Questions for Pastor Ben Stuart

We believe that Passion DC’s pastor, Ben Stuart, should answer these questions:

  • Do you believe that congregants should not know that counselors you recommended called your actions spiritually abusive?

  • Do you believe that congregants should not know that leadership secretly banned a homeless man from the church?

  • Will you clarify to doorholders that nearly all (if not all) scholars disagree with your claim that Matthew 18:17 means “tell it to church leaders”?

  • Will you clarify to doorholders that Matthew 18:17 says tell it to the ekklesia, and everyone agrees that ekklesia means the assembly?

  • Do you believe that Christians need not apologize for wrongdoing if the victim does not confront them?

  • Have you conducted an investigation to identify everyone who has been ghosted? If not, is that because you are uninterested in determining the scope of the problem? Do you believe it is unnecessary to apologize to ghosted individuals?

  • If others absorb all costs, are you willing to identify all individuals who emailed dc@passioncitychurch.com while it was unmonitored in order to better assess the scope of the problem and to send apologies?

  • For how many weeks did Passion DC fail to reply to texts sent in response to its invitation to “Text Life to 33864 if you put your faith in Jesus today”?

  • Have you apologized to everyone you know was ghosted? Why not?

  • Have you clarified to staff that unapologetic ghosting is unacceptable?

  • Why did two staff members respond to the concerned member—before he sent any letter—by suggesting that he find another church? Do you believe that members who have concerns about staff actions don’t belong?

  • Dozens of members supported the concerned member’s January 29 letter, yet you responded by removing him from the doorholder team and suggesting that he leave Passion. When church members disagree about how to address wrongdoing, shouldn’t leaders respond with humility and dialogue rather than punishing those they disagree with?

  • What do you believe is the biblical justification for your refusal to seek healing and reconciliation with the concerned member?

  • Will you agree to an independent third-party review of how Passion DC has handled these situations?