Introduction
Some readers might assume I don’t agree that Stuart was asked to resign by the elders, or that Josiah was forced to face justice. On the contrary, I agree with the general outcomes.
Stuart
José’s situation along with the discovery of Josiah’s sexual acts made a very strong case that Stuart wasn’t able to keep a well-ordered home1. Additionally, since it was the Bryan children making these claims against Josiah, it was impossible for Stuart to remain an elder at Trinity Church.
What do I disgaree with? The elder’s treatment of Stuart.
The elders gave the impression they were disappointed that Stuart wasn’t willing to meet with them and their law firm, Telios Law. This cultivated the idea in HOH meetings that Stuart was being evasive. However, the opportunity for frank discussions between the elders and Stuart went out the window after Patrick Wilson and William Nixon organized that private meeting, and the police report was filed – all without any oversight from the elders. This created a breach of trust where Stuart would be foolish to believe that if he got into a room with the Trinity elder’s lawyers that good faith work could be accomplished. This rift that would continue to expand until today where Stuart is living in an obscure, early retirement.
Stuart should have gotten a fair shake by the elders, and worshipping at Trinity among the people that he had served for over 15 years.
“Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and doctrine.”
1 Timothy 5:17 (NKJV)
Josiah
In my opinion, the court rendered a fair sentence for Josiah. What I disagree with was how Josiah was brought to face justice.
The elders should have been the ones investigating the truth of the matter with the Bryan family. They should been the ones speaking to the Bryan children, deliberating as elders, and then decide on behalf of Trinity Church how it would respond vis-à-vis Stuart and Josiah. It was not for Patrick Wilson to take this prerogative from the elders.2
Footnotes
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1 Timothy 3:4-5 (NKJV): “He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive, for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God’s church?” ↩
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In the 2024 HOH meetings, Patrick alluded to a certain section in Idaho Statutes in order to justify his actions but he grossly misinterpreted that part of the law. ↩