"Having lived 6 years in two foreign countries, I have concluded that properly vetting and preparing missionaries is something that could be improved on in our conservative Anabaptist circles. I believe it would be good for former missionaries and nationals of a given country to be heavily involved in the preparation of those going. Some of the most challenging times I had to work through as a missionary pastor were issues that came up in the American staff. These things sucked up a lot of time and energy that could have otherwise been expended in the Kingdom work we were sent to do."
Agreed! We also were in mission work (an Anabaptist organization) and it would have been great to have more training. Then when we came home, they didn't even want our input for the next people going which was a huge mistake, I believe.
"But people who have worked in DR have told me that when you cross the border, there is a stark difference. Suddenly there are no trees. The poor have not had the fuel they need, so all (nearly all?) of the trees have been used for cooking. I cannot verify any of this - either of the things I've said here."
I have stood on that border and crossed the border a couple of times. You may not be able to believe it if you don't actually see it! There's definitely a huge difference. There are now tree programs to begin growing trees again because of everything that's been destroyed by making charcoal. The differences aren't just on the border. The DR is much more modernized as well.
In the Name of “Mission Work” book about CAM/Mast
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gracefortoday
- Posts: 40
- Joined: Thu Jun 13, 2019 4:33 pm
- Affiliation: Mennonite
Re: In the Name of “Mission Work” book about CAM/Mast
Someone in the thread asked if I know Ernie. As he disclosed in an earlier thread, Ernie played a counseling role in my life nearly 18 years ago. I honor Ernie for this and have many, many times referred to him as having "saved my life.” Ernie is a good man and I have no intension of assassinating Ernie’s character.
The gross mislabeling of the abuse (and the subsequent actions) by CAM executives, which continues to this day, is shameful. It is an affront to the character and life of Jesus which we claim to represent. I would argue that Ernie as a recent employee of the org which continues to perpetrate these shameful actions needs to carefully consider the appropriateness of speaking to the issue with pointed insinuations on a public forum given his proximity to the org and those in power within it.
The gross mislabeling of the abuse (and the subsequent actions) by CAM executives, which continues to this day, is shameful. It is an affront to the character and life of Jesus which we claim to represent. I would argue that Ernie as a recent employee of the org which continues to perpetrate these shameful actions needs to carefully consider the appropriateness of speaking to the issue with pointed insinuations on a public forum given his proximity to the org and those in power within it.
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Ernie
Re: In the Name of “Mission Work” book about CAM/Mast
I get your point, Randal, and am glad to oblige.randalm wrote: ↑Sat Dec 24, 2022 2:15 pmI would argue that Ernie as a recent employee of the org which continues to perpetrate these shameful actions needs to carefully consider the appropriateness of speaking to the issue with pointed insinuations on a public forum given his proximity to the org and those in power within it.
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Re: In the Name of “Mission Work” book about CAM/Mast
As is typical in any scandal of this magnitude, feelings and emotions run high opening the door for confusion and ongoing destruction. A key element of healing for victims of abuse and whistleblowers is telling their story, yet when they have done this, they have been met with control, manipulation and disparagement in the form of legal documents requiring silence etc. This highlights the urgent need for CAM to move forward with an independent investigation. Despite pleas from multiple Anabaptist organizations, and influential individuals over the last several years, CAM recently again doubled down on their refusal to enter into transparency of an independent investigation.
An example of how this could look--The BMA alliance (of which I am a part) recently hired GRACE(netgrace.org) to investigate ministerial misconduct involving the handling of abuse. Trained GRACE staff investigated all sides of the story, carefully listening to victims’ stories, and interviewing the leadership teams involved in the situation. The process was not easy, but all parties stuck with process until it was complete. After the investigation was completed, GRACE released a 61-page report, detailing the abuse, the responses—the good, bad and ugly. BMA released the report to all the leadership teams in the alliance and gave permission for the report to be provided upon request. The report is brutal—it lists the failures of pastors and the alliance. It also clears up the misunderstandings and the mislabeling of the abuse that occurred within and outside of BMA. The report includes recommendations for repair and repentance built around best practices. While the journey has been difficult, the transparency is beautiful and opens the door for repentance and repair with those who have been harmed. It’s been difficult, but life-giving.
By contrast in the CAM situation, obscurity and confusion continue to harm the victims. The name and image of God continues to be defaced by the insinuations and barbs cast at victims and whistleblowers to discredit their stories. For example, the executive board of CAM continues to insist in a recent statement along with the public statements on their website that the only knowledge of Jeriah’s abuse withing the org was that it was “homosexual relations with youth, but never of a crime committed such as abuse with young boys.” Yet one of CAMs own high ranking managerial staff serving on the CAM base in 2013 and beyond stated that the abuse was clearly understood to be the abuse of children. Never did he understand or was made to understand that the sexual activity was consensual. He was also incredulous that after the 2019 exposure that never once did anyone from CAM inquire as to what knew about the situation.
Imagine the possibilities if CAM would remove themselves from the driver’s seat and turn the situation over to GRACE and their investigative team. Executives from GRACE have already signaled their willingness to conduct an investigation- they only need to be asked by CAM. The investigation would likely take 6 months or more to complete and would require funds. However, there’s a host of businessmen and churches in our culture who would step up to fund this effort out of genuine concern for the integrity of our culture and its mission efforts. A report would be released to the public expertly chronically the abuse, the responses, and what went wrong. The report would also include recommendations for apology and repair with victims and whistleblowers, as well as spelling out in detail the steps to help CAM make wise and effective change. A public report would allow the donors to hold CAM accountable for the change moving forward.
What is the path forward? There must be an investigation. The only appropriate way for CAM to interreact is through the journey of transparency. This process would be invaluable to both the victims and the donors alike to begin the process of healing, restoration and trust. It’s an important investment CAM cannot afford to turn away from and also one that the Anabaptist culture at large cannot afford to get wrong. At the end of the day, donors are the only ones who can really hold CAM accountable to begin this process. CAM can effectively tune out a single request, but not as easily a large number of donors and organizations saying the same thing in unison. Churches, pastors, conferences, other non-profit organizations, and individuals can contact CAM and put in the request. One former CAM Haiti executive director suggested a physical gathering on the doorsteps of CAM’s office in Ohio by businessmen and other leaders to demonstrate the urgent need for transparency. While the original intensity of the scandal has lessened, a significant element of the Anabaptist culture no longer trusts CAM. These voices are no match for voice of this powerful organization which dismisses their concerns through obfuscation and lawyered statements. To date there has not been a concerted effort from within the culture to require accountability from the board of directors. There is however, a growing group of individuals asking these important questions and if you or other Anabaptists in your acquaintance wish to join the conversation, I encourage you to speak out.
An example of how this could look--The BMA alliance (of which I am a part) recently hired GRACE(netgrace.org) to investigate ministerial misconduct involving the handling of abuse. Trained GRACE staff investigated all sides of the story, carefully listening to victims’ stories, and interviewing the leadership teams involved in the situation. The process was not easy, but all parties stuck with process until it was complete. After the investigation was completed, GRACE released a 61-page report, detailing the abuse, the responses—the good, bad and ugly. BMA released the report to all the leadership teams in the alliance and gave permission for the report to be provided upon request. The report is brutal—it lists the failures of pastors and the alliance. It also clears up the misunderstandings and the mislabeling of the abuse that occurred within and outside of BMA. The report includes recommendations for repair and repentance built around best practices. While the journey has been difficult, the transparency is beautiful and opens the door for repentance and repair with those who have been harmed. It’s been difficult, but life-giving.
By contrast in the CAM situation, obscurity and confusion continue to harm the victims. The name and image of God continues to be defaced by the insinuations and barbs cast at victims and whistleblowers to discredit their stories. For example, the executive board of CAM continues to insist in a recent statement along with the public statements on their website that the only knowledge of Jeriah’s abuse withing the org was that it was “homosexual relations with youth, but never of a crime committed such as abuse with young boys.” Yet one of CAMs own high ranking managerial staff serving on the CAM base in 2013 and beyond stated that the abuse was clearly understood to be the abuse of children. Never did he understand or was made to understand that the sexual activity was consensual. He was also incredulous that after the 2019 exposure that never once did anyone from CAM inquire as to what knew about the situation.
Imagine the possibilities if CAM would remove themselves from the driver’s seat and turn the situation over to GRACE and their investigative team. Executives from GRACE have already signaled their willingness to conduct an investigation- they only need to be asked by CAM. The investigation would likely take 6 months or more to complete and would require funds. However, there’s a host of businessmen and churches in our culture who would step up to fund this effort out of genuine concern for the integrity of our culture and its mission efforts. A report would be released to the public expertly chronically the abuse, the responses, and what went wrong. The report would also include recommendations for apology and repair with victims and whistleblowers, as well as spelling out in detail the steps to help CAM make wise and effective change. A public report would allow the donors to hold CAM accountable for the change moving forward.
What is the path forward? There must be an investigation. The only appropriate way for CAM to interreact is through the journey of transparency. This process would be invaluable to both the victims and the donors alike to begin the process of healing, restoration and trust. It’s an important investment CAM cannot afford to turn away from and also one that the Anabaptist culture at large cannot afford to get wrong. At the end of the day, donors are the only ones who can really hold CAM accountable to begin this process. CAM can effectively tune out a single request, but not as easily a large number of donors and organizations saying the same thing in unison. Churches, pastors, conferences, other non-profit organizations, and individuals can contact CAM and put in the request. One former CAM Haiti executive director suggested a physical gathering on the doorsteps of CAM’s office in Ohio by businessmen and other leaders to demonstrate the urgent need for transparency. While the original intensity of the scandal has lessened, a significant element of the Anabaptist culture no longer trusts CAM. These voices are no match for voice of this powerful organization which dismisses their concerns through obfuscation and lawyered statements. To date there has not been a concerted effort from within the culture to require accountability from the board of directors. There is however, a growing group of individuals asking these important questions and if you or other Anabaptists in your acquaintance wish to join the conversation, I encourage you to speak out.
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Josh
Re: In the Name of “Mission Work” book about CAM/Mast
I doubt most CAM donors want their donations being funnelled to GRACE so that GRACE can find some reason CAM needs to transfer large amounts of money to someone else.
Randal, perhaps you can convince the CAM donors otherwise, but there is a certain self-dealing present in the abuse “industry” that is actually very reminiscent of the “mission industry” (of which CAM is certainly a start).
How much will GRACE charge to conduct this “investigation”? Or is that a trade secret?
Randal, perhaps you can convince the CAM donors otherwise, but there is a certain self-dealing present in the abuse “industry” that is actually very reminiscent of the “mission industry” (of which CAM is certainly a start).
How much will GRACE charge to conduct this “investigation”? Or is that a trade secret?
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joshuabgood
Re: In the Name of “Mission Work” book about CAM/Mast
What Randal outlined ought to be done...with complete access to digital correspondence. It remains problematic, as he mentioned, and casts a long shadow on their work/org. If there is money for the attorney teams and six figure salaries for CEOs it seems there is money for transparency.
Randal, I'd like to see that Grace report, as a BMA member. My hat is off to them. Would I request it from some one with in the Alliance or from my ministry team?
Randal, I'd like to see that Grace report, as a BMA member. My hat is off to them. Would I request it from some one with in the Alliance or from my ministry team?
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Josh
Re: In the Name of “Mission Work” book about CAM/Mast
Since when does CAM have six figure salaries (which are extremely common at any other nonprofit?)joshuabgood wrote: ↑Sat Dec 24, 2022 7:57 pm What Randal outlined ought to be done...with complete access to digital correspondence. It remains problematic, as he mentioned, and casts a long shadow on their work/org. If there is money for the attorney teams and six figure salaries for CEOs it seems there is money for transparency.
So why does it have to be GRACE? Perhaps BMA should set up its own organisation to compete with CAM, if BMA can do it so much better.Randal, I'd like to see that Grace report, as a BMA member. My hat is off to them. Would I request it from some one with in the Alliance or from my ministry team?
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joshuabgood
Re: In the Name of “Mission Work” book about CAM/Mast
It doesn't have to be GRACE, however they have a good reputation. BMA isn't an investigatory agency...even if they were the proximity is probably still a bit close. It needs to be completely independent.So why does it have to be GRACE? Perhaps BMA should set up its own organisation to compete with CAM, if BMA can do it so much better.
As for CEO nonprofit salaries those are public online via government websites through 990 info.
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Soloist
Re: In the Name of “Mission Work” book about CAM/Mast
Has something changed? Last time I recall looking the top guy made a decent salary but I don’t recall it being 6 figures.
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