Failure #2 of the Senior Minister: The Church

A View from the Pews

I come to this personal opinion based on observations, interviews, documents and comments I’ve reviewed. You are welcome to come to your own informed opinion. From the book: “My personal opinion from having gone through this experience is multidimensional. Steve Wingfield failed: • His church. He let the wolf through the doors. He did not … Read more

Failure #1 of the Senior Minister: The Elders

A View from the Pews

My personal opinion, based on my observations, comments and documents I’ve reviewed. You are welcome to form your own informed opinion. From the book: “My personal opinion from having gone through this experience is multidimensional. Steve Wingfield failed: • His elders. He set himself above them and in total control of them. Judging from their … Read more

Prevent Victimization

A View from the Pews

Is it incumbent upon church leadership to prepare the flock? Is it incumbent upon church members to prepare themselves to know what to look for? Are hundreds of pairs of trained eyes more effective than those of the elders and deacons? Can we do better at fending off the potential of abuse within our church? … Read more

The Purpose

A View from the Pews

I’m just asking. From the book: “What value is all of this to the Body of Christ? What are the takeaways that can promote healing and prevent others from getting wrapped up in another potentially explosive church situation? The Church cannot escape having to deal with sexual abuse threats. It can, however, do everything within … Read more

Comments of the Concerned

A View from the Pews

I’ve been blessed to hear from several fellow one-time members of FCCF and some who stayed at FCCF since release of A View from the Pews. There have been comments on both sides of my premises presented in the book. I included in my writing several of the inputs made at the time of the … Read more

Bitter Water

A View from the Pews

What about those of us in the pews? What was our plight? What decisions did we face? Were you aware of the details as they happened? What was your position? Did you taste the bitter water? Did you see the exodus of families leaving the church and wonder why? Did you ask the pertinent questions? … Read more

Priorities

A View from the Pews

The victims’ identities fold into protective layers, especially if they are minors. Doing that unfortunately muffles their outcries and hides their tears. How do we help them heal? How do we make them know we value them? How do we walk with them until they are strong enough to walk on their own? When they … Read more

Victims — Families of the Abused

A View from the Pews

What about the families of the abused? Were their relationships damaged? Did they question their parenting? I can’t speak for them or know the depth and hurt of the questions rolling through their minds. I pray for sweet spirits and unity for the families of the abused. They are victims of not only the abuser, … Read more

In the Victims’ Words

A View from the Pews

What about the victims? The judge gave them a voice, and they spoke through their letters to the court. I could not read them without tears. Two gave impact statements aloud during the trial. What about them? After years of silence, I pray that telling their stories, and speaking at the trial, releases some of … Read more

Victims — The Abused

A View from the Pews

This project is committed to victims. How many victims did Brandon Milburn leave in his wake of destruction? How many in Louisville? How many in Florissant? How many in California? We will probably never know the exact number, but what about the victims? From the book: “The tragedy is the victims. It’s the victims who … Read more