The remorse, regret, sadness, and burden of my failures are not mine alone. I have profoundly hurt my family and you, my church family, and I have betrayed your trust again. I am so deeply sorry that I have failed to be the Christian my teaching has suggested I am.

Letters from Park Cities Presbyterian Church, Dallas, Texas, to church members:

Dear Church Family,

Please read these two letters which will also be mailed to all members this week:

A MESSAGE FROM SKIP RYAN

To the PCPC Church Family,

Most, though perhaps not all, of you know that prior to mid-2006, I struggled with addiction to opiate medicine (narcotics like Hydrocodone). After 7½ years of non-use, I “relapsed” about April 1 by abusing a medicine called Tramadol, which, while not as addictive as narcotics, “woke up the beast” as it is said, and led me back into the use of narcotics.

Instead of dealing with this relapse responsibly, I allowed it to continue and grow. Further, I obtained medicine inappropriately and wrongfully. In doing so, I betrayed the trust of the elders of our church who called me to the role of assistant pastor in 2011, and of you, the congregation of PCPC, whom I vowed to serve. This means that I have also broken my ordination vows and those I made when I was installed as one of your pastors.

It belongs to the presbytery to hear my confession and to act in whatever disciplinary way they deem best to protect the honor of the Church broadly. It belongs to the Session of PCPC to do so for our congregation. The elders have been full of love for Barbara and me, and they have been prompt and direct in executing their responsibilities as protectors of the flock and preservers of truth. I honor them in this difficult situation and ask that you do as well.
I do resign as assistant pastor at PCPC and ask the Session to formally dissolve the pastoral relationship that exists between the church and me, and I have asked Redeemer Seminary to accept my resignation as chancellor and professor.

The remorse, regret, sadness, and burden of my failures are not mine alone. I have profoundly hurt my family and you, my church family, and I have betrayed your trust again. I am so deeply sorry that I have failed to be the Christian my teaching has suggested I am. Ironically, I love our church more than I did in previous years before 2006. You have been our family, showing how much of His grace you have experienced in your own lives. I will always be thankful for the love given to me through the people and the elders of PCPC.

Please pray for us. These are uncertain and difficult days.

Blessings,
Skip Ryan

A MESSAGE FROM MARK DAVIS

Dear PCPC Family,

As you have now read, our dear brother, Skip Ryan, has had a relapse with his addiction to narcotics. When I was told of his relapse, my heart broke for Skip and Barbara, for their family, and for our church. My heart and mind have been heavy with sorrow, disappointment, confusion, and a deep hatred of sin, met with the solid hope and comfort that comes from our Savior Jesus Christ and His Gospel.

Recognizing his sin, Skip has resigned as assistant pastor at PCPC and as chancellor and professor at Redeemer Seminary. He does so with deep sorrow, regret, and sadness over how he has hurt and betrayed our trust and dishonored the Lord.

As a Session, our elders desire to show the love, mercy, and holiness of Christ. We love Skip and Barbara and are committed to helping them walk through this challenging chapter of their lives. We are grateful for the faithfulness of our Savior and are seeking His face to know how best to care for Skip and Barbara.

As elders, we are also committed to helping the PCPC body walk through this difficult time. If you feel the need to talk with one of our elders or pastors, please don’t hesitate to contact the church office. We would be honored to talk with you.

As the church body, the most significant response we can have to this news is to pray. Jesus Christ is our Savior, and we are told in the books of Romans and Hebrews that He intercedes for us. Let us boldly go before His throne of grace, praying for Skip and Barbara and for one another. As we come together this Sunday for worship, let’s look forward to once again lifting high the name of Christ, rehearsing again the truths of the Gospel, that we may receive mercy and find grace in our time of need.

By His Grace and for His Glory,
Mark Davis