Responding to Religion News Service, an Echo Church spokesperson says a confidentiality policy helps the organization “guard against gossip, sharing passwords publicly, sharing sensitive data, etc. and cultivate a healthy culture.”
Saddleback’s Focus Now Moves to the Pastoral Transition
With the investigations behind them, Saddleback elders say they’ll turn their attention “to planning a celebration of Pastor Rick and Kay’s unprecedented 43-year ministry, and then welcoming Pastor Andy” and his wife and children to the church family. Andy Wood’s wife, Stacie, has indicated she will serve alongside her husband as a “teaching pastor” at Saddleback.
Saddleback belongs to the Southern Baptist Convention, which doesn’t allow female pastors. But last year the megachurch ordained three women and gave them the title of pastor. So it has been at the center of denominational debate about whether it should be disfellowshipped.
Last month, at the SBC’s annual meeting, Rick Warren unexpectedly spoke, reading what he called a “love letter” to the SBC. “I could have not built Saddleback Church to its size and influence in any other denomination,” said the pastor and bestselling author. “I love Southern Baptists.”
