Matthew Queen’s Return to Ministry
When ChurchLeaders contacted Plymouth Park Baptist Church for comment, Pastor Matt Henslee explained that Matthew Queen is “essentially an extension of me,” assisting with hospital visitations, homebound member visits, and new visitor follow-up.
Queen is helping to ensure that members and guests don’t “fall through the cracks” or feel disconnected at the growing church, Henslee said. He added:
I regularly preach a message of restoration, of reconciliation, of the God not over second chances but of another chance, and we believe [Queen] has repented, shown remorse, and is in the process of healing, growing, and participating in accountability steps as we continue this journey with him and his incredible family.
The pastor shared with ChurchLeaders an FAQ sheet regarding Queen’s legal situation. It noted that Queen provided “a false date under pressure but also voluntarily corrected it quickly” (emphasis in the original). The document noted that Queen was not charged with covering up abuse. It added:
Dr. Queen has compared his experience to the biblical story of Joseph—misunderstood, falsely accused, and placed in difficult circumstances. He has expressed trust in God’s sovereignty (emphasis in the original), regret for the one false statement he made, and a desire to remain faithful in ministry, despite the hardship.
In a press release about Queen’s hiring, Plymouth Park said it conducted a “comprehensive and transparent evaluation process.” That involved “consultation with numerous respected pastors and theologians within the Southern Baptist Convention, as well as examination by the church’s trustees, pastoral staff, personnel committee, and legal counsel.”
The congregational vote to call Queen was unanimous, according to the church’s statement. Since joining the ministry staff, Queen “has served with humility, joy, and steadfast commitment to the gospel” and to the church’s mission.
This article has been edited for clarity.
