Why are people saying bad things about Magic Mike?

[Chuck Miller]

Dear Nancy,

Yes, it is a start and we are praying.  I hope that everything you say is true, since Mike and I were at one time as close as any father and son.

I would like to have that relationship restored.

Thank you for your prayers.

Chuck Miller

[BenJapheth]

Mike Zach's repentance sincere?

Chuck, I agree with Nancy...It is not the repentance I would have written for Mike Zach; nevertheless, it's an unprecedented start for this man.

Let's see what "deeds in keeping with his repentance" comes forth from Mike.  No one is giving him a free pass. He's still getting his "land-legs" in walking in the light.  

Let's show him grace, let's be patient, let's love him and believe all things...And, as Nancy says let's pray for him.  

I do know, from Wayne Mathews, that Mike has made a determination to get right with you.  When you speak with him, I'd encourage you to express your concerns.

From here on, his life will be under a microscope.  In the end, he will be judged by his actions of repentance and contrition rather than by mere words alone.

Chuck Vanasse
chuck@vanant.com

Dear (daughter) Pat,

Please read carefully, Mike's letter of repentance.  To me, there are two phrases that cast doubt upon his sincerity.  Let me know if you don't see them.

I would love to be reconciled with Mike and others in the Omaha Assembly, but am not going to accept qualifying statements that cast doubt upon the integrity of his letter.

Love, Dad

[BenJapheth]

Patty, Amen!

We need to show these men grace.  Give them time to start doing genuine deeds of righteousness.  Ask yourself how would you like to be treated if the tables were turned?

These men need to see that being honest about their sins meets with the love and consolation of the church.

Where we have particular reservations about these men and about what they are doing "to get right with God's people" we should go to them directly.

As time progresses, godly deeds and the bringing forth of "fruits of repentance" will far out-weigh any current concerns we have concerning Mike Zach's word choice.

"The Kingdom of God does not consist in words, but in power."

Chuck,
I agree with you and Nancy. "Coming out" of the assembly is a painful and arduous process. Those in "first class" (ie. elders, full-time workers) may have a more difficult time than those in "cargo" (the "less-committed" ones).

In speaking to many who have left there is a common phraseology: "it's like walking into the bright sunlight" or "it's as if the light went on in my soul" or even "I feel like I'm born again all over again".  Many of these people came out quickly - jumped out, so to speak, as opposed to people who have been cautiously tiptoeing back and forth. They do not seem to experience the light experience/phenomena. Indeed the "tiptoers" continue to insist that George and Betty taught them some "good things".  Of course, I am not qualified to say who was taught what, but in my own analysis I would say that whatever good I learned was mostly in spite of George and Betty not necessarily because of them. The evidence is in: they were not His faithful servants, but God IS faithful. I'm ashamed of my involvement with them and regret the many times when my soul was troubled by what they or others said or did and I kept silent.

Mike's letter isn't perfect, but it is a beginning. I hope he continues to make steps in God's direction. I do have compassion on Mike Zach and others who have perhaps only seen a dim sliver of light and still want desperately to hold on to the only Christian way of life they have ever known. I think it will take a good while before they will be  free to be what God intended them to be. Then God may use them.  

Finally, all of us that have left need prayer. As wonderful as it is to be "out" there is still much to wade through and repent of. May God have mercy on us.
Pat

[Chuck Miller]

Hi Pat,

In case you haven’t  found the phrases that concern me in Mike Zach’s letter of repentance, let me quote them to you:

1. “My intentions were good”

 I believe that a truly repentant man would have to say, “I admit that my intentions were not always good.”  In saying that “my intentions were good,”  it is tantamount to saying, “Yes, I did some wrong or evil things, but  not intentionally.”   I’m at a loss to understand how the two are compatible.  When (biblical) David’ s sin was exposed by Nathan, he didn’t waste any time making excuses, but immediately said, “I have sinned against the Lord.”

2. “I am not leaving, but am using this opportunity to “seek to clear myself”  in every way of all wrongdoing.”  

I believe that a truly repentant man would say, “I am going to use this opportunity to confess all of my wrongdoings, repent of them,  and make whatever restitution that I can to those whom I have sinned against. “   In saying,  I’m going to use this opportunity to “clear myself,”  it sounds as if Mike would like to justify some of the things he did.  Surely he should be given the opportunity to clear himself of any false charges, but the paramount issue in his mind at this time should be confession, repentance and restitution.  
This might have just been an unintentional slip on Mike’s part, but this is not the time for any more unintentional errors.  When God convicts the heart, he breaks a man of any false humility

3. ”I have not acted above reproach  as an elder and for this reason  I am stepping down as an elder and leading brother”

I believe that a truly repentant man would have said, “I have not BEEN above reproach, and am therefore UNQUALIFIED to be an elder”   It is not Mike’s choice whether or not to step down.  The word of God disqualifies him.  He was brought down, in God’s eyes, when he continuously violated those qualifications and refused to repent.    Oh, he may have retained the title and office in the Omaha Assembly, but  God set him down a long time ago.  Is that nit-picking?  Then charge me with nit-picking., but I believe that Paul would have picked a few nits in Mike’s repentance statement.  

Please, understand this.  Mike and I were once as close as two brothers could be and I cherish some of the fond memories and good fellowship we had together.  I jealously want that relationship fully restored for my sake, and FOR MIKE’S SAKE.  If we truly love Mike we want to see him fully restored to fellowship with God.  He doesn’t have to answer to me or anyone else, but we should expect to be seeing some fruit in keeping with repentance

Incidentally, I’ve heard all of the pleas for allowing more time to repent yet I haven’t heard anybody say, “Sure, George’s repentance doesn’t sound genuine, but it’s a start.  Let’s give him some time.”  Would not have Paul said, “Remove the wicked man from among yourselves.”  And didn’t  Paul’s exhortation eventually lead to the sinful man’s repentance?  It is restoration, not punishment that is the purpose of discipline.  With all my heart, I desire that for Mike.

But it seems like, in the eyes of some,  I’m becoming the bad guy for not just “forgiving and forgetting.”  But, I want my grandchildren to hear from those who slandered me to say, “Your grandfather is not a liar and a rebellious man.”    Sure, I know everything will be made right at the judgement seat of Christ, but is it entirely wrong for an old man to want to have his name cleared with his own children and grandchildren and those whom he loves.  I don’t want to settle for anything less.  And please don’t imagine that you know how I feel until you’ve walked in my shoes for 25 years.   Do you know what it’s like to sit down with your grandchildren and wonder what they truly think about you in their hearts.  Oh, I’m not on a pity party ---- or maybe I am.   Pity me for wanting my reputation restored.  Pity me for wanting a genuine reconciliation with Mike.  Pity me for wanting to spend my remaning time on this earth seeing my children’s relationships genuinely restored.   Pity me for having a concern for the next generation of Assembyites who wilI suffer if the crux of the problem isn’t dealt with by this one.  Pity me for wanting my kids to get down on their knees and beg their mother’s forgiveness for the 25 years of anguish and heartache they’ve caused.   And, most of all, pity me if, after 25 years of prayer for genuine reconciliation, I would settle for a cheap imitation.

 I thank God that the bitterness is gone, but I left the Assembly on principal 25 years ago.  Some would now have me compromise that principal  and just chalk it up to a bad experience.  These things might be painful for Mike to hear, but he must understand that I am more eager to forgive than he is to ask forgiveness.  We talk a lot about  showing “true” love.  Let’s  quit  talking and do it, God’s way.

My kids have written me many letters thanking me for my strictness in not allowing them to do things that their friends got to do when they were growing up.  They didn’t thank me at the time.  I want them to thank me some day (even if it’s in the kingdom) for not giving in to the pressure and  settling fort less than God’s best for all concerned.

I have heard from Mike and we will be talking this week.  Please pray for us.

In His love,

Dad

[4Him]

Hi Chuck,
You don't know me, I came into the Assembly (Springfield) in 1978. (I was at Wayne & Pat's wedding that year. I remember seeing you there and being aware of some hushed and troubled discussions going on that were my first hint of "trouble in Paradise".)  Further, I don't really feel  qualified to comment on the issue of Mike's relationship w/you.  But, here goes anyway...

I think you are entirely correct to expect a full, honest, repentance on Mike's part.  I too was somewhat disappointed because of the two statements in his letter (that you have also been troubled about).  However, I also think that your daughter Pat did an exceptional job of calling for patience in this matter.  In no way did I sense that she was suggesting that you compromise.  "Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD." Ps 27:14  It is God alone who will change Mike.  (Remember, many of us have been deeply involved in this oppressive system for many years.  You have been out for 25 years.)

I very much agree w/Pat's assessment of the varied responses of different individuals.  I am one who suddenly "saw the light", but most of the "leadership" I've been involved with took a considerably longer time and some are still not entirely in the clear.

I do believe that you and your wife will enjoy the full restoration of your family.  I believe the stage is now set.  For that I will earnestly pray!

Your brother in Christ...

[Chuck Miller]

Hi Tim,

I sent a copy of my post (below) to Mike and to Mark Sjogren.  Since then they have called me  (conference call) and wanted to know what I thought they should do to confirm the genuiness of their repentance.  I wrote a lengthy  account of how I have perceived the events of the past 25 years and what I thought had to happen now.  They answered and said they would call tonight to talk some more.  I'm encouraged.  Please pray for the time.

[Chuck Miller]

Hi Tim,

The conference call was not all that we would have hoped it would be, so we will reserve judgement until we receive a letter from them, giving their perspective on the events preceeding and following our departure from the Omaha Assembly.

Chuck

[Chuck Miller]

Hi Tim,

The conference call was not all that we would have hoped it would be, so we will reserve judgement as we  wait to receive a letter from them, giving their perspective on the events preceeding and following our departure from the Omaha Assembly.

Chuck

[BenJapheth]

Hello Everyone!

A little news...Wonderful stuff is happening in Omaha!

[/b]

Mark Sjogren and Mike Zach are pursuing reconciliation with everyone and anyone that they have sinned against, they are repenting, seeking forgiveness - and, that includes my wife Ann who is one of the nine Miller children (Pat Mathews, Nancy Lehmkuhl, Becky Cohen, Chris Sjogren, Mike Miller).  The Miller family was split up by the Assembly 25 years ago.  Ann received gracious letters from both Mark and Mike.  And, yes, she does forgive them!  

Reconciliation is happening with Jon Legran and his family and wonderful things are happening between my father-in-law Chuck Miller and Mike Zach as well as Mark Sjogren.

I have heard from a witness that Mike Zach asked John Malone to forgive him!  Face-to-face!  Praise God!  I do believe in miracles.  But more!  John Malone said that he forgives Mike Zach!  Miracles!

God Bless You Mike Zach!  Mark Sjogren I see the Lord alive and working in you!  A Tsumani of grace!

Our family is realizing a dream come true!  Tragedy has turned into rejoicing!

It's grace people - Amazing Grace! ...This is Christianity!  This is Jesus at work.

Chuck Vanasse
chuck@vanant.com