A PCA ruling elder has been charged with 18 felony counts of sexual assault involving a minor, according to reporting by the Los Angeles Times. Michael Robert Maxwell, 42, was a ruling elder at Redeemer Presbyterian Church in Newport Beach, California, until the time of his arrest. He has since been removed from his position as an elder, suspended from the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper, and will not attend Redeemer unless the congregation is first notified by Senior Pastor Josh Hahne.
The alleged activity did not take place at Redeemer Presbyterian Church or any activity associated with the church, Hahne said in a letter to the congregation. Still, the session understands the possibility that there might be other victims.
“As is always the case, if any person has information related to the potential abuse of a child, please reach out to law enforcement. As a church, we are committed to supporting victims of abuse and to holding anyone who abuses a child accountable,” Hahne wrote.
Hahne told the congregation that he met with Michael and confronted him about the allegations “of serious and longstanding sexual abuse of a minor. Michael did not admit guilt in a legal sense. With that said, he did not deny the veracity of these reports and said enough to make clear that the allegations against him are credible. Further, I and other credible people have received information that makes me and the session believe the actions taken by the police are justified.”
The church has contracted with GRACE (Godly Response to Abuse in a Christian Environment) to audit the church’s policies, processes, and leadership.
Hahne urged the congregation to pray for the Maxwell family, including Maxwell’s wife and children. “Together, let’s extend the comfort and consolation of our gracious Savior to this family,” he said.
On Sunday, August 24, Redeemer held a townhall after its worship service to discuss the matter as a congregation.
*Correction: Our initial report incorrectly identified the pastor of Redeemer Presbyterian Church as Jason Hahne. We have corrected it to show his name is Josh Hahne.