August 7, 2017 - September 27, 2017: Juggling, Circumventing, Misleading and Manipulation

What transpired behind the scenes leading up to David Platt’s “overwhelming” confirmation by the members of McLean Bible Church as Lon Solomon’s successor is eye-opening.  Discovery documents show a campaign of word-gaming narratives, manufactured perceptions, controversial affiliations and money flow were made to ensure a smooth and seamless vote, resulting in what could only be seen as a “takeover”.

Nearly two months prior to the vote, David Platt expressed concerns that if MBC is seen as a“non-SBC” church, it would be a “game-changer” for him. A month later, a pivotal meeting took place with David and his PR Team at IMB and from this meeting, Dale Sutherland would be introduced to Briant Autry, Executive Director for the SBC of Virginia. On August 28th, MBC would apply to formally affiliate with the state Baptist convention, approximately one month prior to his installation as Lon’s successor.

Exchanges also show great concern from congregants and outside observers regarding the duplicitous messaging from David Platt and MBC leadership, as well as, from the IMB: is MBC affiliated with the SBC or isn’t it? One MBC attendee questioned if the IMB is advocating that MBC violate its own constitution and an MBC pastor saying that the elders had found “a work-around”. This would continue to be a focus of concern in the weeks and days leading up to the vote, requiring Dale Sutherland to reach out to a consultant from Multi-Site Solutions for help with talking points for Lon Solomon at a church town hall where congregants would learn more about David and hear from Lon prior to the vote. (The consultant’s name was Wade Burnett and David would eventually bring him on staff in 2020 to serve full time as MBC’s Executive Pastor).

Other questionable decisions that were made leading up to the vote included MBC’s finances and how the money should flow.  Emails from Paul Akin, David’s Sr. Aide at IMB, Dale Sutherland, MBC’s Executive Pastor, and David Platt, President of IMB, include discussions and recommendations on where MBC’s contribution should go and how much should be given with Platt ultimately giving these recommendations to Dale. It would be fair to say that thirteen days prior to his installation as Lon’s successor and as President of IMB, David heavily influenced the decision to redirect money from the SBC (the national convention) to the SBCV’s Cooperative Program (the state baptist convention), stating that the first check should be a “decent” amount. 

Reading through the emails answers several questions but begs many others. How many of Mclean Bible Church’s elders, staff and congregants knew how involved David actually was leading up to his own installation as Lon’s successor? How many knew that the commitments that Dale Sutherland and Bill Steele made on behalf of the church with the SBCV circumvented elder authority? How many knew the PR nightmare going on behind the scenes and the deceptive efforts it took to give the appearance that David was divinely appointed to lead McLean Bible Church? Was all of this really necessary in order to ensure David would become Lon’s successor? Did the end really justify the means? Perception is reality until the truth comes out.

“The focus with Lon and his communication to the church is NOT the specific issues that have

been raised (the MBC/IMB/SBC connection and David's reformed theological positions).

Instead, Lon needs to be focused on reminding people that he COULD NOT (as he said to the

elders) relinquish his role unless he was convinced that God had raised up David for such a time as this.”

-Wade Burnett, Consultant