Deep Thoughts: Pastor Shane Montgomery arrested

Saturday, December 12, 2009

Pastor Shane Montgomery arrested

And the fever… getting higher
Desire, desire… burning, burning

Police say teen boy was allegedly violated by his pastor. It makes my heart sick to write about it. Apparently Montgomery’s magical Christian moral advantage failed him. Perhaps it was the devil who made him do it? No strike that, the notion of the devil is just as absurd as the notion of God. It was desire.

The former pastor of The River Church is facing felony assault charges. A 16-year-old boy told investigators the former pastor sexually assaulted him when he was 15 years-old. Some of the details are too graphic to repeat.
According to police,

Montgomery admits to oral sex and fondling the teenager, but denies any other allegations.

"The touching and oral, that's just as bad as going the whole way in my opinion," said Cynthia Bonds. "A 15 year old is still a child."

The pastor’s former church, The River, issued this statement on their website:

The River Church and her leadership is shocked and saddened by the news of this event involving our former church planting pastor who has resigned effective today

We want to express our deep concern to the teenager and his family and are prepared to provide outside, professional counseling to this family as they cope.

We intend to fully cooperate with the investigation by the police as it proceeds.

Again, we express our deep sense of remorse for the situation and our commitment to assist in the help and healing process that is needed.

We have nothing more to add to this statement at this time.

They hit all the right notes. Hurray for them. Fire the pastor, protect the victim, and most importantly, acknowledge the event so that healing can begin.

Technorati Tags: Clergy Sexual Abuse,Pedophiles

Comments (22)

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-1 Vote up Vote down

Aaron Reddin · 800 weeks ago

You say, "allegedly violated by his pastor"

He was not they boys pastor. The boy was not a part of The River Church.

8 replies · active 793 weeks ago

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Mojoey 107p · 800 weeks ago

How nice. Thanks for the clarification.

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Aaron · 800 weeks ago

I knew Shane Montgomery . I went to a church where he was one of the pastors. I sensed some thing was very off with him. I expressed my feelings out it ,and was meet with criticism. I let that church long ago. Shane was out of touch with reality he would Draw comic book heros during meeting at church. Was not finically responsibly. I am a Christian not the social concept kind like most are. I have knowledge of God threw Jesus Christ.
God is very real to me. I am not a Christian because my Parents were. Shane was a sexual predator to took a role as pastor to allay suspicion. Like priest do that the catholic church had problems with. When I speak of the reality of Gods I wish there are word to express what this means for me.

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Mojoey 107p · 800 weeks ago

Try using a dictionary. It's full of words.

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Aaron · 800 weeks ago

Dictionary for what ?

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Mojoey 107p · 800 weeks ago

duh

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Aaron · 793 weeks ago

Their are some experiences that have to be experienced to understand. An example they explaining to a bind person blind from birth was it is like to see only using words in the dictionary. then you can grasp what I meant . and what kind of response is Duh? I was wanting if your comment was toward my typo my comment on experience. Every atheist I encounter lately is a know it all.

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Mojoey 107p · 793 weeks ago

No, my comment was aimed at your statement, "I wish there are word to express what this means for me."� I suggested using a dictionary. When you were dense enough to not understand the sarcasm, is kept it simple with, "duh", which should have been enough for you to understand. It was simple and direct.

Now look, your great mystical experience, I've had it.� I understand even though you might not.

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Aaron Reddin · 799 weeks ago

Anytime!!

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jonathan · 800 weeks ago

There's always a handy excuse for why God would let this happen, always from the mouth of a Christian, and without a thought for the victim...

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radioguy · 800 weeks ago

I also know - make that thought I knew - Shane Montgomery. It is sickening what he has admitted to. I had to read the newspaper report three or four times to make sure I'd read it correctly. Without question, he needs to be proceuted to fullest extent of the law.
In addition to the terrible destruction to that boy and his family (not to mention his own life, family and church), another horrible concequence to Shane's crimes is that he's given people a reason to mock the name of Jesus.
Make no mistake, Shane, though he masqueraded as a man of God, was far from it.

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April · 800 weeks ago

My prayers are with the boy, his family, Shane's family and friends, and Shane. I'm not condoning what he did, but I will say that if Shane is a Christian then no actions on his part will ever change that. There are people who are followers of Christ who screw up...some a lot worse than others. But if you are a follower of Christ there is nothing you can do bad enough that will take that away from you. That's why Jesus died on the cross, to cover our sins no matter how big or small they may be. But our job as Christians is to rally around other brothers and sisters when their shield is down, and Shane has got to be in a very dark place right now and I pray that he has other Christians to provide that armor for him. He's going to need it. There is already a judge, it's not my place or anybody elses to take that position.

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LesterP · 800 weeks ago

I've known Shane for many years, since the mid '90s. I have not had close contact with him since moving from Little Rock in late 2001. I am completely shocked at what has happened. I interacted with him on many occasions and sought his guidance on some issues I was dealing with at that time in my life. He always gave me sound Biblical advice. I can not imagine what drew him so far away from the man and friend I once knew. My prayers are with the family of the boy and also for Shane. I hope restoration and healing for both is possible.

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MissThaRain · 795 weeks ago

i have known shane for a long time. although i moved to las vegas 2 yrs ago i stayed in touch w/ him n his wife on facebook. when my cousin called me n told me what he had done i was so distraught i almost had to leave work. im still n shockl n cant believe that someone who claimed to be a christian, (someone i went to church w/ for yrs) someone who had visited me n the hospital when i had my children n was very close to me, my husband n my children, would harm a young boy n any way. im sicked every time i think about all the work he did w/ the youth n our church n how devastated they all must be. i never visited "the river" church he recently was a leader n bt i feel for them also. they trusted him n he was a wolf n sheeps clothes. what else should they have said? what would u say when having to make a statement about something so vile? having been raped myself at the age of 13... im am extremely proud of the poor boy for coming forward. the courage that took can only be understood by someone who has been n that situation. as for shane.... i am also heartbroken for him n his family. for him b/c i feel that he gave into the darkest park of himself. it can happen to anyone. christians r not exempt from becoming someone dark or harmful. no matter what is n our mind or driving our heart (n a good or bad way) we all have the free-will to act. he couldve chosen to get help (he was n recovery for sex-addiction n the recent months b4 his arrest bt it was too little to late) bt he chose to act out on his disgusting desire to sexually harm a boy n he deserves every consequence he receives for his actions.

lucky for him there is nothing so bad we can or cannot do to separate us from the Love of Jesus Christ. repentance leads to forgiveness.

Christian are not perfect, just forgiven by a God who is :)

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Guest · 779 weeks ago

another one bites the dust!!!

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SB College · 779 weeks ago

I knew Shane when he was a fat slob, sounds like he hasn't changed a bit!

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David · 766 weeks ago

The "poor boy" in question is a meth-smoking slut that knew exactly what he was doing. I am appalled at the usage of the term "assault." What allegedly transpired is nowhere near being akin to rape, which is a legitimate usage for the term. This boy is not a victim of anything but his own choices. He was already sexually active and if it wasn't Mr. Montgomery, it would have been any number of grown men he sought out for sex.

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Becky · 703 weeks ago

I know this is old news by now but I just have to say, I went to school with Shane. My sister and I were good friends with him. My heart breaks for everyone involved including Shane. As a child of molestation at the age of 5, I know what an impact this can have for the rest of your life. You have to learn to forgive your molester or it will haunt you for the rest of your life. No sin is greater than any other. We all make mistakes and I just pray that we can all accept Gods' forgiveness.

1 reply · active 703 weeks ago

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Mojoey 107p · 703 weeks ago

Wait a minute. No sin is greater than any others. So if I break the
law by speeding it morally equivalent to child molestation? How does
that make any sense?

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deleted8470268 143p · 703 weeks ago

It is shameful,and disgusting that Christians can rationalize the acts of child molesting by appealing to an imaginary god.

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Anonymous · 665 weeks ago

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1000039764...

He continues.....

His friends list is a virtual who's who of venerable youth.

His Grindr account proudly boast of himself as a "Daddy looking for a boy"

He calls himself the InvincibleDaddy on adam4adam.com if you can believe that one. www.adam4adam.com/?p=InvincibleDaddy

The fact that a 15 yr old child was involved with drugs and already venerable does not constitute consent - without consent it is called RAPE & CHILD MOLESTATION

He builds these young men up and proudly boast of his relationship with his own son.

He is a Crystal Meth addict and lures these young men in letting them know that their questioning sexuality and their elicit drug use secrets are "safe with him".

He constantly hangs out at places where kids frequent like movie theaters and toy shops and thinks of himself as an avid cartoon artist - which he uses to further lure youth.

He is involved with Cathedral of Hope, a gay church in Dallas, TX where he has easy access to children and youth

This "man of god" continues to be a danger

When back here in Little Rock he frequents Watermark Church where I've seen him AND WHERE HE CONTINUED TO CHASE THE UNDERAGE BOYS.

He RAPED a 15 yr old child who he met online and continued an almost four month relationship in mid 2008.

He fled the state to escape prosecution here and hid out in a pedophile treatment center in Dallas, TX while he juiced the legal system. The child, terrified to press charges begged the DA here to not peruse the case - this is very common with pedophiles helpless victims.

None-the-less he did get convicted, sentenced and served an all to brief stay (13 months). He is a REGISTERED SEX OFFENDER - a certified child molester. He was a monster at our church here and continues now out of state in Texas where few people know of his dangerous predatory behaviors. He IS NOT GAY - he is a pedophile - he is hiding out in a gay community, in a gay church, all while continuing to be what he is. I feel a deep sense of fear for the children and youth that attend that gay church in Dallas. If you have compassion you should call them and let them know what you think! http://www.facebook.com/CathedralOfHope

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concerned_of_slander · 664 weeks ago

Hey Anonymous - where are you getting your information? I know Shane and his journey to healing from this horrible event. He is not a drug user, not a monster and he is not anything what you make him out to be. He is a gay man that got caught in a bad situation -- much less, he does not prey on children. I don't condone child abuse but you should look at the facts of the case at hand. The "boy" in this case admitted at the trial that he MISREPRESENTED HIS AGE. You can go look at the case file and find that information. As soon as Shane found out, he stopped the relationship immediately. Even so, Shane spent 1 year behind bars -- served his time and paid his debt. So, before you judge (as if judging is EVER okay) you should at least know your facts. You should be careful -- your words may be considered slander.

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