This past Saturday, Justin Hoke, the pastor of Trinity Bible Presbyterian Church in Weed, Calif., announced that he had been ousted from his position, amid protest over a billboard the church had erected stating that: “Bruce Jenner is still a man. Homosexuality is still sin. The culture may change. The Bible does not.”
Hoke wrote on his Facebook page that he “was informed that essentially all but one couple in membership would leave the church if I continued as pastor of TBPC.”
Here is the full Facebook post:
“As of today, I am no longer the pastor of Trinity Bible Presbyterian Church.
After much prayer and counsel, I have decided that it is best to briefly communicate what has taken place.
1. I was informed by our other elder that he felt he could no longer follow my lead as Pastor of TBPC.
2. I was informed that essentially all but one couple in membership would leave the church if I continued as pastor of TBPC.
3. Our other elder and the couple felt that those who left would likely return if I would leave.
4. Our other elder was agreeable to stay and assume the pastoral responsibilities.
Therefore it was determined that it would be in the best interest of the local body for us (TBPC and the Hoke family) to part ways.
Update 1/14/19
I would like to add this, I did not want to leave, I did not quit, and I was willing to stay.”
