Interesting Article: “What to Do When Your Minister Is Accused of Abuse”

This article is a re-print from this link at SNAP (The Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests). I found it especially interesting that they caution people in how they respond to abuse allegations, if they believe in the innocence of the minister. In summary, the problem is that little eyes are watching. And in these tense moments the little ones around us are getting a message loud and clear: This is how people treat you when you come forward. People won’t believe you. People will turn on you and attack your family. It’s not worth it. It’s too ugly. You’ll be hated.

Please take time to read and share your thoughts with us:

What to do when your minister is accused of abuse

1) Remain open-minded.
The natural human instinct is to recoil from alleged horror, and to immediately assume that the allegations are false. But the overwhelming majority of abuse disclosures prove to be true. In every case, the proper and Christian response is to remain open-minded.

Ed Stezter Speaks Out Regarding ABWE and Abuse Scandal

We are so grateful popular missiologist Ed Stetzer broke his silence. Incredibly grateful, especially at this time.

I waited, not so patiently, I know. But I believe God’s timing was impeccable. Thank you, Ed.

Please read it. It’s great: The Price

– Tamara

What We Ask of ABWE-Supporting Churches

Many people have asked us what they should be telling their churches. Maybe this can be a starting point for your missions council:

ASK ABWE …

1. To release the Simms Showers report without victim names. (This should include how many people were contacted and interviewed, so you can determine how thorough it actually was.) To inform current and sending churches only is not enough. All churches who supported these men, should know. Beyond that, we believe their former coworkers must know and any other affiliations they hold, such as GARBC.

2. Ask for proof of how each alleged pedophile has been handled: proof they have been let go, proof they have been reported to authorities.

Susie Beals Baker Resigns As Moderater

Dear Blog Supporters:

I want to thank all of you who have supported me and the blog over the last couple of years.  I have not actually moderated for over a year,  and due to recent events on the blog, namely the allegations against Jay Walsh, I have decided that it is best if I step down from the blog.  I personally believe that Jay Walsh is innocent of child abuse and therefore feel that this is the right step for me to take.   Please support and pray for the moderators who are left, for ABWE and for G.R.A.C.E  as they continue their investigation of Dr. Ketcham.

Sincerely,

Susannah Beals Baker

Why the ABWE Letter Still Matters, Innocent or Guilty

If you believe that Jay Walsh is innocent of the allegations against him, the document from ABWE still deserves your attention. What does it indicate:

1. The investigation had some holes. Simms Showers/ABWE didn’t even attempt to interview a key witness. That’s a problem, by any standard.
2. ABWE clearly determined (their determination, yes, not a court of law) that he was guilty enough that they had to sever ties. And yet they tried to do it very quietly and secretly, once again hiding matters involving child sexual abuse. That’s a problem, by any standard. I believe that even if you think he is innocent you should still agree with the premise that secretly dismissing any man for breach of a child sexual abuse policy is a problem.

And the Country Started Paying Attention …

While these articles are not about this blog, they are very much about ABWE and Wendell Kempton. We are overwhelmed, encouraged, humbled, and incredibly grateful to God for this blessing:

• Philadelphia Inquirer
• Christianity Today
• Times Online Beaver PA
• Carlysle Sentinel
• Sacramento Bee
• Youngstown Indicator
• San Francisco Chronicle
• New Jersey Herald

… and more too numerous to name here.

Thank you to all who helped make this happen and to God for allowing it at this time. Yes, we are supported.

- Tamara

 

Changes & Prayers

We ask for your prayers as we consider ways to make continuing the blog possible. Over the last 18 months what began as a strong team has dwindled under the pressures of this difficult task.

We know it probably looks easy from your computer screen, and that many times you have probably seen how we answered a difficult comment and thought you could do a better job, and who knows, you probably could. But you aren’t doing it. It’s just us and we have withered to a tiny number.