"Mahaney has chosen to step back from his leadership position at Sovereign Grace Ministries after facing charges not of immorality or financial impropriety, but of certain character flaws such as "pride, unentreatability, deceit, sinful judgment, and hypocrisy."
"These charges (from former pastors and leaders in Sovereign Grace) are serious and they have been very grieving to read," Mahaney said in his announcement last week."
For the issues from the other side: http://sgmrefuge.com/ and also: http://www.sgmsurvivors.com/
From what I can gather, the problem with SGM is their "shepherding". I've personally experienced some similar issues with the church our family used to be members of for sixteen years. Too high of a view of the pastor/elder will lead to abuse of the role. Consider this "vicar" view from SGM. I suspect its partially from the Charismatic view of the OT prophets/roles placed into today's churches (SGM is Charismatic/Pentecostal and has historically embraced Third Wave Pentecostals into their membership), as well as the Calvinist acceptance of the validity of the RCC on some level. Its just my view, but I think that might be some of the basis for the problems, along with lack of teachability among the leadership (Reformers are notorious for thinking their leadership would never be deceived nor deceive them--ex: Piper and Warren). Also the gnostic "only certain elightened people" can really know the truth or really have wisdom, that is, only leadership can, and therefore they reject the Holy Spirit's gifting of people among them and the accountability they have to the people.
We need to be careful to test everything and all people, especially teachers/leaders against Scripture and stay loyal to Christ alone at all costs. May God grant us the grace and power to do so.
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