Trudy Metzger/Steve Stutzman

[JohnH]

I don't understand.
Trudy now says that GE delt with LM, including disbanding his team.
He was arrested. The law had their say.
20 years ago.
Buf that still isn't good enough. She is still on his tail.

Should someone who gets caught with his pants down (so to speak), trying to lure children off the side of the road into his car so that he can perform indecent acts in front of them, ever be installed to being a senior pastor, including ending up in a position of counselling teenage girls using unusual techniques that involve the girl being counselled sitting in the counsellor's lap?

Whilst what I described is not illegal, it is very questionable. I think it's good to question such things.

[Neto]

It kinda feels like anything Trudy posts is “hate” to you. I’m trying to understand why you feel that way.

Don't speak for me or put words in my mouth. I don't think anything Trudy posts is "hate". I have said many times that I can agree with her work, but not with some of her tactics. However, some of the comments she allows on her Facebook at times, do sound hateful. And she does have control over that, as she can delete any comments that cross the line.

I find the expectation for Trudy to police / censor people who comment on her posts a bit excessive. Shouldn't those people's words just stand on their own? Why is it her responsibility to do this?

It would very likely be an almost 'full-time job', but is perhaps one of the responsibilities that result from "hosting" the 'venue'. I am a member of a number of discussion forums where no one is allowed to post anything that has to do with faith/religion or politics. The Admins find these things to be 'corrosive' to the type of environment they want to host. I once asked a question that was mildly 'religious', and it was not only taken down, but I also received a warning of 'impending doom' if I persisted in this. (I would be banned, either permanently, or for a period of time to 'reflect in the corner' - a 'time out' so to speak.) I was fully aware of the rule, but thought that my question was not the kind of thing they were referring to. (These are old car forums, and they want to keep the discussion centered on what the members came there for.) The exception is when someone is seriously ill, or has experienced a loss in their family or group of friends. Then well-wishes may include a promise to pray for them, and these posts are allowed to stay.

FaceBook is largely a free-for-all, but I have had instances where a person to whom I responded deleted my comment, or even deleted their entire discussion, perhaps in order to make it impossible for me to post the same response again. (I wouldn't do that anyway.)

[JohnH]

The Steve Stutzman - Bethesda Christian Fellowship saga continues.

Based ona statement made by a former pastor at Bethesda C.F., and allegations made by others, it appears that:

- Leroy Miller, in his pastoral position, made arrangements where young men who felt they had a moral failing (of a sexual nature, most likely related to pornography and the like) would pay him/the church a fee of $1,000.00. Stutzman reports this fee was used to buy musical & sound equipment.
- One young man or boy (it is not clear if he were a minor or not) paid a total of $6,000.00.
- Other people in Bethesda C.F.'s circles learned about this and considered it highly irregular, and asked that the boy be refunded.
- Leroy Miller reported that he could not refund the entire amount as some of it had already been spent.
- Steve Stutzman intervened, and offered to refund the money; he also made a statement that there is nothing at all irregular, immoral, or improper about collecting fees from someone a pastor has spiritual oversight over in such a situation.
- The former pastor made an allegation that the boy's refund was short by about $1,000.00.

This seems highly unusual, and is not the norm in the conservative Anabaptist world, although it is reminiscent of when the Catholic church taking indulgences. Nowadays, that would be considered "simony" - it is a very grave sin for a priest to take money in exchange for a confession in any manner.

I would like to applaud the integrity of the other members at Bethesda C.F. who put a stop to this, and also to the former pastor for being willing to speak up about it now. I would like to raise questions about the fact Steve Stutzman is defending this wicked practice.

Finally, I would like to point out the absurdity of a man like Leroy Miller collecting money from other men who fall into various kinds of sexual sin, given his own past and proclivities. Perhaps a fee should be assessed to him whenever he sits teenage girls in his lap during "counselling sessions" (another thing condoned by Steve Stutzman)?

[sojourner]

The Steve Stutzman - Bethesda Christian Fellowship saga continues.

Based ona statement made by a former pastor at Bethesda C.F., and allegations made by others, it appears that:

- Leroy Miller, in his pastoral position, made arrangements where young men who felt they had a moral failing (of a sexual nature, most likely related to pornography and the like) would pay him/the church a fee of $1,000.00. Stutzman reports this fee was used to buy musical & sound equipment.
- One young man or boy (it is not clear if he were a minor or not) paid a total of $6,000.00.
- Other people in Bethesda C.F.'s circles learned about this and considered it highly irregular, and asked that the boy be refunded.
- Leroy Miller reported that he could not refund the entire amount as some of it had already been spent.
- Steve Stutzman intervened, and offered to refund the money; he also made a statement that there is nothing at all irregular, immoral, or improper about collecting fees from someone a pastor has spiritual oversight over in such a situation.
- The former pastor made an allegation that the boy's refund was short by about $1,000.00.

This seems highly unusual, and is not the norm in the conservative Anabaptist world, although it is reminiscent of when the Catholic church taking indulgences. Nowadays, that would be considered "simony" - it is a very grave sin for a priest to take money in exchange for a confession in any manner.

I would like to applaud the integrity of the other members at Bethesda C.F. who put a stop to this, and also to the former pastor for being willing to speak up about it now. I would like to raise questions about the fact Steve Stutzman is defending this wicked practice.

Finally, I would like to point out the absurdity of a man like Leroy Miller collecting money from other men who fall into various kinds of sexual sin, given his own past and proclivities. Perhaps a fee should be assessed to him whenever he sits teenage girls in his lap during "counselling sessions" (another thing condoned by Steve Stutzman)?

I don't think this is the most accurate portrayal of this story.
Pretty sure Steve himself had a long post on FB about this and this wouldn't be my take away.
I just checked but I can't find the post anymore. I suppose he deleted it. Probably can only tolerate so much negativity.

As far as having accountability partners and paying a fee for moral failures that does happen some in our circles.
Although, I think its a bit different if your partner is a peer.
Also, I'm not sure its the best path to victory and would feel a bit weird being part of something like that.

[barnhart]

As far as having accountability partners and paying a fee for moral failures that does happen some in our circles.
Although, I think its a bit different if your partner is a peer.
Also, I'm not sure its the best path to victory and would feel a bit weird being part of something like that.

I suppose this sort of thing might be useful among peers but between church leaders and members, I find it repulsive and possibly abusive. I don't see any role for this.

[JoyE]

While in the woods with my dog this morning, I was pondering the egregious scandal of a pastor of yesteryear, and a lawyer who defends him, although he is gone on to his reward. And this warning came to mind: [Prov. 17:15] He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the just, even they both are abomination to the LORD.

That can apply to not only lawyers, but church leaders who stick up for or minimize the major sins of unrepentant individuals.

[R7ehr]

As far as having accountability partners and paying a fee for moral failures that does happen some in our circles.

And yet they say a circle cannot be obtuse.

[JohnH]

I don't think this is the most accurate portrayal of this story.

Not accurate?

Alright, let's quote the former pastor of Bethesda C.F.:

For some time, I have wrestled with whether to speak publicly about something that occurred within Bethesda Christian Fellowship while I was serving there as an associate pastor. I do not make this statement lightly. I believe there are times, however, when protecting vulnerable people and bringing harmful practices into the light requires us to speak plainly.

Because this issue has now showed up on public forum, I feel that it is my duty to speak out.

A vulnerable young man within our church was struggling with a personal issue involving sexual purity and was looking for help and freedom. An arrangement was made between this young man and the senior pastor in which, as I understand it, this young man was expected to pay $1,000 every time he felt that he failed.

Over approximately six or seven months, this young man paid around $6,000.

I want people to understand why I believe this was so deeply wrong.

This was not, in my view, a relationship between two people standing on equal ground. This was a vulnerable young man seeking spiritual help from a senior pastor—someone he regarded as a spiritual authority. There was, in my understanding, an enormous power imbalance in that relationship. When someone comes to a pastor vulnerable, ashamed, and desperately wanting freedom from something in his life, that vulnerability must never become an opportunity to extract money from him.

The Gospel of Jesus Christ does not work this way.

Freedom from sin cannot be purchased for $1,000 per failure. Grace is not administered through financial penalties. A pastor's role is not to financially punish a struggling person every time he falls. Our responsibility as spiritual leaders is to point people toward Christ, walk with them in truth and grace, provide accountability, and help restore them when they fall.

I found out directly from the young man about what was happening approximately six months after payments ended and ultimately confronted the senior pastor about what had happened. Most of the money was eventually returned, although approximately $1,000 was not. I believe it is important to state that, from my perspective, the repayment did not simply happen because leadership independently recognized the wrong and immediately corrected it. I personally pressed this issue and insisted that the money needed to be returned.

As I wrestled with the seriousness of what had occurred, I also sought counsel outside Bethesda. I deliberately spoke with several pastors who had no connection to Bethesda and no relationship to the people involved. I wanted perspectives from people who had no stake in our internal circumstances. The pastors I consulted independently characterized what I described, at minimum, as spiritual abuse, and some also used the term extortion.

I have come to share that understanding.

I believe what occurred was spiritual abuse. And I believe that, based on my understanding of the situation, extracting thousands of dollars from a vulnerable person under this kind of spiritual authority and pressure was deeply wrong and, in my view, extortionate in nature.

But the larger issue is not simply the terminology we use.

The larger issue is what happens when spiritual authority is exercised over a vulnerable person without appropriate boundaries and accountability.

Pastors are entrusted with people at some of the most vulnerable moments of their lives. People tell us things they may tell no one else. They confess failures. They expose shame. They ask for help. That position carries tremendous responsibility, and it must never be exploited.

Jesus did not place financial penalties on broken people who came to Him seeking freedom. He offered truth, grace, repentance, restoration, and freedom.

The church should be one of the safest places for a struggling person to ask for help—not a place where that vulnerability can cost him thousands of dollars.

I am speaking publicly because I believe silence about spiritual abuse ultimately protects systems rather than people. My purpose is not revenge, nor is it to publicly humiliate anyone. It is to tell the truth about something I personally became involved in addressing and to say clearly:

This is not how, in my understanding, pastoral authority should be exercised.
This is not how vulnerable people should be treated.
And this is not, in my understanding, consistent with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

“Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples, ‘The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses’ seat, so do and observe whatever they tell you, but not the works they do. For they preach, but do not practice. They tie up heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on people's shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to move them with their finger.’”
Matthew 23:1-4 ESV

“Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
Matthew 11:29-30 ESV

Feel free to correct the record!

[JohnH]

In other news, Mr. Leroy Miller has applied to have his criminal record for "forgetting" to wear pants and exposing himself to underaged Amish girls whilst engaging in indecent acts expunged. He does apparently meet the requirements for expungement. Court filing here:

STATE OF INDIANA IN THE LAGRANGE SUPERIOR COURT
COUNTY OF LAGRANGE CAUSE NO. 44D01-2608-XP-000019

IN RE: THE PETITION FOR EXPUNGEMENT
OF CONVICTION RECORDS OF:

LEROY R. MILLER

Petitioner


REPORT TO COURT

COMES NOW Travis J. Glick, Prosecuting Attorney for the 35th Judicial Circuit of the State of Indiana, and shows this Honorable Court as follows:

1. That on or about the 5th day of August 2026, the undersigned received LeRoy R. Miller’s Verified Petition for Expungement Sealing of Records.

2. That on or about the 2nd day of March 2005, LeRoy R. Miller was convicted on the charge(s) of Count I: Public Indecency, a Class A Misdemeanor in the LaGrange Superior Court under cause number 44D01-0501-CM-000010.

3. That more than five (5) years have passed since the time of said conviction.

4. That LeRoy R. Miller has not been convicted of a crime in the last five (5) years and to our knowledge does not have any pending criminal charges and is not currently participating in a Pre-Trial Diversion Agreement. Further, LeRoy R. Miller has successfully completed his probation and paid all costs, fines and restitution associated with his case.

WHEREFORE, the undersigned does not object to LeRoy R. Miller’s Verified Petition for Expungement of Records.


Respectfully submitted,

/s/

Travis J. Glick # 27846-49
Prosecuting Attorney
35th Judicial Circuit
105 N. High Street, 2nd Floor
LaGrange, Indiana 46761
Phone: (260) 499-6326
Fax: (260) 499-6402[/center]


CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE

The undersigned hereby certifies that a true, correct, and complete copy of the foregoing pleading has been served upon Jeffrey A. James, counsel for the Defendant via E-Service on this 12th day of August 2026.

/s/

Travis J. Glick[/center]

Stutzman himself is currently taking it easy at a luxury resort in Belize, although he's technically there on official ministry business, conducting a seminar. Apparently, ministry is doing pretty good these days, since he and his wife were able to travel there on American in first class. (Or who knows, maybe he's just an EXP.)

[Valerie]

In other news, Mr. Leroy Miller has applied to have his criminal record for "forgetting" to wear pants and exposing himself to underaged Amish girls whilst engaging in indecent acts expunged. He does apparently meet the requirements for expungement. Court filing here:

STATE OF INDIANA IN THE LAGRANGE SUPERIOR COURT
COUNTY OF LAGRANGE CAUSE NO. 44D01-2608-XP-000019

IN RE: THE PETITION FOR EXPUNGEMENT
OF CONVICTION RECORDS OF:

LEROY R. MILLER

Petitioner


REPORT TO COURT

COMES NOW Travis J. Glick, Prosecuting Attorney for the 35th Judicial Circuit of the State of Indiana, and shows this Honorable Court as follows:

1. That on or about the 5th day of August 2026, the undersigned received LeRoy R. Miller’s Verified Petition for Expungement Sealing of Records.

2. That on or about the 2nd day of March 2005, LeRoy R. Miller was convicted on the charge(s) of Count I: Public Indecency, a Class A Misdemeanor in the LaGrange Superior Court under cause number 44D01-0501-CM-000010.

3. That more than five (5) years have passed since the time of said conviction.

4. That LeRoy R. Miller has not been convicted of a crime in the last five (5) years and to our knowledge does not have any pending criminal charges and is not currently participating in a Pre-Trial Diversion Agreement. Further, LeRoy R. Miller has successfully completed his probation and paid all costs, fines and restitution associated with his case.

WHEREFORE, the undersigned does not object to LeRoy R. Miller’s Verified Petition for Expungement of Records.


Respectfully submitted,

/s/

Travis J. Glick # 27846-49
Prosecuting Attorney
35th Judicial Circuit
105 N. High Street, 2nd Floor
LaGrange, Indiana 46761
Phone: (260) 499-6326
Fax: (260) 499-6402[/center]


CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE

The undersigned hereby certifies that a true, correct, and complete copy of the foregoing pleading has been served upon Jeffrey A. James, counsel for the Defendant via E-Service on this 12th day of August 2026.

/s/

Travis J. Glick[/center]

Stutzman himself is currently taking it easy at a luxury resort in Belize, although he's technically there on official ministry business, conducting a seminar. Apparently, ministry is doing pretty good these days, since he and his wife were able to travel there on American in first class. (Or who knows, maybe he's just an EXP.)

Book sales, CD sales, we don’t know all his sources of income.
His family was a missionary family when he was very young & growing up but he is an author (and so is his wife) and has many CDs they’ve been selling a long time. The Stutzman Family singers. I have bought a couple of their books. When I inquired via Facebook about his young life, he sent me a book no charge that tells their story.