Out the ECC Board of Trustees - No Transparency, No Justice

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[ShineTheLight]

Ephesians 5:11
Have no fellowship with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them.

Ephesians 5:13
But everything exposed by the light becomes visible, for everything that is illuminated becomes a light itself.

Having a secret, anonymous, hidden Board of Trustees is offensive and outrageous. I've waited for months for ECC to do the right thing and tell us who is managing the money we give the church and who is making the major decisions that will soon have to be made.  I think it's safe to say they had their chance to do the right thing. If you attend ECC, I would like to encourage you, if you feel led by the Spirit, to act. It won't be easy, but times like these require courage in addition to thoughts and prayers.

1. Pause your giving to ECC and let Jim Bird & Lynn Newman, finance director and operations manager know that you are pausing your giving because you have no confidence in your tithes being managed by a secret organization.(note - please do NOT stop giving to God, just ECC for now, until they do the right thing)

2. Out the Board - I am aware of the identities of 2 of the 5 non-staff members of the ECC Board. I have seen others on here post saying they know who the names of the Board Members are at their specific location.  If you private message me the name of a board member you know, and if I can get comfortable that you are truthful or if I can verify the information independently, I will post on this thread all the names I have once I get to 3 or more names of the 5 non staff board members. I will not share sources of how I got the names with anyone.

3. In any venue you are a part of where ECC staff is willing to answer questions on this topic, please ask, firmly, loudly, but respectfully how ECC can justify keeping the names of it's Board members secret. Don't let them slyly hide by ommission and silence the fact that they are keeping the Board's identify a secret. Make them own that fact publicly in front of all, and be proud of it, if they can/are- shine the light. I'm sure any the new members and visitors will find that illuminating.

[LisaFeist]

Shine the light, this is so amazing. This is the most logical idea to promote change.

[Greentruth]

What are you afraid of? Grasping for something,anything to attempt to justify future smear?  The light that God seeks, is the light of Love, patience, Joy Peace, Kindness,Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness and self control. Galatians 5:22.    Use a little self control and put your arrows back in your quiver. I can see the rhetoric ramping up here at the forum.  It makes no difference who makes what decision, as the fact is the forum will NOT let this opportunity to heighten the attack against the Church go unattended . The never ending soap opera will not end, as reruns will go on perpetually with main characters being given more opportunities to get attention.  To claim over and over the victimization that gives them continued exposure.

I have been looking at this forum for almost five months, and through all the caterwauling I have seen NOTHING change. The same thing,over and over again, and the fact remains, the book will be closed on this social sham, where people and organizations are accused, tried and judged without ever recognizing any truths that would show evidence contrary to this forum agenda.  

But you WILL fail, as no matter how much you hurt or destroy, it will not matter. I know the loving people of ECC and MD and his family, and regardless of what happens they will seek God, love one another, and you, and look for the good from all this, and allow God to use it for HIS GLORY!!!  

[LisaFeist]

What are we afraid of, what do you even mean? It’s a simple question , who’s on the board.

[BTDT]

I have been looking at this forum for almost five months, and through all the caterwauling I have seen NOTHING change.

Then it seems it will serve no useful purpose for you to continue your debate here. You've made and reinforced your points; now it's time to let the forum readers (present and future) decide for themselves.

During those almost-five-months, I hope you've taken the time to dig through the more-than-a-decade's-worth of information and personal testimonies here. If not, I'd encourage you to do so. I believe it would help you in your understanding of this forum and its inhabitants.

[Greentruth]

I have been looking at this forum for almost five months, and through all the caterwauling I have seen NOTHING change.

Then it seems it will serve no useful purpose for you to continue your debate here. You've made and reinforced your points; now it's time to let the forum readers (present and future) decide for themselves.

During those almost-five-months, I hope you've taken the time to dig through the more-than-a-decade's-worth of information and personal testimonies here. If not, I'd encourage you to do so. I believe it would help you in your understanding of this forum and its inhabitants.

Oh I have read the past, way more than I should have. And from what I can see from the limited exposure given to the other side of each story, and most facts of every story left out, and attending an ECC Church for twenty years, I can see this is not a healthy place to put your trust in. Sure, the Church has made changes and grown, just as any Church. But some cannot or will not recognize this. I’m on this forum because I know the positive truths, and actually I’m trying to bring some of the other side of the story. This calling out the BOT is a good view of the disgruntled negativism that this forum was originated and now kept up. Anything to keep the soap opera going. If you look at your tithe to God as leverage to get your way, you have more serious problems that whining about who is on the BOT.

[Greentruth]

What are we afraid of, what do you even mean? It’s a simple question , who’s on the board.

What does it matter?  What are the results of the investigation?  Jumping the gun, why? For what reason other than to try and influence. To me this is very bad, even for this forum

[LisaFeist]

Another nail in the coffin. Thank you.

[Greentruth]

Another nail in the coffin. Thank you.

Who’s coffin? What are you saying? It would seem you have an agenda of no good. Trickery, slide of hand, maybe some self perceived tact to push an agenda otherwise unattainable?

[LisaFeist]

Trickery and caterwauling, you’ve got my number don’t you. Peace out.

[ShineTheLight]

Based on what I have seen engaging with GT is an exercise in futility. Someone who doesn’t get that a secret board is a problem just can’t be reasoned with at any logical level. Thanks for your support Lisa and BTDT

[Huldah]

Evergreen folks, I'd be interested in hearing your arguments for a secret board of trustees and against revealing their names. I assume you contribute financially to your church, which has assets in the $15 million dollar range and receives about $4.5 million in offerings every year. (Source: http://www.evergreenbloomington.com/uploads/Evergreen_Church_Audited_Financial_Statements_2016.pdf) Why are you willing to trust your hard-earned offerings to a board that won't even trust you with their names? This is not a rhetorical question. I would love to hear how you and other ECC members make peace with this in your own-hearts.

[Greentruth]

Based on what I have seen engaging with GT is an exercise in futility. Someone who doesn’t get that a secret board is a problem just can’t be reasoned with at any logical level. Thanks for your support Lisa and BTDT

What you don’t realize is how absurd and arrogant your statements are. I know someone who was on the bot at one point. Anyone who attends a current ECC Church can ask their pastor and more than likely will get an answer. In this hostile environment it may have changed. If your not a member it’s none of your business and actually not only arrogant but rude to push. Reminds me of the sixth grade bully who threatens others if they don’t get their way. This is the most perverted sense of supposed Christianity I have seen. Ignore first fruits, ignore Gods word, or distort Gods word. The truth will come out soon, and regardless of your petty infantile caterwauling, most of us will move onto more constructive energies.

[Huldah]

Anyone who attends a current ECC Church can ask their pastor and more than likely will get an answer.

Have you asked? And if not, would you be willing to ask and then report back to the rest of us?

[Greentruth]

Evergreen folks, I'd be interested in hearing your arguments for a secret board of trustees and against revealing their names. I assume you contribute financially to your church, which has assets in the $15 million dollar range and receives about $4.5 million in offerings every year. (Source: http://www.evergreenbloomington.com/uploads/Evergreen_Church_Audited_Financial_Statements_2016.pdf) Why are you willing to trust your hard-earned offerings to a board that won't even trust you with their names? This is not a rhetorical question. I would love to hear how you and other ECC members make peace with this in your own-hearts.

Your not a member, what business is it of yours.  Most don’t give their tithe to man, it is their first fruits that go to the Lord, and who then trust God todo what He will with it.  I realize this is a foreign concept for some of you but quite simply your attempts to guilt others to do as you say speaks volumes why you have issues with church and have been asked to remove yourselves in @ few instances

[Greentruth]

Anyone who attends a current ECC Church can ask their pastor and more than likely will get an answer.

Have you asked? And if not, would you be willing to ask and then report back to the rest of us?

Didn’t have to ask, as I’m not a current member. Doesn’t make any difference, and I wouldn’t distort what is good to anyone on this supposed forum of anger and attack.

[ShineTheLight]

For the benefit of others, I'm answering the relevant questions raised in this post by GreenTruth but I will not engage with her going forward - I have concluded it is not fruitful.

1. I DID ask my pastor - months ago
2. I DID ask Lynn Newman - months ago
3. I AM a current member, I teach in children's ministry, I serve in other capacities, I have given faithfully.

This thread has taken no position on what the truth of any accusations is.  Knowing who provides financial oversight should be a basic requirement of anyone who gives money to any organization to not know/care implies a very poor standard of stewardship of your resources.  GreenTruth, I wish you nothing but the best. Please do not take my lack of engagement with you going forward as intended to cause hurt to you. I wish you God's love and peace.

[Huldah]

To those of you who are still members, it is your business. I would very much like to know why you trust them when they don't trust you. It seems so insulting and patronizing to me, but maybe you could explain why it makes sense to you. You may say, as Greentruth said, that you're giving to God, not man, but even so, you're still responsible to give wisely. Besides, if you're born again, you have as much of the Holy Spirit residing within you as any of your leaders have. Why aren't you entitled at least to know who's in charge of the money you so generously give?

[AgathaL'Orange]

For the benefit of others, I'm answering the relevant questions raised in this post by GreenTruth but I will not engage with her going forward - I have concluded it is not fruitful.

1. I DID ask my pastor - months ago
2. I DID ask Lynn Newman - months ago
3. I AM a current member, I teach in children's ministry, I serve in other capacities, I have given faithfully.

This thread has taken no position on what the truth of any accusations is.  Knowing who provides financial oversight should be a basic requirement of anyone who gives money to any organization to not know/care implies a very poor standard of stewardship of your resources.  GreenTruth, I wish you nothing but the best. Please do not take my lack of engagement with you going forward as intended to cause hurt to you. I wish you God's love and peace.

Oh!  This information is being kept from members too?!  Oh my goodness, that is bad!

[Greentruth]

For the benefit of others, I'm answering the relevant questions raised in this post by GreenTruth but I will not engage with her going forward - I have concluded it is not fruitful.

1. I DID ask my pastor - months ago
2. I DID ask Lynn Newman - months ago
3. I AM a current member, I teach in children's ministry, I serve in other capacities, I have given faithfully.

This thread has taken no position on what the truth of any accusations is.  Knowing who provides financial oversight should be a basic requirement of anyone who gives money to any organization to not know/care implies a very poor standard of stewardship of your resources.  GreenTruth, I wish you nothing but the best. Please do not take my lack of engagement with you going forward as intended to cause hurt to you. I wish you God's love and peace.

Why should anyone believe your a member? I see that more than one regular on this forum have more than one avatar, just as a few have accused a few of us. Social media is NOT the place to put on display what is dearest to you. Even a fool knows when to keep it to themselves