What Happened at Bethlehem Baptist Church? Part 1

Guest Bios Show Transcript Documents https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U_WYrmiyhnEThere have been reports of spiritual abuse and abuse of power at Bethlehem Baptist Church—the church John Piper pastored for over 30 years. Three pastors have resigned. Hundreds of members have left. But why? Joining me for this important episode of The Roys Report are Steve and Janette Takata—a couple who unwittingly found themselves at the epicenter of the storm at this prominent Minnesota church. Steve Takata was a longtime member at Bethlehem, who had attended the church since grade school, and whose father sits on the elder board. Janette had been attending Bethlehem since 2003, before she and Steve resigned their membership this summer. For many years, the Takatas enjoyed rich fellowship and teaching at the church. But over the past few years, they had become increasingly concerned about the church’s handling of race issues and treatment of women. And on January 31, 2021, they raised their concerns in two motions at a meeting of the church. These motions set off a chain-reaction that eventually led three pastors to resign from the church, including Pastor Jason Meyer, successor to John Piper. Is the turmoil at Bethlehem simply the result of different theological and political convictions between current and former pastors, elders, and members? Or, as the Takatas and others have charged, is it the result of spiritual abuse and manipulation on the part of Bethlehem leadership? In this episode, the Takatas give a revealing behind-the-scenes look at the events at Bethlehem in 2021. They also share documents and audio that, until now, have never been published. This Weeks Guests Steve and Janette Takata Steve and Janette Takata attended Bethlehem Baptist Church (BBC) for around 31 and 18 years respectively and were members of the church the majority of that time.  Steve has served at BBC in Media Ministries and Janette has served in the MOMS group--they've both served in various youth ministries. They withdrew their membership from BBC in July 2021.  Steve and Janette have four adopted and two biological children. Show Transcript SPEAKERSJULIE ROYS, ANDY NASELLI, JANETTE TAKATA, PASTOR DOUG WILSON, JOE RIGNEY, STEVE TAKATA JULIE ROYS 00:05There have been reports of spiritual abuse and abuse of power at Bethlehem Baptist Church, the church John Piper pastored. for over 30 years. Three pastors have resigned hundreds of members have left but why? Welcome to The Roys report a podcast dedicated to reporting the truth and restoring the church. I’m Julie Roys, and joining me today is a couple, Steve, and Janette Takata, who unwittingly found themselves at the epicenter of the storm at Bethlehem. Steve Takata is a longtime member who had attended Bethlehem Baptist since grade school and whose father sits on the elder board. Jeanette has been attending Bethlehem since 2003, when she moved to Minneapolis to complete an internship. For many years the Takatas enjoyed rich fellowship and teaching at the church. But over the past few years, they have become increasingly concerned about the church’s handling of race issues, its treatment of women, and the relationship between the church and its associated ministries, especially Bethlehem College and Seminary. But the Takatas were not alone in their concerns. Unbeknownst to them, there had been two investigations the previous summer. One involved allegations of a toxic environment at Bethlehem College and Seminary. Those allegations were dismissed when the investigation found no evidence of any unlawful actions by the College and Seminary. Another investigation allegations of spiritual abuse by Bethlehem College and Seminary professor, Andy Naselli, who’s also an elder at Bethlehem Bapti