Dr. Ethan Jago, the Lead Pastor at 5 Bridges Church, has resigned from his role as a ‘pastor theologian’ at G3 Ministries and has removed himself from serving as a conference speaker for the upcoming 2027 G3 conference.
Jago made the announcement on his website after we broke the story that the board of G3 sent anonymous dossiers to a dozen people accusing Buck of sin and the church of failing to do its due diligence in properly disciplining him.
When I first heard about what transpired, I wanted to exercise biblical wisdom and investigate the matter myself, in accordance with Proverbs 18:17.
“The first to plead his case seems right, Until another comes and examines him.”
The accusations leveled against Tom were egregious, and I cannot see it any other way than as an attempt to tarnish this faithful pastor’s ministry and the saints who gather every week at First Baptist Lindale.
As I began my own research, I spoke with over five individuals directly involved and had several phone calls with Tom Buck himself to hear his side of the story. He was forthright and honest, owned the accusations against him, and explained the process his elders at his church used to investigate the matter.
Seeing as how this is a local church issue and not one for the public, I had a difficult time reconciling the motivation behind the “why” of someone or a group of someone’s and their motivation behind it.
He continues:
After two days of examination, phone calls, and reviewing the evidence myself, it became clear to me that G3’s leadership either directly involved and sanctioned this action or delegated a trusted representative to carry out this mission of slander on their behalf.
Yesterday, I submitted my resignation from my position as a pastor-theologian and withdrew from speaking at their 2027 conference. This was not a rash decision, nor was it emotional, but it was one of prudence and wisdom to not associate with someone who is a factious person(s) in accordance with Titus 3:10.
Additionally, I asked for our church 5 Bridges Church in Panama City Beach, Florida to be removed from the church finder.
And concludes:
I am not writing this in an attempt to “throw my hat in the ring” and involve myself needlessly; however, seeing as how our church supported this ministry, and we were happy to do so prior to all of this transpiring, but even more importantly the involvement I had with this ministry, that I truly believed had the best of intentions as their mission statement is, “to glorify God.” These actions do not honor nor glorify God, yet, in spite of sinful man, God still can and will receive the glory from all of this.
Following his announcement, his author page has been removed from G3’s website.
According to our sources, Jago will not be the only one resigning or rescinding their involvement with G3.
