News

Calvary Chapel Pastor Sues Son for Cyberbullying

Visalia’s Bob Grenier alleges libel and slander in “online hate campaign.”

Christianity Today November 9, 2012

Chuck Smith's Calvary Chapel movement–which faced a day of reckoning and uncertain future in 2007 over concerns about lax moral standards among its leaders–is making headlines once again.

It's not often that a father will sue his own son. But Bob Grenier, pastor of Visalia Calvary Chapel, says he is tired of his estranged son Alex Grenier's "cyberbullying campaign" against his parents and their church–so the elder Grenier is pressing charges to make his son stop.

In a lawsuit filed in October, Bob Grenier alleges that Alex Grenier launched a website and "posted accusations that his father committed felony child abuse against him and his three brothers while pretending to be an upstanding preacher and police chaplain," the Fresno Bee reports.

Besides libel and slander, the lawsuit also alleges that Alex Grenier and another Visalia church member, Tim Taylor, "engaged in intentional infliction of emotional distress of the pastor and his wife."

The scandal broke about two years ago, when Alex Grenier first launched his site.

In addition to reporting the Calvary Chapel movement's "day of reckoning", CT previously reported when New Mexico megachurch pastor Skip Heitzig became embroiled in accusations of leadership accountability. He initially resigned from his position, but then returned to lead the church seven months later.

Our Latest

Public Theology Project

A Real Revival Is Not Controllable 

It implies a movement of the Spirit, not just a boost in numbers.

From Our Community

For Vince Bacote, the Black Evangelical Story Has Something for Everyone

The theologian behind a recent documentary on what compelled him to tell a challenging and beautiful story.

Tribalism Comes with a Warning Label

When tribalism turns us inward, we live like the rest of the world apart from the gospel.

Excerpt

Shutdown Highlights Challenges in Rural Health Care

Small-town doctors grapple with looming budget cuts and lack of support.

There’s No Shame in Talking About Pregnancy Loss  

Eli and Hannah’s conversation in 1 Samuel holds wisdom for Christians on how to care for people who have lost babies or experience infertility.

The Russell Moore Show

JD Greear on What Culture Wars Are Doing to Us

What if the real radicals right now are the ones who refuse to join the outrage mobs?

Review

Our Weary World Needs a Sigh of Relief

David Zahl explores the underappreciated power of God’s grace to lift our earthly burdens.

Apple PodcastsDown ArrowDown ArrowDown Arrowarrow_left_altLeft ArrowLeft ArrowRight ArrowRight ArrowRight Arrowarrow_up_altUp ArrowUp ArrowAvailable at Amazoncaret-downCloseCloseEmailEmailExpandExpandExternalExternalFacebookfacebook-squareGiftGiftGooglegoogleGoogle KeephamburgerInstagraminstagram-squareLinkLinklinkedin-squareListenListenListenChristianity TodayCT Creative Studio Logologo_orgMegaphoneMenuMenupausePinterestPlayPlayPocketPodcastRSSRSSSaveSaveSaveSearchSearchsearchSpotifyStitcherTelegramTable of ContentsTable of Contentstwitter-squareWhatsAppXYouTubeYouTube