Dear Director Rob,
Thank you for your prompt and thoughtful review of this letter, and your response.
The main reason I included a copy of the last few emails between me and KP is because I believe a primary reason the GFA directors have not begun a serious investigation is that they believe KP has made bona-fide attempts to discuss these matters with us genuinely and we have not taken him up on it. In fact, the opposite is true.
The fact that he offered “the meeting you wanted” but has not responded for 12 days yet to my last email about involving the board and a mediator, casts serious doubt on his willingness to actually give us the meeting we wanted, which would have a mediator and board members present. Not to mention that numerous attempts to discuss these things with him in the past have met with failure, and while he is sending flattering words to me privately, his counterpart David _____ is speaking angrily toward me and other former staff on his behalf, speaking lies to us and about us. It seems that KP only wants to speak with a small number of us, privately, with no accountability. We’re dealing with institutional sins that affected everyone, and a personal conversation just isn’t going to change that and isn’t appropriate at this stage – we NEED you and the other board members involved in dealing with this.
The content of the emails was not sensitive in nature, and KP knows I am communicating with him on behalf of a large group, not just myself, so he can reasonably expect me to discuss his responses with them as well.
Similarly, I included a personal email thread in the letter between Cassie and Danny. This again was needed as evidence and did not divulge personal information of any significantly sensitive nature.
None of the 75 signers raised a concern about sharing the emails; we had a peace about the content of the letter. But I take your rebuke seriously and will make sure to be extra cautious in that area.
We felt it was important for you as board members to see the full conversation that is taking place behind the scenes, both for KP’s sake as well as for ours, as it was clearly communicated to us that the board in the US had determined there was no need for further dialogue.
I can understand your concern about being extra careful in how we handle this situation, as you also seem to recognize issues and desire repentance, and want to see it done well. That gives me hope that you do in fact believe our concerns are legitimate and wish to dialogue further with us. Once you’ve discussed this with the other board members, please let me know if you do.
In Him,
JD
Greetings JD,
I have read the materials you have sent along over the past months and note that you raise very serious concerns. The last few pages of this document pass along email correspondence between yourself and KP. I find it inappropriate that you would distribute such correspondence which is obviously personal and delivered in trust and confidence. Clearly brother KP is reaching out to you and the others who have a grievance with GFA, for reconciliation. Why not pursue that offer rather than break trust further by publicly distributing personal correspondence as you have done?
As a board member in Canada I will seek to be as aware and engaged as I can be in the health and effectiveness of the ministry and I appreciate your appeal to us as board members to respond to your concerns. I do believe that God is refining us all and have no doubt that you too are wanting to honour The Lord in all of this. May that refining happen without further damage to the unity of Christ’s body.In Him,
Rob
> On Sep 2, 2014, at 8:28 PM, “JD Smith” <xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
