A few days ago, I was accused of being a “conspiracy theorist.” I thought that was pretty funny, because I get all kinds of crazy email in which people will often suggest the most outlandish things. Typically, I don’t take the more sensational suggestions seriously.
So…no “conspiracy theories” over here. At least, not usually.
Something that came up awhile back – something that, because I am NOT a “conspiracy theorist,” I wrote off as just the overly suspicious musings of someone who’d been badly hurt by his Sovereign Grace Ministries church – was the notion that SGM pastors record the conversations that they have with their parishioners, and that some meeting rooms and/or church offices within some SGM facilities actually have recording devices built into them.
Now, initially, like I said, I thought this was utterly crazy. While I definitely believe that SGM leaders would do well to ask themselves some hard questions – questions about their church polity, and about their views on things like the mental health profession, and about whether or not they’ve truly given up the practice of “shepherding,” for instance – I have a really difficult time believing that SGM pastors are making audio recordings of their conversations.
And yet…
Well, recently, the subject came up again in the “comments” thread from the previous post. And then someone sent me a snippet of an email that had been received from someone (a person who, I believe, is currently on SGM’s payroll) who reported positively ”knowing” that some of the things shared here on this site were inaccurate, because he’d had access to the “transcripts of conversations” between the SGM member and his/her SGM pastors, and the SGM member sharing his/her story on this blog had relayed false information, based upon a comparison with the “transcript” to which this SGM staff person had access.
So now I’m really curious. Would anyone like to share what they know about SGM’s views on record keeping? Could the “transcript” that the SGM staff person referenced in his email possibly refer merely to the copious notes taken and kept on all SGM members? If so, do the members get to sign off on the accuracy of these notes before they are placed in the members’ files?
Or do some of the walls in some SGM facilities really do have ears?
It gets curiouser and curiouser, as they say…
I'm verwy verwy sad, RT. We can start our own crew, how bout it? 
(and I can be stone cold...hehehe) 
January 20th, 2009 at 11:28 pm
depends on what sites the IT guy likes ;)
January 21st, 2009 at 9:47 am
Kris said;
“I get what you’re saying, about how people who sign those membership covenants like the one at CLC actually ARE giving informed consent to have their confidential info passed around by pastors. I guess the moral to that story is to read the fine print.”
I was disturbed to learn that even when in a “Biblical counseling” setting that confidentiality is not assured and remains at their discretion.
Most members/potential members are told, (if they ask), that any disclosure is “Rare”.
Another thought, where do you think all those great stories and examples found in SGM sermons / books come from?
January 21st, 2009 at 9:58 am
This is probably not the right thread on which to post but…
CONNIE,
My copy of “The Peacemaker” by Sande just arrived, but when I looked at page 222-223, my copy discusses Thomas Edison, a discussion of a vignette about Sande’s wife and a cup of coffee or something, followed by a list of “Summary and Application” points (which also includes another reference to the Four Points of Forgiveness).
Do you recall what chapter your page 222 falls under so I can find the same section in my edition of the book? I haven’t had the opportunity yet to sit and devour the whole text, but I would very much like to review that particular passage.
Thanks,
Cindy
January 21st, 2009 at 11:50 am
Noel said, “I’ve been out of town skydiving. ”
Girl, I KNEW I would like you if we ever met. But after that comment, I’m beginning to wonder if we’re soul mates!
“I have been chuckling to myself about the possibility of Griz and my meetings having been recorded. …Yippeee, bring out the recordings!”
In your case, I’d prefer if they have secret video recordings. I would pay to see you jump up and point into every one of their faces!
Popcorn anyone?
January 21st, 2009 at 12:01 pm
Cindy,
The part of the book I quoted is in Appendix D (“When Is It Right to Go to Court”) under the section “Exhausting Church Remedies.” Actually, there’s a lot more in Appendix D that hits me the wrong way besides the part I quoted. I’m looking forward to hearing your take on that part of the book in particular.
Connie
January 21st, 2009 at 11:40 pm
Thanks Connie!
That’s one of my projects for tomorrow….