An Important Email Regarding Pastor Bryce's Tattoo
Dear Grace Community Family,
It has been brought to my attention that during Pastor Bryce’s sermon earlier today, many of you noticed what appeared to be an inappropriate tattoo on his left forearm. Specifically, various members complained they saw what looked like a “naked female bottom” peeking out from the rolled up sleeve of his shirt.
Please know I take these allegations seriously and have asked Bryce to meet with me in person no later than this afternoon to discuss.
God bless.
Todd Cahill
Senior Pastor
Dear Grace Community Family,
This afternoon I met with Pastor Bryce at our church office. I shared your concerns and showed him footage from our livestream where the upsetting tattoo can be clearly seen from various angles.
Without any hesitation, Pastor Bryce rolled up his sleeve and showed me the tattoo in question (photo attached below). As you can plainly see, the “bottom” is merely an upside-down pink heart branded with his wife Rebecca’s initials.
I am grateful for Bryce’s swift cooperation and hope this clears up any confusion.
God bless.
Todd Cahill
Senior Pastor
Dear Grace Community Family,
Some of you remain upset about Pastor Bryce’s tattoo, namely Pastor Bryce’s decision to get a tattoo which so closely resembles a naked female body part.
I have since met with Bryce to discuss further. He insists that his intentions were pure and helped me do a google search on my computer to argue the case that the curved top of nearly all hearts resembles a rear end — if one is trying hard to see a rear end. :)
Having said that, and in light of 1 Thessalonians 5:22 which warns against even the “appearance” of evil, I have asked Bryce to keep his shirts rolled all the way down when preaching on Sunday mornings.
God bless and see you at Monday’s Memorial Day BBQ!
Todd Cahill
Senior Pastor
Dear Grace Community Family,
Earlier this evening I received a text message from a longtime member which included a “disturbing” photo she found of Pastor Bryce wakeboarding, posted on his public Facebook page in August of 2019. In the photo, it appears Bryce has a snake tattoo that stretches across his entire chest and curves around his right shoulder.
I immediately FaceTimed with Pastor Bryce at home who took off his shirt to confirm that no such tattoo exists. His best guess is that it was a piece of seaweed.
We are grateful for your concern and understanding.
Todd Cahill
Senior Pastor
Grace Family—
Given the continued tensions regarding Pastor Bryce, the elder board has asked me to give a brief exegesis on the Biblical morality of tattoos.
While the Old Testament includes strong language against them (Leviticus 19:28), this appears to be directed at early pagans who cut images of demonic idols into their skin as acts of worship. Grace Community Church sees all such idolatry as sinful and antithetical to our Christian beliefs.
Rest assured, I drove to Bryce’s house early this morning and he confirms that his upside-down heart tattoo is not part of a larger pagan ritual and he does not, by any definition, worship his wife.
Grateful for all of you as we grow in our understanding of God and love for each other.
Todd
Dear Church,
Regarding my previous email, Pastor Bryce’s comments on his wife Rebecca were not intended to come off flippant and certainly not “misogynistic,” as some of you have suggested.
In Bryce’s attempt to downplay any pagan implications of his tattoo, he never meant to diminish his monumental admiration for his wife or women in general. I tracked Bryce down at his son’s little league game this morning and he told me, “I love Rebecca deeply and consider her God’s greatest gift to me.”
See you at 2pm for the BBQ!
Todd
Church,
The elder board has asked Bryce to provide some theological clarity on his earlier statement in regards to his wife.
From Bryce: “Earlier this morning while trying to coach little league I inaccurately stated that God’s greatest gift to me is my wife Rebecca. This is obviously not true. My greatest gift is Jesus Christ who paid the ultimate price by dying on the cross for my sins. Thank you.”
Thank you to the elder board for your continued guidance.
Todd
Church.
A quick follow-up.
Bryce’s wife Rebecca has asked me to note that while Jesus Christ is Bryce’s greatest gift, Rebecca is also a gift. Below Jesus, of course, but still great in countless ways.
Todd
Grace Community—
Due to ongoing questions, the elder board and I have decided to postpone today’s Memorial Day BBQ and instead are calling a church-wide meeting to further discuss tattoos in general, Bryce’s tattoo specifically, the Biblical health of Bryce and Rebecca’s marriage, and whether Bryce is the best person to help lead this flock moving forward.
Please meet in the sanctuary at 2pm.
Sincerely,
Todd Cahill
Senior Pastor
Dear Grace Community Family,
It is with a heavy heart that I announce the resignation of Pastor Bryce. I know this news comes as a big surprise to all of you, just as it did to me.
We have all loved getting to know Bryce, Rebecca, and their children over the last six months and he has taught all of us so much in his brief but transformative time at Grace Community.
In light of this, the Memorial Day BBQ will proceed as previously scheduled.
For those who missed it, Bryce’s final sermon on Matthew 7 (“Logs and Specks”) is now available for download on the church website.
God Bless.
Todd Cahill
Senior Pastor
Chef's kiss.
Stay vigilant, Grace Community. 🙏