Report will be posted Sunday

Welcome to De-Commissioned, a place for former members of the Great Commission movement (aka GCM, GCC, GCAC, GCI, the Blitz) to discuss problems they've experienced in the association's practices and theology.

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[DarthVader]

To the Victims-
From the pulpit, from Spencer and Brent- they stated that " UNJUST " and " UNFAIR " allegations were made against Mark Darling and Evergreen.

What is really 'Unfair" and "Unjust" is how Evergreen has played church, and covered up sin in the church leadership.

They will likely point to the allegations of physical sexual abuse if you challenge them on this.  (My guess.)

And also Suzanne's posting of Mark's info on the net.grace child abuse website (subsequently removed)

[DarthVader]

To the Victims-
From the pulpit, from Spencer and Brent- they stated that " UNJUST " and " UNFAIR " allegations were made against Mark Darling and Evergreen.

What is really 'Unfair" and "Unjust" is how Evergreen has played church, and covered up sin in the church leadership.

They will likely point to the allegations of physical sexual abuse if you challenge them on this.  (My guess.)

Posted where? And why are you being so vague? I am confused by that. Either say nothing or fully share what you know. I am not comfortable with this tease. 

I'll try and record the reading of the announcement tomorrow at my location and post a transcript if possible - no promises though. Might be a little obvious holding my iPhone up as our pastor reads it and not sure how well it records from the pocket 

[Badger]

I'd spend real money supporting the victims in a lawsuit to force the public release of it if there was a reasonable chance of success...

Please add my name to the mailing list if that ever goes forward Darth

[Phoenix]

I'd spend real money supporting the victims in a lawsuit to force the public release of it if there was a reasonable chance of success...

Please add my name to the mailing list if that ever goes forward Darth

Or you can wait a few hours and look here for the BoT full report.
http://www.evergreenchurch.com/update/

[mattplod]

You are correct. I have no idea what is going on.

As of the time I posted, not all the victims did, either. No idea if they know now.

As you can read, my comment was about the process.

Specifically, that it was not independent.

ECC paid for the investigation.

Because of this, ECC owns and controls the data collected.

Therefore, it is not independent. It is ECC controlled.

That was my point.

You always have so much to say, but don't really ever say anything new.

She has to keep repeating it because of all the ECC defenders (yourself included) who are apparently incapable of seeing why the "independent investigation" is a complete farce.

[Linda]

Is today the day that the anonymous board, put in place by the pastors being investigated will release the results of their independent investigation?

[Isthisreal?]

Thanks for being so clever, Godly, humble and helpful.

[Badger]

Thanks for being so clever, Godly, humble and helpful.

Well said Isthisreal?

[Phoenix]

The Bloomington service is live-streamed so you all could see and hear yourself.
Link is on the Evergreenbloomington.com website.

Or here: http://live.evergreenbloomington.com/

[OneOfMany]

The Bloomington service is live-streamed so you all could see and hear yourself.
Link is on the Evergreenbloomington.com website.

Or here: http://live.evergreenbloomington.com/

Thank you! That is helpful.

[Rebel in a Good Way]

Listening to Brent Knox praise Mark Darling right now.  He might as spit on the women victims he FAILED.  I can't even believe what I'm hearing.

They didn't remove enough pastors.

[AgathaL'Orange]

The Board Action was respectable. If they follow through on the accountability structure then this is really good for the church.


This was my precise thought about Brent---  What about the women?  Does he care?  Maybe he just hasn't got to that part yet.  

Hoping that he's getting to it.

[OneOfMany]

Listening to Brent Knox praise Mark Darling right now.  He might as spit on the women victims he FAILED.  I can't even believe what I'm hearing.

They didn't remove enough pastors.

I had to turn it off. Made me ill. I am writing the man a letter but I suspect he can't be moved. Is more concerned about his own suffering. Disgusting.

Edit to add that I did go back and listen to the rest of the sermon.

[OneOfMany]

The Board Action was respectable. If they follow through on the accountability structure then this is really good for the church.


This was my precise thought about Brent. What about the women?  Does he care?  Maybe he just hasn't got to that part yet. 

Hoping that he's getting to it.

I agree that if an accountability structure is put in place that will be very good. However the entire Pastoral leadership need therapy. They need to learn what proper boundaries are. The same old problems will continue because this church believes that sharing inappropriate sexual information in small groups or from the stage is acceptable and normal. I want to hear a statement that there will no longer be discussions about sexual acts in the church.

[AgathaL'Orange]

Hey, yay!! Brent apologized as well.  To the woman/women.


Whoa, perf/character reviews for pastors?  Um, smart!

[AgathaL'Orange]

"Perhaps if these measures would have been taken earlier..."




YES.


YES.


Guys yes.  I'll never go back, but is this real?  Is this for real?

And then an apology to those who were hurt in other ways?


Good.


Hmmmmm.  "The most serious parts of the allegations were not substantiated."


Hmmmmm.  Mixed feelings on that.

[Mapleleaf]

Full report will not be released  due to "privacy issues and employment law", which I don't believe is true.  But they're going to hide behind that.

[AgathaL'Orange]

The Board Action was respectable. If they follow through on the accountability structure then this is really good for the church.


This was my precise thought about Brent. What about the women?  Does he care?  Maybe he just hasn't got to that part yet. 

Hoping that he's getting to it.

I agree that if an accountability structure is put in place that will be very good. However the entire Pastoral leadership need therapy. They need to learn what proper boundaries are. The same old problems will continue because this church believes that sharing inappropriate sexual information in small groups or from the stage is acceptable and normal. I want to hear a statement that there will no longer be discussions about sexual acts in the church.

Excellent point!  There is a culture across at least several GC churches of invasive conversations of a sexual nature. 

[Mapleleaf]

And the line from BKnox, "The most serious parts of the allegations were not substantiated" is a bit of a BS line.  It does not meet the legal definition of "physical sexual abuse", which is why that phrase appeared multiple times in the announcement, but I would say it meets the definition of emotional abuse, spiritual abuse, abuse of power, ongoing attempts to cover up past sins, as well as lying about it by continuing to deny it when charged.  If you don't find these to be "serious parts of the allegations", then you just don't get it. 

[AgathaL'Orange]

And the line from BKnox, "The most serious parts of the allegations were not substantiated" is a bit of a BS line.  It does not meet the legal definition of "physical sexual abuse", which is why that phrase appeared multiple times in the announcement, but I would say it meets the definition of emotional abuse, spiritual abuse, abuse of power, ongoing attempts to cover up past sins, as well as lying about it by continuing to deny it when charged.  If you don't find these to be "serious parts of the allegations", then you just don't get it. 

Another excellent point!