What Happened to Rankin Wilbourne?
*Updated July 2021*
My reason for writing this is to answer the question I have received from individuals (contacting me through my website or through Instagram) who have wondered what happened to Rankin Wilbourne. There is a whole judicial process for the Presbyterian Church of America, but I am not going to explain that process here.
What happened at Pacific Crossroads Church
Rankin’s followers were not just located in Los Angeles, but across the world, as thousands of people have listened to his sermons and read his books. This post is for the rest of his followers, who were not privy to the congregational meeting where this was announced.
On February 8th 2020, Rankin confessed before the presbytery (denominational governing body in the Pacific Northwest region) to being guilty of the following accusations and was deposed (defrocked). According to the denomination he was a part of (PCA), he can no longer serve as a pastor.
He confessed to being guilty of a pattern of behavior for the following charges:
Breaking the Sixth Commandment
Unrighteous anger and a domineering spirit over those in his charge
Breaking the Ninth Commandment
Lying, manipulation behavior and deceitful speech
Before the February 8th confession and subsequent discipline for his wrong-doing, dozens of witnesses were interviewed by a commission from the presbytery, after a formal complaint reached the presbytery in October 2019, divulging ways Rankin had violated his role as a pastor. The investigation lasted several months and uncovered 30-40 victims. (However, the testimony of the witnesses were not revealed to the presbytery or the public because Rankin came as his own accuser).
On February 16th, 2020 Rankin’s removal from his position at Pacific Crossroads Church was announced to the congregation, as well as the charges to which Rankin admitted guilt.
There were strong emotions in the congregation as many believed the discipline was justified and many believed their beloved pastor was being taken away.
Three months later, Rankin was preaching again at another church in the Midwest.
Common questions that might arise concerning Rankin and his removal as a pastor and elder
Someone might ask, wasn’t it admirable for Rankin to go to the presbytery as his own accuser?
I might respond, what did he have to gain from confessing to the accusations? (Note: a missing piece of the story is the detailed accounts of abuse, which were sealed once he came forward. Note also that the investigation was underway for several months before he came forward).
Someone might ask, doesn’t everyone exaggerate from time to time? Doesn’t everyone get angry sometimes? Aren’t leaders supposed to be strong and stern?
I might respond, have we considered what sort of behavior might require such a discipline? And, why are we attempting to normalize domineering behavior? (Note: he confessed to a pattern of behavior).
Someone might ask, wasn’t the discipline extreme?
I might respond, would a truly repentant person, aware of his sin and seeking to grow, be preaching again three months after his denomination removed him? Would a healthy, repentant person return to the pulpit so quickly after such a dramatic event?
If you think the censure is too intense…
I might respond, will you consider who might be the flock and the staff and the victims (and future victims) this censure is trying to protect?
It is my opinion, as former staff of Pacific Crossroads Church and someone who worked with Rankin for over two years, the discipline fit the confession.
A teaching gift never gives someone license to abuse.
I hope this will be received as an exposition of fact, for the good of the public, who have been kept in the dark over what really happened to Rankin Wilbourne.
Comments are moderated out of respect for the victims of Pacific Crossroads Church.
Update December 2020
Here is a podcast episode where Rankin is discussed alongside a spiritual leader, Jean Vanier, addressing the cognitive dissonance that occurs when one discovers a beloved religious leader is an abuser.
Update July 15, 2021
Several survivors of PCC received word that Rankin’s sentence was overturned by the Standing Judicial Committee in the PCA (this is similar to taking something to federal court in the church world). It was overturned based on procedure (though a violation to the Book of Church Order was not proven). Rankin was not declared innocent, as he had already confessed to a pattern of behavior (see above).
Within 24 hours, Rankin withdrew his membership from the PCA.
Everything in this article remains true, including the more than 30 victims (that we know about) and their stories.
