MK forum

I agree with the idea that policies and procedures do not change hearts. However, let's remember though when parents fell pressured to make certain decisions in the absence of well written policies it becomes easier for leadership to take advantage becuase a parent is unable to simply point to a document that says I'm within my bounds to say NO!!!

First let me say that no amount of any protection (education, policy, etc...) is going to completely eradicate sex abuse from the mission. That is impossible this side of heaven. However, what I believe is needed in NTM is a paradigm change that places the value of the MKs and their family relationships above the value of the "lost souls". (That's heresy!! -did he really just say that?) Yes I did. Until that new paradigm is in place, everything falls apart. No education, policy, external monitoring and auditing, etc...will fix this problem. With that in place though, with MKs and their families being treasured the way Christ treasured them, then all that will naturally fall into place. Education, policy, best practices, audits, will be just other layers of protection that support the mission's paradigm and practice that MKs are priority number one, even above lost souls. If practice of that paradigm were in place, NTM would have many more missionaries on the field overall, with healthy families and healthy kids. It would be an attractive mission to prospective missionaries, not the mission it is now that hits so many people's "ick factor".

Here's something I posted on a couple of other threads a while back (and also sent to NTM):

I would like to see a complete paradigm shift in the way that MKs are cared for and treated. I would like to see the following statement adopted by all mission organizations in relation to all issues pertaining to MKs:

"The children of missionaries must be considered an integral part of the mission's and missionaries' ministry and must be treated with the same dignity and respect as their parents."

I think that this would go a long way in eliminating the atmosphere where abuse can occur and be hidden.

I've heard from several members though they the have not felt respected and valued either, its not just an MK thing.