Deep Thoughts: Youth pastor Robert McFadden arrested

Sunday, May 09, 2010

Youth pastor Robert McFadden arrested

Youth Pastor Robert L. McFadden III was arrested for “child seduction” in Lafayette, Indiana. Child seduction is when a youth pastor sleeps with one of his or her students and the student is over 16 but under 18.

McFadden pleaded not guilty. He’s accused of starting with a message and moving on to bigger things.

McFadden is accused of fondling and having sex with a 16-year-old girl last month. According to court documents, McFadden was giving the girl a massage on April 12th when he touched her inappropriately. The documents say, two days later he had sex with her.

Source: Not guilty plea in child seduction case

At least he resigned after claiming that youth ministry was, “no longer his calling.” He worked for Evangelical Covenant Church of Lafayette from August 2007 to November 2009. I read the church website, there is no mention of McFadden or the rape allegations. He was removed from the institutional memory of the church. Why does a church hide from scandal? It is the perfect opportunity to learn and grow. Though in my experience, it is often squandered.

Technorati Tags: Clergy Sexual Abuse,Rape,Seduction

Comments (19)

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Baconsbud 96p · 779 weeks ago

I can understand an organization that wants to maintain its membership doing this with their website. If it become widely known that they had a member that had had sex with one of the minors there, the money would start to dry up. I don't believe the church leadership really cares about truth but their main concern is money. Money seems to be the real god they worship.

2 replies · active 779 weeks ago

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Jack 119p · 779 weeks ago

My thoughts exactly. This is not the kind of publicity they want. People might stop attending, and the funds could dry up quickly.

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Mojoey 107p · 779 weeks ago

It is all about the money.

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Good4Gone · 779 weeks ago

The alleged child seduction happened several months after McFadden left the church where he was a youth pastor. Perhaps that was why he was not mentioned on the church's website.

4 replies · active 776 weeks ago

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Josh Morlan · 778 weeks ago

I go to that church and it is a great church. Bob Mcfadden was a creepy pervert who will hopefully get what he deserves...

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Baconsbud 96p · 778 weeks ago

Did you mention this to others before he was arrested or are you just now coming forward with your views?

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guest · 776 weeks ago

No he was not I did to! I was in his youth class! He would never do this sort of thing he is not a pervert!

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guest · 776 weeks ago

typo lol he was not a perv i did go to his class and the church did to adress it so

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carpediem · 778 weeks ago

The news coverage does not identify the victim; therefore, you cannot know that he abused a member of the youth ministry at that church. That is your first incorrect assumption. The second incorrect assumption is that the church is trying to hide from scandal because you didn't read anything about the horror on the church's website. Website content does not define any institution and it certainly does not encompass the day-to-day interactions, growth and learning taking place at this particular church.

What this former youth pastor is accused of doing is heinous and despicable, but your inaccuracies are inexcusable.

4 replies · active 448 weeks ago

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Mojoey 107p · 778 weeks ago

This is where I pull out the big words, like fuckwit. If you want to accuse me of doing something inexcusable, then it would follow that I would actually need do have done something. For example, your assertion that I claimed the victim when to his church. I made no such statement. If you want to connect the dots that way fine. Don�t put words in my mouth. The second issue concerns opinion. I state my opinion that because they do not address the issue they appear to be hiding from the charge. My opinion is not a statement of fact, it is my opinion. Do you understand the difference? I didn't think so (again, my opinion is that you are a fuckwit).

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PRIVATE · 778 weeks ago

Very mature. How old are we?

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Chris · 774 weeks ago

You very clearly imply that this was a case of the victim belonging to his church:

...was arrested for “child seduction” in Lafayette, Indiana. Child seduction is when a youth pastor sleeps with one of his or her students...

While you didn't directly draw the line, you might as well have. Why so hostile? And given that the victim wasn't church-related, why would the church post anything on their website about this? It's a sad situation, but what rational organization would trumpet such an unrelated issue on their official website?

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anonomys · 448 weeks ago

i kno who the victim is and it wasnt a part of the youth group or any part of the youth ministry.

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InChristAlone · 776 weeks ago

"According to Stacy Littlefield, lead pastor at Evangelical Covenant Church of Lafayette, McFadden worked as a youth pastor at the church from August 2007 to November 2009. That was months before the alleged seduction was said to have occurred."
http://www.jconline.com/article/20100506/NEWS03/5...

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Cathryn · 774 weeks ago

It sounds like you don't have the facts straight. The charges are reprehensible, and no one is arguing that. Unfortunately you have lost credibility as a blogger by making incorrect statements and swearing at people who dare to challenge you. Sadly, a better overview of this case is available on the J&C website.

And no, the church is not going to announce these charges on their website. He was not even an employee of the church when these charges were made. I don't know of any organizations, religious or not, who would include information of that kind on their public websites.

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Pastor Darpen Masih · 773 weeks ago

Dear Pastor,Praise The Lord,

Greetings from your brother in Christ and thanks for your love,
I am Pastor. Darpen Masih came to the Lord 1995, I was drummer with a Hindu devotional singers troop.while in a programme I heard about Jesus and I left that troop and stopped playing for any such Hindu devotional programme.And when my community came to know about my faith in Jesus I was athrown out of my home and worked with differrent churches and organisations for last 15 years.I am married and have a daughter named Angel (3yrs )and my wife is a sikh convert.I am the only believer from my family and all my family members still hate me for my faith.I am Looking for some supportes who willingly support our cause to carry on our vision among North Indians. I am working among Punjabi Hindus. I have a vision to start a new ministry registered with Government rules. I am looking for someone to help me to carry it in and help me. I wrote many letters to many churches but Anybody did not help me.they says that I will only prayer for you.we can’t help you but Bible says:-(PROVERBS:3:27,28)-(JAMES:2:15,17).I am telling you the truth.I have great sorrow and always feel much sadness because I do want start a new church in the Non-christan People for worship of God,but I have no money.because,I am very poor man. I want to rent a house.I have many believers,but no place for fellowship.Can you support me for 50$ dollar per month this work,I need your help. Please always remember me in your prayers.I’ll continue prayer for your ministry. Kindly keep this in mind and send us your reply as guided by the Holy spirit, I’ll highly obliged,if you get this work done.I am immensely waiting for your urgent response……………….
With much love and best wishes
Yours sincerely in Christ
Pastor Darpen Masih

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LJP · 768 weeks ago

Mojoey you are so misinformed it's comical. Did you even read the Indiana law statue on child seduction? It has NOTHING to do with pastors. Combine this with the FACT that Mr. McFadden was not a youth pastor at the time of the alledged incident and you are promoting your ignorance. Would your spewing of such hate have anything to do with the advertising of your decision to be an atheist? As a christian, I forgive you for your mistakes and will pray for your soul salvation.

1 reply · active 768 weeks ago

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Baconsbud 96p · 768 weeks ago

I don't think you actually understand what that section of the rape laws actually means. It is there to make it possible to charge people who are in positions of authority over minors who are over the age of consent. If he was in a position of responsibility for her, he committed the act of child seduction. I don't understand why you are attacking Mojoey when all he did was report what the news media was reporting. If you have a problem with how something is reported by the media you should address them not the messenger getting word out.

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anonymous · 768 weeks ago

He raped/molested his own step-child. i know, i go to the church and know the family. that bastard deserves whatever he gets and more. i wa sin his youth class and am disgusted

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