The founding pastor of Crossroads Church will return to the church after being placed on an extended leave following accusations of “inappropriate physical humor,” according to a statement from the Crossroads Spiritual Board.
Brian Tome will return to teaching for the last weekend of August after completing several months of “intentional Process reflection, reconciliation, and repentance,” the board said.
Church officials suspended Tome in March after launching an independent investigation into the accusation that he whipped and rubbed a man's crotch with a riding crop during an encounter in 2015. Following an investigation, he was placed on an extended leave in early April.
In April, we shared that Brian Tome would be taking an extended leave
through August. We also shared that, during this time, Brian would walk alongside the Board through an intentional process of reflection, reconciliation, and repentance.
Over the past several months, Brian has faithfully and fully engaged in that process with humility and openness, and we are grateful for the growth that has come from this season. The Board is thankful for Brian’s commitment to this work, and we invite you to join us in welcoming him back as his leave comes to an end.
We are also excited to announce that Brian will return to teaching the weekend of August 29, stepping into our Well Played series.
As a church, we believe God meets us in seasons of both challenge and growth. He calls each of us to humility, grace, repentance, and a willingness to keep becoming more like Jesus. We are grateful for the patience, prayer, and commitment of the entire Crossroads community as we have walked through this season together.
As we move forward, our prayer is that we do so with our eyes fixed on Jesus and our hearts united around the mission He has given us. We are grateful for what God has done, expectant for what He will continue to do, and committed to following Him together.
– The Crossroads Spiritual Board
In a statement about their findings, Crossroads' board members said the investigation confirmed the accusation and revealed other concerns about Tome's leadership. The board members said they will suspend Tome for one month and then place him on a four-month leave, during which he "will take part in appropriate steps of repentance and reconciliation."
“I ask your forgiveness for too often allowing my flesh to overrule the Spirit in how I’ve used my words. God is doing a good and yet painful thing in me. I’m thankful for our Board serving tirelessly in a way that is making me and our entire church healthier,” Brian Tome said in a statement.
The church said that while it cannot go into details regarding the investigation into Tome, a previously unknown third-party witness came forward to corroborate the allegations.
“The investigation is complete and has substantiated the original account of the community member who shared his concerns with us, including corroboration from a third-party witness who was not previously known. While Brian’s actions may have been intended in humor, they were inappropriate and not above reproach. We’re thankful for the community member who came forward and shared his experience and participated in the third-party investigation,” the Crossroads Spiritual Board said in a statement following the investigation.
The church said that Kyle Ranson will continue his leadership role, reporting directly to the board and overseeing operations.
Church staff member fired a month prior
In late January, a Crossroads Church staff member was fired for allegedly filming women working out at a Crunch Fitness in Oakley.
Tome responded to FOX19 NOW after the allegations, stating he was made aware by Cincinnati police and was cooperating with the investigation into the staff member.
“This behavior grossly violates biblical standards and expectations required of any individual on staff. As a result, he has been removed from staff,” Tome said at the time.
This story was was provided by Enquirer media partner Fox 19.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Crossroads pastor returns after suspension for horse whip accusation
