In his resignation letter, which appears to have been sent the week that “Beautiful Union” was released, Joshua Ryan Butler said, “We have found ourselves in an impossible situation…On the one hand, I feel called to step more into these public conversations.” The author said that the Redemption elders and other trusted friends and mentors support him in this priority.
“On the other hand, I don’t want to drag Redemption into that public conversation with me,” Butler continued. “The toll of this controversy on many of our staff and leaders this month has been intense, at both at Redemption Tempe and other Redemption Arizona congregations.” Butler said that both he and the elders have agreed that for him to continue to speak out publicly about the controversy around his book would distract from the church’s ministry.
“I am committed to a process of repair with any members of Redemption who desire it,” said Butler, who apologized to women in the congregation who have experienced sexual abuse whom he had hurt with his words. The next printing of “Beautiful Union” will contain revisions based upon a dozen additional sensitivity reviews Butler has commissioned. (Butler shared on Sprinkle’s podcast that his book had already been vetted by people with diverse perspectives, as well as a “female editor who specialized in sensitivity reviews.”)
“I’ve loved leading at Redemption Tempe,” Butler concluded, “love you all as my church family, and am looking forward to what God has in store for the season ahead. I look forward to worshiping together with you next Sunday.”
ChurchLeaders has reached out to Joshua Ryan Butler for comment and will update this article in the event of a reply.
