Jeremy Whitman Lancaster Baptist Church Does anyone know anything about this?

[Tarheel Baptist]

Chappell and his bestie, the mayor of Lancaster, are claiming it was the result of an addiction to prescription drugs and there is almost absolute silence from members. Seriously, they post recipes and prayer memes on fb.

Prescription drugs can cause a real addiction, but not typically the kind that makes you hunt down your best friend and kill him brutally then go kill yourself.

There needs to be toxicology reports and a thorough investigation. Being hush-hush helps no one.

Also, it appears staff was told to avoid talking to Jeremy...so how much did they really try to help him? Jeremy's motivation can not be covered up...whatever it was.

So the answer is 'maybe'?

 

[BALAAM]

I seriously wonder how much of what is going on in this thread is out of boredom or 'looking for a scandal'?

And how much is due to the fact that many of us have been fed such a line of crap from JH and his groupies that we mistrust anything we are told?

 

[wtyson]

I don't know nothing about this. Read the comments on the news link and the Facebook page for the paper. Sounds like everybody loved the suspect...even the victims sister and ex-girlfriend. It is odd. I'd be furious if someone close to me killed my family member. I guess that just makes me bitter.

They were trained to praise leadership so much, they cant stop, even when he's a murderer.

Anishinaabe

I watched live Paul Chappell address this issue with the church. I believe he addressed it with grace and said what any of us would say and feel if someone close to us had committed such a crime.

The fact that this man committed such a terrible act does not mean you have to vilify his entire life. It seems there were underlying  decisions this man made that brought him to the point of making these terrible decisions. Based on what he said, the church has been helping his family for many months and also reached out to help the victims family.

Truly, I am not sure what else is expected. Like LBC, PC or not...I don't know what else should have been said or done. Just my opinion...

BTW...Ash...not directing at you specifically.

 

[AmazedbyGrace]

So the answer is 'maybe'?

Blatantly lying to the press is not criminal, but makes people question everything else they say.

There are a lot of unanswered questions and a lot of upset people.

 

[AmazedbyGrace]

wtyson, how was telling staff not to speak with him (people he had been friends with for 20+ years) helpful?

 

[wtyson]

Hmmmm. Here at FBC Hammond, if I am not mistaken, Paul Chappell has been invited to speak sometime this coming year. A lot of announcements were verbally made about upcoming conferences, events. I am fairly certain PC was mentioned, because the church's radio program carries a daily message from Paul Chappell and that was referenced as well.


I might add also, we were strongly admonished in last nightt's sermon to avoid these internet sites / discussions. No mention of this particular situation, but just a general "avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it and pass away. Do not speak of it, do not open your mouth or type words on such matters as internet speculation / gossip.

Those type of warnings seem to be making the rounds in sermons these days.

Yeah, because the worst thing possible to happen is to have a congregation that is aware and asking questions! :

The worst thing is for people to gossip about things they nothing about...and I heard with my own ears PC tell his congregation if you have any questions, ask any deacon, pastor staff or himself. I really think a true understanding of the fact that both of these families seem to be apart of affiliated with LBC should be considered...

A wife and 5 children have lost heir husband and he took someone else's life... grace and love is needed not gossip and harshness...for both families.

 

[Tarheel Baptist]

So the answer is 'maybe'?

Blatantly lying to the press is not criminal, but makes people question everything else they say.

There are a lot of unanswered questions and a lot of upset people.

So that's a definite maybe!

 

[wtyson]

wtyson, how was telling staff not to speak with him (people he had been friends with for 20+ years) helpful?

I am assuming you are talking about the guy who left before doing all this...

That is question to ask of the leadership for LBC. I am sure there were reasons for that...you or I dont know the whole situation nor frankly do we need to know...There are times when a time of separation is better.

 

[AmazedbyGrace]

There is no reason for that (they have already been caught lying once). They will spin it one way or another. But unless PC is admitting his staff is totally inept, there is no reason they could not reach out to their friend in need.

 

[T-Bone]

Hmmmm. Here at FBC Hammond, if I am not mistaken, Paul Chappell has been invited to speak sometime this coming year. A lot of announcements were verbally made about upcoming conferences, events. I am fairly certain PC was mentioned, because the church's radio program carries a daily message from Paul Chappell and that was referenced as well.


I might add also, we were strongly admonished in last nightt's sermon to avoid these internet sites / discussions. No mention of this particular situation, but just a general "avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it and pass away. Do not speak of it, do not open your mouth or type words on such matters as internet speculation / gossip.

Those type of warnings seem to be making the rounds in sermons these days.

Yeah, because the worst thing possible to happen is to have a congregation that is aware and asking questions! :

The worst thing is for people to gossip about things they nothing about...and I heard with my own ears OC tell his congregation if you have any questions, ask any deacon, pastor staff or himself. I really think a true understanding of the fact that both of these families seem to be apart of affiliated with LBC should be considered...

A wife and 5 children have lost heir husband and he took someone else's life... grace and love is needed not gossip and harshness...for both families.

Here's hoping the leadership of that church has the same concern for the families involved as you have expressed here.  That being said, you cannot expect people to trust a leadership that has failed them over and over again...it's not so simply because someone in leadership within the church with the problems says it's so.

 

[Tarheel Baptist]

Hmmmm. Here at FBC Hammond, if I am not mistaken, Paul Chappell has been invited to speak sometime this coming year. A lot of announcements were verbally made about upcoming conferences, events. I am fairly certain PC was mentioned, because the church's radio program carries a daily message from Paul Chappell and that was referenced as well.


I might add also, we were strongly admonished in last nightt's sermon to avoid these internet sites / discussions. No mention of this particular situation, but just a general "avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it and pass away. Do not speak of it, do not open your mouth or type words on such matters as internet speculation / gossip.

Those type of warnings seem to be making the rounds in sermons these days.

Yeah, because the worst thing possible to happen is to have a congregation that is aware and asking questions! :

The worst thing is for people to gossip about things they nothing about...and I heard with my own ears OC tell his congregation if you have any questions, ask any deacon, pastor staff or himself. I really think a true understanding of the fact that both of these families seem to be apart of affiliated with LBC should be considered...

A wife and 5 children have lost heir husband and he took someone else's life... grace and love is needed not gossip and harshness...for both families.

Here's hoping the leadership of that church has the same concern for the families involved as you have expressed here.  That being said, you cannot expect people to trust a leadership that has failed them over and over again...it's not so simply because someone in leadership within the church with the problems says it's so.

I have no problem with your statement at all.
But, I have also had to deal with church members and in one instance a staff member who engaged in sinful lifestyles and things aren't always cut and dry so to speak. And there are innocent family members that you must consider when dealing with such issues.

I have no dog in the fight, but haven't seen anything at this point to make me a conspiracy theorist as to the church's response. But it will eventually all come out in the wash....

 

[Binaca Chugger]

I watched live Paul Chappell address this issue with the church. I believe he addressed it with grace and said what any of us would say and feel if someone close to us had committed such a crime.

The fact that this man committed such a terrible act does not mean you have to vilify his entire life. It seems there were underlying  decisions this man made that brought him to the point of making these terrible decisions. Based on what he said, the church has been helping his family for many months and also reached out to help the victims family.

Truly, I am not sure what else is expected. Like LBC, PC or not...I don't know what else should have been said or done. Just my opinion...

BTW...Ash...not directing at you specifically.

You a member there?

There is alot of flip-flopping going on with this story.  He wasn't a part of us / He was our best friend - We reached out to him / We told people to stay away from him - He made a series of bad decisions / He was on prescription drugs and not in his right mind - etc, etc, etc.  When people blatantly lie to the press and then backtrack and proclaim the opposite......

Yes, Balaam, this forum is full of people who are tired of being lied to by the PC, JH types.  We are tired of scandal in churches.

The fact that the mayor is joining the addiction story is interesting.  I can't believe a political figure would intentionally risk his career over such a fiasco.  So, maybe the pain pills is a part of it - but there must be more to the story than "he was on medicine so he hunted down and shot up his best friend, then drove off and killed himself."  Things like that just don't happen.  There is more to the story.

Maybe the rest of the story is simply personal and the story belongs to none of us.  Surely, the God-haters are pointing to this as proof that church is evil - which is a false conclusion.  We here, see these familiar phrases that wreak of church cover-up.  For those who are unfamiliar with the IFB mega-church scandals, it goes like this:

• Changing Stories
• Glorifying the leader, even when he is guilty
• Ignoring the offended
• Telling people in the church to not ask questions (sin of gossip)
• Telling people in the church that the church leadership is caring for the problem (Ostrich Syndrome)
• Never being forthcoming with the public
• Business as usual, everyone is against us mentality

Are we going to get those answers on this forum?  Nope.  Most of us never heard of these two deceased before the event.  We post not out of anger and spite, but because we have been through deception and cover-ups and manipulation of religious leaders.  We are challenging others to think for themselves and not put their head in the sand.  Maybe, just maybe, there is more to the story and maybe, just maybe, some might recognize a need to make some changes.

 

[AmazedbyGrace]

Many want it to all come out in the wash - all of it. Whatever the truth turns out to be.

Warning people about gossip to the point where there is "dead silence" is detrimental in the search for truth.

Exhibit A:

Another old, unsolved murder case involving LBC....again, no outrage. Hush-hush...nothing going on here. This was also a 100% faithful family of the church.

http://articles.latimes.com/1990-11-06/local/me-3953_1_downtown-lancaster

 

[bgwilkinson]

I watched live Paul Chappell address this issue with the church. I believe he addressed it with grace and said what any of us would say and feel if someone close to us had committed such a crime.

The fact that this man committed such a terrible act does not mean you have to vilify his entire life. It seems there were underlying  decisions this man made that brought him to the point of making these terrible decisions. Based on what he said, the church has been helping his family for many months and also reached out to help the victims family.

Truly, I am not sure what else is expected. Like LBC, PC or not...I don't know what else should have been said or done. Just my opinion...

BTW...Ash...not directing at you specifically.

You a member there?

There is alot of flip-flopping going on with this story.  He wasn't a part of us / He was our best friend - We reached out to him / We told people to stay away from him - He made a series of bad decisions / He was on prescription drugs and not in his right mind - etc, etc, etc.  When people blatantly lie to the press and then backtrack and proclaim the opposite......

Yes, Balaam, this forum is full of people who are tired of being lied to by the PC, JH types.  We are tired of scandal in churches.

The fact that the mayor is joining the addiction story is interesting.  I can't believe a political figure would intentionally risk his career over such a fiasco.  So, maybe the pain pills is a part of it - but there must be more to the story than "he was on medicine so he hunted down and shot up his best friend, then drove off and killed himself."  Things like that just don't happen.  There is more to the story.

Maybe the rest of the story is simply personal and the story belongs to none of us.  Surely, the God-haters are pointing to this as proof that church is evil - which is a false conclusion.  We here, see these familiar phrases that wreak of church cover-up.  For those who are unfamiliar with the IFB mega-church scandals, it goes like this:

• Changing Stories
• Glorifying the leader, even when he is guilty
• Ignoring the offended
• Telling people in the church to not ask questions (sin of gossip)
• Telling people in the church that the church leadership is caring for the problem (Ostrich Syndrome)
• Never being forthcoming with the public
• Business as usual, everyone is against us mentality

Are we going to get those answers on this forum?  Nope.  Most of us never heard of these two deceased before the event.  We post not out of anger and spite, but because we have been through deception and cover-ups and manipulation of religious leaders.  We are challenging others to think for themselves and not put their head in the sand.  Maybe, just maybe, there is more to the story and maybe, just maybe, some might recognize a need to make some changes.

Don't forget the classic "Satan is attacking us".

 

[Binaca Chugger]

Many want it to all come out in the wash - all of it. Whatever the truth turns out to be.

Warning people about gossip to the point where there is "dead silence" is detrimental in the search for truth.

Exhibit A:

Another old, unsolved murder case involving LBC....again, no outrage. Hush-hush...nothing going on here. This was also a 100% faithful family of the church.

http://articles.latimes.com/.../me-3953_1_downtown-lancaster

Broken link

 

[AmazedbyGrace]

I watched live Paul Chappell address this issue with the church. I believe he addressed it with grace and said what any of us would say and feel if someone close to us had committed such a crime.

The fact that this man committed such a terrible act does not mean you have to vilify his entire life. It seems there were underlying  decisions this man made that brought him to the point of making these terrible decisions. Based on what he said, the church has been helping his family for many months and also reached out to help the victims family.

Truly, I am not sure what else is expected. Like LBC, PC or not...I don't know what else should have been said or done. Just my opinion...

BTW...Ash...not directing at you specifically.

You a member there?

There is alot of flip-flopping going on with this story.  He wasn't a part of us / He was our best friend - We reached out to him / We told people to stay away from him - He made a series of bad decisions / He was on prescription drugs and not in his right mind - etc, etc, etc.  When people blatantly lie to the press and then backtrack and proclaim the opposite......

Yes, Balaam, this forum is full of people who are tired of being lied to by the PC, JH types.  We are tired of scandal in churches.

The fact that the mayor is joining the addiction story is interesting.  I can't believe a political figure would intentionally risk his career over such a fiasco.  So, maybe the pain pills is a part of it - but there must be more to the story than "he was on medicine so he hunted down and shot up his best friend, then drove off and killed himself."  Things like that just don't happen.  There is more to the story.

Maybe the rest of the story is simply personal and the story belongs to none of us.  Surely, the God-haters are pointing to this as proof that church is evil - which is a false conclusion.  We here, see these familiar phrases that wreak of church cover-up.  For those who are unfamiliar with the IFB mega-church scandals, it goes like this:

• Changing Stories
• Glorifying the leader, even when he is guilty
• Ignoring the offended
• Telling people in the church to not ask questions (sin of gossip)
• Telling people in the church that the church leadership is caring for the problem (Ostrich Syndrome)
• Never being forthcoming with the public
• Business as usual, everyone is against us mentality

Are we going to get those answers on this forum?  Nope.  Most of us never heard of these two deceased before the event.  We post not out of anger and spite, but because we have been through deception and cover-ups and manipulation of religious leaders.  We are challenging others to think for themselves and not put their head in the sand.  Maybe, just maybe, there is more to the story and maybe, just maybe, some might recognize a need to make some changes.

I personally knew Jeremy well. I never saw a hint of violence in him, but I want to cling to reality and not fantasy. I want real answers, not just Paul Chappell's deflections and damage control.

Paul won't even admit Jeremy was an assistant pastor...

 

[AmazedbyGrace]

Many want it to all come out in the wash - all of it. Whatever the truth turns out to be.

Warning people about gossip to the point where there is "dead silence" is detrimental in the search for truth.

Exhibit A:

Another old, unsolved murder case involving LBC....again, no outrage. Hush-hush...nothing going on here. This was also a 100% faithful family of the church.

http://articles.latimes.com/.../me-3953_1_downtown-lancaster

Broken link

Thank you for pointing that out. I have fixed it.

 

[Binaca Chugger]

I personally knew Jeremy well. I never saw a hint of violence in him, but I want to cling to reality and not fantasy. I want real answers, not just Paul Chappell's deflections and damage control.

Paul won't even admit Jeremy was an assistant pastor...

Sorry for your loss and the confusion surrounding it.  Kudos to your courage to search for real answers.

I really do understand wanting to remember the good and not the bad, but if there are others who are being hurt or crimes left covered......

 

[Binaca Chugger]

Many want it to all come out in the wash - all of it. Whatever the truth turns out to be.

Warning people about gossip to the point where there is "dead silence" is detrimental in the search for truth.

Exhibit A:

Another old, unsolved murder case involving LBC....again, no outrage. Hush-hush...nothing going on here. This was also a 100% faithful family of the church.

http://articles.latimes.com/.../me-3953_1_downtown-lancaster

Broken link

Thank you for pointing that out. I have fixed it.

That is a crazy, wild story.  Imaginations abound......  I wonder..... where are they now?

 

[AmazedbyGrace]

When we left the church our relationship with Jeremy and his wife became inactive. He had gone on to be Paul Chappell's right hand man, which meant anything I told him would have gone straight to Paul. And I was no longer a fan of the church...but when we bumped into each other he was one of the only friendly staff members (toward former members). I genuinely liked him, though he was far too faithful and obedient to Paul.

I found the news of the murder/suicide beyond shocking.