As you can tell, I really am very dismayed about what has occurred with Pr Kelly. The actions taken against him could become commonplace, even in Australia. I don’t have a position of authority to exert any influence, and hopefully what I share here may help others to see the craziness that is occurring. Here’s my take:
The Tragic Injustice of Pastor Ron Kelly’s Firing: A Cautionary Tale of Unfair Treatment and Denial of Due Process
In the long, painful history of the criminal justice system, there are tragic tales of individuals who were wrongfully convicted, spent years—sometimes decades—on death row, only to be exonerated after their execution. Their stories reflect a shocking failure of justice, where crucial evidence is ignored or overlooked, and lives are destroyed in the name of justice. Some of the most heart-wrenching cases are those of individuals executed before their innocence could be proven. These are men like Troy Carter, who was executed in Georgia, or others who lived through the agonising uncertainty on death row for years until their wrongful conviction was finally recognised.
Wrongfully Executed Individuals: A Sobering Look
Here are a few amongst numerous examples of those who paid the ultimate price for crimes they did not commit:
Troy Anthony Davis
Charge: Murder of a police officer
Time on death row: 17 years
Determination of innocence: In 2014, DNA evidence, witness recantations, and new ballistics analyses pointed to his innocence, leading to his exoneration after his execution by lethal injection in 1992. This was despite Pope Benedict XVI, former US President Jimmy Carter, a prior director of the FBI William Sessions and others calling for clemency.
Cameron Todd Willingham
Charge: Arson and the deaths of his children
Time on death row: 12 years
Determination of innocence: In 2004, experts reviewed the case and concluded the fire was accidental, not arson. Willingham was executed by lethal injection in 2004 despite overwhelming evidence of his innocence.
Carlos DeLuna
Charge: Murder of a convenience store clerk
Time on death row: 13 years
Determination of innocence: In 2012, an extensive investigation revealed that another man, who had the same name and a similar appearance, was likely the true murderer. DeLuna was executed by lethal injection in 1989.
Gary Graham
Charge: Murder during a robbery
Time on death row: 17 years
Determination of innocence: New evidence showed that key witnesses had been coerced or gave false testimony, and no physical evidence linked Graham to the crime. He was executed by lethal injection in 2000.
Richard Glossip
Length of Time on Death Row: 20 years (ongoing case)
Charge: Murder of a hotel owner
Aftermath: The key witness who implicated Glossip recanted his testimony, and investigations revealed that the actual murderer had already confessed. However, Glossip is still fighting for exoneration.
These stories of wrongful convictions and subsequent exonerations expose the chilling reality of a flawed justice system. The real horror, however, is not just the time lost or the lives ruined, but the sheer impossibility of undoing the irreversible damage done in the name of "justice."
The Case of Pastor Ron Kelly: A Parallel Story of Injustice
Now, let us look at a more recent example of injustice—not in the criminal courts, but within the church community. Pastor Ron Kelly, until recently the lead pastor of the Village Seventh-day Adventist Church in Berrien Springs, Michigan, experienced a similar form of wrongful treatment. Kelly, a respected church leader with a fruitful ministry having national and international influence, was abruptly dismissed from his position by the Michigan Conference’s Executive Committee. There is no suggestion of criminal misconduct, immoral behaviour or aberrant doctrinal teachings which might otherwise have warranted such a dismissal.
Just as in the cases of those wrongfully convicted, Kelly’s dismissal came without overwhelmingly supportive evidence or comprehensive due process. He was removed from his pastoral role likely because of his association with Elder Conrad Vine, who had publicly criticised church leadership.
The Village SDA Church also gave voice to those who lost their voice over concerns surrounding the Covid vaccinations. We may never know all the charges, real or trumped up, against Kelly because of the closed door nature of the discussions. We understand that there were no substantiated accusations of wrongdoing against Kelly in relation to his own actions as a pastor (as evidenced by the denial of the Village church’s leadership of such actions), but rather a perceived “guilt by association.” This, in itself, is a glaring miscarriage of justice, akin to a wrongful conviction.
Pastor Kelly was denied the opportunity for a fair hearing, which is a cornerstone of due process. Unlike in the criminal justice system where appeals can sometimes bring about a revision of a conviction, Kelly’s situation lacked the transparency and accountability needed to ensure fairness. Church leadership acted hastily, driven by assumptions and presumptions about his loyalty rather than any factual evidence, essentially treating him as guilty without trial. It’s a heartbreaking example of how a system designed to protect and shepherd can sometimes become the very source of injustice. Moreover, the Michigan Conference would have been confident that Kelly would not appeal through typical legal pathways, risking exposure of uncomfortable details that may have revealed an unfair dismissal.
Apparently the vote by the Executive Committee was thirteen in favour and two against the dismissal of Pr Kelly. The concerning number here is not thirteen, but two. What were the factors that led to two persons saying ‘No’? What concerns, poor evidence, or paucity of evidence, caused these two persons to take a stand in favour of Pr Kelly? Bravo to you both!
In such a situation as this, should a majority vote be sufficient to destroy a man’s life and ministry? Or should it have required the vote to be unanimous? Just like Martin Luther before the Diet of Worms, it is probable that this was all a fait accompli — short of “recanting”. Kelly’s future was almost certainly determined ahead of the final meeting of the Executive. For the purposes of completeness, it simply required the proverbial rubber stamp.
Biblical Examples of Unjust Treatment
The Bible is filled with stories of individuals who were unjustly treated, some of whom faced grave consequences for their integrity and loyalty to God. These biblical figures exemplify the suffering that comes with unjust accusations, wrongful treatment, and the absence of a fair hearing.
Daniel was a faithful servant of God in the Babylonian Empire, and yet, he was falsely accused by his political rivals. They tricked King Darius into signing a decree that resulted in Daniel being thrown into the lion’s den. Despite the clear injustice, God vindicated Daniel, and he was spared.
Joseph’s story is one of the most well-known cases of being wrongfully accused. His brothers sold him into slavery, and he later faced false charges from Potiphar's wife, leading to his imprisonment. Despite these injustices, Joseph rose to power in Egypt and was eventually reunited with his family.
The prophet Jeremiah was hated by the leaders of Israel for speaking God’s truth. He was beaten, thrown into a cistern, and nearly killed. Despite his suffering, Jeremiah remained faithful to God’s message, showing how righteousness often faces rejection from the world.
The apostle Paul was frequently imprisoned and persecuted for preaching the gospel. His life was marked by unjust treatment, as he was beaten, stoned, and even shipwrecked. Yet, his faith in God’s plan remained unwavering, and he continued to spread the message of Christ.
Perhaps the most profound example of unjust treatment in the Bible is Jesus Christ. He was accused of blasphemy by the religious authorities, tried in a corrupt trial by an illegal process, and crucified despite being innocent. His death, however, became the ultimate act of redemption and hope for humanity, demonstrating that even in the most extreme injustice, God’s purposes can prevail.
A Call for Justice and Due Process
The stories of those wrongfully convicted, such as Troy Carter and Cameron Todd Willingham, are heartbreaking reminders of the need for due process in all systems of justice, whether civil or ecclesiastical. Pastor Ron Kelly’s case reflects a similar miscarriage of justice within the church, where decisions were made based on assumptions, prejudice, and personal biases rather than evidence or fairness. Like those biblical figures who endured injustice, Kelly’s faith and resilience should inspire others to stand firm in the face of wrongful treatment.
Just as the Bible teaches us about the importance of justice and fairness, it is essential for the church to practice these same principles. Pastor Ron Kelly’s case is a cautionary tale about the importance of due process, transparency, and accountability. It is a call for the church to be a place of fairness and grace, where justice prevails and all members are treated with dignity and respect. Only then can the church truly reflect the righteousness of God’s kingdom.
In the face of this gross miscarriage of justice, I am appalled by the silence of church leadership. From the top down, the silence is palpable. I call upon Elder Wilson (GC President), Elder Alexander Bryant (NAD President), Elder Ken Denslow (Lake Union President) and all conference presidents of the North American Division to break your silence and share why you are supportive of the actions taken by the Michigan Conference, or why you are not. Please. God would expect nothing less of you and the responsible role in which He has placed you.
“Let nothing be done through rivalry or vainglory, but in meekness of mind let everyone esteem the other better than himself” (Philippians 2:3).
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Dr. Robert Granger lives in Bunbury, Western Australia with his wife and daughter. He is a specialist dermatologist and operates a solo medical practice with outreach services to rural Western Australia. His prior academic degrees were in public health and pastoral ministry. Besides Australia, he has lived in Papua New Guinea, New Zealand, Mexico and the USA.