WASH LINE - Summer 2000

By Peggy Harris, W.A.S.H. Board Chair
Women and Men Against Sexual Harassment and Other Abuses
www.tagnet.org/wash

EDITORIAL
By Peggy Harris
HOW WE RESPOND:

In an article titled "Sexuality: A River of Life or Death" by Ron M. Wisbey, (former president of Columbia Union Conference) in Oregon Conference Family Life Ministries newsletter, We Are Family March/April, 1994, he says: "I am concerned about the growing number of members who have found themselves in trouble due to inappropriate sexual activities.  The cataclysmic results of these moral lapses have affected all of us, but most importantly, those involved and their immediate families have been devastated.".. "We cannot simply assign the subject of sexuality and sexual identity to the closet of unspeakable topics.  For too long we have "politely" refused to talk about it honestly and openly.  We have made it uncomfortable and even impossible to talk about temptations and dangers.  Because of this attitude we have been blind to problems until it was too late to apply preventative measures - all we have been able to do is mop up afterwards."

Most of the people who contact me regarding their desperation in trying to deal with abuse in their family, are totally frustrated in trying to get local church leaders to recognize and deal with the problem.  Because of the lack of local conference response, the problem doesn't just go away but festers and grows until the only resource remaining is a lawsuit.

In this issue we will explore how this indifference might be changed.

Asking for Forgiveness: An Organizational Responsibility
By Lawrence G. Downing
Adventist Today May/June 2000

"The December 2, 1999, Adventist Review published a unique statement.  North American Division President Alfred C. McClure, in an article titled "An Expression of Sorrow and Apology," addressed delegates of a Race Relations Summit.  He spoke first as president of the North American Division, next as a pastor and last as a friend.

'I have something else to say to you as your president,' he said, 'and I want to speak specifically to my Afro-American brothers and sisters with whom I and all my Anglo colleagues have assumed a special relationship because of that abominable scourge of slavery.  I want to say to you, I apologize, I am sorry.

'I am sorry for the way you've been treated by our church, almost from the time of its birth.  For example, here in Washington D.C., where we had the unique opportunity to exercise leadership in race relations, to take a lead in desegregation, we ran away from it.  I don't know all the circumstances.  But I want to say on behalf of your church, I'm sorry.  I don't know if any other president has said that publicly - it doesn't matter.  But I want to say it today.'

"McClure's eloquent and courageous statement establishes an ethical precedent for church leaders.  His statement stands as an example to the religious community and demonstrates how organizational leadership can responsibly fulfill the command of scripture to confess one's sin and seek forgiveness.

"Donald Shriver Jr., in a recent Christian Century article "Bridging the Abyss of Revenge" (December 1, 1999, pp. 1169-1173), addresses an issue pertinent to personal and organizational behavior.  He points out that nations even more than individuals resist admitting guilt.  He might have added that religious organizations and those who lead them suffer the same aversion to admitting the error of their ways.  

"Forgiveness is a fundamental Christian doctrine.  Bible Doctrines 101 drills into the student's mind, "if we confess our sins he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins," (1 John 1:9).  The Only-Go-to-Church-on-Christmas-or-Easter person can repeat the part of the Lord's Prayer that implores our Maker to forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.

"When two people are at odds with one another or when one person has wronged another, the church and its leaders implore the parties to forgive one another.  It is the honorable and the Christian thing to do.  Is it not so that an organization or institution and those who lead or represent it are under equal obligation as to seek forgiveness for wrongs committed or harm don't?  If religious leaders have violated the trust members have placed in them, should not the leaders confess and seek forgiveness?  An explanation detailing steps to set right the wrong may follow, but first is admission of wrong and a plea for forgiveness from those whose actions have harmed the reputation and integrity of the organization they serve.

"The more common practice when a religious organization and its leaders have been exposed in malfeasance is to issue denials or defer to the attorneys.  Large sums of money are spent to hire public relation firms and attorneys to keep the problem quiet, controlled and out of the press.  Were it not for persistent inquiry by reporters and interested parties, few members would know when church officials have brought disrepute and harm to the church and its members.  Adventist church officials have embezzled money, misappropriated church funds, and used their denominational offices for personal benefit or gain.

"Denominational leaders and the corporate body of the Adventist church have been subject to large financial judgments because laws were broken.  Seldom have church leaders acknowledged wrongs and sought forgiveness from the membership when the church has been held responsible for misjudgments or wrongs committed.  It is not my purpose to suggest that we follow the lead of South Africa and establish a Truth and Reconciliation Commission, although there may have been situations when this model would have helped bring closure to incidents that have negatively affected large numbers within the church body.  Nor should every vile deed or nefarious act be publicized.  It is important to note, however, that scripture teaches that those who refuse to acknowledge their guilt and admit to their mistakes are condemned.  Organizations and institutions are not exempt from this mandate.  It is not acceptable for leaders to hide behind corporate policy or organizational charters.  The command to seek forgiveness applies equally and fully to corporate entities, in particular, those who advocate moral behavior and promote ethical values.

"Can we expect religious organizations and religious professionals to have such candor?  Perhaps not.  There is much to lose when organizations, especially religious ones, admit errors and seek forgiveness.  Admission of guilt carries the risk of loss of trust, and since trust is the coin of the religious realm, the loss of confidence may translate into loss of income.  However, integrity has a value of its own.  The potential loss of trust by the less thoughtful may be balanced by respect for those institutions, officials, and spokespersons who dare admit frailty.  It is possible that those who previously tagged statements from PR departments irrelevant and unreliable may change their tune.

"When an organization, especially a religious one, admits guilt and seeks forgiveness, it says to the world that it holds itself to the same standards it expects from its members.  When it does not, the opposite is true; it claims exemption from the standards that govern its members.  This establishes a high-risk precedent.

"Organizational leaders who wring their hands over the decline in public morals do well to consider the implications associated with denial of culpability, responsibility and obligation when leadership is found to have engaged in inappropriate or illegal activities.  Organizations, especially those with a religious or moral base, have opportunity to demonstrate what it means to act as responsible citizens when they are found to have violated commonly accepted practices or standards.  The leaders of these organizations can boldly confess the sin and humbly seek forgiveness.

"When an organization, especially a religious one, acknowledges error, this admission flies in the face of what appears to be SOP (Standard Operating Procedures): admit nothing, deny everything, claim innocence, and if convicted, claim innocence anyway, it was all a misunderstanding.  Responses like these do not build trust.   Responsible men and women who lead organizations and institutions acknowledge wrong when the actions of organizational leaders hurt people or violate trust. They ask forgiveness from those who have been harmed and seek justice.

"This is the right thing to do. It is how an organization restores its credibility, establishes its trustworthiness, and maintains its integrity.  Religious organizations and institutions are not exempt.  Those who are leaders in these organizations are called to take the lead in this moral endeavor.  Alfred McClure has shown the way.  He has done his church proud!"
                       
Larry Downing is senior pastor of the White Memorial Church in Los Angeles, California and is an adjunct professor in the School of Business and Management at La Sierra University, where he teaches Christian Ethics to MBA students.

W.A.S.H. applauds both the Adventist Review and Adventists Today for publishing excerpts of Elder McClure's apology.  We are also grateful that finally a church leader has had the courage to make such a public statement.  We watched with interest to see if this attitude would carry over into the 2000 General Conference Session in Toronto.   To our knowledge it did not.  This is what Ellen G. White envisioned for the General Conference Session in 1888 and sadly did not happen then.  (See A Story of Treachery in the story section of this web site.)  This is what our church has been waiting for ever since.  How long, oh Lord?  If church leaders are serious about rebuilding lost trust, this will happen.  If our church is serious about the need for the gift of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, this will happen.

We must remember that we are the church.  We can begin this on a local church level in our church board meetings, elders meetings, etc.  Seeking forgiveness for wrongs at the local church level will certainly help individuals and churches bring restoration and finally the renewal we have long been waiting for.  Local church leaders will set an example for church members to also participate.  God is waiting.  What are we waiting for?

More Internet Safety:
There is a new section titled Internet Safety and we will be posting information and articles there.

A Word to the Wise:
We have received several letters recently regarding clergy abuse.  Unfortunately we have been able to determine that one of the pastors is still employed as a pastor.  A good question to ask your local conference is: do they do background checks on any pastors hired?  If not why not?  Our schools have to do this.  Pastors should also have a background check made to verify their safety not only with church members but also with children.  Pastors are supposed to have a background check by the hiring conference.

Any conference that hires a pastor with a previous history of abuse takes the risk on themselves if there any claims presented.  There is no coverage through the church's insurance policy!

This is why it is so very important to report abuse to a conference and follow up if there is no action by going beyond the local conference.  It is best to put the complaint/report in writing sticking to just the allegation at hand.  Try to keep it to one page and if there is more information indicate that in the complaint.  Keep copies of anything sent.

Here are some steps that should be followed in making a complaint
of abuse:
    1. Follow up a phone call to the local conference president with a letter briefly outlining the complaint.  Stick to facts (like you would have to do in a court).  List any supporting information sources.
    2. If no response of action/investigation on the part of the local conference keep going up (union, NAD and finally the North American Division Office of Human Relations, Dr. Rosa Banks).
    3. If still no resolution you may then want to talk to an attorney to find out if you have a legal case to bring a lawsuit.

These are the procedures to follow through to bring a resolution to the problem of abuse by professionals in the church.

It may help to outline the problem on paper then let it sit a bit and go over it again until you feel it is clear.  Try to write it clearly and simply with a cool head.   That is hard when one is so involved and feeling the anger and pain that abuse causes.  But it helps to clarify the complaint to those who will receive it.

Just as a child who has done wrong responds more positively to a calm but stern parent so also do adults.

Don't give up.  Other potential victims will be saved from abuse if you make a report.

As laymembers who have a concern about preventing abuse we should be asking our local conference about their hiring practices.

We have listed on this web site a help organization C.E.A.S.E. (Clergy and Educator Abuse Survivors Empowered).  Their web site is: www.advocateweb.com/cease.   Check it out.

Letters:
"Very nice site.  Thank you for sending me a notice about it." L

"The only reason I happened to read yesterday what you had written was that I was wiped out after counselling and relaxed by surfing the web - finding your encouraging poems.  Thank you again!"  F

"Thank you!  I was just reading it from the link you gave me in the e-mail "other web sites" and when I exited it after enjoying all your poems and statements found you have sent me this message!  We must think alike!  Also today I got an e-mail from Dee Miller who writes advocacy articles and is from the Southern Baptist church!  Since I am now a member of the Baptist church I was tickled to find someone who was dealing with these issues there!  Thanks for the info.   I signed up for the CEASE newsletter.. Love and prayers," J

"I've briefly looked at your site and must congratulate you on your hard work.   I hope you have many "hits" to the site which will help spread your ideas.  I'm sure I'll pull it up from time to time.  Success to you." B

This page last updated on Sunday January 29, 2006 11:20 AM

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members and church leaders better understand the problems abuse brings and prevention methods.

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