MK forum

In whatever way I can, I will be proactive in efforts that will hopefully get GE taken down and prevented from hurting another child again. I plan on writing Brian Shortmeier to say that NTM has not done enough to detect and prevent child abuse, and that their response when it IS detected is insufficient, and that they need to address their culture of authoritarianism that helps bad behavior thrive. He was the principle when I was in PNG, and hopefully he’ll remember me and not discount what I have to say. Our family went through some very tough times at NTM. A caring and listening ear from leadership instead of judgment would have gone a long way. I can't quite say I want them taken down, but I'm all for organizational improvement. Our collective voices will hopefully help. It's an overwhelming issue, the more I read the Fanda site and read all the comments the more I'm feeling the weight of it all. You have been SO BRAVE to bring this all up, at the expense of your cherished privacy and peaceful life.

This past weekend I saw for the first time the documentary Mea Maxima Culpa exposing the crimes of the Catholic church molesting children. I think someone already mentioned that film on here. It was totally depressing to watch and see the similarities with the Catholic church cover up and ntm.

It was quite eerie as it reminded me in so many ways of ntm. Even with GE. He was allowed to retire graciously from ntm. The Catholic church actually retired priests accused of abuse or even sent them to an island in the Caribbean. GE is in Santa Barbara. How many of us can even afford to visit there and he is living there? He has retired in peace, yet the victims he has molested and destroyed live with no peace.

And he is at present staying near a dorm in PNG? Does ntm take abuse seriously at all?

The film states that child molestation is as bad as homicide as it kills the child's innocence. I think it is too. In homicide a life is extinguished. In child molestation cases the child's innocence and spirit are killed. They live with brokenness for life, a gaping wound that never completely heals. This is a horrendous crime. It is not the child's fault. The child has been violated.

We should not reward abusers with pleasant retirements. We should not permit them to any kind of job or ministry near children!!!! I can google and find out child molesters living in my area. Those in church and ministry environments deserve the same. Everyone GE has contact with should be notified of his crimes.

The film also shows how Catholic officials were rewarded for their silence and promoted. Wonder if that happens in ntm and other institutions too? In order to protect the seemingly spiritual organization, those who do not reveal or expose are promoted or perhaps retired.

It is sickening and it needs to stop.

The action that ntm has finally taken in dismissing GE I firmly believe is due to the recent exposure of dreamwords. That is so pathetic that it took a victim painstakingly recounting her story to get this man dismissed. Sick.
I also do not trust that ntm will fully notify any of the people GE has contact with . I really don't. I would love to be proved wrong.

I posted a relevant email that Brian Coombs sent to another person involved in the investigation (my story is not the only one). The email was sent to her on March 14th. It is not posted under This is My Story. I'll move it to its chronological place later, but want you all to be sure to see it.

......Actually, I have it in my clipboard, so I'll post here as well:

----- Forwarded Message -----
From: Brian Coombs <brian_coombs@ntm.org>
To: [xxxx]
Sent: Friday, March 14, 2014 4:02 PM
Subject: Follow up to your questions

[Xxxx],

You have every right to ask questions. I am not “threatened” by your questions and believe they are fair. I will do my best to communicate clearly to you on these.

Within hours of you sharing your story with IHART this was turned in to the authorities. As I understand this, you are able to pursue criminal charges against him, but NTM as an organization is not. The investigation that was done was not a “criminal investigation” but rather an investigation to see if his actions were outside of NTM policy giving us the ability to administer discipline.(Again, we are not allowed to do a criminal investigation) We do all we can do legally including reporting to the governing authorities as soon as possible. Should the authorities desire to investigate we step back and let them do their work and assist them in any way possible. It is when the authorities do not pursue actions that we move forward. This is why we hired Pii to investigate, and it was through this that it was determined that he was in violation of our policies and discipline was administered accordingly.

Your understanding of retirement with NTM is accurate. Some of these questions will run together so if I fail to answer sufficiently, please let me know.

We did require Gary to retire, this was not his choice. When someone retires in good standing, they often go on to volunteer part time with NTM, represent NTM, and their retirement is celebrated. This is not the case in this situation. Gary is not allowed to volunteer with NTM, is not allowed to represent NTM in any way, and his retirement was not celebrated. This was/is a form of forced resignation that allowed Annie to continue with insurance since she is dealing with cancer. The benefits that were allowed are because of Annie, not Gary.

I have been in communication with Gary’s church and this communication continues. They are aware of the actions taken against him and have been communicated the findings. Any organization that contacts us for reference will also be communicated with to the fullest extent that we can legally communicate.

As far as Gary representing NTM you are correct, this will be difficult to monitor, but as we become aware, we will address with further disciplinary action. Should we become aware of him stepping outside of the parameters that have been defined for him, this could lead to a dismissal. We have been made aware of his recent newsletter and possible ministry with Rock. This is outside of what was defined and we are actively addressing this. I will communicate back with you on the outcome of this when it has been fully addressed.

As far as why Gary was required to retire, I can see the struggle with this. This is how these actions were arrived at,
we hired Pii to investigate this,
the report was presented to NTM by Pii.
There was then a group assembled to process the report. This team did have NTM presence, including myself.
The entire panel was in agreement with the recommended actions to be taken by NTM.
Even though all were in agreement, NTM and Pii felt we wanted to send this to an independent specialist for an additional guidance.
At the conclusion all parties consulted still unanimously agreed upon the outcome.
I want to encourage you to also ask these questions of Pii. Please continue to communicate with me on this, I am available to continue to answer your questions. Please send them my way.

Brian
-----------

Gary Earl should stop stealing cookies. [/quote]



haha! I think that's a bit of a strange analogy to be used. Very odd.

"It is our intent to take action and publish appropriate notifications in light of policy and best practice standards and not because of demands."

The moral here is to NEVER MAKE DEMANDS of NTM. Say, "Please." Or, if you are desperate, say, "Pretty please." But, no demands. NTM does not respond to demands.

"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."

This is a truly inspired explanation. I doubt I could have come up with such a succinct piece of reasoning.

To begin with, there is very little NTM can do in the way of "punishment" of its "children." They can give them a good talking to or they can get rid of them. And, as we have seen in this latest instance, they can force them to retire. There aren't many (any?) other alternatives out there for them.

Let's look at how various sins fit on the continuum from "stealing cookies" to "shoplifting."

Adultery: Shoplifting

Fornication: Shoplifting

Contempt and disrespect for leadership: Shoplifting

Speaking in tongues: Shoplifting

Divorce: Shoplifting

Reformed Theology: Shoplifting

Violence against children: Stealing cookies

Am I the only one that comes away from this mystified?