CAM Molestation Issue

[Dan Z]

Thanks Ernie - this is helpful, and what I would have expected from them. I do trust them.

That being said, I would add as a lesson from the corporate world is that in a public relation's sense, during crises like this, organizations don't generally have the luxury of taking the time they might like, at least in key areas of communication and action.

Maybe Mennonites and Older Order folks are especially long-suffering when it comes to organizational loyalty, but in the wider world, when a huge organization like Boeing has a computer glitch that causes airplanes to crash, or a university like Harvard has an admissions scandal, the conventional wisdom is that the public who supports them demands openness, ownership and action sooner rather than later - and organizations dawdle at their own peril. CAM doesn't have to say everything they know, or ignore legal council, but they do need to fast-track their crisis response, and communicate that process openly to their constituency and in a timely manner. Hopefully we will hear what you have found out from them soon.

[mike]

Good information, Ernie. Thanks for posting.

[Ms. Izzie]

This is not a comment on whether I appreciate Ernie's post on CAM or not. It is more of a question about something in it.

In writing about the men that are on administrative leave, it was mentioned that they went above what they needed to do considering how little they knew. Why does "how little information they knew" factor into this situation? They are bearers of the name of Christ, leaders in a huge organization, and very importantly, pastors who are to care for souls. I am having a hard time understanding why them not knowing much is an advantage for them. Shouldn't it have been second nature to pursue the little they did know, considering what hung in the balance--the souls of people and the name of Christ?

Granted, I don't know them and I don't know how much they knew. They were put on administrative leave though because of the little they did know.

I don't mean this in an accusing way; I really would like to understand the thinking behind the idea that them knowing so little is an advantage to them. I must be missing something. Enlighten me, please.

[Ernie]

In their apology, they did not mention that they only knew very little. They took full responsibility. Some looking on thought they could have said that they knew very little so as to garner more compassion from supporters, but they did not take this route and that is commendable.

[Ms. Izzie]

Is the written apology a public document?

[hillperson]

Is the written apology a public document?

Yes

[Ms. Izzie]

Does anyone care to post it here?

[KirkDaniel]

In their apology, they did not mention that they only knew very little. They took full responsibility. Some looking on thought they could have said that they knew very little so as to garner more compassion from supporters, but they did not take this route and that is commendable.

Commendable, yes. But irrelevant.

[Ernie]

In their apology, they did not mention that they only knew very little. They took full responsibility. Some looking on thought they could have said that they knew very little so as to garner more compassion from supporters, but they did not take this route and that is commendable.

Commendable, yes. But irrelevant.

I think it is very relevant. A person who is concerned about looking good, will try to make sure that the news is putting him in the best possible light. A person who is really sorry about his leadership, and is concerned about those who suffered as a result of his decisions, is going to take full responsibility and not try to word things to put himself in the best possible light. This is a sign of character.
The reason for my original post was to say that the men who were put on administrative leave are demonstrating the kind of character that I thought they had.

[Ms. Izzie]

It is good that they are "really sorry" and "concerned" about those who are suffering because of their decisions.

A kind of character was also demonstrated when they knew something, but didn't pursue it far enough to keep this from happening. I believe these men are also pastors. They are to watch for souls.

What is their status at CAM at this moment? Are they still leaders at their churches?

Where is the written apology?