Good Shepherd Baptist Church: A Sad Story

This article is primarily addressed to Christians who attend Independent Baptist (“IB”) churches, however Christians of other denominations can also benefit by learning what not to do.   

There are serious doctrinal errors within the IB movement which need to be addressed. Over many years the fruits of these doctrines have now become evident. False doctrines of spiritual authority and a lack of elder plurality play a prominent role in this story. 

This story needs to be told. If sin is covered up, it always causes bigger problems than the initial sin. Proverbs 28:13  – He that covers his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesses and forsakes them shall have mercy.   

I first started attending Good Shepherd Baptist Church (“GSBC”) as a 7 year old child in January 1983. My parents were devotedly involved in GSBC for many years. My father, Wilf Blake, was an interim pastor for a period. He and my mother, Glynis Blake, started a ministry of GSBC – Good Shepherd Christian School (“GSCS”) – which I attended from Grades 1 to 12. I attended church services three times a week and was involved in the music team for many years. 

Nathan Lloyd (“Nathan”) was the pastor of GSBC for over 14 years. In about his last 2 years of pastoring, Nathan explained to the church that he was struggling with mental health issues. The church was naturally concerned for him and supported him. When he suddenly resigned on 04 April 2021, we were shocked. It seemed that he was slowly recovering. The reason both Nathan and the GSBC deacons gave for his resignation was essentially mental health issues.  

Nathan’s resignation started a period of soul-searching for me. I had looked up to Nathan for many years as a great Christian leader. He had preached many sermons over the years about God being all-sufficient. I found it hard to reconcile events with 2 Timothy 1:7 For God has not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, of love, and of a sound mind. If God was not able to give Nathan a spirit of power, love and a sound mind, then what hope was there for me and other church members who were much less strong in our faith? Romans 3:4  let God be true, but every man a liar. The only logical conclusion was that Nathan had failed, but God had not. 

Apart from Nathan, over the years I had witnessed many supposedly great men of God either burning out or falling into moral sin. That prompted me to research why Christian leaders fall. I then discovered that certain IB doctrines I had been taught were in fact unbiblical. In particular, doctrines regarding church authority and the single/head pastor model greatly contribute to pastors burning out or falling into sin.  

One of the most eye-opening discoveries for me was that the New Testament (“NT”) pattern for churches was a plurality of elders, not a single pastor. There is no biblical or historical evidence of a single pastor church in NT times. Yet there are many NT references to a plurality of elders in each church. It would take most people probably only a few hours to verify the Bible’s teaching on this topic. However, I resolved to study the topic in-depth, wanting to be sure beyond doubt. 

I mentioned the concept of plurality of elders to the new GSBC pastor, Hernan Hullana. He was not familiar with this topic and was not open to this idea. Other church members that I spoke to were also not aware of the topic or open to it. Seeing as there was an unwillingness to seriously consider this fundamental topic, I decided to discuss the issue with Wayne Sehmish. Wayne was the pastor of GSBC from approximately 1995 to 2006. He was the main (not the only) decision maker in appointing first Nathan Lloyd and then Hernan Hullana, as pastors. Wayne has the official title of Pastor Emeritus of GSBC and over the years has continued to influence GSBC even when he has not been the official pastor. 

On 13 March 2022, I met with Wayne and mentioned what I had discovered about plurality of elders. Wayne was aware of the concept but was not familiar with what the Bible teaches on this topic. His arguments against a plurality of elders were not Biblically based – they were based on tradition. He said that GSBC wasn’t changing and if I didn’t agree with the GSBC model, I would have to leave the church. I asked – can we do a Bible study on this topic? He refused to discuss the matter further. After this meeting, it was clear to me that Wayne was not open to change, regardless of the truth.  

I then organised to meet with the GSBC deacons (David Holowaty, Michael Devadason, and Phillip Bird). Again, I explained the concept of plurality of elders.  The deacons’ response was similar to Wayne’s response. David Holowaty said that if I didn’t agree with the church structure I would have to leave. There was no openness to change. 

I also mentioned to the deacons the issue of Nathan Lloyd resigning as pastor and ceasing fellowship with GSBC. The issue was that if Nathan had sinned, he should be rebuked before all, as per 1 Timothy 5:20. However, if Nathan had not sinned, he should be restored to the church. Neither action had been taken. Nathan had not been rebuked and neither had he been restored to the church. Nathan left GSBC soon after his resignation and has never returned.  

The last GSBC service I attended was on 13 March 2022. My decision to leave after 30+ years of being a part of the church, attending on a weekly basis, was a once-in-a-lifetime decision. I only left because I saw no willingness in Hernan, the deacons, and most GSBC members to genuinely discuss, much less follow, what the Bible teaches about church authority and eldership. 

In early 2023, three concerned church families informed me that the real reason Nathan Lloyd resigned was not merely due to mental health issues, but it also involved moral sin and criminal convictions. Sadly, there is evidence of Nathan’s moral sin stretching back to 2010 and earlier.  

The Bible commands to rebuke an elder’s sin before all, which others also may fear (1 Timothy 5:20). There are no exceptions to this command. 1 Timothy 5:21 emphasises the extreme importance of this command.  As the actions of an elder can seriously affect a whole church, elders are subject to a very high level of accountability (Luke 12:48, Titus 1:6-9, 1 Timothy 3:2-9). 

There is no evidence of Nathan’s sin being rebuked before all, until perhaps the GSBC morning service on Sunday 05 February 2023. Statements were made to attendees of the service regarding Nathan Lloyd. It is not clear whether the statements made were a rebuke or merely a partial acknowledgment of sin.  Even if the statements made were a rebuke of sin, they were reluctantly made, as Hernan and the deacons had consistently refused up to that point to reveal Nathan’s sin before the church.  

The only reason why any acknowledgment at all of Nathan’s sin was made before GSBC was that three concerned church families persisted for a long time to reveal the truth, despite many attempts to keep them quiet. 

Hernan Hullana wrote the following on 13 December 2022 (emphasis is mine): 

“I write in relation to recent matters raised by you concerning Pastor Nathan Lloyd. I have confidentially discussed the historical matters you have raised with the deacons of the Church and am satisfied that these matters were dealt with in accordance with the Constitution of the Church, in the spirit of God’s Word, and in the best interests of the Church and the congregation.  

As such I, and the Church leadership, consider these matters to be closed. In this regard, I must also inform you that the Church, and the individual members of the congregation, may be exposed to very serious criminal and civil liability if some of these matters are discussed further. 

In some cases, this can include rendering individual members of the congregation liable to imprisonment for up to three years in addition to being exposed to claims for damages. 

If you wish to proceed to discuss these matters with other members of the congregation, please be aware that you do so without the sanction of the Church. 

In light of this, the Church is unable to accommodate your request for a meeting of the congregation to discuss these matters.” 

Hernan stated that “…these matters were dealt with in accordance with the Constitution of the Church.” The GSBC Constitution stipulates that “If the Pastor shall plead guilty of any moral offence or guilty of any misconduct or heresy (deemed such by the church) his pastorate shall automatically terminate.” According to the Constitution, Nathan Lloyd’s pastorate should have automatically terminated when the deacons learned of his offences. This did not happen.  

Hernan stated that “…these matters were dealt with in the spirit of God’s Word. 1 Timothy 5:20 commands to rebuke an elder’s sin before all, that others also may fear. This did not happen. 

Hernan inferred that adverse legal consequences could result if matters were discussed with the church congregation. However, moral sin can be rebuked wisely within the bounds of the law. The three families have demonstrated that sin can be rebuked, without incurring adverse legal consequences. Even if it was true that there could be an adverse legal outcome, Acts 5:29 makes it clear that in the event of a conflict between man’s law and God’s law, we should obey God rather than man. 

On 27 January 2023, the three families emailed GSBC members to expose the concealment of criminal and moral offences by Hernan and the deacons. Hernan emailed GSBC members later the same day, promising to convene a special church members business meeting so that “The Issues can be fully ventilated and the key participants all “have their say”…Those putting these matters to the congregation will have an opportunity to speak, as will the Deacons, and then any other member in good standing wishing to make any statement in relation to these matters.” 

Hernan did not keep his promise. He advised two of the families (the other family was not officially on the membership roll despite attending for approximately 14 years) on 07 February 2023 that “you will not be permitted to attend the meeting” and “you will not be provided an opportunity to respond.” 

On 01 February 2023, the three families were sent a letter from lawyers at the direction of GSBC stating “you are hereby directed not to attend the Property other than for the purpose of dropping off and collecting children attending the school or kindergarten. If you attempt to do so, the police will be called.” This was despite the three families making no physical threats to anyone.  

The three families were denied an opportunity to address GSBC members in public and to respond to the accusations made against themselves. 

On 08 February 2023, GSBC members voted:  

• • To not remove the deacons from office 
  • To terminate the membership of two of the families   
  • That the matters brought before the members be considered closed and the Church will not entertain them further. 

Proverbs 17:15 He that justifies the wicked, and he that condemns the just, even they both are an abomination to the LORD.  

According to the Bible, amongst other requirements, an elder must be: 

• • Blameless (Titus 1:6 & 7, 1 Timothy 3:2) 
  • Not self-willed (Titus 1:7) 
  • Just (Titus 1:8) 
  • Able to hold fast the faithful word and use sound doctrine (Titus 1:9) 
  • Not a lord over the flock (1 Peter 5:3)  

Amongst other requirements, a deacon must be blameless (1 Timothy 5:10). 

If even one of these requirements is not satisfied, a man is not fit to hold the office of elder or deacon.

Conclusion 

Nathan’s sin caused and continues to cause blasphemy in the name of God (see 2 Samuel 12:14 and Romans 2:24). If Nathan had confessed his sin then subsequent disastrous events would not have happened. 

The concealment of Nathan’s sin has exacerbated the shame in God’s name and significant hurt for many people. 

I believe that the long history of Nathan’s sin and the subsequent concealment, along with many other unfortunate events throughout the years, is evidence of spiritual delusion in GSBC. Many GSBC sermons have condemned various denominations, cults and people. Yet there is a failure to address critical moral and other issues within GSBC. Matthew 7:5 Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother’s eye.

Matthew 7:20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.

OBJECTIONS 

Who are you to judge?  

Matthew 7:1 – Judge not, that ye be not judged. If Christians were not supposed to judge anyone, then the verse would simply say – Judge not. This verse and following verses in Matthew 7 explain that we can judge, but we should also expect to be judged in the same manner we judge others, so it is wise to be very careful when judging others.

John 7:24 Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.

1 Corinthians 6:2-3 Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters? Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life?

1 Peter 4:17 For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God…

GSBC is doing great work for God – don’t criticise it.  

GSBC has accomplished many good things in its history. God uses imperfect Christians, including GSBC, to accomplish His work. That is no reason to turn a blind eye to sin and cover up the truth. 

Doing work does not always equal doing what God. Proverbs 21:3  – To do justice and judgment is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice. GSBC is full of activity, yet if love is absent then the activity is in vain.  

Corinthians 13:1-6  – Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal…And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profits me nothing. Charity suffers long and is kind; charity…Rejoices not in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth. 

The reality is that articles like this wouldn’t need to be written if people actually did what the Bible says. It takes significant time to write articles like this and I get no joy from the process. The response from people is often negative, ranging from criticism to hatred, as many people don’t like to be corrected or rebuked. There are many other things I would rather be doing. 

People like you are causing disunity in GSBC. 

The greatest example of unity the world has ever known was the tower of Babel. The whole world was unified in building this tower. God Himself caused disunity among these people, as the unity was not in accordance with God’s will. Unity should never be at the cost of truth. 

Why bring up the past sins of Nathan Lloyd? Have compassion and let him and his family heal and get on with their lives. 

This article does not focus on the sins of Nathan Lloyd. It mentions them so that others may fear (1 Timothy 5:20) and lessons are learnt. 

Why get angry at GSBC? 

God was angry many times with the Israelites. Jesus was angry at times. His anger was mostly directed at the religious leaders of his day, not towards unreligious people. Matthew 23 is full of condemnation towards hypocritical religious leaders. 

Matthew 15:7–9 Ye hypocrites, well did Isaiah prophesy of you, saying, This people draw nigh unto me with their mouth, and honour me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. 

Matthew 23:23-33 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone. 

To be angry at injustice and religious hypocrisy is not sinful by itself. In fact, there are times when one should be angry. Ephesians 4:26 Be ye angry and sin not… 

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