An Open Letter to the Elders of Auke Bay Bible Church
And to the Saints of Juneau Who Love the Lord Jesus Christ
Update: I have edited this post for clarity and tone, including tightening language and rephrasing some claims to better distinguish facts from conclusions. The substance of the concerns remains the same. The original publication date remains December 8, 2025.
To Mick Ewing, Eric Hotchkiss, Larry Walsh, and Mark Morris,
Grace to you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. I write as a Christian man in Juneau with no membership at Auke Bay Bible Church and no office among you. I am not issuing church discipline. I am appealing to Scripture and urging careful examination of matters that affect the public worship and teaching of the church. I have sought private engagement over time and have not received meaningful discussion on the concerns below. I am attempting to speak soberly before Christ, who judges every shepherd and every man, and I welcome correction where I have misapplied His Word.
The Responsibility of Elders Before God
Christ has entrusted elders with the care of His flock, and that trust carries a weight that cannot be measured by personality, preference, or church tradition. Scripture commands that an overseer “hold firmly to the faithful Word” so that he may exhort in sound doctrine and refute those who contradict it (Titus 1:9). Elders are to watch over the souls of the flock as men who will give an account (Hebrews 13:17). This means your authority is real, but it is not autonomous. It is accountable at every point to Christ and to His Word.
Why I Believe These Concerns Cannot Remain Only Private
It has been stated that these concerns should have remained private. I agree that private sins and personal conflicts should be handled privately and in order. My concern is that questions touching public teaching, public worship, and settled church practice affect the whole congregation and therefore require open biblical clarity, even if the initial approach begins privately.
Scripture shows that public actions and public teaching can require public clarity. Paul opposed Peter when his conduct carried public implications for the truth of the gospel (Galatians 2:11–14). Scripture also teaches that elders are accountable and that persistent, evident sin is not to be protected by secrecy (1 Timothy 5:19–20). I am not claiming the standing of an apostle or a church court. I am arguing the principle that public matters do not remain purely private simply because they are uncomfortable.
I did attempt private engagement. I asked for discussion and clarity from Scripture over time. When I sought a meeting with a witness present, that was declined. My concerns were repeatedly treated as preference, “fit,” or theological flavor rather than addressed directly from the Word. If I have misunderstood any of this, I am willing to be corrected. My aim in stating this is to explain why I believed the matter required broader warning and discussion.
Concerns Raised for Biblical Clarification
I raised concerns that I believe Scripture speaks to directly, and I sought clarification on how your leadership understands and justifies these practices:
The leadership and teaching roles assigned to women in the gathered assembly
Women reading Scripture and speaking publicly, and the question of head coverings and how you interpret and apply 1 Corinthians 11
A prior concern raised about specific lyrics, and the manner in which that concern was handled.
The frequency of the Lord’s Supper and whether the church should aim at weekly communion
Eschatology and the clarity and consistency of what is being taught
These are not matters of personal taste to me. They are questions of obedience and faithfulness before God. I did not receive substantive biblical engagement on them. Instead, I was told in various ways that I did not “fit,” or that these concerns reflected a distinct theological background. I am not asking you to adopt my entire framework. I am asking you to answer the Scriptures you claim as final authority with open Bibles and plain reasoning.
When biblical correction is reframed as negativity, personality conflict, or mere theological preference, the issue is no longer tone but submission. The question becomes whether Christ’s Word will govern His church or whether it will be filtered through tradition and comfort.
The Danger of Refusing Examination
Proverbs commends the reception of life giving reproof (Proverbs 15:31), and Scripture commands God’s people to test everything and hold fast to what is good (1 Thessalonians 5:21). When questions about public worship and teaching are repeatedly deflected without biblical engagement, the congregation is deprived of clarity and the conscience is trained to accept tradition without testing. My concern is not that leaders are questioned. My concern is that Scripture is not being answered.
Elders should be able to answer Scripture plainly, because Christ Himself examines all shepherds.
A Warning to the Flock and Those Considering Attending
I do not write this lightly. Scripture does require discernment and warnings when stumbling blocks are placed before Christ’s people (Romans 16:17). I am not telling anyone to outsource their judgment to me. I am urging believers to examine teaching and practice by Scripture, and to take seriously the obligations of elders before God.
If you are part of ABBC or considering it, examine everything by the Word of God. The Lord will judge every shepherd who mishandles His people, for teachers will receive a stricter judgment (James 3:1). Christ walks among His churches and judges them. That should sober every elder and every member.
An Appeal to the Elders to Reexamine These Matters
I do not write because I despise you. I write because I fear God and because elders will give an account. I appeal to you to reexamine these matters with open Bibles, to answer questions plainly, and to resist the instinct to treat doctrinal and worship concerns as mere preference or “fit.” If I have spoken falsely about any facts, I should be corrected. If you have erred in doctrine or practice, I urge you to correct it. Christ is patient, and His patience is meant to lead to repentance.
A Word to Believers Who Are Discouraged
Many faithful Christians in Juneau and beyond have grown weary of churches that dismiss correction and follow tradition instead of Scripture. The Lord sees your grief. Do not abandon Christ’s bride, for He has not abandoned her. Christ is purifying His church, and every exposure of error is part of His sanctifying work. Scripture even says that divisions must occur so that those who are approved may be evident (1 Corinthians 11:19). Hold fast. Christ reigns, and He is refining His people.
Final Appeal
I do not seek vindication. I seek obedience. I believed remaining silent would be unfaithful to my conscience before God. My conscience is captive to Scripture, and I must speak plainly. To the elders: you may reject me, but I pray you will not dismiss the Scriptures I appealed to without answering them. To the saints: cling to Christ, test all things, and walk in the truth without fear.
May the Lord grant repentance, protect His flock, and glorify His name in Juneau.
For His glory,
Ken Duffy