John Blanchard, along with his wife, Robin, is still listed as a senior pastor at Rock Church on the church’s sitio web as of this writing. Blanchard was one of 17 men arrested on Oct. 29, 2021, for solicitation of prostitution from a minor.
After reportedly agreeing to meet with a detective posing as a 17-year-old girl, the pastor was arrested and then released on bond.
Two days later, he appeared onstage at his church, where he led prayer. At the time, the church posted a statement that contained similar wording as that in this week’s statement, including, “Pastor Blanchard has voluntarily stepped back as lead pastor and from all his ministerial duties until this present situation is totally resolved.”
Your tax-deductible gift helps our journalists report the truth and hold Christian leaders and organizations accountable. Give a gift of $30 or more to The Roys Report this month, and you will receive a copy of “Hurt and Healed by the Church” by Ryan George. To donate, haga clic aquí.
It came to light in November 2021 that a former assistant had previously accused Blanchard of sexual assault, an incident that allegedly occurred in 2018. Even though the pastor was acquitted after the assistant pressed charges, she says, “It did happen to me. It was inappropriate. Church leadership knew and decided not to remove him from his position.”
Yet on Oct. 11, all charges against John Blanchard were dropped following a request from prosecutors. In a declaración posted that day to Rock Church’s Facebook page, Bishop Anne Gimenez, who had taken over Blanchard’s pastoral duties, said:
We have always believed in John’s innocence. His humility and submission to those over him during this time has been a testimony to his character. He has spent the time in fasting and prayer and has invested much of his time in his family and education. We anticipate his resumption of church duties in the near future.
State delegate and attorney Tim Anderson, however, has been drawing attention to Blanchard’s case after obtaining and reviewing the incident report. Anderson said, “In my legal opinion, from what I have seen, there’s no excuse not to prosecute this case. If [Blanchard is] found not guilty or if he’s acquitted, that’s one thing. But to use prosecutorial discretion and say nothing happened here, that’s, in my opinion, an abuse of discretion, especially when they went after 15 other people [following the sting operation].”
Anderson has been posting about the case on social media, calling on Stacey Davenport, Commonwealth’s Attorney of Chesterfield County, to explain why the charges against Blanchard were dropped.
Rock Church’s Wednesday statement begins:
Rock Church encourages godly lifestyles by all of its members and leaders, in keeping with the tenets of the Bible. The Church condemns sexual immorality of any kind and in any form by its members and leaders and especially holds its leaders to a high standard of accountability on any lifestyle choices that could reflect negatively on the reputation of the Church or disparage the character of the Savior whom it purports to represent.
Rock Church is committed to honesty and integrity in dealing with charges or accusations of sexual misconduct or immorality among its leaders and will support any investigation arising from accusations of violation of this standard among its staff and leaders in an effort to find the truth and to protect its members, church families and their children, at all times.
After declining to comment on the John Blanchard situation and noting that the pastor would be stepping away from his duties, the church’s statement continues:
As followers of Christ, we must remember that redemption, salvation, grace, mercy and healing are all gifts given to the children of God. Although everyone must address their own convictions and consequences, our assignment as believers is not to condemn, but to be agents of God’s love, healing, justice, and reconciliation. (Romanos 3:23-“for all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God”) If we are to walk in eternity with Christ, our position must be one of truth, love, faith, mercy, justice, and forgiveness.
Thank you for your prayers and support. The outpouring of love has been overwhelming and we appreciate all of those who have reached out to be an encouragement to us! We would ask that the privacy of the Blanchard family be respected as they walk through this difficult journey together.
“But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved)” –Ephesians 2:4-5
“Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.” 1 John 3:18
Media reached out to Stacey Davenport and Tim Anderson for comment. Anderson referred us to comments he has already made to other medios de comunicación and on his pagina de Facebook. Davenport did not reply in time for the publication of this.
Este artículo apareció originalmente en ChurchLeaders.com.
Jessica Lea es editora de contenido de ChurchLeaders.com y productora de The Stetzer ChurchLeaders Podcast.
Spanish 
English
7 Respuestas
Has he said how he happened to be there when he and the others were arrested?
One personalty cannot ‘condemn’ an individual but they can state that what the person did was wrong and sinful if the evidence shows that they did in fact carry out the act.
George I agree. The way leaders protect each other is adding the “don’t condemn” invisible shield. Pointing out is not condemning. It’s pointing out sin. The power of the pulpit is why these malignant narcissist always find excuses to block those pointing fingers so they stay in power. I’d love to find one evangelical to say “I sinned and the Bible says I’m forgiven but per the Bible I won’t in any pastor or elder role anymore.
We must have a plan to avoid immorality, or immorality IS the plan. Tell the church the measures you’re taking to avoid fornication. They need to know so they can follow the example.
It’s not just immorality. It’s criminal sexual abuse of a child.
So many problems with this, I hardly know where to begin.
But the one that stands out to me right now is the characterization of soliciting sex with a minor as “immorality.” While it certainly IS that, it’s far more. It’s a crime, and it’s sexual abuse of a child.
It’s not just a sin that should be forgiven and “walked through,” it’s a permanent disqualification from ministry, and if justice were done, a substantial prison sentence.
Well? Has he said how he happened to be there when he and the others were arrested?