Pastor Charles Shifflett Now in Jail
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You can also add "Child Molester" to that title.
Charles Shifflett is the Independent Fundamental Baptist pastor, a "Hyles Man," who was
the subject of the Lambs of Culpeper audio documentary. (URL is at the bottom of this
page.) In December of 2007, after he pled guilty to seven felony counts of child abuse
and indecency and was still let off on probation, I was almost in despair. But God has
heard the prayers of His people, and Shifflett now sits in jail. You can click the link to
get the full story.
But verily God hath heard me; he hath attended to the voice of my prayer. Blessed be
God, which hath not turned away my prayer, nor his mercy from me. Psa 66:19-20
http://www.starexponent.com/cse/news/local/crime/article/shiffletts_enter_plea_deal/17494/
9 comments:
As you probobly know I work in the same jail where Mr. Shifflet is being held. It is a very strange predicament since this is the man who presided over our wedding less than 8 years ago.
The First Sunday after Isaiah was born and we took him to the service we could feel that his "noisy" presence was not appreciated. That was the last time we went. That was also about the time I was made aware of and exploring calvinism/reformed theology and was so taken away at how oblivious I had been to what scripture was actualy portraying. I could not and still could not be comfortable in a church which was opposed to such doctorine. The church we now attend I still take issue with certain points but they are aware of that and appreciate us for it.
Anyway about what you were saying, Mom. I do not know how much of what was said about Shifflet actually happened but I do know that I would not trust the testimony of much of the people who attended his church. I am not sticking up for him but I take what I hear with a grain of salt so to speak.
Whether he did all/some of these things or not is not so much where I take issue but I know if it were said of me I would vehemently be denying it ,you could not keep me quiet.And if I were guilty of some/all I would,I hope, be asking for forgivness, reminding all that I am but a man capable of these things and relinquesh all authority I had over my flock-he is still trying to run his church even now. I just think of the many people who are watching who may more confirmed in their belief that christains are just a bunch of hypocrites...but then again, we are. I firmly believe that no one deserves to be in jail. It is a most hienous and rediculous invention. I do not believe that God would answer any such prayer. I do believe, and this is from Christs example, that we are to forgive and to not think ourselves above anyone. It is easy to just hate but it takes alot more to love the unlovely and to pray for them even if they do not think they are in need of it.
Also, I did not read your link but the story which came out in the paper the next day stated that the reason he was jailed instead of going to trial first was because the sate agreed to drop the charges against his wife as part of this arrangment. That he would do this I think shows at least a glimpse of his character. He accepted responsibilty for alot to see that his wife would not have to go through this.
I am sorry, Jacob but I have listened to the testimonies and I know for a fact he did many underhanded things at your wedding. Very ,very strange for a pastor. I have talked to people that I know are telling the truth about him. I think putting child molestors to death humanely is being too nice. Allowing the people he hurt to stone him would be good but I'll bet these people couldn't do it. I believe and know he is a very cruel man. I felt it every time I was around him. The stories on the "Lambs of Culpeper" will be hard to ignore but I can't imagine you being close minded to them.
What a tragedy. I'm glad Jacob and Dawn got out of there. It's hard to find a church that does welcome noisy children, though. I could go on and on about that subject.
And that's an interesting and awkward dilemma you're facing at your job Jacob. I agree with you about jails though, and as bad as this guy might be, his sins are not unforgivable. As I remember this Church was very legalistic and there is a scripture that says there will be judgement without mercy for those who showed no mercy so maybe in a sense he had it coming.
The more serious sexual allegations against him in 2006 were droped because the court decided the victims testimonies were not sufficient. I do believe,and this is from speaking to people who have known him a long time, he did things that were very demeaning and belittling to the kids in his care. Although this is an abuse of a different sort it is no less excusable and the story would have probobly ended different long ago if it were my children, which raises this question. Where were these parents? There are only two explanations. They knew of this behaviour and tolerated it which makes them just as guilty or they cared so little about thier children that they did not even know what was occuring in their lives. Yes, I know he ran his church very legalistic and many underhanded things went on, but the adults who attended his church are grown people capable of their own decisions. If someone as simple minded as me could figure it out,why couldn't they? They as a congregation had the power to oust him as they did in 2006,if these things were going on so long,why did someone not take a stand earlier. Once again either they knew and ageed with him or which makes them all guilty or they had no concern for their children,which again is just as bad.
Bening in this line of work I have witnessed many people being accused of things I am sure they did not do.No, I am not sure he did not do all these things and even more but I find it hard to pass such hard judgment on someone unless you have certain proof. Some testimony from some crooney is not enough proof for me. Just because of the allegations though I think it is prudent to exercise caution and I would never entrust him with the care of my children, but that puts him in a pool of about 6,000,000,000 that I would not either.
I firmly believe that even if the lesser things that he is guilty of certainly disqulifies him from holding any position in a church according to scripture. For discussions sake lets just say the only thing wrong he did was mishandle some of the churches money and perhaps endanger some children and belittle them. He ought to humble himself, ask for forgivness and remove himself from any church office, this would certainly be the christain thing to do. I understand your anger angainst anyone who does these things but I fear for my own soul if I pass judgment on someone without having firsthand or at least credible proof of the sin.
On a different note: In my first comment the "/" between Calvinism and Reformed theology did not infer they are synonomous. The word "and" would have been more appropriate
It is sad that the deeds of a few can lead some to believe that all who attend a similar church have pastors who are also involved in such things or who are more prone than anyone else to these sins. The Bible is loaded with verses that tell us that we are completely and utterly devoid of any good thing and in desperate need of a Savior. This includes you, me, pastors, the Pope...every human being. If this man did the things that are said of him, then he should receive the same punishment that any other person would that was guilty of such things. As Jacob said..a pastor is a man. He is subject to the same temptations that any of the rest of us are. If not for God's grace, any of the rest of us could be in the same place as he and facing the same charges. To exalt ourselves and say that we would never do such a thing is a dangerous thing to do. "Let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall". Again, I believe any man, no matter his position, should be treated equally under the law. But as far as our attitudes toward the accused we must remember Christ's example in the woman who was caught in the act of adultery. "He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her." I know that I couldn't have thrown one.
Well said Justin, but we must take heed to what Paul teaches in Cor.5 9-13. We are not to judge those who do not claim to be a member of the Body, this is to be left to God. But we are to judge those within the church even to the point of expulsion. I am convinced however that Paul did not mean that we turn them over to the secular government. We are to be passive toward the sin of unbelievers and at the same time presenting them with the Gospel.
Christ told the woman he did not condemn her,by this,acknowleging the she at the time was not a follower. He then told her to go and sin no more. At this point,if she did not already, she was aware of who she was speaking to. His command "go and sin no more" was a definite command to follow Him. But look at how Jesus spoke to the scribes and pharisees in this instance and all throughout the gospels. These men claimed to be men of god yet they rejected the very one who was sent by Him. Jesus had the authority to rebuke them because they claimed to know God but yet they rejected the one sent by Him.
Jacob...excellent point. I agree completely with the whole concept of church discipline. I did not mean to imply that we be lenient in our dealings with wayward Christians, but only that we not be so highminded as to think it could never happen to us. I enjoyed very much reading your posts Jacob. You have a great ability to express yourself in written word. Peace, brother.
Good points all around. Jacob, your handle on 1 Cor 5 is outstanding. We are definitely on the same page. It is such a shame to hear of Christians going before the secular courts and pursuing justice beyond ex-communication, which is the highest recourse that Paul allows. As Christians, no matter how great we suffer, we have to face the question of Peter who, condemning his hearers for pursuing legal action against one another asks, "Why not rather suffer wrongfully?" And Justin, your admonition to be careful about judging anyone and to remember that we are all capable of great wrongdoing is also spot-on in my opinion. I make the same distinction Jacob does about judging those inside and outside the covenant, but even judging those inside I would like you have to tend to err on the side of mercy based on the parable of the unmerciful servant.
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