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CHRISTIAN BREAKING NEWS: Former Member Sues Grace Community Church | Pastor John MacArthur Accused of Publicly Shaming Woman over Private Counseling [#LorraineZielinski #PublicShaming #PrivateCounseling]

Hi everyone,

A former member of Grace Community Church, led by Pastor John MacArthur, has filed a lawsuit alleging public shaming and disclosure of confidential counseling details.

Lorraine Zielinski claims the church violated her privacy by sharing sensitive personal matters during a church service, following her attempt to resign amid a troubled marriage.

The case raises serious questions about church discipline, pastoral confidentiality, and the limits of religious freedom under US law.

🔍 What does this mean for churches and congregants across the country?

⚖️ Can a church override a member’s resignation?

🕊️ Where is the line between doctrine and personal rights?

A former member, Lorraine Zielinski, has filed a lawsuit (on July 3, 2025) in Los Angeles County Superior Court against Grace Community Church, led by Pastor John MacArthur, alleging the church publicly disclosed her confidential counseling details during a service

🔍 Key Allegations:
Zielinski sought confidential biblical counseling over concerns of her troubled marriage, including allegations of physical abuse.

Church leaders allegedly pressured her against pursuing legal separation.

When she attempted to resign, they reportedly denied it and placed her under church discipline.

They then threatened to expose her private counseling details unless she attended a disciplinary meeting.

Subsequently, those details (and mischaracterizations of them) were shared publicly during a service.

Members were also allegedly urged to pressure Zielinski into submission and reconciliation

🌐 Legal Claims:
Her lawyers assert this violated:

Privacy

Free association

Rights against false portrayal

Breach of confidentiality

Intentional infliction of emotional distress

⚖️ First Amendment Consideration:
Religious institutions often enjoy protection under the First Amendment regarding internal governance and doctrine. However, legal experts note exceptions apply when internal matters (like church discipline) spill into the public domain and involve personal privacy rights

📜 Church Bylaws at Issue:
Grace Community Church bylaws require public disclosure of church members dismissed under discipline.

Only members “in good standing” can resign; those facing discipline cannot.

This public discipline appears to be part of formal church practices

📌 Historical Context:
This publicly shaming approach isn’t new for the church. In 2002, MacArthur publicly rebuked a woman in a similar setting when her husband was accused of abuse—a case with a long shadow of controversy
Religion News Service
.

🧭 What’s Next?
The church has not commented publicly.

Zielinski’s legal team and Grace Community Church have yet to respond officially.

The court’s decision will likely navigate a challenging balance between religious freedom and individual rights.

FORMER MEMBER SUES CHURCH | JOHN MACARTHUR ACCUSED PUBLICLY SHAMING WOMAN OVER PRIVATE COUNSELING | Christian Breaking News!

FORMER MEMBER SUES CHURCH | JOHN MACARTHUR ACCUSED PUBLICLY SHAMING WOMAN OVER PRIVATE COUNSELING | Christian Breaking News!