G3 Scandal Update: All 4 PMBC Elders Resign!

The walls are closing in at G3 Ministries following the epic backfire of their attempt to get Tom Buck deposed at his church. Last Sunday, the elders of Pray’s Mill Baptist Church denounced Protestia as a gossip blog and presented the forthcoming report as a nothingburger. One Sunday later, the congregation accepted their resignation.

Protestia’s David Morrill reported:

All four elders at PMBC have offered their resignations and the congregation has accepted their resignations. Please pray for the process and for healing for these brothers and sisters.

These elders would be Scott Aniol, Jon Norton, Matt Sikes, and Dylan Joyner. Scott Aniol is the president of G3, and the other three are on the board. Jon Norton is the elder named as the primary suspect in the attempt on Buck’s reputation. Matt Sikes gave the announcement to the church about the article.

Morrill adds:

Something needs to be understood about the sequence of events with the PMBC elders’ resignations. The deacons insisted on their resignations, which they all offered by Friday night. There is no evidence yet that they have resigned due to true repentance, only to avoid being formally removed by the congregation rather than the congregation merely voting to accept their resignation.

And this difference matters – when they resign, they retain agency. Resignation is not repentance, and they are owed no congratulations for doing what is clearly in their self-interest. It remains to be seen whether they will submit to similar church discipline demands made of Josh Buice.

Be thankful that the PMBC deacons did what needed to be done, and pray that these former elders (but current church members) actually confess and repent of their sin.

Also, it matters that Scott Aniol resigned on Friday night, and still got up and preached at the conference on Saturday. He must not be allowed to remain president of whatever is left of G3 after being forced out of the pulpit on account of his sin.

G3 was throwing a small conference at Scott Aniol’s new employer. It remains uncertain whether his gig at the Puritan Reformed College is unmarred. But certainly a bold strategy to submit a resignation, delete social media, and conduct business as usual the next day.

David Morrill also followed up by stating that G3 staffers apparently believe the organization will continue even with its leaders deposed as pastors, even though their offices are at PMBC. But G3 is likely to fold this week if the current pressure continues.