We have always been hopeful for real change at GFA resulting from an admission of wrong that leads to accountability and safeguards being implemented for the future.
Policy changes are effective when they result from uncovering the root of the problem and fixing it. We sincerely hope that any policy changes reflect a genuine desire to truly address concerns we brought to light.
However, because these policy changes are being implemented without any acknowledgment of our concerns, we have doubts they are born out of genuine repentance and desire to change the direction of the ministry.
It is difficult to not perceive changes announced to staff as a way to control damage to GFA’s reputation both internally and externally. GFA leaders’ responses clearly denied any wrongdoing and (board member) Gayle’s final report stated that all of our concerns are “neutralized” and that the case is closed. This does not evidence true repentance.
True repentance is evidenced by a willingness to admit specific wrongs and to discuss—not dismiss—the points so many witnesses have raised.
Many of us have watched this same reaction over the years by leadership each time there was a staff crisis—yet the systemic problems emerged again, prompting mass staff exoduses in 1993, 2004, and perhaps now. Why? Because the root of the problems never changed.
Staff policy changes may be good, but they alone will not fix all of the ministry’s systemic errors.