The whistleblowers revealed their belief that the senior minister, as a mandated reporter, neglected to hotline Brandon M. after being notified multiple times of possible abuse of a minor. The case study, “Is it Enough?,” listed three people who had notified the senior minister. There is no incidence of which I am aware that any…
My conflict avoidance nature makes me more of an observer than a vocal participant. I sat in the meeting for leaders of adult classes and ministries, noting the behaviors not only of the church leadership hosting the meeting, but also of the audience. I can’t help but ask, “Whom do the elders serve?” Are they…
The ‘informational’ meeting I attended occurred on April 8, 2015. The elders claimed they had done an internal investigation. Yet their March 17, 2015, certified letter to Professor Lay and Titus stated they “had not taken the role of an investigator.” What a difference three weeks made in their story. If an investigation had begun…
I realized the choice before me was to continue supporting FCCF as it was, or to work for necessary changes. I had avoided conflict most of my life, which made this even harder. I could remain dormant or come out of my shell. I decided to stand for restoring the church to a format similar…
I received a response to my email and hoped the meetings of church leaders and teachers would start a productive church dialogue. I discovered my naivety during the April 8th meeting. Stay tuned for the rest of the story. “I wrestled mentally with the knowledge and glaring inconsistencies before me. Two days after my message…
Are we in the pews allowed to question church leadership? Are we, who financially support the operations of the church owed timely and truthful answers? I’m just asking. “To the FCCF elders: I’m writing to express deep concern for recent serious and public accusations made against the FCCF leadership. I read the open letter Kari…
The dart that burst my ignorance bubble was the document, “Is it Enough?” I wasn’t the only one pricked by its impact. I was a deacon at the time it was systematically distributed down the chain of church command. The case study and timeline of events forced me to take notice and begin to ask…
Churches generate programs in service to God’s kingdom — Sunday School, kids’ ministries, youth activities, missions, choir, VBS, outreach, small groups, recovery ministries and more. The larger the church body, the greater potential for more programs. I’m not saying that programs are bad, but do they keep us so engrossed in their operations that we…
Life ticks off with its daily duties and nightly rituals, and I begin thinking it will always be the same. Then a rude awakening shakes me to my socks and nothing remains but memories of what was before. I certainly never expected the church I had attended for over ten years would splinter and fall…
Is your church leadership transparent to the members? Do you know where your tithes and offerings go? Does leadership share the budgets for the year and seek approval for them? Are you aware of what transpires behind the scenes between the senior minister and the elders? Do your elders appear to be more of a…
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