethical behavior” among the elders that has been going on “for a long time.”
The former minister explained this observation through his statement which was read to the congregation.
“I have seen several congregants (current and former), elders (current and former), and a former administrative assistant profoundly mistreated by elders in various ways. I have also seen leadership act in ways I would describe as domineering. I have also seen patterns of deception among our elders that are deeply concerning,” Pickering said.
“I have tried on several occasions since early 2020 to speak up to others about these patterns of behavior,” Pickering continued. “Increasingly in 2021, especially and intensely since March, I, too, have experienced what I would call bullying behavior. It is now clear to me that it is best for everyone for me to resign.”
Kyle J. Howard, a preacher and racial and spiritual trauma counselor, revealed that the resignation of leaders stemmed from the church’s effort to develop reforms over its relationship with the minorities and women in 2019, wherein he was tasked to teach about racial trauma.
