Controversial ‘Scandalizers’ List Leads to PCA Stated Clerk’s Retirement

Bryan Chappell stepping down after blowback from appearance on The Gospel Coalition podcast.

This story was updated on 6/10/2025 to reflect the actions of the PCA Administrative Committee.

Bryan Chappell has announced that he plans to retire as stated clerk of the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA) following pushback from his recent appearance on the Gospelbound podcast with Collin Hansen.

Bryan Chappell / Photo via byFaith

According to a statement published in byFaith, the denominational publication of the PCA,  Chappell said he plans to ask the Administrative Committee to approve his retirement at its meeting next week.

During the podcast with Hansen, Chappell said he held up a small piece of paper that was a “list of social media ‘scandalizers’ who later experienced personal consequences from their commentary habits.”

Chappell told Hansen, “I’m going to show this to you quickly. I keep the note on my desk. Those are the names of the scandalizers, the people who have invested hours every day attacking others for their supposed lack of faithfulness, for their compromise, whose identity comes from scandalizing others. And every name on that list has either left his family, left the faith, or taken his life. Every name on that list.”

Screenshots of the enlarged list circulated on social media revealing some of the names, including Dr. Carl Trueman, Aimee Byrd, Tim Bayly, Michelle Higgins, Andy Webb, Dr. Wes White, and Dr. Peter Leithart.

The podcast video was removed from the Gospel Coalition website and replaced by statements from Chappell and Hansen.

Bryan Chapell on Gospelbound podcast (Source: Screengrab)

Chappell said, “With deep regret for harm done to others, I am issuing a public apology for not taking proper care to protect the reputation of others.”

“This podcast has been removed. I couldn’t read the names over video and did not check during editing to review the list. I apologize for neglecting that review,” Hansen wrote.

Some people whose names appeared on the list took to social media to respond. Leithart, president of Theopolis Institute, wrote: “I was on the list. So was Jeff Meyers, who serves on the Theopolis Fellows faculty and Board. First things first: Neither Jeff nor I are apostates. Both of us have been married for decades. Neither of us, last I checked, has taken his own life. Nor do we spend our lives destroying Christian brothers. There’s nothing complicated here. The lessons are obvious. Simple things like, Don’t lie. And, When you’re confronted with lying, ask forgiveness for lying, not for a procedural error.”

After criticism, Chappell issued the additional statement published in byFaith.

“As a consequence, I brought unwarranted disrepute upon persons identified in the screenshot. For this wrongdoing I repent to my Lord and I apologize to the individuals, their families, and the church I serve. I have begun, and will continue, personally to ask forgiveness from those I harmed. I also confess the seriousness of these errors and sin,” Chappell said in his latest statement.

On May 24, the Administrative Committee released a statement that it was aware of the concerns arising from the interview and plans to discuss the matter at its upcoming meeting.

“We are deeply grieved for any injury that resulted from this in the lives of individuals and families. Likewise, we are saddened by any disruption this has caused to the peace of the Presbyterian Church in America as well as other Presbyterian and Reformed denominations,” the statement says.

Chappell was elected as the stated clerk of the PCA in 2021, served as the president of the PCA’s Covenant Seminary in St. Louis from 1994 to 2012, and is a founding council member of The Gospel Coalition.

Update: On June 5, the PCA Administrative Committee met and accepted Chappell’s request to retire as stated clerk. His retirement is effective immediately. John Bise, a ruling elder in the PCA and a business consultant, was employed as the provisional clerk. A nominee for stated clerk will be brought before the PCA General Assembly at its meeting in Louisville later this month.

The Administrative Committee “acknowledges the need for reconciliation and healing between the PCA and some of its sister denominations,” adding that “appropriate steps will be taken ensure our fellow Reformed and Presbyterian branches of Christ’s church know our deep love for them and desire to continue work alongside them for the advance of Christ’s Kingdom.”

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