Then again, after seeing the consistent pattern of NTM as seen on this blog and as personally experienced during my time with NTM – I shouldn’t have any shock at all. It is actually encouraging to see others affirm what I knew and experienced myself, although I was told I was the problem and the “sinful one.”

So they let pedophiles, child porn addicts and sex abusers “resign” but they “dismiss” people who don’t submit or who people like Alan Long who did what, hmm? what? had a different opinion than the leaders?

Yikes! Something is so terribly wrong. New Tribes – are you just so dillusional with your own superiority that you can “spiritualize” this away?

I fear for any of you who try to remain Ignorant!

Poster A said:

I contacted NTM. They said.

“Yeah, this has been a tough deal for the Prices and those involved. Joel is an MK and it appears that he became involved in child pornography in some manner. We first became aware of the issue when the police came to the Price home while they were in the US, I believe on furlough, and confiscated his computer… All of those issues are handled by the authorities, so we have very little information due to their restricting information to whatever they want the public to know. There are some very hard child pornography statutes which appear to be strictly enforced. However, child pornography is a serious subject and needs to be strictly dealt with.

“He has not been a part of the mission within days of the police confiscating his computer.”

I would like to ask what more could of been done? In every organization there are some bad eggs. That’s what happens when you have sinners saved by grace to work with. When you find them you get rid (sic)

Poster B responded, somewhat at length:

Joel Price was certainly involved in child pornography “in some manner”! Six thousand images! Not many people would call that “in some manner;” maybe people who would describe the sun as “warm.”

Of course, NO ONE is blaming NTM for Joel Price’s actions. NO ONE thinks NTM approved of it.

However, why was NTM not more forthcoming to the press? Why did their spokesperson deny that Joel Price had been involved with children in Venezuela, when he had?

And when the media found out about this, why was the spokesperson not available?

Is it really hard to figure out what more could have been done?

NTM could have been prepared, starting within days of his computer being confiscated. They could have told the full truth, not lies, to the press. They could have said, “Yes, we are thrilled that this man has been caught.” They could have started an investigation of the students who were taught by him in Venezuela, and had the reports ready for the press.

“Child pornography is a serious subject and needs to be strictly dealt with.”

“All of those issues are handled by the authorities.”

Yes, child pornography is bad. Not only did Joel Price look at it, have it in his possession, he was accused of distributing it as well. Those charges were dropped in the plea bargain.

But, NTM does not report CHILD ABUSE to the authorities on the field where it occurs? Maybe it’s not as serious as child pornography? Do we get to decide if we want to submit to “the authorities that be” based on whether we like the penalties for breaking the law or not?

Here is something else that could be done: Start reporting every single case of child abuse to the authorities in the country where it occurs. Make it a written, strictly enforced policy. On a par with, say, two piece bathing suits for women.

All of the stories at the time of his arrest said that Joel Price had resigned from NTM before his arrest. Resigned? Is it possible that he was allowed to resign, and he was not fired?

I know the press sometimes gets things wrong. Maybe, when she was admitting that Joel Price actually HAD had contact with children in Venezuela, the spokesperson could have clarified that he did NOT resign, he was fired. Oh, wait. The spokesperson was unavailable at the time, so I guess she couldn’t do that.

I think you should call NTM and ask them: Did Joel Price really resign, or did NTM take the bull by the horns and fire him?

Speaking of fire, I would fire my press spokesperson if they didn’t tell the truth. Or, if I were the press spokesperson and my boss asked me to lie, I would quit.

If the press had gotten it wrong through no fault of NTM’s, NTM should have gone public with the truth.

NTM missionaries have done – and are doing – some wonderful work for the Lord. That doesn’t mean that NTM should not be accountable for these sorts of shenanigans. In fact, in light of the very important work that missionaries are doing, they should be above reproach.

You judge how they have performed.

before everyone jumps all over me and accuses me of calling ntm evil, please carefully read over what i said…i am not saying everyone there has ulterior or sketchy motives, but something really scary is going on. just putting it out there, man.