MK forum

"I know of a long-respected missionary society that has a history of fine Christian work. They had a policy that a missionary director told families what to do in such situations. The parents had no choice. The mother was always to be a "full-time missionary." That policy is reasonable and important as long as the idea of being "full time" can be lived out in different ways. But, sadly, the organization mandated that parents send each and every child to faraway boarding schools, regardless of local circumstances, the child's need, or anything else. Although some children not only coped with this program but thrived, others have been scarred for life.

I feel that it is especially wrong to be orphaned in Jesus' name. The choice of children's schooling is exactly the sort of decision parents need to make themselves. They are close to and responsible for each child in a unique way. They cry out to God for their children's welfare as no one else does.

For a second reason this mission society's policy is troubling. Surely in a pagan or post-Christian culture, modeling a Christian family is of vital importance. Living out Christianity is powerful and should demonstrate what is being taught to children. The family is the natural place to start. Homes are also where hospitality can be given, and hospitality is the basis for much Christian evangelism in the New Testament. Here in the home we find the relationships we are told to build up; here we find a place to practice love and demonstrate what is right."

from For the Family's Sake by Susan Schaeffer Macaulay

Some indecorous NTM employee let this slip out into cyber-space:

Excerpt from a "members-only" email sent out by NTM:

"In this case [Gary Earl beating a girl in his dorm bloody], after the investigative team finished its report, an independent panel was utilized to help determine disciplinary actions. All involved agreed that Gary Earl could no longer actively serve with NTM, and should be removed from the possibility of working with children, but that the findings did not require dismissal."

I can see why our hero, Brian Coombs, felt like writing anything to the victim about why Gary Earl was retired instead of dismissed would "most likely generate a whole lot more questions." Well, there is the understatement of the year! Great job, Brian!

Here are a few questions that come immediately to even my small mind:

1. Names of the members of the "investigative team."

2. Were any of the investigative team members women?

3. Names of the members of the "independent panel." I am glad to go on record publicly as opposed to their decision. Are they willing to be named publicly as being in favor of "retirement" as the appropriate "discipline"?

4. Who appointed the independent panel?

5. Exact text of the independent panel's recommendations.

6. Why in the world would anyone need an independent panel to tell them what they should do with an employee who beat little kids till they were bloody?

7. Is this independent panel being "utilized" to keep the pressure off NTM leadership? "We just did what the independent panel told us to do."

8. I can't escape the thought that, had this "independent panel" been a "jury," Gary Earl would be in jail, not retirement. Yet, a felony offense like this does not merit dismissal from NTM?

9. I'm borrowing this question from comments others have made on Facebook: What kind of offense would one have to commit in order to be dismissed from NTM?

"Information in eNews is for NTM USA members only. Please do not forward any edition or portion of eNews, or post them on any website, or otherwise share them outside New Tribes Mission USA without the express written consent of NTM."

Two observations on the above:

1. NTM can NOT have been surprised that this was shared. They know that many of their employees loath how they have handled cases of child abuse and probably hold leadership in contempt. Consequently, we can assume that NTM is happy to have this news in the public domain, probably as a way to get their side of the story out there.

2. There are probably a number (let us pray that it is small) of NTM employees who would never share "in house" information with "outsiders," no matter what. "They told us not to share these things with outsiders. They may be awful, but two wrongs don't make a right." [For the uninitiated: The first wrong would be what NTM had said or done; the second one would be the employee's violation of his/ her responsibility to obey his/ her spiritual leadership in all things. I am not making this up.]

And, now an opinion: If NTM's explanation cum justification of allowing Gary Earl to retire instead of dismissing him could convince any of their employees of the correctness of this decision, please send those employees to see me. I have a bridge to sell.

From: NTM Family eNews [mailto:ntm-family-enews@ntm.org]
Sent: Friday, March 28, 2014 9:40 PM
Subject: Confidential communication

eNews
Your NTM USA connection
March 28, 2014

In this issue ...

1) CONFIDENTIAL COMMUNICATION

2) THE FINE PRINT

* * *

1) CONFIDENTIAL COMMUNICATION

NTM USA Members,

This letter is being sent to inform the members of NTM USA of a sad situation that has become public. It is important that you know that this communication is confidential and to be kept within the NTM USA membership.

Sometime ago, allegations of child abuse were made against missionary G*** E***. An investigation into his actions by an outside agency and a review of those findings prompted a response by NTM USA requiring his cessation of active ministry with NTM, forever. A notice was given to members of NTM PNG which was his current field of service. Additionally, guidelines for the future were given to him. Had G*** stayed within the guidelines set for him, we would not have needed to give details to the rest of the NTM USA members. However, because he did not stay within those guidelines, it became necessary for this letter to be written.

Subsequent Actions

After receiving the guidelines given to him, G*** E*** sent a letter to his donors which left a wrong impression of why he was no longer in active service with NTM USA. There were recipients of his letters who believed that NTM was in favor of G*** taking up a new ministry with another organization and that we would facilitate that move by receiving donor money and forwarding it to him in support of that ministry. That is not true. G*** was required to stop all active service and not to represent NTM formally or informally. There were recipients of his letters who believed his “retirement” from NTM was voluntary. That is not true. He was forced to retire because of his physical maltreatment of MKs. A letter will be sent to his donors correcting the false impressions he had given them.

Internet Posting

We are also aware that a former MK has posted documents on the internet. This MK had told us in advance that she would do this unless we acquiesced to two demands she had of us. It is our intent to take action and publish appropriate notifications in light of policy and best practice standards and not because of demands.

These documents relate to 1) the behavior of a member of NTM USA, G*** E***, and 2) her view of what she considers an unacceptable response by NTM USA to the results of an investigation.

According to USA law and according to scriptural practices, we are not at liberty to share with you or with her everything related to G*** E*** just as we are not at liberty to share with him everything related to someone else.

According to USA law, we are not at liberty to discuss actions taken by an employer against an employee in a public forum.

We are deeply saddened by abuse that happened to our MKs and seek to provide appropriate responses to them. We also have an obligation to make discipline determinations for our members. We seek to do both based on the foundation of scripture.

Clarification of Policy

Our current policy states that NTM has zero tolerance of abuse. There is a misunderstanding of what zero tolerance means. I may have a zero tolerance of stealing in my household, but that doesn’t mean that I give the same punishment to my children for taking a cookie without permission as I would for shoplifting. Zero tolerance means that something is not ever acceptable and will be dealt with.

Recommendations for actions are made based on historical cultural factors, patterns of offense, severity of offense, intent of the offender (when discernable), etc. An independent panel was utilized to help determine disciplinary actions. Disciplinary actions vary, depending on the nature of the offense, and certain types of offenses call for either automatic dismissal or result in a decision to dismiss.

In this case, after the investigative team finished its report, an independent panel was utilized to help determine disciplinary actions. All involved agreed that G*** E*** could no longer actively serve with NTM, and should be removed from the possibility of working with children, but that the findings did not require dismissal.

As troubling as this is for the entire NTM family, it doesn’t compare to the anguish felt by those MKs who suffered at the hands of those they trusted to care for them. Please continue to remember them in prayer.

Brian Coombs
NTM USA Director of Personnel

Brian Shortmeier
NTM USA Executive Board

* * *

2) THE FINE PRINT

Information in eNews is for NTM USA members only. Please do not forward any edition or portion of eNews, or post them on any website, or otherwise share them outside New Tribes Mission USA without the express written consent of NTM.

Please don't hit the "reply" button. If you have comments, let us know by emailing macon_hare@ntm.org

Members of NTM USA are automatically subscribed to eNews. NTM members from other sending countries are also welcome to subscribe by emailing macon_hare@ntm.org. You will need a valid ntm.org email address.

I'll repeat here what I put on Facebook:

This is not the same Macon Hare who said, "When home schooling is attempted the wife's ministry on the team is just about nullified which leaves half a team." but his son.

NTM has the temerity to give to their "members" information they would not give to the VICTIM!

Breathless... I think something may have slipped through the cracks again.