Plaintiffs in Sovereign Grace Ministries File Second Amended Complaint
May 14, 2013 in Sovereign Grace Ministries
The class action lawsuit against Sovereign Grace Ministries and a number of the organization’s pastors and leaders has been amended today. You can access the amended filing here.
But be warned:Â much of what has been added is very graphic and horrifying.
© 2013, Kris. All rights reserved.
WalkingWounded said,
I agree. If they can get these other kids to come forward, that would certainly help offset the fantastical quality of a couple of the claims.
Christianity Today appears to hve the first new article on it: http://blog.christianitytoday.com/ctliveblog/archives/2013/05/sovereign-grace-ministries-sgm-child-abuse-amended-lawsuit.html
Last year, I had to investigate a “touching” claim in a teen environment (Nothing police-worthy). The two stories were very different. After hearing from both parties, there seemed to be a lot if inconsistancy on the part of the victim, yet there was agreement that the touch had happened.
I don’t think it is wrong to say that you wonder if an account is 100% true. No one here is calling the victims liars. I believe, and I am sure most of you do, that SOMETHING happened.
It just might be helpful to the attorneys to know what others, who are FOR the victims, are thinking, as you can be sure the defendants will be voicing the same doubts in court.
I do know that a lot of the incidents were eventually reported to the police, with the perps being prosecuted, which is why their names were withheld. So “Did this really happen?” is a moot point. The defendants might think nit picking the details in the other incidents makes a huge difference. They can dream on….
These allegations are horrendous. And unfortunately, I believe, very plausible. Not because I know the accused, because I do not. But because of the environment SGM created. Here you have men who from the very roots of their organization’s first days were looking for ways to do Christianity right, which ended up translating into doing Christianity better or best. Many of us once involved with SGM can attest how the leaders believed they had achieved that goal through their unique set of dogmas regarding most every area of life. Man is the head and women and children must submit. In turn, men must submit to other men in bizarre ways, IMO, as we have seen in Brent’s emails between him and the other leaders. All spiritual authority flows through the local church, and parachurch organizations are suspect. And of course, gossip and slander are strictly forbidden, especially when conversations get uncomfortable or put SGM in a bad light. This is the PDI/SGM many here have experienced for decades all over the country, a tightly controlled, withdrawn community. Some have said “cult-like”.
But these men were so wrong. And naive. Weren’t we all? Could any of us have ever thought child sexual abuse would become so prevalent in our society? Tragically, a man-dominated, authoritarian environment that has a public name to protect can be a fertile place for pedophilia. Especially if coupled with the spirital abuse and control so many of us experienced at the hands of SGM.
So we are talking about children, detailing unspeakable acts commited against them from very young ages. Acts they were forced to process through children’s not-yet-developed brains. And you have men who felt they were doing Christianity right, who disregarded all other voices of society including mandatory reporting laws and went their own “better” way. Probably facing the fact that pedophilia and spouse abuse and other unpleasantries had infiltrated their utopian society was quite a shock. Especially if it came from among their own leadership ranks in some instances. Is it possible that some of the details of the plaintiffs who were children at the time of their abuse might not be exactly as it happened? Sure. They were children, processing with children’s brains. But CLEARLY they were traumatized, and honestly, I believe their reports in general, even if every detail can’t be proven. And is it possible that pedophiles were attending SGM churches? Absolutely. Regardless of SGM belief that they would be immune to such things, pedophiles are among us and churches are on their radar. Is it possible that men who love their organization, who built it from the ground up, whose very comfortable livelihood depends on it would react badly, to put it mildly, upon discovering such atrocities in their beloved church? Completely plausible.
I have often spoken of the two prongs that held me captive in PDI/SGM – pride and fear. Pride that we had the best system going, the system that would keep us from sinning, that would keep our children from straying, that would keep us from struggles and hardships of life because we were “doing it right” and wouldn’t God honor us for that? And fear, because deep down I knew my own humanness and my children’s humanness. If we failed, which we inevitably would, then what kind of horror would we open ourselves up to? What if you get kicked out of the best thing God had going on earth? What a house of cards. Unsustainable, no matter how hard you try to hold on. I imagine the leaders of SGM are no less suseptible to pride and fear than those of us who were just lowly peons in the ranks. In fact, I believe they are gripped with both. And they have MUCH more to lose than we ever did. They built this monstrosity. It could have been so different for them and for the victims if they had humbled themselves long ago.
This post does not really answer Kris’s question about whether it is plausible for these specific men to have done these crimes. But it is what is on my mind. God will have His way. My heart is with the victims.
Of course not! CJ STILL can’t see his sins, nor can SGM find anything to repent from! Amazing spritually blind men! STOP GOING TO SG CHURCHES! They are BLIND and are not following the Lord!
“SGM responded promptly, stating in part:
The charges in this amended complaint are serious, grievous, and difficult to read. The thought of such alleged abuse is extremely disturbing. Because of our resolve to see truth and justice prevail, we continue to work closely with legal counsel.
Our careful review of the allegations to date has not produced any evidence of any cover-up or conspiracy. If we discover otherwise, our Board will immediately report it to the authorities and see that it is prosecuted to the full extent of the law.”
Marie said,
I don’t think asking questions equals “criticizing any lawsuit victims.”
This site has often been castigated for our tendency to “believe the worst” of SGM leadership. Because of how I know SGM leaders have been trained to spin things…and because of the usually dark and dirty reality of so many hidden situations…and because of the decades-long push to “believe the best” of pastors, I definitely do have an inclination to see things from a victim’s perspective rather than a pastor’s. For example, there have been numerous situations where a member has told about spiritual abuse and then later, someone will come along and try to explain things from the pastor’s point of view. I’ll be told, “Such-and-such was just a total flake, had mental problems from the get-go, and Pastor Blah Blah Blah was a saint for having suffered with them as long as he did.”
When that’s happened, it hasn’t taken away my gut feeling that the bottom line remains the same, that spiritual abuse did indeed occur. Even if a pastor had some justification for decisions he made, these situations almost always follow such a predictable pattern that nothing can change the fact that the pastor’s reactions were more about protecting and preserving what he believed to be the integrity of SGM’s theology and SGM’s reputation rather than doing the right thing.
So I tend to have a bias that is probably the opposite of “believing the best” about SGM leaders. I am much more likely to give a mistreated member the benefit of the doubt than a pastor.
Having said all that, though, I also have to say that it bothers me on some deep level that when it comes to allegations of sex abuse, we are suddenly supposed to suspend all critical thinking and accept everything a victim says, no matter how outrageous. Asking questions does not take away a bit of my empathy for the people making the allegations. My heart is actually with them. I’m on their side! But if they have any hope of winning in court, they will have to get used to having especially the more fantastical details of their stories questioned.
Kris #56 well said. I also find some things hard to believe. However, I also would NOT have thought ANYTHING of this magnitude would ever taken place at CLC. The pastors listed as defendants seriously need to take a sabbatical. I think that Griney, Hoffman, and Adams should be arrested and stand trial for these crimes against these kids. Oh and someone needs to talk to the Hoffman and Adams kids! Who the hell is looking out for those kids??
I think it’s also important to keep in mind that the main point of the lawsuit is to determine whether or not SGM had policies and practices in place that emphasized minimizing abuse, siding with perpetrators, and trying to keep these cases out of the legal system.
It’s easy to get sidetracked by some of the more bizarre details, but as someone else pointed out, many of these situations have already been addressed through the criminal court system. The question is not whether abuse took place – but whether SGM’s responses when they learned of the abuse were inappropriate responses.
The Louisville Courier article: http://blogs.courier-journal.com/faith/2013/05/15/brutal-sex-crimes-cover-up-alleged-in-church-lawsuit/
Kris #58 – Your point raises my primary concern over the lawsuit. The plaintiffs not only have to prove the veracity of the allegations but also that there was a concerted effort to conceal, at the peril of the plaintiffs. My concern is that if the plaintiffs fail to meet the burden of proof concerning conspiracy and collusion, it will be interpreted as though all of the allegations concerning the actions of the men are not true. The jury my believe every allegation put forth by the victims and yet still find for the defendants because they do not believe there was enough evidence that constituted conspiracy.
I hope the lawyer is legit and truly has the victims best interest at heart versus an opportunist trying to make a name for herself. These victims have endured too much pain to be drug through court and grilled by defense lawyers if they don’t stand a real chance.
My hunch:
One abuses in willful blindness. I do not know what, besides kindness, will cause the abuser to come to terms with both the abuse and the willful blindness. In the mean time, the abuser has repackaged the abuse and the abused (even to manufacture to oneself an super-fiduciary agreement between the abuser and the abused) to such a degree that denial is a virtue. Increasing the twistedness becomes a means of affirming the so-called agreement.
I, based on my experience with SGM, find the accounts in the complaint realistic.
Oh, Jesus, please heal those victims! I could not even read past page three. I don’t know whether to pray God has mercy on the souls of the perps or whether the whole millstone around the neck thing plays out for them.
And as for #50, Kris, I definitely threw up in my mouth a little reading that. No way in hell would that guy be interacting with my kids!
Some objective research about the credibility of the attorney, Susan Burke. Most interesting is the courts opinion of her under “notable cases”. http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Susan_L._Burke
My comment above (now #61) should be restated
“…to such a degree that denial, from the abuser’s perspective, is a virtue…”
Stephen Griney always struck me as a little odd–maybe because he was super into puppetry–but he definitely had a “way” with children. If my memory serves me correctly, he was always very vivacious and giggly and trying to make people laugh. This is probably how he managed to go unnoticed by most as a pedophile. Horrible, just horrible. Does anyone know if him or his wife ever had any children?
I am so overwhelmed when I read the amendment this morning. Regarding Persona #34’s question, I went to CLES from 1st – 6th grade, and 1979-86ish, the first years of the school, and yes they did spank bare-bottomed, at least they did in the early days of the school. I was only spanked 3 times during my 6 years there. I know most of the named victims and most of the named perpetrators. This is shocking, but plausible. Due to a separate criminal lawsuit against one of the perpetrators, I cannot go into more detail, even though I would like to add more validity to these victims claims.
I can’t stop thinking about John Loftness’ daughters (I know he has at least 2) and Gary Ricucci’s daughters (again, I know of at least 2 + granddaughters!). If what is in the lawsuit is indeed the cold hard truth, it’s hard to imagine that their own daughters weren’t in some way victims of sexual abuse. I hate speculating, but my heart is just breaking for so many right now.
***if you have a child who has at one point been in a classroom, children’s ministry, or any other scenario with any of the accused defendants, I urge you to talk to them, regardless of their age. Who knows what they will remember if you ask them. Children have a way of repressing sexual abuse.***
I just wanted to make a correction. I thought one of the people mentioned in the lawsuit had babysat my nephew. This thankfully turned out not to be true. I just didn’t want to leave it out there. It will be interesting to see how this all shakes out in court. Personally, I am suffering a bit of identity confusion from the whole thing. Was anything as it seemed at that place? God bless you all.
I think that it is horrible that we even express doubt that the alleged victims could be telling anything but the truth, or that there was any way that they or their parents could have prevented it outside of living in a bubble. This just makes real victims more reluctant to come forward. All of the focus should be on the accused and if the allegations can be proven or not. I am sure that the victims are being prepared for the court proceedings but I hope that they are not reading any doubtful comments from people that knew or know them. I believe that if anything, there is less being told.
I’m certainly not one for censorship but the word alleged is enough to convey innocence until proven guilty and it is not embittering to the victims.
Lisa – I can completely relate to your identity crisis.
Regardless of just how true the details are, something happened here. Something happened and SGM tried to cover it up, and I am sure they spent sleepless nights wondering if the crap would ever hit the fan.
Just like Penn State, it is hard to imagine that more people did not know. I am sure 10s or 100s of SGM leaders and members heard the rumors, or got a strange vibe, and did nothing.
It is odd that most of this revolves around the CLC old guard. I have not gotten that sick feeling from the churches up north. In fact, the safeguards against abuse ways seemed pretty thorough to me.
Bottom line…. More people know more than they are saying. I am sure all the Sr Pastors of the larger churches had seen the warning signs over the years. My friends always raved about those Celebrations. It makes me want to barf.
CJ is a coward
Diamond Dave is a smart coward
Curtis probably needs a hug this morning
Good thoughts and perspective Patti.
Regarding the focus on the accused and if the allegations can be proven or not–I TOTALLY agree, and I think with the level of detail that each plaintiff gave in this second amended lawsuit..I’ve got to believe each plaintiff will be able to prove with corroborating evidence and/or other witnesses, especially some of the more outlandish-sounding allegations which involve groups of people.
Re: “Oops the Clown”
I’m not making light of this, but clowns already creep me out. I’ve never met anyone who dresses up as a clown who is slightly normal. I mean that in a bad way. The one “clown” I know well-ish I didn’t trust long before I found out she “clowned”. Finding out she did clown work only confirmed all my worst spidey senses about her. It’s a prejudice of mine, but I am not surprised that a clown was accused of molestation.
Jenn #60-I recently read this online-a big case against West Point and Susan Burke is the attorney.
http://usmvaw.com/tag/susan-burke/
I think Ms. Burke knows what she is doing and our Survivors are in capable hands.
Just a few thoughts:
1) Some of the allegations in the lawsuit that seem “fantastic” or “far out” are actually textbook examples of ritualized abuse. They may be more believable if you Google “ritualized abuse” and see how many other people have been subjected to the same perverse acts of sexual predation that some of the Plaintiffs are alleging they experienced.
There appears to be lots of evidence that in addition to being party to the cover-up of more “normal-seeming” sexual abuse acts, CLC was also harboring a pedophile ring engaging in some pretty sick stuff. Frequently victims of ritualized sex abuse do not come forward because they know how hard it will be for people to believe they were subjected to the bizarre forms of sexual, emotional, and physical torture they’re describing.
2) John Loftness issued a misleading statement. He’s not just being accused of committing sexual abuse acts against children that occurred 25-30 years ago. The lawsuit clearly states that he is also being sued for being party to an ongoing conspiracy to obstruct justice.
3) The SGM board is continuing to say they’ve found no evidence of a conspiracy to cover up sexual abuse even though Grant Layman and other prominent pastors have told the media and the police that they did not report allegations that Nate Morales was molesting kids, at Covenant Life Church, to the police.
4) Even though Grant Layman has confessed that he did not report allegations of sexual to the police and is heavily implicated in both the civil suit against CLC and the criminal cases against Nate Morales, he remains a pastor in good standing at Covenant Life Church whose duties include overseeing CLC’s Children’s Ministries, aptly named “Discovery Land.”
http://www.covlife.org/about/pastors/grant_layman
I also don’t care for there to be speculating if the victims are being truthful or not. In particular any speculation based on an assessment of someone’s stability. The abuse endured would have made anyone a wreck – so that is unkind. Plus discrediting victims is a mean and harsh SGM tactic that makes all of it really distasteful to me. SGM often discredits the victim to others in order to make the offender appear to have not done anything wrong. SGM will use this tactic on these victims, and may even attempt to do so here, so it would be nicer if we didn’t. I think they are telling the truth to the best of their ability. I doubt anyone at CLC would face the overwhelming Goliath without a cause. For those that lived it facing the Goliath of these leaders pumped up authority is a huge deal. I would rather say, thank you for your courage. I pray that you get justice. I pray for you to be surrounded with compassion. I pray for your healing.
Bear in mind, it is a civil proceeding.
Civil proceedings assign neither guilt nor innocence. That is for criminal proceedings.
Civil proceedings assign liability.
Where allegations describing acts that are considered criminal are the substance of a civil complaint, maintaining a distinction between liability and guilt matters for at least this reason: The usual standard of proof for liability is “more probable than not,” while the standard of proof for guilt is “beyond a reasonable doubt.”
Speaking in terms of guilt and innocence in a civil proceeding is spin to the advantage of the defendants’ position.
Brent stated on his Facebook that criminal investigations are being carried out. He specifically stated that John Loftness is being investigated. He didn’t name his source, but I would think this must be true.
I have to say that even as I read the John Loftness statement – I feel ill. http://solidrockchurch.net/johns_letter.html
It is all about him, his being treated with fairness, love, and grace. He talks about the storm that he is going through with this trial. And, asks his church to focus on the mission of gospel as if this lawsuit would somehow be keeping them from their real mission. I thought our mission was to love one another and through that love the world would know we are disciples of Jesus Christ. And, again, a nice way to bring God into the idea of not focusing on grievous accusations of abuse happening in a place with Christ’s name on it. Really? Oh, and of course ends with the sweet sappy plea for the church to support him through this trail. All that these victims have to say and the church’s concern should be how well they treat the pastor? A plea to keep people bowing down. Bow people. Bow low.
Since Nate Morales was recently criminally charged for child sexual abuse that occurred in the late 80’s, I assume that there is no statute of limitations or it hasn’t run out.
Given that, I hope that local law enforcement is right now looking into criminally charging both the named defendants and the other people named in this amended lawsuit. I assume that will entail the police talking to the named plaintiffs, getting a first-hand interview of the crimes made against them, then if the police feel they have a criminal case, pastors and lay people mentioned in this lawsuit will be arrested in the coming days/weeks.
Time will tell. And if criminal charges are brought against any of the men named in this lawsuit, it will give more credence to these victims allegations. If weeks from now we hear of no arrests, that will bring into question either law enforcement’s ineptness or the plaintiff’s allegations.
It was horrible to read the lawsuit last night before I went to bed. Big mistake! I felt utter horror at seeing some of the additional names of the accused as well as the victims. They included a former neighbor, acquaintances, and the child of friends I hung out with before they married. Yikes! Some of the accuse, I was like “what?!”, but I do agree we never know who can do what. It’s sad, really, because you wonder sometimes who you can trust. I just pray the truth is revealed and that God’s justice will be seen in this situation. I wish the lawsuit never had to be filed, but I pray God brings good out of this crazy, crazy situation.
I’m stunned and horrified, if possible, beyond the thousand natural shocks of the past two years. How much darker is this wood going to get? My wife is begging me to stop reading blogs and let go of CLC, but the fact that I knew most of the predators, enablers, victims, and families shakes me to the core. The abusers and the victims, they were my friends. We worshiped and fellowshipped together. I was at the places and events where people were abused, and I was oblivious to what was going on. I wish I could comfort the hurting but it is too late.
I am beginning to believe that my spiritual foundation was cracked and skewed by these so-called leaders. How dan you right the house when it is toppling? I’m praying that God would reveal any error in me and re-form me into the true godliness.
Former CCK Dude (#20):
Mahaney is mentioned in 112 and 157 in connection with covering up certain cases of abuse; in one instance, accepting a bribe.
#177 says, in part: “In August 2011, the conspiracy was discovered. On or about August 17, 2011, Defendants admitted during a meeting that they placed protecting the churches from lawsuits over and above the safety of children.”
Can anyone shed some light on this? It would seem from this that much of the prosecution’s work had been done for them.
Greg #80, “I was at the places and events where people were abused, and I was oblivious to what was going on.”
That made me sad as well. Most of us would have fought for these kids if we had known. We can pray that they get justice.
Can anyone tell me if the article in the Louisville newspaper is only online or is it also in delivered/paper copy?
“I am not surprised that a clown was accused of molestation”
Didn’t expect to read *that* today!!!!
This thing gets weirder and darker and uglier, yet people keep pumping $$$$ into this sick cult and defending the enablers like josh that refuse to truly break away for good.
Never mind the latest allegations, it’s the ongoing support of sgm and CLC that I find truly unbelievable.
At some point the church members themselves become complicit through their apathy and refusal to act. All because “finding a new church is hard.”
I am really shocked reading this 2nd amendment. The allegations are quite shocking.
I do hope that the attorneys filing this vetted what is alleged in this new amendment. I would hate to see these allegations discredit the rest of the lawsuit.
Though shocking I guess it is plausible that is alleged happened. You have an organization where it was acceptable for a leader to blackmail another leader and hide this sin for over 10 years. It is also acceptable in SGM for this same leader to write a book on humility while not practicing what he wrote about.
Thus with this type of mentality it really wouldn’t be surprising if there is other sin hiding.
Also, as someone else shared in this thread, SGM/CLC’s teaching on what is “gossip” and “slander” has worked well for leaders to be able to hide questionable actions and more. Thus when people have those views it would be easier for what is alleged in this new amendment to happen.
Lets pray that justice is done here.
Needless to say my heart is broken. I knew nothing about this until midnight last night because a friend sent me a link. Being at CLC since 78, I know these people. From my experience I will simply say what I do know about them and what could be plausible. But before doing so, I am deeply grieved for any child who has been molested – my heart is broken and there are tears in my eyes. I must commend Kris for her honesty concerning her bias – it’s only natural given all the information she has. Yet I have deep respect for anyone who does not want their bias’s (however understandable) to cause them to throw out all concern for the truth. Thanks for your example Kris.
Wow – where do I start? I guess the most painful place. When I was a junior in high school, Steve Griney was a senior. I did not know him. He passed out from a drug overdose in John Wedlock’s (my dad in the Lord) history class. Wedlock had become a Christian the year before. He was a graduate of Yale in history and got his masters in psychology American University while teaching and coaching and was the varsity basketball coach at Mt Vernon High School. I became close with him when I was only 14 and he was 28 – still call him monthly. Wedlock invited Griney to move in with his family. I became a Christian after my junior year and Wedlock asked me to be his friend. Griney had been molested by his own father and treated horribly. During these two to three years of being friends with him, he was hospitalized for schizophrenia at least twice and I remember visiting him in the hospital. When my mother left our family
after having another nervous breakdown, my 7 year old brother moved in with the Wedlock’s and Griney moved in with us. My sister had become a Christian (16) as well as my 15 year old brother. Griney and I became very good friends. He made me laugh a lot. He tried to become a Christian – going to Wedlock’s Bible Study but all the abuse from the past probably blocked “getting Jesus.” He tried to fake it but just couldn’t – wanting to belong. We all loved him but it didn’t sink in – abuse must have unbelieveable consequences which I know nothing about personally – at least sexual abuse.
I guess trying to get away from it all or hoping for help in a controlled environment, he joined the army. I didn’t see that lasting long and sure enough, he went just up an disappeared from the army. To my amazement, he called me in January of 78 – hadn’t seen him or heard a peep from him in 7 years. He was
living with his wife and 8 year old daughter. I drove to Worchester MA to see them. The moment I got there, my VW engine blew. The next day it snowed 40 inches – we were stuck together. He had told his wife how cool I was but told her to “just smile and ignore whatever he says about Jesus – that’s the only weird thing about him.” During those two weeks God knit our hearts together – all three of us. In June he came to see me. One night he read CLAP YOUR HANDS by Tomczak and was born again. My best friend was now a Christian – we were literally on cloud nine. Later we drove to Worchester and packed all their stuff and his wife and daughter moved into my apartment – I told my roommate he needed to move back home. Two weeks later, his wife completed MERE CHRISTIANITY and was saved. I had a problem : I was going to 4th Presbyterian church which would put my Christian hippie friends to sleep. I had been to TAG and heard they started a church so I visited to see if it might be a place for them and we all loved it as I’ve described previously. His wife had her own school in Worchester and closed it down. Steve kept calling Ricucci about the need for a school and prevailed. Soon there was a school K-5th grade. His wife was an incredible first grade teacher and a wonderful person. Loffness was the principal.
You can imagine how overjoyed I was. His daughter (step daughter) loved him and her mother very much. She became a believer and is a wonderful mother of five children. He truly was a great dad – we lived together and I witnessed this – he was so much fun. My nickname for him is “The Sea Otter.” Once they were involved in children’s ministry and I was moving toward pastoral ministry, we no longer saw each other much. He actually became full time as children’s ministry director while she taught.
Years later he told me the following story : one day CJ sent someone to his house to inform him he no longer had a job – no explanation. Well with my own experience this didn’t surprise me. However, connecting the dots, if there’s truth to these allegations, this would explain it. In other words, CJ found out, fired him, but never told him why – covered up even from him and his wife.
Why might these allegations be plausible? Chuck Thompson, Heather’s dad, was not only a pastor but was CJ’s right hand man at the time. By the way, a wonderful and gracious man. If his daughter had not been violated, there is no way these allegations would be coming forth – no way. He and CJ were obviously close. I wondered at the sudden disappearance of Thompson. He, along with Larry, went to Fairfax – no
explanation. Before long, he was no longer in ministry though obviously gifted. I can’t imagine all his daughter, wife, and he experienced through all this. He ended up in real estate. There is nothing but cover-up here….nothing else can explain these events – the sudden change of relationship – CJ needed Chuck. Consider what was going on with Larry at the same time and all the cover up in Fairfax and you can see how Chuck could not fit in this situation with all that happened with his own daughter. Why no
one had the sense to bring this to the police is beyond me.
This is my guess and I think it fits with what we know about CJ and his “relationships” with other “leaders.” Just last night, I was speaking with a good friend for a couple hours and his wife.
He told me the following : “I asked Robin Boisvert, ‘How do things really work around here as far as decision making?'” Boisvert told my friend the following which will surprise no one : “CJ is head and shoulders above all of us so we all simply submit to his judgments in all things.” Do you now understand why I call these men, “Yes men” and “order takers” and why I refused to become a pastor at CLC because to me, the biblical word for an order taker is a hireling : you get paid to obey a man instead of Jesus. Jesus said hirelings care nothing about the sheep. Order takers can’t lead or think. That’s why CJ had to find a 22 year old guy from Portland Oregon to be his future successor – a decision made before Josh ever left Portland – a decision Josh’s father couldn’t understand. All this goes back to one man in the end : CJ Maahaney. The “order takers” are to blame as well – and I have never respected them because I knew what they were and I saw that they were not only “YES MEN” but they were arrogant and had little compassion for people. I respected Chip Grange, Roger Dillon, Bob Schickler, and Chris Glass (a great youth pastor – degifted when it was so obvious that he was incredibly gifted which broke the hearts of the youth.. Why do I know this? The year I taught history at CLC, 9th – 11th grade, these young people were without a pastor and let me know how much they loved Mr Glass. I was glad to be there that year while they were hurting – the most meaningful ministry experience of my life together with the 35 member close knit “church within the church” I’ve mentioned).
My friend, Stephen Griney, has experienced several strokes and isn’t all there. Again, I don’t know anything, but when you put all this together (he was abused and his
sudden dismissal with no explanation and the sudden disappearance of Chuck Thompson with no explanation) it’s quite plausible – to put it mildly. Imagine what it’s like for me to be writing this about a guy that was my best friend and whose wife I love and for this to happen to Chuck’s daughter. I’m speechless.
Tears is all I have.
Mark Hoffman lived on my street. He learned the whole puppet thing from Steve who was a master at it. They were quite close – Steve discipling him in children’s ministry. He also seems to be a wonderful father with his own children. I don’t know him well – would never imagine such a thing.
Loffness, is a man I clearly dislike. I could make a serious list of personal experiences with him as I did with CJ, but I will only mention a couple. Understand that he was the pastor of the guys in the pastors college when I was there as Ricucci is now. Using the name “MY EXPERIENCE” I told about an attempt to take my life. This happened once in the spring of 2002 and once in the fall. I only wrote about the one in the fall. In the spring, my wife figured out I was going to take my life. She called a friend who started praying for me. I happened to drive by his house and he followed me and so I drove to see my pastor. Loffness was the executive pastor. In this state of having just been intercepted from taking my life, my pastor wants Loffness there. The subject of whether I should be hospitalized comes up. I said, “I rather not but if you guys and especially my wife would be more comfortable with this, I will.” Loffness says to me, “You are a proud man aren’t you?” Imagine such words in the condition I was in…….Somewhile later, Josh became the executive pastor instead of Loffness. Loffness went into a kind of depression. He had to read the book of Ecclesiastes to be encouraged that work is good in and of itself. You see, being one step lower on the ladder affected his well being – what does that tell you about serving the people of God?….I could say more but rather not……But here’s my opinion : I can’t imagine Loffness doing anything sexual with a child – I don’t believe that. I do believe he knew things he should have reported, but YES MEN do what Mahaney says. He’s a Mahaney pleaser – no doubt! This man is not in ministry because he loves people. Remember what I wrote earlier about him? I was in his office and I said, “Love is the main thing.” He retorted emphatically with no explanation ending the conversation :: “No it’s not!” I guess it’s not to him. And still, I just don’t believe Lofness would be attracted to children sexually – my opinion. His drive is position, honor, glory….typical SGM ladder climber (one of the worst) – poor Solid Rock : all that’s been foisted on them ever since Barry Woods sought help from SGM! I had some meaningful conversations with his son whom I liked a lot. His son became a wonderful Care Group leader of a group my youngest daughter was in. She loved him and his wife. He said something to her about how he loves the Kellens. Loffness said these exact words to me : “My son likes you for only one reason : you mow grass.” I said nothing – I knew better and what he said meant nothing to me : Mr. Know It All….But I respected his wishes and no longer engaged his son. I knew his son was following God passionately and never told his son that Loffness rather I didn’t speak to him (though Loffness never got or even asked the full story of the issue he had with me – judging from a distance with no inquiry or care).
Besides compassion for all these children, their parents, and perhaps even perpetrators who themselves were molested (I don’t understand the dynamic – it seems if you were hurt, you wouldn’t want to do the same to others), there’s another group of people I have compassion for : the numerous pastors who came in under Josh who knew nothing about all these matters thinking they were joining a special movement of churches only to be facing all this now. I know these guys – guys with their hearts in the right place.
How amazing the fires that God allows people to go through! And yet, it’s in these fires that our faith is proven to be more precious than gold. May God for whom nothing is impossible bring glory to His Name by bringing beauty out of these ashes as He did with Joseph and his brothers.
There is shame in all this, but the very shame tests our motives. Are we willing to endure the shame rather than run away from it so God can bring justice, repentance, mercy, and eventual restoration for His glory and honor? Obviously, from this day forward, there will be no more boasting in men. But there is One who will always be worthy of worship. Working through this righteously is the only way forward even though every natural part of our beings probably wants to just run away from it all.
These are horrendously disturbing allegations. As Kris aptly pointed out, some of the named defendants have already been charged, convicted and punished through the criminal justice system. As for the others, whatever happened to innocent until proven guilty?
The court has yet to determine how much is true and how much is not. Who is guilty and who is innocent. I’m praying the whole truth comes out sooner than later, but let’s not jump the gun. Anybody can make up a story and put it in a law suit. That doesn’t make it true. For now, much of this has NOT been proven.
One case in point: Steve is a stepfather. His wife Denise have an adult daughter who is a well-adjusted, very happily married mother of four. She considers Steve her Dad and loves him dearly. I’m in her small group at CLC. While it is certainly possible the accusations against Steve could be true, I seriously doubt it. It would certainly be a shock. However, we’ll find out soon enough.
Similar story for Mark Hoffman. And some of of the others.
Put down your stones people. . .
Wheresthetruth?
Have you asked the families you know if these allegations are true? You really think that many of the stories in the lawsuit are “made up”—why?
The biggest challenge any survivor of sexual abuse experiences is the knowledge that their story may not be believed by others.
As a former survivor myself (different circumstances), I’ll just say that those who have never experienced this have no idea how difficult it is to overcome the intense shame of revealing “the secret” to the world, since in most cases the perpetrator manipulates the child into feeling responsible for the abuse (when he or she is not). This fact illuminates C.J.’s brother-in-law Ricucci’s claim “that Adams was not a pedophile because Adams was not attracted to his 11 year old daughter but to the “woman she was becoming.”” In effect, sicko Ricucci blamed the victim with that statement.
Ask yourselves how hard it would be to tell people if you had gone through these experiences? What would be the first thing on your mind? Being doubted, right? Being blamed, right? Being shamed, right? Being abused is embarrassing to admit, especially when a pedophile has manipulated a child into feeling responsible. Children are NEVER responsible for being sexually abused.
Believe the children and believe the adults coming forward who experienced the pain. I am just grateful that enough of them have stepped forward to strengthen their courage.
Considering the egregious actions SGM leadership and its “look-the-other-way” membership have taken, I don’t give a flying flip what any of them think about this blog. To the contrary, they ought to be real worried about what is said here and if they’re wise, they’ll exit that so-called “church” asap.
More than that, God on high is watching. Passivity in the face of evil is a very ugly thing.
Paul K. (#88) – I hope you will share your story with Susan Burke, the plaintiffs’ attorney, if you haven’t already done so. I am stunned.
Patricia @91, well said. Blessings to you. And may God show His mercy in all and thru all.
I think the main point of this lawsuit is not just the abuse – but the cover-up which led to more abuse. None of us should be surprised by that. We already know that much of what is in the lawsuit is true. The culture they created is true. I have no doubt that the “how” they handled it is spot on – because that is what they do. While the “what” makes me puke, I have no pity for the pastors if each and every fact is not true. Isn’t one cover-up enough? Isn’t blackmailing another pastor enough? It is enough for me to say that these men have no business being a pastor. Not at all!
Paul
Thanks for sharing your perspective on this.
I had always heard that Chuck Thompson was “removed” from SGM by pope C.J. Mahaney after Chuck “dared” side with Larry Tomczak or at least question some of the things C.J. did to Larry. One blog post I saw where Chuck’s daughter posted a comment it sounded like year later they went back to CLC and as part of that to confront the alleged molester. Thus I doubt that C.J. fired Chuck due what happened to his daughter but is just a guess.
Susan Burke is an AV-Rated Lawyer and her Wikipedia Article is Controlled By the Corporate Mercenaries She’s Successfully Sued
@Fact Checker:
Try doing a little more fact-checking my friend. :-)
Susan Burke is an AV-Rated lawyer, meaning that her peers have give her the highest possible industry rating for her integrity.
http://www.martindale.com/Susan-L-Burke/42885899-lawyer.htm
There is also clearly nothing “objective” about Susan Burke’s Wikipedia entry. It’s being controlled by corporate mercenaries representing the many big-name corporations and individuals, including the company formerly known as Blackwater and its billionaire founder Erik Prince, that she has successfully sued or from whom she has received significant settlements. Check the notes on her Wikipedia entry if you don’t believe me.
If you’d like to get a better feel for how famous and reputable Susan Burke really is try these search engine terms, “Susan Burke Ms. Magazine,” “Susan Burke Christiane Amanpour,” “Susan Burke Sundance Festival Documentary,” “Susan Burke HBO.”
It’s nothing short of a miracle that a lawyer of her caliber decided to take on SGM.
James (#96) & Fact checker: Most people would hardly consider a Wikipedia article to be a credible source.
All of us who have been or are still in CLC or SGM are in grieving. The SGM implosion and now this lawsuit, and all that it alleges is shattering our perceptions of our Church community. As a reminder, here are the stages of grief:
1. The initial reaction is usually a state of shock and disbelief on hearing news of a loss or death. Somehow, the gravity of the situation does not register. People in this stage tend to disbelieve the information and try and disregard the facts. They may also try and prove that the harbinger of the news is not a reliable source of information.
2. The next stage is denial, which lasts for a short period of time in most cases. With some, however, it can endure over a period of time. There is denial of the situation, and people in this stage refuse to accept or are unable to accept the reality of the situation.
3. Bargaining is what most of us do on hearing of a loss. The general sentiment is to put the clock back and reverse the loss or bargain with God. It is characterized by comments like “take me instead”.
4. Guilt usually overlaps bargaining. Although the obvious reaction is to blame oneself, the underlying emotion has undertones of reconciliation with the loss.
5. Up until this next stage, emotions are felt within oneself. It is when anger is expressed outwardly that the grief process starts to manifest.
6. Depression, as such, is not a standalone stage of grief. It is a frequent occurrence during the entire grieving process, and may keep on recurring at every stage as well.
7. Eventually when reality starts setting in and there is a realization that things cannot be reversed, acceptance and hope start moving in the thought process– sometimes inadvertently. This is the moment when the grieving process moves towards its end.
A very brief statement to members only on the CLC website (I really had to dig for it…the average member would never find it). It states only that new allegations have been amended and that a former pastor and 3 current members have been added. That was it and then asked for prayer for wisdom. As a member, I have not received any member email yet either.
The alleged charges are beyond words…horrific Oh God, our children, our children…….
Jenn #60,
Indeed, crucially important to bring factual evidence that SGM has operated in conspiracy and collusion. Of course, the SGM leaders are BLIND to the fact they HAVE, indeed, protected sexual abusers and perversions while intimidating the victims into their warped “Biblical responses” of forgiveness. This is where the plaintiffs testimony of sick warped SGM culture will be paramount.
A CALL OUT TO ANY FORMER SGM LEADERSHIP:
Do contact the law office of Susan Burke to testify of YOUR KNOWLEDGE of the ins-and-outs of the SGM culture/polity. The duplicitous environment of SGM, whitewashed in their strutting “Biblical correctness” is being laid bare to the bone, in the light of day, by the Lord. Factual experience is helpful in establishing the reality of how SGM has operated.
Remember, SGMites—God HEARS the cries of the wounded. And He doesn’t play patty-cake with those who indulge in and/or turn a blind eye to perversions.