He was indicted by the Dallas County Grand Jury and is being prosecuted by the District Attorney’s office. Matt turned himself in and is now out on bond. @MattTonne @villagechurchtx @MattChandler74 @jdgreear @ERLC #sbc19 #churchtoo https://t.co/GwdujLQi9h pic.twitter.com/UzshGnRzOU— Amy Smith (@watchkeep) January 25, 2019
I was in the pews when this was disclosed. At a branch campus. It wasn’t told that this man worked in the children’s ministry alongside children at the church. 😡 We could no longer submit under their leadership. They r duplicit. Appearing to speak up for the abused and oppressed— Tamara Church (@TamaraChurch20) January 25, 2019
This is is very concerning:
So back to the past few months, some not pretty things happened. My husband was asked to leave the staff @ TVC after being on staff there for over 11 years because of some sin reasons I won’t get into on social media. {if you want to know, just ask us. Come straight to us. We are an open book}.
As of Dec 2017, he was seeing counseling clients, including children…. pic.twitter.com/2hhDyUITng— Anna Keith (@annakeith) January 25, 2019
Megachurch: Stay With Your Kiddie Porn-Watching Husband—or Face ‘Discipline’ http://t.co/ClVGUYW41h pic.twitter.com/oExbFfZr9v— The Daily Beast (@thedailybeast) May 31, 2015
From: “Matt McCauley”Subject: Update Regarding Matt TonneDate: May 23, 2018 at 3:26:55 PM CDTKids Village volunteers and families,
You are receiving this email because we love and care for you, and part of that care involves informing you of significant news directly affecting Kids Village and its staff.
As of today, Matt Tonne is taking a leave of absence from staff for personal reasons. I’m sure this information raises questions, specifically regarding his care and how Kids Village will be affected. We ask that you extend trust to us, knowing that Matt’s Home Group, KV staff, and the Elders are caring for him and that Kids Village will continue to provide excellent programming for our elementary children. During Matt’s absence, we will be bringing in some temporary help for VBS, weekend services, and other needs in the elementary ministry.
We are so grateful for Matt and his 11 years of service to The Village Church and know many of you have been blessed by his faithful work. We encourage you to pray for him and his family during this time. Additionally, we will be collecting cards to be delivered to Matt if you wish to write him a note of encouragement. You can drop your card or note off at the Kids Village check-in desk during services this weekend or next weekend. This will by far be the best and most helpful way of communicating with him.
As always, if you have questions please feel free to contact us. Jenny Kisner and I are happy to hear from you by email, phone call, or in person.
Grace,Matt McCauley
Family Minister–The Village Church Flower Mound Campus
Hello Kids Village Volunteers and Families,
I need to give you a difficult update regarding Matt Tonne. I wish I could share this news in person, but due to the amount of people involved it’s best to share this with you via email as an update to our earlier news about Matt’s leave of absence.
Last week we removed Matt from his role as associate elementary minister in Flower Mound. This decision is the result of an alcohol abuse problem and is heartbreaking for all of us. Matt’s preference was for you to know the specific reason for his removal rather than receiving a vague and general update about it.
We have offered ongoing care for Matt and his family as a Covenant Member of The Village. Our hope and prayer is that he finds complete freedom, and that this action will be a severe mercy that leads him to Christ for healing and hope. If you know Matt well, please feel free to encourage him. If you don’t know him well, this isn’t a good time to connect with him.
In this transition, we have brought on Jenna Marshall and Jenni Hamm to assist us through VBS.
We know this news may be difficult to hear because of Matt’s faithfulness over the years. The Elders and Pastors prayerfully believe this is what is best for both the Tonne family and the Church. If you have questions about this news, or need help on how to share this news with your kids, please let me or Jenny Kisner know. Thank you for your prayers for the Tonne family and for us as we move forward.
Christ is All,
Matt Chandler
Matt Tonne’s criminal trial date is pending.
Story in The Christian Post
Chandler intentionally misled the church in September. He said the person is not affiliated with TVC and assured them all staff are trained by Ministry Safe. Now we find out it was their children’s minister, Matthew Tonne, who is being charged!!!https://t.co/SgqSI5adSX— Jimmy Hinton (@JimmyHinton12) January 26, 2019
Tonne was out at TVC in June 2018. MC partially informs congregation in 9/2018 stating Alleged Perp was not part of congregation. 1/19 learn he was indicted and was kid min. Was that 6/18 departure really just abt alcohol or had an abuse report been made by then?— Jane Speaks (@JaneSpeaksUp) January 27, 2019
Former Village Church pastor charged with indecency with a child https://t.co/krKKIAR7Qf pic.twitter.com/Ogf0vwcsmC— WFAA (@wfaa) January 27, 2019
They write a poor me , poor us, poor Matt type of letter. Pray for him etc.
He broke the law. He broke God's laws, he broke a child..children. He drinks to excess.
What part of any of that deserves poor me. The Bible says to get rid of them from the church.
I am so sick of this soft serve attitude towards sin and lack of deep repentance.
And that wife! Cry me a river lady. Get over yourself!