Conversations

David Platt, SBC, Gateway, Homeless Encampment

EDITOR’S NOTE: From time to time we will publish letters and emails we get from readers, sometimes with a response, sometimes without comment. If you would like to share your thoughts about any of our stories or podcasts, please email us: [email protected]

 Reader has lost trust in Platt, SBC, MinistryWatch

I am deeply troubled by your response to the David Platt issue.

I was once a Platt fan, going to Secret Church each year. I do not buy that he was innocent. When I saw him marching for BLM, I was shocked but my eyes were opened. There are also the Naples and Faith Baptist situations to consider. How many of these takeovers have happened that are not high-profile enough to get a documentary?

Something is totally rotten in the upper chambers of the SBC. I am a lifelong member of the SBC, but I have decided for now I will not give to any program that sends money to the Cooperative program — especially until they release the salaries of their top employees. If they have recently released them, I have not seen it. Actually, I am over the SBC. I am not looking for information anymore.

No need to respond to this email. I have lost faith in your discernment.

Jan Young, via email

Gateway must release ‘everyone’ from NDAs to restore trust

Good article on Gateway. Whatever Gateway leadership may say, to restore trust they need to practice transparency and release everyone from their NDAs.

Bob Leland, via email

NDAFreeCampus

Youth leader should be fired for taking youth to homeless encampment

I am a long-time supporter and volunteer at a mission church in Houston’s Midtown that serves the homeless and disadvantaged. We serve 400 meals per weekday, plus offer clothing and hygiene items, case management, mail service, medical and vision care, and pastoral care/worship. I have developed numerous educational brochures on homelessness to help inform our congregations, including one about how trauma and homelessness go hand-in-hand.

Not only is homelessness growing by leaps and bounds (here and across the country), we have experienced increased violence and erratic behavior among our client population, probably the result of constant exposure to the intense heat, chronic dehydration, plus drug and/or mental health issues.  We’ve recently had numerous fights and a couple of stabbings (outdoors). Staff and volunteers have been threatened and had food and other items thrown at them. Our center employs (at great expense) two full-time armed constables to protect our staff, volunteers, and clients from potential harm.

Courtney Wingo said it all (and very well) in the article you posted, but just let me add my two cents worth.

Mike Webb’s off-the-cuff decision to take youths to a homeless encampment put them potentially in harm’s way and is deeply disturbing.

Homelessness is shocking to someone who is seeing it for the first time, especially up close and personal. And providing food to the homeless without a structured and well-thought-out plan is pure folly, especially if there is not enough to go around. We’ve had fights, arguments and threats from some when we run out of food.

Saying that “God told him to do it” is a cheap excuse for poor judgment, and Mike Webb should be removed from leading youth ministry.

Elisabeth (Libby) Tsubai, via email

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