MK forum

Andy, The following is from the final part of the GRACE report.

Comprehensive Leadership Inventory and Inquiry

It is critical that NTM remove any and all leaders (including members of the Executive Board) who exhibit a style and philosophy of leadership similar to that of the Senegal Field Committee as outlined in this report. The allowance of such damaging styles of leadership will continue to generate much hurt and sin both inside and outside of the institution. Therefore, it is necessary for NTM to initiate contact with every current member of the mission and every individual who has left the mission within the past five years for the purpose of:

Conducting a thorough inquiry to obtain truthful and objective data regarding current leadership philosophies and styles of every NTM field and those who serve on the Executive Board.

Acquiring information regarding any and all acts of leadership that may be categorized as abusive.

Demonstrating authentic repentance to members and non--‐members who have been (or currently are) hurt by such abuse in leadership. NTM shall use this data to help develop a permanent institutional and cultural transformation as it relates to the philosophy and behavior of leadership within NTM. NTM must take concrete measures to insure that participants of this inventory/inquiry do not suffer any form of repercussions for their contribution. Finally, this comprehensive inquiry must have the oversight of an independent third party.

What is NTMs intention regarding GRACE’s recommendation for a thorough review of NTM leadership practices?

These recommendations are not just over-the-top add-ons to an already painful list of recommendations. They are foundational for any true, lasting change in NTM.

I disagree however, with the focus of these recommendations – the removal of any and all leaders who demonstrate a Senegal-like leadership style. Removal of some leaders may indeed be an outcome of following through on these recommendations. But making the removal of a few “bad apples” the goal of this investigation does not ultimately solve the problem of abusive leadership. Instead, the whole system needs to be examined and reworked, otherwise new “bad apples” will be allowed into leadership positions again.

Some good questions to ask are: How and why are missionaries put into leadership positions? What are the criteria? Are leaders adequately trained in conflict resolution? Are there clear grievance procedures in place that all parties (leaders and non) in all fields and from all countries are expected to adhere to? What are the reasons that missionaries can be sent home from the field? It would also be good to ask philosophical questions like: Are the leaders in place in order to help and support the rest of the missionaries? Or is it the job of the missionaries to facilitate the goals of the leaders? To whom should the leaders be accountable? Each other? Or the people they are leading?

Getting feedback from current and former NTM members is invaluable in forming a new system for leadership/followership in which the sins and hurts of the past will NOT be repeated and will be replaced with healthy Body (of Christ) life. Isn’t healthy Body life critical for attracting non-believers to Christ, the purpose for NTMs existence?

We hope that NTM will take full advantage of this opportunity to critically evaluate themselves as recommended by GRACE. Putting it off will not make it any easier!

Noel and Kathy

Out walking the dog tonight, I saw a strange sight:
One lone lightning bug, way too early for the season, crawling through the parking lot gravel, letting out an intermittent flash of light.
There it was, such a sad little bug, trying it's hardest to do what lightning bugs are supposed to do: give out a light.
But it wasn't flying, it was crawling. And it wasn't sparkling happily with a multitude of other fireflies. It was all alone.
And it's going to storm tonight, and then turn very cold.

I wondered to myself ... is that me?

Tonight on my way to visit a patient in crisis, I ran over a rabbit.

Raz wrote: Out walking the dog tonight, I saw a strange sight:
One lone lightning bug, way too early for the season, crawling through the parking lot gravel, letting out an intermittent flash of light.
There it was, such a sad little bug, trying it's hardest to do what lightning bugs are supposed to do: give out a light.
But it wasn't flying, it was crawling. And it wasn't sparkling happily with a multitude of other fireflies. It was all alone.
And it's going to storm tonight, and then turn very cold.

I wondered to myself ... is that me?

Dear Raz,
Ah, no, that ladybug you saw is not you. Although I have not responded to your posts, you have been providing me companionship and a ray of light in my healing journey. I am working on some of my "stuff" regarding my adult decisons.... continuing the legacy I was born into, becoming a missionary, promoting MK Schools in churches (yeah, that all ended a while ago; but I am just now "processing" some of that). Your courage in some of your recent posts about some of your adult decisions gave me the courage to move forward in working through some of the things I have been carrying.

The other fireflies are here..... just not so visible. Some day we will have a gathering of the multitude of fireflies and be one step closer to dispelling all the darkness and cold around what is still being cloked in secrecy.

Oh, thank you, BevST! That meant a lot. I did need a little encouragement ... been feeling kind of swept along by this tsunami of pain ... lots of dangerous debris in this wave, and sometimes I think I will drown.
So thank you very much for letting me know you're reading, and growing.
Twinkle, twinkle!

Raz you have been a bright beacon of light for me out here. God has used you mightily to encourage and guide many of us along on our healing journey. Thank you so much.

They are all right, Raz. You are one of the lights on this forum with kind words of support for everyone. Thanks for all you do. You are appreciated.