November 9, 2023
Dear Friends,
We are deeply saddened, disappointed, and hurt with the news of allegations of abuse within our fellowship. Our primary concern is for the survivors. As Christians, and as a ministry, we openly condemn all forms of abuse: Child Sexual Abuse, Sexual Abuse, Abuse of Power, Acts and Threats of Physical Abuse, and Corruption. Where crimes have been committed, we support legal action. Where abuse of power has been exercised, we support change to be in alignment with New Testament teachings.
It is with deep compassion that we encourage those who have experienced abuse to report the abuse or share their truth with a trusted friend. No one should be alone, and it was not their fault. Abuse can be reported to local authorities and domestic or international organizations that help survivors. Reporting has the potential to relieve weight from the experience, as well as allow the problems to be addressed. We are willing to help and we trust that our Father will show us how to help.
We are one body. When one member is harmed, we all grieve. We are well acquainted with the reality that the errors of the few can undermine confidence in the whole. While we grieve for the survivors, we also pray for the church. Betrayal of trust by those in the ministry harms everyone in the fellowship. Betrayal causes us to question everything. We understand that many are hurt and we pray that in this experience you will cling to the Rock, Christ Jesus.
We pray that all will find comfort through the Holy Spirit, the Comforter. Human support is crucial, yet even well-intentioned attempts born from a pure heart are easily surpassed by the unfailing love of our Heavenly Father and the comforting presence of the Holy Spirit. Because God has reserved the fullness of comfort to himself, we strongly encourage each grieving soul to turn to Him.
We have full assurance that our Heavenly Father knows everything, and by His direction these issues can be resolved.
With love and care, Lyle Schober
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WINGS for Truth 
Your past actions do not support this!
“As Christians, and as a ministry…” and “We are one body…” Welcome these new Christians. But who is “We”?
From Another Richard Schober Survivor, one of many, too many to count, and many more we’ll never know of.
“We grieve for the survivors”, yet he hasn’t reached out personally, to apologize. That’s hurtful!
“and also pray for the church”, who is the church?! Not the ex’s, apparently. Still an exclusive mentality.
I hope that education is making some realize that it shouldn’t be minimized. That no matter how long ago things happened, it affects people for life. But by making a public announcement before correcting his own wrongs first, he’s proving that he still can’t be trusted. Actions over words.
But this letter is from Lyle Schober not Richard Schober. They are cousins. Lyle should apologize for Richard’s crimes?
Perhaps for knowing and doing nothing?
Yes the timelines are very interesting. Richard was caught in a crime at a convention when he was 23 and removed from the work. I would assume Lyle was about the same age, a very young worker. If I have it straight Richard was caught and convicted in WA, later married and moved to Alaska. Lyle was in the work in the middle of the country, now NM/TX. There is one mention of Richards former wife talking with Lyle 20 years ago.. whether she or Lyle knew who the victims were is not mentioned. Now 46 years after Richards expulsion from the work, some of the victims say they are victims but whether Lyle really knows who they are is unknown? From Lyle’s letter he seems to be simply encouraging the victims to report their abuse so that people can reach out to them and try to help them.
💯 he knows who he needs to apologize to. As of this spring, there were letters written to him that he needs to reply to and take care of proper apologies for, if this was an honest letter of his heart. Refusal to do that before going public in this way, continues mistrust in him.
His cousin, Richard, was/is the perpetrator of CSA, who is known by law enforcement and the court as “the most prolific offender at the time”, and was imprisoned for one of his crimes, (not reported by the ministry). He continues his nastiness in AK, as people there are fighting for their rights against him attending meetings of children in their families, and to have a restraining order on him, as of early this summer.
Lyle’s part in this was multi-faceted, including, but not limited to:
– not reporting R’s crimes to law enforcement.
– allowing for R’s criminal conduct to be hidden when he was released from the work so that he was able to marry an innocent and unknowing young lady.
– fighting for Richard to return to meetings after his crimes were proven and he was released from prison.
– not taking seriously the counts of CSA and abuse that he was aware of, nor apologizing for his part in it.
Depends what is really lawfully, a crime.
Is covering a crime, not just this case but others as well.
Then there’s ignoring the pleas of victims. ignoring pleas of saints.
Ignoring the Holy Spirit.
This letter has been a long time coming.
How long has Lyle been an overseer?
Perhaps he has had a change of heart.
Unfortunately this problem has gone on for years, minimized, lied about, covered up.
I see no way that these leaders (tongue in cheek) who disregarded these serious crimes can remain in their position of leadership , and expect things to be better.
They have proven over and over and over again that they are untrustworthy.
His energy could probably be put to better use to encourage All overseers to step down, to become ordinary, but HUMBLE workers, not Lording over anyone, being on the same plane as all the saints (who are servants, as well.) working together for the good of the kingdom.
Scrap the Only one way doctrine, and you have to come in by THIS ministry.
Scrap the Saints, servants , mind set.
One person is in the home, one is carrying a message. They actually can be interchangeable.
You can’t put Gods Spirit in a box.
Definitely scrap the celibate ministry 😳.
All can be a witness , by our walk and words and actions.
This thought and practice that , only the workers can teach is not sound.
Anyone who has Gods Spirit can declare His Glory and tell about Jesus.
The separating the two ( especially in our day) has caused high mindedness, arrogance , authoritarianism ( which is unspiritual) and unbiblical.
Really the whole structure needs to change and be more like what Jesus had in mind, built on the foundation of Jesus, and not the ministry.
Things can only prosper when people are humble and contrite, satisfied with the lowest place, being led by the Spirit of God, not wanting to attain to great heights, glorifying themselves.
All of this hierarchy has allowed abuse to thrive, ENOUGH.
There will never be any significant changes while you hold onto your glorified positions.
If you really care, be the first to start demolishing the current order of your ministry , (the overseers, and any wanna be overseers).
You know, I’m a peace loving, God fearing person, but someone has to say this.
Joe- you seem to have a much more in depth knowledge of this case than I have. I only learned of it 2 days ago, so thank you for what you shared. I understand your assertion that Lyle knew his cousin , as I am sure most other family members knew him. Am I wrong in assuming that all the family members were free to report the abuse, and alert others when they saw the abuse continuing after Richard was released? Was there not a different understanding of CSA, even among the experts 46 years ago? Are all of us who in those days guilty of terrible wrong who tried to help family members to get right with others and God? You say letters were written to him this Spring, so he knows, and yet your accusations go back to a time period much before last Spring? I guess I just don’t understand and glad that God does.
This feels like a form letter with all the focus and energy put into proper sentence structure while conveying no true emotion. I appreciate the ‘effort’
of reaching out. But this in no way distances anyone directly responsible or having any knowledge of wrongdoings from personal responsibility and judgment by our heavenly father. I am far from having a ‘perfect’ walk in his way. But I will pray the the Lord can open our eyes and our hearts, both workers and friends alike.
Lyle Schober, you say, ” As Christians, and as a ministry,…”. You act as if a “Christian” is separate from the “ministry”. Like it is two different and separate things. It would be much more direct and clear if you said, ” As Christian ministers”. That would be awkward though since using the word “Christian” is a new term being used in the organization, along with the word “ministry”. The ministry has always been the primary reason for the religion and the ministry replaced Christ. The ministry is what is prayed for in meetings everywhere. Praying for the workers. Thanking the workers for THEIR sacrifice. Not Christ and His sacrifice. Christ is not mentioned. The ministry of workers is THE heart of the organization. It’s good that Christians are now being at least mentioned but it is still, “and as a ministry”, that is king and the ministry rules. Nothing will edge out the “ministry”.
It seems obvious when saints put workers above Christ, in meetings and elsewhere. Who do they speak more about? “Esteem” them, is not to worship them above Christ. This ministry appears to be the “Theme of the Church”, rather than “Christ”. The scripture condemns a ministry that loves “robes” (as in pride, lifted up above all else). Isn’t this is why Paul shred his garments?
Is “worker worship” what makes God angry? High and lifted up (pride) could be a reason why they did (and do) not have the Holy Sprit when dealing with CSA? Christ needs to be our “First Love”!
There is a worker world (their reality).
There is a saint world. (our reality).
There is a scripture world. (what we need)
There is a “Christ” world (God’s reality, what we need)
Unity can only come if we all are in the “Christ” world.
Tom, you have clear thinking when you say, “There is a worker world (their reality). There is a saint world. (our reality). There is a scripture world. (what we need). There is a “Christ” world (God’s reality, what we need). Unity can only come if we all are in the “Christ” world.”
The Scripture world, or living in the world of God’s Word, is far, far different than the workers world. The workers world is a completely man made world. The workers world is made up of dress codes, hair style, works, judgement, and condemnation. Heaven will be the Christ world where there will be unity, and God’s Word will rule! Dress codes, hair style, works, judgement, and condemnation will be left far, far behind.
Lyle states, “As Christians…”. The workers NEVER said they were Christians. Women NEVER wore pants. Friends NEVER had TV s. What is happening?!!! Now, friends are Christians? I was always told growing up in the 70s and 80s ” we” were not like the “world”, who were Christians. What gives? I was always told growing up that there were no rules. Now women can wear pants? The Bible has not changed. Why has the way? Christian, pants, TV, ? I don’t think I can understand.
The workers in general have proven themselves quite nimble at modifying their principles in order to maintain their status quo.
If they really had left all to preach without remuneration or a home, they would be able to walk away from the wealthy friends tomorrow, and preach Jesus to the public at large, and live by faith, as the early workers at least pretended to do.
They can’t do this, because their livelihood is dependent upon their social status among the friends.
It is a “the emperor has no clothes” situation. They have been deceived, we have been deceived, and a lot of people are trying not to face reality.
They need a strong shot of honesty. Let it all go, turn around and start life fresh. But cognitive dissonance (as well as selfishness and pride) prevents them from letting go of the things which they have been trying to convince others of for years.
I can count my blessings and at the same time share in the sorrow of those who have been harmed. May God show his grace to the innocent and victims, and may good come to them all.
This guy nailed it!!! Bravo.
Come to Kansas city MO were the abuser is treated better then the victims CSA which happen to young girls in my family the abuser has been a elder. He was removed from this position and is not allowed to attend meetings etc.. however he has been able to listen to meetings on the phone
What really bother me is my bother inlaw has torn my family apart. And the member of this church treat us as the bad people. It is hard for me to believe David Alenbaugh is trying to get him reinstated. What this guy did to several young girls is horrifying
And should be in Jail. He has not ever admitted he in the wrong or Apologized to his victims he has not repented.
But what really bother me is how the church is treating the people in my family as we are in the wrong.
I have had worker treat me like I a low life. Removed from email list and phone number so I could listen to gospel meetings just for answering a question honestly.
And I am service connected Disabled if you don’t want to hear the truth then don’t ask me questions (John)
Rick, I wish you would have contacted me before simply running with a rumor. From the moment we learned your brother-in-law had been a predator, he was asked not to be in our meeting. Period. He is allowed to listen in to the meeting over the phone but he doesn’t take part. We want your sister to be able to have a part in the meeting so calling in is a way for her to have some fellowship. We have a zero-tolerance practice in our home and will continue to enforce that. I have not ever even suggested that he should be “reinstated” as you claimed. Nor would I. I believe any such behavior towards children is criminal and abhorrent and those in my meeting will tell you that my stance hasn’t changed. I care deeply for every victim and can’t imagine the scars they will always carry. Rick, you know how to reach me so next time, give me a call when you have a concern about me. I won’t throw your name around carelessly and would appreciate the same respect.
Mr A. You may well consider yourself one of the good guys, but you are not. Meetings should be safe places but that is not the case in your meeting. Survivors are negatively impacted (violently in some cases) by abusers listening in on their inner thoughts. Holy moly man, get some understanding and empathy.
“(The sexual predator) is allowed to listen in to the meeting over the phone but he doesn’t take part”. This is so sick and disgusting and a good example of ” the way”. Let’s see how we can pacify sexual criminals. Let us include the very abhorrent revolting members of society in our fold.
dga108, says, “he doesn’t take part”. The sexual predator DOES “take part” because he is there present. The predator is a part of the “meeting”. How mindless is this group?! If there is a video call, group chat, or in person — everyone present takes part with their presence! dga108 stands up for the victims, though , ” I believe any such (sexual) behavior towards children is criminal and abhorrent and those in my meeting will tell you that my stance hasn’t changed”. Really? This is the same behavior exhibited by the workers. “Let’s find a work around to get the devil in the room”. Good job, dga108, you fit right in with the “truth “. Welcome sexual predator, you have a home here!!!
Rick-we were treated the same way by workers, members, and relatives when we left the cult a few years ago after finding out the real history of the cult’s genesis. We were abandoned by workers we had supported for decades and slandered by members we had met with for years. Think this is why so many remaining members do not leave – they know they will be treated as they treated others. Also, it is much easier to side with what is wrong than stand for what is right. God will judge us all individually.
Lyle can’t plead “surprise” or “ignorance.” Just look at the post here on Wings from January 18, 2014 (almost 10 years ago). He is called out by name as someone who the authors of the letter spoke to. The post is titled “Further Letter to North Houston Elders.”
In the past, I respected him, especially how he handled the pandemic (for the most part), but as more and more comes to light, it is becoming clearer that he is sent into problem areas as the overseer to calm everyone down, make sure everything is back under the rug, all while talking a soothing and reassuring message (albeit completely void of the Spirit or even any plan of accountable action and resolution). When I’ve had sit-down visits with him over the years in TX and WA, you leave the visit feeling all warm and fuzzy. But once you start reflecting on exactly what he said vs. what he does/did/will do, the house of cards starts falling apart.
He is an amazing speaker/conversationalist, but from my perspective, oh so very deceptive and deceitful. The serpent in Genesis comes to mind. Talks a smooth game, is very very convincing, but as crooked as a corkscrew.
In my opinion. You may have a different opinion or experience with him, and that’s all well and good. I’m glad you saw a different side of him. Nothing anybody will try to tell me to convince me otherwise will change what I witnessed first-hand.