The Resignation of Dr. Josh Buice of G3 Ministries and Navigating the Aftermath

This morning I received the very sad update that Dr. Josh Buice, pastor of Prays Mill Baptist Church and the Founder of G3 Ministries, was asked to resign from his position at G3 due to many unfounded slanderous remarks that he has made against other church leaders. This is very concerning for the great many churches that are affiliated with the G3 Church Network. Our church is one of such churches that are in ministry partnership with G3.

The resignation of the leader of G3 has left many pastors feeling like a crew on a boat without a captain. Against the waves that arise in the midst of such shocking news, those who are in the proverbial G3 boat are left asking questions like; "Where are we going from here?" Who will lead us now? And should we abandon the ship altogether?"

I can't answer the first two questions. Only time will give those answers. But I can address the question of should churches now cut ties with G3. I believe the answer is no. To use the boat crew analogy, if a ship is rocked by a storm that takes down their captain, the most foolish thing to do in that moment is to jump overboard. The captain was not strong enough to stand against the storm, but that man's weakness is not indicative of the boat itself being able to stand against and even overcome the storm. Again, time will tell.

Our church was formerly part of the Southern Baptist Convention. Around 2015, the convention began to show signs of weakness. Leaders emerged within the convention that were attempting to steer the SBC as a whole towards liberalism. This was very concerning, especially as one of the pastors who had a church affiliated with the convention. But my initial reaction in 2015 was not to jump ship immediately. I hoped for the best, prayed for the leadership, and attended the annual conventions to make my voice heard in regards to fighting against the surge of liberalism.

I kept our church affiliated with the convention for three years in hopes of a course correction. But eventually it got to the point where we felt that we had no other option but to remove our membership from the SBC due to their errors. Our church stayed in the boat, fighting the storms until we felt that the boat itself was going under. Let me add that I have many great friends who are pastors still fighting the good fight in the convention and I applaud them. For our church, we just felt it was time for us to end our affiliation.

We are now affiliated with the G3 Church Network. And the news this morning of Dr. Buice's fall is so disheartening. But in my opinion, now is not the time for affiliate churches to push the eject button. Now is the time to start rowing against the storm. G3 has been very transparent in the unfolding of this unfortunate situation, and they have stated that no one within the G3 organization neither defends or was in the know regarding the sin that Dr. Buice was involved in. G3 appears to be taking the proper steps to discipline and restore Dr. Buice. Although G3 stated that Josh will no longer be associated with G3, they do not believe that his sin will disqualify him from serving in pastoral ministry in the future.

The effects of sin are far reaching and devastating. Especially when a well respected leaders within the Christian community falls. But our reaction as the church should not be to pass judgement for throw stones. For without the grace of God sustaining us daily, any one of us in pastoral leadership could be next.

In Matthew 26, just hours before His crucifixion, Jesus is with His disciples in the Garden of Gethsemane. The Lord told the disciples that they would all fall away from Him due to the persecution that was coming. Peter was the first to speak up. Peter told Jesus that although the rest of the disciples may fall away, he would remain strong beside the Lord unto death. In essence, Peter told Jesus, "You are wrong Jesus, because I am stronger than the others in the midst of temptation." And then Jesus declared that it would be Peter who would deny Him three times before the rooster crowed twice.

We are all so much like Peter.

Like Peter, how easy it is to see other followers of Christ fall into temptation, and to look on with disgust as we throw our stones while telling ourselves that we would never do such a thing. In our human nature, we are so prone to react first, think later, and pray last. All the while we forget that were it not for the grace of God, there go I. Were it not for the grace of God, there go us all, headlong into sin and rebellion.

Our reaction to Dr. Buice's resignation from G3 due to his sin should be one of humility. We should be quick to pray, slow to act, and remain watchful in the coming months to see the course correction that G3 takes. Now is not the time to abandon the ship. Now is the time to start rowing together. Now is the time to pray for and encourage Josh Buice towards repentance and restoration.

And now is the time to engage with and pray for the current leadership of G3 Ministries. The sin of one man is not indicative of the entire organization as a whole. And the track record to date of G3 Ministries has been one of heralding the Gospel, upholding the proclamation of right doctrine, and being a beacon of light for the name of Jesus Christ. G3 has many Godly men at the helm currently, and they need our prayers and support.

My advice to churches who are reeling in the midsts of this unfortunate news is to not make any permanent decisions right now. Its way to early, and although the man steering the boat has fallen in a moment of weakness, the ship appears to be strong. Pray for Dr. Josh Buice. Not from a position of casting judgement. But pray earnestly for Josh, realizing that any one of us is just as prone to make the same errors.

Secondly, for the pastors now associated with G3, drop any stones that you may have and instead, pick up an oar and start to help row. Now is not the time for gossip and rash decisions to be made. Now is the time to come together with our eyes on the glory of Christ..

G3 affiliated church pastors should take part in the monthly online pastors meetings with the leadership of G3 and engage in questions aimed at course correction and restoration. And remain watchful as to the direction G3 Ministries takes in the aftermath of this situation. Instead of thinking the worst, take the advice of Paul in Philippians 4:3 and think and hope for the best in all situations.

Finally pray for one another. Encourage the pastors of your church. And pray for Holy Spirit to empower us all to stand firm when the waves of temptation come upon us. Because as Jesus said in John 15, apart from Him, we can do nothing.