This is the “Open Letter from the Elders, 6-23-15” broken down into statements and analyzed by a former elder with more than 20 years with FCCF and a former FCCF Pastor.
An Open Letter from First Christian Elders
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
| Claim: | We're blessed. First Christian Church of Florissant is an amazing multi-generational, multi-ethnic family. We joyfully celebrate a 57 year legacy of ministry built on honoring Jesus Christ through compassionately living in the world. We have served thousands of families and been recognized nationally for the strength of our diversity. Like every family, our Church family has moments when our strength is tested. |
| Truth: | True |
| Claim: | This is one of those moments. In January, 2014 two former First Christian Church families were told for the first time by their now grown sons that they had been sexually abused in 2007 by Brandon Milburn, then a full-time student at St. Louis Christian College and a part-time Church employee. These families did the right thing, the difficult thing. They stood strong in their test, reported this horrible crime to authorities, and sought counseling. |
| Truth: | TRUE |
| Claim: | A year-long open investigation invited any other victims to come forward |
| Truth: | MISREPRESENTATION: Investigation was conducted by St. Louis County Police. FCCF intentionally did not investigate, as stated numerous times by Steve and elders in public settings, based upon the advice of Southeast Christian Church in Louisville, Brandon Milburn’s home church, where his mother was employed. |
| Claim: | and led to a guilty plea and a sentence to 25 years in prison. While this abuse did not occur in Church facilities or at our programs, we hurt when others do. The actions of one had a ripple effect of hurt to many through his violation of trust. |
| Truth: | TRUE |
| Claim: | Because we are a place of healing, First Christian provides two professional counseling resources available for victims of Milburn's abuse. |
| Truth: | DISINFORMATION: Counseling for victims was only confirmed at the June 7, 2015 worship services in statement read by Stanley DuBose, nearly 18 months after Brandon Milburn was arrested, and only as a result of consistent pressure by Dr. Lay, Dawn Varvil and RestoreFCCF. |
| Cliam: | Disturbing methods. Since the February, 2015 sentencing, First Christian Church has been harassed and slandered by false claims that Church leaders knew of the sexual abuse and criminally failed to report it. |
| Truth: | FALSE: Questions were raised to Church leaders numerous times with no response. This is not harassment. The claims are that Church leaders had been alerted and warned of deviant sexual behavior by Brandon Milburn in late 2011 and February 2012 by two separate witnesses. It was never claimed that Church leaders were aware of the 2007 crimes BM was arrested for. These claims are not slander. |
| Cliam: | This is simply not true. |
| Truth | FALSE |
| Claim | These unsubstantiated claims ... |
| Truth: | FALSE: These claims of deviant sexual behavior were substantiated by numerous witnesses. |
| Claim: | were repeatedly promoted in the unfiltered platform of social media, |
| Truth: | FALSE. No unsubstantiated claims were promoted on social media. |
| Claim: | on fake Facebook accounts, |
| Truth: | Annie Shankin - a lone anonymous FB account …? |
| Claim: | in phone calls |
| Truth: | FALSE: Who was making mass phone calls? |
| Claim: | and emails sourced through the unauthorized use of Church databases, |
| Truth: | What constitutes “unauthorized” use? What are the rules of use? Are there any posted rules? |
| Claim: | in issuing demands for the resignation of leaders |
| Truth: | FALSE: Our letter “requested” that the elders consider our “request.” Only upon failure to respond appropriately to our request, was our request then elevated to a “demand.” |
| Clail: | and seeking supporters |
| Truth: | TRUE |
| Claim: | who might disrupt worship services. |
| Truth: | FALSE: No attempt has ever been made to elicit strife or disrupt worship services or any other activity or program at the church. |
| Claim: | Critics do share a valuable role suggesting the need for improvements. |
| Truth: | Huh…..? If this statement is meant like it reads, this would be true. Does it refer to members of FCCF? |
| Claim: | However, some opportunistically choose destructive methods... |
| Truth: | FALSE: There have been no “destructive methods.” We have repeatedly asked questions of our leaders, who have persisted in resisting any attempt to respond or even reply in an open setting where candor could be established. Does “destructive methods” include asking questions in a calm demeanor…? |
| Claim: | testing great cities, |
| Truth: | What is this…? |
| Claim: | testing law enforcement, |
| Truth: | What is this…? |
| Claim: | testing best of class organizations, |
| Truth: | What is this…? |
| Claim: | schools, |
| Truth: | What is this…? |
| Claim: | and even effective churches. |
| Truth: | MISDIRECT: Effective churches employ procedures and practices to minimize eventualities like FCCF has been through. But, all churches need wise leaders and members who lean on the Holy Spirit to reveal unbiblical doctrines being promoted or sin within leadership. |
| Claim: | A line must be drawn. These methods do not belong in our Church family. |
| Truth: | MISDIRECT: Effective churches employ procedures and practices to minimize eventualities like FCCF has been through. But, all churches need wise leaders and members who lean on the Holy Spirit to reveal unbiblical doctrines being promoted or sin within leadership. |
| Claim: | Patient leadership. As elders, we have worked in unity over the last months to protect |
| Truth: | To “shield” |
| Claim: | and clear First Christian's name legally and through law enforcement. |
| Truth: | FALSE: Without illegal or malicious or disruptive actions, or unsubstantiated claims, legal action was uncalled for. Biblically, legal action was unwise and inappropriate. Law enforcement actions were unleashed on members of the church based upon lies and misrepresentations of the Church leadership and Sr. Pastor. |
| Claim: | Based on the clear evidence, |
| Truth: | FALSE: All evidence clearly reveals lack of truthfulness by Church leadership, misdirection, misrepresentations, false testimony, etc. |
| Claim: | we've sought retractions, not financial penalties. |
| Truth: | FALSE: Legal action, law suits, sought monetary penalties. Court records are public documents, and this can easily be proven. The lawsuit demanded $25,000 in compensatory and unspecified punitive damages. |
| Claim: | After pursuing options that enabled us to name accusers and present affidavits and evidence that could be substantiated in court, the eldership decided to voluntarily drop civil actions and enlist assistance from two respected Christian mediators. |
| Truth: | FALSE: “Assistance” was solicited and coordinated by others, including MM & GV, definitely not the elders. Only after this mediation coordinated by others, did the Sr. Minister elect to withdraw his law suits, but not permanently. |
| Claim: | Our intent - to give our critics yet additional opportunities to reconcile. |
| Truth: | FALSE: Since the elders were mildly forced into mediation, there was no “…intent to give…opportunities to reconcile.” |
| Claim: | Regretfully |
| Truth: | TRUE |
| Claim: | those seeking to blame us and incite outrage prefer to continue spreading wholly false accusations. |
| Truth: | False! False! False! False! Since when is outrage against sin a bad thing…? AND, the false accusations have been spread by the Church leadership. |
| Claim: | Standing strong. Upon the counsel of our mediator, |
| Truth: | FALSE: I suspect that this is “not exactly” what was meant by the counsel of the mediator (which they didn’t want…..) to leave the church with all of these false and misdirecting positions. |
| Claim: | we are persuaded that the best course of action for the First Christian Church family NOW is to refocus our energies exclusively on moving forward with our ministry and mission. With your support and encouragement, First Christian Church will only intensify our commitment to stand strong, becoming an even more compassionate community resource. We're thankful that this amazing family continues to grow in faith, welcoming first-time guests and each week celebrating new committed followers of Christ. We began June with more than 500 kids and volunteers in Vacation Bible School. Our Celebrate Recovery is an ongoing ministry of support. While we will always have a tear in our eye for those wronged by heinous actions, our focus is and will be resolutely on the greater things that bring us together... one faith, in one Lord, and one message of God's love and grace that can bring healing in any life. |
| Truth: | This will have to be a “wait and see” deal. This would mean in its plain language that no further reprisals would be perpetrated against any of the “truthers.” |
| Claim | Better not bitter. First Christian Church of Florissant is listening, learning and loving, determined to be better, not bitter. Our core values determine that we will go forward, empowered by God's grace to be a place where Christ comes first, where the lost are found, where the Word is heard, where care is shared, and where our world is changed. In this time of testing, First Christian is standing strong. |
| Truth: | Sin is a reproach to any people. The Holy Spirit’s leading in our church will be reduced until sin is acknowledged and removed. |
| We invite you to stand with us. The Eldership of First Christian Church of Florissant Keith Vehlewald, chairman of elders Stanley DuBose, vice chairman Bob Dees, secretary Eugene Storjohann, treasurer Steve Wingfield, Senior Pastor Bob Farmer, Jr. Executive Pastor |
Actual email sent from elders to church members
