Poll: Perceptions about CAM

[appleman2006]

Would there be any interest in a form letter that people could send to CAM informing them that the person will no longer be supporting CAM until GRACE does an investigation?

Rather than relying on a form letter just send them a letter describing how you feel. They are much more likely to pay attention to a letter that was obviously written by you than something you simply signed on to.
I just now finished sending off a rather lengthy letter in which I tried to give some advice I hope they will take to heart. I now wish I had done this months ago.

[ABC 123]

I used to have so much respect for CAM and very confidently gave money. I trusted them to responsibly and integrally manage donations. I recommended them to many people. Their presentations were top notch.

After the JM and now the HH thing, I no longer hold the same opinion of CAM.

CAM betrayed a trust with their donors. I feel bad, because CAM has done many good things.

I am haunted by JM withholding food that donors paid for as a bargaining tactic for what he called "consensual" with children. Confidence that my money is not funding more of those situations has been eroded after learning how CAM has dealt with it.

[steve-in-kville]

Would there be any interest in a form letter that people could send to CAM informing them that the person will no longer be supporting CAM until GRACE does an investigation?

I know of a handful of congregations in our conference, who normally supported CAM annually in the past, ceased donating under these conditions. GRACE may not have been mentioned, but it was made clear they needed to "get their house in order."

[steve-in-kville]

I am haunted by JM withholding food that donors paid for as a bargaining tactic for what he called "consensual" with children. Confidence that my money is not funding more of those situations has been eroded after learning how CAM has dealt with it.

Now that's an interesting twist.

[queserasera_2]

At this point, I think the only third-party investigator I would trust is someone who was not conservative anabaptist.

[temporal1]

At this point, I think the only third-party investigator I would trust is someone who was not conservative anabaptist.

This is sad, and, understandable.
i hope any investigating party would be reviewed for political bias, particularly for bias against Christians; there are (influential, monied political groups) salivating to harm or end Christianity.

It’s a wakeup call for Christian leaders.
Do your jobs, and do them right, or .. face awful consequences. Like, third party investigations.

Sin comes at a price, the price is paid by many innocents.
Make uncomfortable, inconvenient decisions - the longer they are delayed, the higher the cost.

This is now Page 3. Not 1 has chosen Item #1. That’s a clue.

1. My confidence in CAM has significantly increased since 2018.

A goal of Christian leadership should be for the world to come for Truth and Light,
not to investigate for crimes and perversions.

[appleman2006]

At this point, I think the only third-party investigator I would trust is someone who was not conservative anabaptist.

At this point I agree with you as well. Not because there are no trustworthy or capable people within the Anabaptist community but rather for a couple of other reasons. One, almost everyone is related to, or knows someone else so that any real kind of degree of separation and total impartiality would be very difficult. And secondly, whatever they recommenced will almost certainly be questioned by many simply based on my first point. even if it is the correct call.
For example, an outside agency may in fact find that certain procedures they have are already following best practises but if someone from our culture would make the same determination who will believe them?

[steve-in-kville]

Appleman has it nailed. The waters have been too muddied this past year.

[appleman2006]

It baffles me somewhat that this is such a big deal with them. I am sure they already have some third party audits done occasionally in regards to their charitable status. At least here in Canada I believe they have 4C certification or whatever it is called. In business we have to take part in numerous third party audits on a yearly basis. Nobody really likes them but the reality is that they help us to do our job better.
I really think they should look at this as a great opportunity to do things better and improve. In the event that something is recommended that they feel strongly is not Biblical then I would suggest crossing that bridge at that time.

[Hopenafuture]

CAM has welcomed their supporters to call them and ask their questions. I've done that and would encourage you to do that also. One person who used to post regularly on MD did that and was pleasantly surprised at what they learned.

Just a caution that if a person makes a phone call (with their mind mostly made up before the phone call), it may be difficult to have a good conversation.

I did this (made a phone call) as well. And I purposefully did not make accusations. I dont know if you would say I had my mind made up ahead of time or not. I did have a few specific things I hoped to see and hear. Considering the situation, surely that is understandable?

What I got was a kind of mixed bag. There are some good changes happening, but not transparency. There were multiple questions that did not get direct answers, or answered at all. One of them may have been, based on the response, simply a misunderstanding of what I was asking. The others were either neatly avoided, or I was even told outright that they would not give that information.

I am waiting to see how this plays out. At the moment, I am disappointed.