Still, Frey and Hendrickson feel their warnings to FBC are falling on ears that would rather not hear the truth.
In a statement released by the Elders of Berean Baptist (the church Feltner currently leads), the leaders of that church indicate they are taking the claims a little more seriously. The statement says the church has “engaged outside, neutral and experienced professionals” to perform “due diligence” concerning the claims. They did not give any further detail about the outside, neutral professionals or their process of fact finding. The statement emphasizes their process will be “complete and prompt,” but not hasty. The church’s statement garnered a lot of criticism for its lack of details. Some are interpreting the phrase “outside professionals” as the church simply “lawyering up” and protecting itself.
As far as Feltner is concerned, he doesn’t believe Frey and Hendrickson have taken a biblical approach. He told the Leaf-Chronicle:
The Bible directs God’s people to take their grievances first to the person accused and, if that person won’t listen, to try again and bring a witness; and if the person still won’t listen, then to take it to the church (Matthew 18:15-17). The group circulating these allegations did not bring them to me, rather, they took them directly to the church and, not being satisfied with the church’s response, they have taken them to the general public.
Feltner also says he reached out to both women and offered to meet with them, including with a mediator present. Frey and Hendrickson have declined. Feltner says the women are conspiring to “destroy my reputation and my career.”
