it's sad to know that there are these kind of sick, disgusting people not only in our community but also in our churches. The church "urged him to discontinue the texts" ? Are you kidding me ? Why didn't they notify the police? What happened to protecting our children ? How could FBC allow this pedophile back on a youth trip after fully knowing and even urging him to discontinue the texts that he had sent to young boys and also firing him ?? There is a special place for sick people like Sheffield. God bless and prayers to the young man and his family who are having to go through this.

Everyone concerned with this horrific act perpetrated upon this child should be sent to prison for the rest of their lives - just like Jerry Sandusky was. This is the same circumstance - an institution leveraging their "exposure" over the needs of children to be protected from predators.

Very sad for those children and their families. Our prayers are with you.

This is disgusting.. why are their so many "holy" individuals that molest little children? Great job GOD, I thought you were protecting those children? Oh, wait a sec..

My thoughts are with those families.. if those people did indeed molest those children and the others enabled it.. I hope they all receive a lengthy prison term and stuck in general population to get what they have coming. Sick freaks.

It just poor decisions on the part of the church. They will probably lose this case.....

As far as I know any church volunteer (at least at my church/kids school) has a background check and mandatory education on child abuse and other issues. I went through it last year. This education qualifies you as a mandatory first reporter just like a doctor or teacher. If anyone who worked/volunteered at the church heard about this alledged abuse they should have reported it to the police right away or they were breaking the law. This is very sad that this is still happenning right under our noses. Prayers go out to the families.

An all too familiar story of church officials protecting the child predator instead of protecting innocent kids.

Let's hope that every person who saw, suspected or may have suffered sex crimes by Matthew Brent Sheffield, will find the courage and strength to speak up, call police, protect others, and start to heal.

Judy Jones, SNAP Midwest Associate Director, USA, 636-433-2511. snapjudy@gmail.com,
(SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests,) is the worlds oldest and largest support group for clergy abuse victims.
SNAP was founded in 1988 and has more than 12,000 members. Despite the word priest in our title, we have members who were molested by religious figures of all denominations, including nuns, rabbis, bishops, and Protestant ministers and increasingly, victims who were assaulted in a wide range of institutional settings like summer camps, athletic programs, Boy Scouts, etc.

For all the parents out there, background checks will only turn up predators if they've been arrested and convicted. Unfortunately, there are probably 10 or a hundred predators for every one that has been convicted. As such, you have to remain vigilant, entrust your child to others with great skepticism, educate your children over and over about proper and improper conduct/contact/communications, and above all, keep an open line of communication with your child.

If the story is true, it's a shame that people in positions of power failed to take responsible actions.

In what has become a way to familiar system of sleazy journalism, it appears the defendants here have been convicted well before all of the facts have surfaced. But what else can you expect media run a muck, especially third class local internet media. What if the "victim" here made this story up because he was made to be on the trip by his over-bearing parents against his wishes to go? What if the "victim" made disparaging comments on his Facebook page against his parents, teachers and fellow classmates even calling one of his teachers a whore? What if the "victim" had been expelled from school forcing his parents to home school him even against their wishes to do so? What if it was well known among friends and family the "victim" had caused so much grief for his parents that hours and hours of mental counseling had to be conducted? What if the "victim" just made this story up knowing the trouble that would be caused and how it would be a good way to get his parents back for making him go on this trip that he in no way wanted to be on? Not making accusations here; just wanting to be sure sleazy journalism does not act as judge and jury.

I am a member of FBCC. I fully understand the circumstances & consider the parents my friends. Even so, I feel sorry for the folks who worship at FBCC who were not aware of and/or involved in any way. The only
resolution for the church is for the pastor to resign.

This pastor and especially youth pastor should be ashamed of themselves. go ahead and flag me. I don't care. You know it's true. Most of the church knows.

whats shameful is this is now being tried in the eyes of the media. Its amazing that this guy was fired, allowed to stay in the church after going through a restoration period as a member which will not be reported. Then whats truly amazing is that in this case the officer in Florida basically laughed at the allegations, everyone on the trip and around the 15 year old with a criminal past who was never left alone with the accused, said nothing happened, and then the DA after pressure from the kids dad came up with some charges that even they have not been able to move forward with because its all bogus. Pull up the kids criminal record... and look at the lawyer they got!

"Just wondering" you make a good point, however it was done so in an ignorant sense. Facts are facts, there is no beating around the bush. The church, along with those in charge, was presented with a serious matter that would have been dealt with equally by any other concerned parent of the church congregation. The church leaders should have properly dealt with the situation, instead of try to act as though nothing out the ordinary had happened but that they were simply dealing with an unruly child. I am sure that the pastor would have a different attitude towards the situation if one of his children were involved. Bottom line is this: The leaders of the church were given a situation and dealt with it in an irresponsile manor, now they are suffering the repercussions.

Issues with Sheffiled & concerns about his inappropriate conduct were raised & discussed repeatedly with senior church leadership as far back as early 2007. Pastor Anderson was not the least bit interested in any course of action other than 'protecting' Sheffiled, a close family friend.. In fact, Anderson only very reluctantly finally decided to terminate Sheffiled's job after repeated inappropriate incidents over a period of almost a year..

God still sits on His throne. He is the last and final judge. Our sin and Satan allow these things to happen. Whatever is true and right will come out on the end. Don't judge others just because they sin different than you. Pray.

"Just Wondering" makes excellent points. The article definitely conveys a "guilty" charge before he has even been tried. My children grew up at FBC and were very involved the entire time that Brent was associated with the youth program. He is a fine man who has been wrongly accused by an extremely troubled teen who was apparently desperately seeking attention.

Just wondering, what if Brent knew all about the family and the child's issues.  Then began to harass the child because sexual perverts like children who do have issues.  They try to befriend them and then molest them and cause them great guilt and shame.  Are you part of the cover up?  Are you a pervert, too?  How many perverts are active members of FBCC?  Where there's a few there might be many.  Just saying.  Can you say, without a doubt in your mind, that  Brent isn't a sexual pervert and has not molested this child or other children?  It is appalling that people can be so narrow minded to say that since a child has a disability such as: ADD/ADHD/Bi-polar, and if they are the victims of sexual battery, then people immediately try and defend the accused by saying the child victim is unruly and just making it up. Heaven forbid the "perfect" child say something happened to them, then what problems will you find is wrong with them? What 14 year old boy wants to start a rumor that he got fondled by a perverted older guy? I don't know of any, but you might. So by all means, feel free to express your opinion if you know of teenagers that want to deal with that for the rest of their lives. 

Member FBC it seems as though the church body has been wrongly informed about the situation yet again. When will you guys quit trying to hide from the facts and accept the responsibility that comes with avoiding a situation such as this one?

concerned1, how do I "look at the child's criminal history?"

Another fine example of failed leadership and bad decision making by George Anderson. He is very accountable for all these allegations this seeing how this is not a Deacon lead church.

TO-- ALL YALL STONE THROWERS OUT THERE - LISTEN UP
WHO DO YOU THINK THE DEVIL IS GOING TO ATTACK ?
THE ONE DOING GODS WILL OR THE ONE WHO IS THE BIGGEST THREAT ?
ME I AM A PARENT , BUISNESS OWNER & IM A SOLDIER FOR GOD .
IT SOUNDS TO ME LIKE THE DEVIL HAS THIS CHURCH UNDER ATTACK --
A WOLF IN SHEEPS CLOTHING --SO TO SPEAK .
MY PRAYERS GO UP TO ALL INVOLVED .
I PRAY FOR THE REAL VICTOMS IN THIS CASE .
JUST REMEMBER JOB LOST IT ALL , BECAUSE GOD HAD FAITH IN HIM , HE GAINED IT ALL BACK 7 FOL --JUDGE NOT LEAST -YOU BE JUDGED

Member FBC, you fail to acknowledge the facts that surround this case. Numerous complaints were made by numerous children over a period of several years.....do you understand that FACT!? The FACT is that even after the pastor acknowledged Mr. Sheffield issues the pastor chose to disregard those complaints; instead he attempted to discredit the children involved. One other FACT, you and other church members blind loyalty helped contribute to this disgraceful disaster. Just as your pastor has done numerous times, you have chosen to demonize the victims rather than acknowledge and accept the FACT that you, your pastor and the churches leader completely failed to protect the children of the church. And by the way, your comments prove the FACT that you and your churches leaders are and will continue to be a large part of the problem at FBC.

There are those who know the accused and victim and those who don't. There are those who are judging and those who are defending. There are some things that are known and some things that are not. There are facts concerning this case and there are rumors, hearsay and much gossip.

Maybe it is wise that we all step back, take a breath, let the investigation go forth and wait for the results of the trial.

The bottom line is regardless if a child is troubled or not, if sexual misconduct is in question, there has to be an investigation. To say that you can't believe a kid because he has been in trouble or he was just trying to get back at his parents, is not the proper response to the matter at hand. There were allagations against this man before the said victim was involved and he was still brought back into the church. It is our duty to protect all children, no matter their background. If the church investigated and felt it was a non issue, then they did the right thing, if they based it soley on their personal feelings about the people involved, then they did not do the right thing. Let the courts decide, right from wrong.

Am curious, was this a matter that the media picked up back in 2010 when Mr. Sheffield was arrested? I just do not recall having heard anything about it. Would concern me if he was arrested and the public at large did not have awareness and unknowingly exposed their children to a known risk...at least known by some.

concerned1 - Are you saying Sheffield didn't send the text messages he was REPEATEDLY counseled about, but these were texts forwared by "90% of the youth"?? That makes no sense. Why discipline & counsel a staff member for texts he did not send?
Cherokee Schools doesn't ban someone for life from their campuses merely because of an accusation, especially one so easily proven false.
FBC knew about Sheffield's issues & had counseled him about it repeatedly. He was even undergoing counseling for said issues. That's why FBC sent him home. It was FBC looking out for FBC. The decision to send Sheffield home early from camp was made by Anderson, just as far too many poor decisions were made by him the last 15 years.

"..if this is true , & you were aware something was going on , why did you not report it your self , that makes you just as responsible now that something was happening to children ---what people can come up with ?"

d. Lynn - What was I to report, that Sheffield sent nasty, sexually explicit texts to young boys? That was already well known by the church leadership.. You & the other kool-aid drinkers shouted down the few of us who stood up & spoke up. All you could say then was that Sheffield was getting counseling & that Anderson - as God's 'annointed' - was beyond reproach. You were wrong then & you are still wrong. The boy's Daddy ought to have the chance to punch you in the nose. Be glad for you it wasn't my son involved in this mess..

They might need check a little closer and see why the pastor trying cover for him.

I'm praying for clarity on this matter.That believers and non-believers should not use this as an excuse to not attend church.

canton is in the news in unflattering ways non stop these days. there was almost no news about trouble of any kind here until the 80s when the population started exploding. ive been here for 52 years so that is a FACT that i know without doubt. look at the mugshots,95% are people NOT from here.

not from here as in not cherokee co natives even if they live here now.

concerned1 - "prove it"?? Ask Shawn Finch how many times he officially counseled Sheffield about sending the texts. It's at least twice. Ask the deacons present at the meeting where the texts were read. Ask the school system that baned Sheffiled from their campuses over the texts. Ask the parents who met with the church over the texts.
So you can't wait for the boy to be 18 so you can attempt to share his every run-in with the law, none of them related to this case, yet you blindly defend Sheffield? Why? You obviously haven't even looked into the facts here or you wouldn't ask the questions you're asking. Why not take a deep breath & honestly consider what we know for sure Sheffield has done, which at this point amounts to sending a lot of sexually explicit texts to young boys? Why your anger toward a 17 yr old kid? You say I have no evidence damning Sheffield - all texts aside - but you have no problem coming after the boy, simply because he may have had run-ins with the law as a juvenile?
You're the prototype FBC kool-aid drinker yes-man.. Are you in a leadership position at the church? Elder? Committee member? Not exactly unbiased, huh?

lifelong resident, if you're implying that is only the "newcomers" that are casting an unfavorable light on Canton, I beg to differ and take offense. MUCH of our recent negative publicity has originated in City Hall and by our City Council which includes several other lifelong residents. Of course, any city that experiences large growth is going to have an equally proportionate increase in the negative. It's math. Perhaps Canton, and our city leaders, should focus on being the best city it can be for ALL residents. Canton will never return to the small town that it was in the 80s. I loved my parachute pants in the 80s, but I would not wear them today. Much of the negative publicity is due to mismanagement, and I believe one common denominator is our notorious City Manager that asks for, and expects, special treatment. Now there's one "newcomer" that we could do without! Please keep in mind that many of the citizens that have relocated to Canton did so because they were attracted to our small town charm and potential, and they want to contribute in a very positive way. Please do not generalize all of our negative publicity as entirely generated by non-Cherokee natives. Just look to our city leaders and other natives that rank high on the scale of bad image makers!

I don't what you mean by 'tripling the membership' unless it's the old Baptist trick of never removing anyone from the rolls.. The Church is no more full now than it was 10 years ago & there have been enough folks who've left to fill the church a couple times over..

I have no idea what Sheffield has been undergoing counseling for, but I certainly hope it was for his lack of self control, exhibited by his repeated inability to stop texting sexually inappropriate content to minor boys, even after being warned & counseled multiple times. You brought up the 'P' word, not me..

How much money someone has or whether or not a victim is or isn't troubled should have no bearing on the facts once it goes to court. With that said, sadly, I would imagine a troubled teen would be the perfect victim for a pedophile. That way people wouldn't believe the "victim" no matter what the facts are, as proven on this site alone by people who do and do not know this young man. That's one good reason for our judicial system.

"...you know you should read the Bible about disrespecting a man of God called by God"
I'm no bible scholar, but am unfamiliar with this scripture. Feel free to share though.

Here's one for you: Luke 17:1-2

Just Wondering, you have made the most disturbing remarks on here. Your comment that if we just took the word of the alleged victim, that you would just take your teenager to their place of business and have your teenager accuse one of their employees of molesting them. This is very very disturbing. You obviously aren't just wondering, you have taken this personally. This is not an attack against you at all. This is a very serious matter that sounds like it could have been mishandled, the courts will make that decision. I will be praying for you and that you never have to be on either side of this situation.

All of the comments made by Rodney Thrash are factual. However, if you are a member of FBCC then I understand your misconception of the situation 100% because the church body has been deceived by the leaders yet again. If Pastor Anderson and every other leader of the church had any backbone they would meet with the church body and tell them the true facts of the situation so the misinformed members can stop looking like blatant fools to the public. But hey, they've covered it up this long, excuse after excuse, having their members believe they took care of the situation, so why not keep it going until they are proven wrong in court. As I said before time will tell, and when the time comes God Bless every member of that church congregation, they will need it!

Just Wondering...... well said! It seems that many people are too quick to make a judgment. We all love the TV crime dramas and reality shows where we get to be judge, jury and executioner and all within an hour or two. In real life, sometimes the guilty go free and the innocent are convicted and that's AFTER innumerable hours have been spent gathering evidence, hearing testimonies and deliberating in a jury room. How can anyone, except the parties directly involved, possibly know the truth about what really happened? I have personal opinions about George Anderson, Brent Sheffield and FBC, but that has nothing to do with the allegations that are yet to be put before a judge/jury. I am so sorry for all the victims and their families, whoever they may be.

These are the alleged text messages sent to a teenage boy from the defendant in 2006. The defendant was at KSU studying to be a schoolteacher and was a substitute teacher for Cherokee County School System on Fridays.

The mother reported these text messages to the church and the school system. The school board immediately fired the defendant and he was released from FBC Canton. Then the Pastor in 2009-2010 allowed him to teach an all male bible study at is apartment, volunteer operating sound, attend choir, drama, and the cook for a youth only event. He was very active with the church and the youth programs.

Dr. Anderson provided these copies after defandant was charged in the recent case. This was also disclosed in a church meeting with the members.

December 4, 2006

Just saw a guy in the bathroom at KSU
at the urinal with his pants around his ankles
frigging hilarious

August 31, 2006
Okay there was this major flaming gay guy in one of my classes he was telling a straight guy about his modeling nude and the straight guy was so turned on,
he was all into it, asking him if he had done like real porn and asking for pixs
how funny

October 6, 2006

Hey sexy, how are you?

October 10, 2006

So what is it hoe?

November 10, 2006

I’m in 416 and have 1st, 3rd, 4th off
When are you going visit me?

December 1, 2006

I saw you today
hee hee

It is alleged that defendant sent text messages to other teens during this time period.

"The parents ... are seeking damages and *** attorney's fees ***."
--- Channing Ruskell ---

Always follow the $$$

On A Journey--How else are the idiots going to learn a lesson? Obviously, going with the normal approach: informing the church leaders, them announcing the true facts of the situation to the congregation and dealing with it properly, was too good for the leaders of FBCC. Bet my life, if my child was involved, a lawsuit would have been the first thing that was done instead of patiently waiting for Sheffield, and the rest of the people involved to build up more of a lie than they already have. Also, If the so- called plaintiff's father is "wealthy" then why in the world would getting money be a motive for them to rightfully file a lawsuit against everyone who was involved in the situation. I guarantee if your child was the victim of this situation in particular or any situation of the sort, you would not have commented, "always follow the $$$" or you are in desperate need of reevaluating your desire to be a parent.

Hard to believe you
would put your child through all of this for these text messages. Sexually explicit? I am not even sure DFCF would have taken this seriously. Looks like counseling would have been the solution. Oh wait that is what they did. Looks like a money grab to me

Mabel Bell-- once the trial is done and over with I hope people of this town look at you and laugh in your face along with every other person who is trying to act like a 14 year old boy conspired a story that a known, scolded, perverted man with a past of similar accusations touched and made inappropriate comments to him. Again, think before you comment on this for everyone to see, especially if you are using your real name. Oh what closed minded residents we have calling Cherokee county their home.

These are the text messages of the first boy to come forward in 2006. The lawsuit envolves allegations to another boy in 2010 that claims text messages and inappropriate contact. There are allegations of another teen disclosed in the lawsuit who received a proposition to commit a sexual act for money.

ok im sick and tierd of people who dont know this boy hes a good kid. concerned1 im sure you have done you share of basd in this world this is one thing that i know with all my heart that he would not lie about. george calls us un-belive able take your self back to when u were a teenager if someone called you a liar it made you feel like absolute crap so back off its not about money its about the fact that people like brent exist in this world weather you want to belive it or not brent sexualy abused a boy and george allowed it. if you dont know this boy you have no room to speak and have no room to tell us this boy our friend wants attion no one will leave this poor kid alone because you have nothing better to do then pick on him like a bunch of bullies this boy will be scared by hateful people like you for the rest of his like hes a kid no an adult like you so please on behalf of all of us teenager grow up now and stop causing pain. you dont know him and never will im 16 and half to stand up against people like you who cant help but pick on the weak stop im telling you its not your judgement call to judge a poor kid

None of y'all know anything about this whole situation. Get your facts straight before defending Brent Sheffield. This boy is actually a good friend of mine and I will have his back until and after all of this is over. So before you go again and defend Mr. Sheffield get everything in line before you post another comment

Ex-member & previous member, no matter what the circumstances, it sounds like both of you have found a new forum to use to condemn FBCC. Both of you need to move on & focus on Christ & getting involved in your NEW church.

So now slapping kids on the rear is criminal? Another clear case of guilty before convicted.Let the evidence convict,oh yeah all the electronics conviscated and no evidence. By the way when all this happened they the parents left daughter at the beach.

I didn't even mention the pastor or the lawsuit. I just mentioned you. I do not attend FBCC. Haven't been there for quite a while.

Ex-Member, you are so angry at George Anderson....Are you sure your hatred for him hasnt spilled over to this case? I do even feel like you can't give an opinion without your anger showing through. Yes.i know it is hard to believe sheffield was arrested for a slap on the rear.....if you arrest every coach that "slapsa kid on the rear and says good game" there would never be another coach....and by the way I do not go to FBCC anymore either, but I live in the county. daughters whereabouts? because if I went to get my son because he was in danger wouldn't you get ALL your children?

EX-MEMBER = The Infamous Blogger. Same old rant, using the same old phrases. We understand you are bitter at Bro. George and you bitterness over no one paying attention to your latest rants has driven you here. It is sad to see you haven't been able to get help with your anger and bitterness. I pray that you can work through it and move on with your life, the bitterness you have will drag you down.
For the record, I can't comment on this issue, because I would rather it be judged in the courts. I can say that the Canton Sixes Patch has a strange definition of civility, but this kind of train wreck anger is great for his business and you are all feeding into it while he is loving it.

EX-MEMBER = The Infamous blogger..same old rant, same old phrases. That bitterness you have towards Bro. George is going to tear your soul apart. Sad to see you still haven't gotten help for your obsessive anger.

Mabel Bell--I'm not sure if I missed a decade or two, but when did going up a 14 year old boys pants as a 27 year old male church volunteer fall under the same category as giving a slap on the butt for a good game? You are obviously misinformed about this case or you would not continue to make the pin headed comments you continue to make. Soon enough the truth will be revealed on the church's cover up and Sheffield's wrongdoings. Until then, try to keep your idiotic comments at a minimum instead of stooping as low as you are in defending the pervert with a twisted past.

My thoughts are this:

The defendant was fired by school system for texting that is not appropriate. I could never imagine a substitute teacher texting me. Not normal and especially the ones he sent.

He was finally released from FBC for continuing to text teanage boys.

At that point, he should never be put in any role that gives him acress to young men.

Even if nothing happened during the youth event in FL and no charges filled, it was a serious lapse of judgement by Pastor George to allow him to go.

It is that simple.........

You don't get a second chance when it comes to the safety of children. I was molested as a child and it continues to haunt me to this day. And people loved the man that destroyed my life. Predators are not monsters on the outside. They work very hard to fit in and go under the radar. They look like your best friend, coach, teacher, pastor, and even you.

Dear God. Please forgive Mabel Bell because she is obviously a nieve individuab who doesn't understand how fragile young minds, hearts and souls can be when attacked and abused by people older than them in positions of authority. Especially when the child does everything that they are taught to do and are still put in danger of more verbal, emotional or sexual abuse. I pray that she can live the remainder of her life without knowing the horrors of what these type actions can do to young men and women. May your will be done in this situation on Earth and in afterlife. Amen.

I am amazed at the responses and blatant disregard for the facts surrounding this mess, those that defend the actions of the leaders of the church are even more astounding. Excuse... point the blame elsewhere... another excuse then accuse anyone with an opposing viewpoint of trying top destroy the church... excuse... demonize the victim.....excuse....you obviously have a personal dislike for the pastor and that is why you are upset...excuse.... politely direct those in disagreement to their own church because obviously they don’t do as much for their church as I do for mine, you know we don’t like troublemakers here.
So asking the pastor to act as the clear thinking leader of the congregation is an attack on the church? Asking my former church to take every precaution in protecting my child while on the churches grounds is an attack on the church? Asking the church and its leaders to not allow known predators around my child is an attack on the church? Obviously there are many in that church that have willfully chosen to ignore what is behind the "curtain". Ignorance is acceptable, willful ignorance and the failure to acknowledge the truth is not.
This is not an attack on the church; it is a defense of the church.

A grand jury of 21 members found enough evidence to charge Brent with 2 counts of child molestation. Not a slap on the rear that the church has been feeding us for the last two years. Brent is going to a criminal trial. That doesn't happen without strong evidence.

Past member as of today- has the church made a formal announcement to the congregation stating the true facts or are they still trying to cover all of this up? It doesn't seem like they have yet, there are still foolish, misinformed members posting on this blog. How dumb do you think they are going to feel when they are proven wrong?

Observer- why does there have to be a motive? It's quite simple...the man over stepped his boundaries numerous times by texting male students, touching males students, and god knows what else he has done. That is the problem at hand, an adult touching a child in a sexual manner is not acceptable especially when he is working at a church. The church should have properly dealt with the situation instead of trying to cover it up saying that the victim was unruly. I bet George and Shawn would not have acted like that if Brent had done that to one of their sons but you never know, they might not care about that stuff it may be normal for them but it is not normal for any parent to do nothing when their child is sexually assaulted.

So you bringing up his family affairs and money shows that you have nothing to back up what you are trying to say, but instead bashing the child, how pathetic. Brent is the one that has a bad track record of SEXUALLY HARASSING numerous young males and people know that so you saying what you say just makes you look like another one of the spineless idiots who is trying to defend the church and their ignorant approach to the situation. If the child was the only victim and Brent had never had complaints made about him harassing other young males then by all means think what you would like and say the child made up this entire story. However, that is not the case here. Brent was indicted by a grand jury on 2 felonies of child molestation, in order for that to happen they have to have proof, so I am trying to figure out how anything you have said in your comments is even remotely logical given the evidence. I pray you are not a parent because that would be a poor excuse of a role model for those children, I'm not one to judge but with your comments it is an appropriate judgement to pass. 

I'm so thankful I am a member of a church that has precautions against such nonsense. I'm thankful for church leaders that are not lacking in integrity. Obviously, I'm not a member of FBC.

Church members who are there to worship Christ should stay & have the pastor resign. There are lot of precious folks at FBCC. Don't let this rip your church apart. Have Pastor George leave the church.

There was a formal announcement made last Sun. and today. There also was a meeting that was open to all parents immediately as the kids returned from the summer camp trip 2 years ago, along with another LENGTHY meeting that was open to anyone who had questions, concerns, etc. There were also numerous Deacon meetings that discussed the issue in details. There are so many incorrect assumptions and hateful allegations in some of the above posts and it is clear that those posts have originated from extremely bitter and angry people. And yes... some of us do know all of the details. Some of us were also on that same trip as a chaperone, some of us had our teens on that same trip - we are not ignorant nor are we blind followers of the leadership. This is a case that needs to be tried in court, not by bitter ex-members who spout out one-sided opinions in a fit of anger. My prayer, along with many others, is that the truth will come out during the trial. And yes "Ex-member", FBCC has had an incredible impact on our community for over 140 years...included here are just a sample of outreach over the past few months: Hundreds of filled backpacks given out to under privileged children, VBS that included over 350 kids from our local Boys and Girls club, sack lunches delivered to Must Ministries for distribution, and continuous support of our orphanage in Cachura, Peru.
I will continue to pray for ALL who are involved in this situation and for the truth to be revealed.

There was a formal announcement made last week and today. There also was a meeting that was open to all parents immediately as the kids returned from the summer camp trip 2 years ago, along with another LENGTHY meeting that was open to anyone who had questions, concerns, etc. There were also numerous Deacon meetings that discussed the allegations in details. There are so many incorrect assumptions and hateful allegations in some of the above posts and it is clear that those posts have originated from extremely bitter and angry people. And yes... some of us do know all of the details. Some of us were also on that same trip as a chaperone, some of us had our teens on that same trip - we are not ignorant nor are we blind followers of the leadership. This is a case that needs to be tried in court, not by bitter ex-members who spout out one-sided opinions in a fit of anger. My prayer, along with many others, is that the truth will come out during the trial. And yes "Ex-member", FBCC has had an incredible impact on our community for over 140 years...included here are just a sample of outreach over the past few months: Hundreds of filled backpacks given out to under privileged children, VBS that included over 350 kids from our local Boys and Girls club, sack lunches delivered to Must Ministries for distribution, and continuous support of our orphanage in Cachura, Peru.
I will continue to pray for ALL who are involved in this situation and for the truth to be revealed.

Searching for the truth - Well let's hear the 'contradictory information' then! So far all we've heard here is the boy's daddy is on a 'cash grab' (sure, that makes sene..) & the boy is 'troubled' and has issues. On the flip side, why would the DA embarass themselves by wasting the court's time without enough evidence to present? It's like you're saying the indictment isn't a big deal because it's not a trial. This is the way our system works. The grand jury is there to halt weak cases before they get to trial. Apparently this case isn't so weak, although I imagine it's extremely difficult to prove allegations like this unless there were witnesses..

Unfortunate comparison to PSU in the legal press...http://www.atlawblog.com/category/cherokee-county-courts/

Whose job is it to hire staff at FBC? Sigh! Based on what education, experience, or other qualifications was Sheffield hired to minister to young boys at a critical time in their lives when they're sorting out a lot of issues & are easily influenced by peers? Sigh! Please someone name one personality characteristic, quality or Godly virtue that Sheffield was known for & that you'd want your son to emulate? Sigh! Once it became apparent that Sheffield had a sexting problem, why was he not immediately terminated & why was the church kept in the dark about his issues? Sigh! Why was he continued to be allowed to teach young boys in a room with no other adult supervision? Sigh! What standard of behavior does a youth pastor at FBC have to stoop to in order to lose his job? Sigh! Does he have to actually be convicted of child molestation for Andersonites to concede the horribly bad judgement exercised by GA & co? Sigh! How is insisting a young man with no seminary degree, no experience, & a history of inappropriate sexual comm. with minors be retained as a youth pastor & then later as a 'volunteer' jive with a nurturing environment to mentor godly young men? Sigh! Sheffield is lucky his victims haven't been sons of fathers who frown on this type of thing a little too much to let him off with just a criminal trial & not string him up! Sigh! You who defend GA/Sheffield at all costs are the real enablers here & you are just as guilty, regardless of the trial's outcome! Sigh

Hey Ex-member, (Sigh!) you ever get the feeling (sigh!) you are just talking to yourself (sigh!) with all your repeated and baseless ramblings? Sigh! Maybe Candie will pray for you too. Sigh!

Well, not so much, Just Wondering. Something about knowing there are thousands of EX-MEMBERS in the area who left FBC for 1 reason (GA) & the district attorney's office & 21 grand jury members & the Cherokee County School System & a number of Cherokee HS parents who all have pretty strong feelings about the sheer stupidity and monumental judgement lapses GA, in his narcissistic arrogance, displayed in the Sheffield case make me not feel too lonely..
Are you related to the wackos in Happy Valley who are still defending Paterno & saying Sandusky was just playing around with those kids in the showers & that it's all a 'money grab'? 'Cause you seem to have a similar degree of retardation in your reasoning.. You folks are creepy in your complete willingness to turn a blind eye to predator pervs, while you allow pied pipers like GA to manipulate your ignorance..

"Bitter ex-mamber" Your estimate of "thousands" that are also ex-members is grossly exaggerated. There are several hundred who have left the church due to their disagreements with the leadership and I pray that they have plugged in to another local church and are spending their energies helping that church grow for Christ rather than continuing to hold on to their anger and bitterness. Over 900 were in attendance at FBCC Worship this past Sunday and before you attack me - No - these numbers aren't exaggerated. I also will add that Brent Sheffield worked with my teens for over 4 years and still remains a good friend of theirs. He never, AT ANY TIME, was inappropriate with them or any of their friends. He did, however, teach them how to grow in their relationship with Christ. I don't say this to continue an argument with you - you clearly have your opinion and that's okay - I say this to let others know that not everyone agrees with your hateful rants and attacks on Mr. Sheffield. Your rage and bitterness is evident in every post and I hope that you will be able to turn this into positive energy for your new church.

I repeat what I said above: Maybe it is wise that we all step back, take a breath, let the investigation go forth and wait for the results of the trial.