Lieren, June 2024
Subject: Sexual abuse and other inappropriate behavior
Dear Friends,
Current status
Much has happened in the past eighteen months. We are aware that the topic of sexual abuse and other inappropriate behavior is very sensitive Nevertheless, it is necessary to communicate about this once more before our conventions take place.
The preparations for the two conventions in Putten will start soon. We look forward to a time of encouragement, comfort, and help, and we want this to be a reality for everyone under the current circumstances.
Our Father is in control, but we also have our responsibility. As a congregation, we have the duty to ensure that everyone feels safe during the convention and is aware of the serious and shameful situation our fellowship faces worldwide. We hope, as mentioned earlier, that everyone can find encouragement, comfort, and help at the conventions. This is also why we are writing you this letter at this time.
Extent of sexual abuse and other inappropriate behavior within our fellowship worldwide
We again acknowledge the painful truth that some among us. both workers and friends, have been guilty of sexual abuse and inappropriate behavior. Although some perpetrators are now deceased, the victims continue to suffer the consequences of those actions.
We feel deep compassion for those whose trust has been violated and the pain they experience. Those who have had the courage to share their experiences are recognized and appreciated by us. We take the testimonies of each victim very seriously. At the same time, we recognize that there may be people who have not (yet) expressed their experiences. Should the need arise, they can also count on personal support.
To indicate the extent and severity of the situation: worldwide, there are at least 900 reports of people who have been guilty of various forms of sexual abuse. The numbers continue to rise. This includes both workers and friends. The actual number of victims is estimated by experts to be a multiple of the aforementioned number. The victims are often minors.
It has become clear that cases of sexual abuse have often been mishandled by workers and especially by responsible workers. Perpetrators have sometimes been moved from one region to another without anyone being informed and without appropriate consequences for their actions.
In North America, these facts have led to government agencies like the FBI investigating our fellowship worldwide Similar attention is also expected in other countries, including the Netherlands. In various English-speaking countries, there has been media attention on our fellowship and the issues of child sexual abuse. It is not unlikely that there will also be media attention in the Netherlands for our congregation here. We are prepared to provide the press with a response to questions if necessary.
Additionally, it is important to mention that other forms of unacceptable inappropriate behavior also occur among us. Unfortunately, there are many examples we could cite, including abuse of power and belittling. We acknowledge their existence with deep regret. We aim to foster open dialogue about these matters.
There is no justification for any form of abuse within our fellowship. We deeply regret all cases, and the fact that they have often been mishandled. We want to emphasize that any form of abuse is completely unacceptable.
What steps are we taking?
All this leads us to serious self-examination and a change in our approach and attitude. This applies to all of us. We find it essential that all friends and all workers are invoked in this change. This will take time, as it is not easy for many.
A group of friends (advisory group) has, together with the three responsible brothers, drafted advice. This advice focuses on implementing a system for detecting and reporting abuse and other inappropriate behavior and promoting a biblically responsible way of interacting with each other. More helpers will be needed to further develop the chosen direction. The following processes have been initiated together with this group:
- For the future, we are looking for confidants within our fellowship. Finding these people will take time. They will need to undergo training to know how to properly handle reports. An internal confidant can be more approachable when it comes to asking for help.
- During this search period, three temporary confidants will be appointed to bridge the gap.
- We are also looking for an external confidant. An external (independent) confidant provides an additional avenue for reporting and may be preferable for some because there is no internal connection to our fellowship.
- Internal and external confidants have the skills to handle reports of abuse and inappropriate behavior. The presence of confidants among us does not mean that you can only approach those people if something is wrong. But they are available for support and guidance and also to identify issues.
- A protocol with guidelines on sexual abuse will be established, as is done in other countries.
- Within our means, we will carefully handle any concerns about visiting workers (as far as we can determine, there are no visiting workers involved in sexual abuse or inappropriate behavior at these conventions).
- Preparations are being made so we know how to respond to potential media attention.
All Dutch workers have completed the “Ministry Safe” course We would like to offer this course to you as well. It is an awareness training on child abuse consisting of several videos in English (a Dutch translation is available). If you are interested, please email Bart (email redacted)
Information evening on July 12 in Putten
On Friday, July 12 (DV), there will be an information evening in Putten. During this evening, the workers and the advisory group will be available to answer questions and provide information about sexual abuse and other inappropriate behavior. If you are interested in attending, please register by email with Wim (email redacted). When registering, you can also submit any questions and/or comments. Just to be clear: this evening is only for adults, so do not bring minors.
All your help and involvement are greatly appreciated.
It is important that we continue to discuss these difficult subjects together. Awareness and honest communication by everyone are good ways to ensure that our fellowship is safe and remains so.
We are grateful for all the conversations that have already taken place and hope that our letter will stimulate even more discussions on these difficult subjects.
Thank you for your help and prayers.
Welcome to Putten.
Your workers
Discover more from WINGS for Truth
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
WINGS for Truth 
Thank you Netherlands! For taking responsibility and acknowledging the mishandling of abuse within the fellowship and willingness to implement guidelines and the need for change and especially for stating boldly and clearly that” there is no justification for any form of abuse within our fellowship”. I really need to see more of these commitments from those in responsible position worldwide. It has been very disheartening to watch the responses from the ministry so far.
I agree.
Marg Meyer/Magowan
It is good that this letter was written but it does not address the core problem. The root of the problem is the false doctrine and believing that they alone have the authority to preach the gospel and that salvation is only through their ministry. AKA The Living Witness Doctrine.
Their doctrine sends everyone who is not a part of their fellowship or ministry to hell whether they are faithful Christians or not.
It Is a self-righteous gospel by people who are deceivers. Many are wolves in sheep’s clothing.
People should not be distracted by nice words on paper that tickles their ears and make them feel good.
Focus on the main issue, the church is not the truth and it is keeping people in bondage and separating them from God
You cannot believe in two gospels and be saved. If you believe that you are saved by being in the meeting and outside of it you are unsaved.
Then how can you 100% believe that salvation is through grace alone, through Christ alone? This is the only one that saves. The other one doesn’t.
Hebrews 11:6
But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
God is the rewarder not the 2×2 ministry. They don’t hold salvation in their pockets.
Some may say: “we believe in God but also that 2×2 religion is the only way.
You can’t have TWO ONLY WAYS to salvation. It’s one or the other. It is time people choose the side of true salvation and leave the false doctr
Galatians 3:1 O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you?
They were bewitched by a false gospel.
The exclusivity doctrine is indeed the worst aspect of the 2×2 doctrinal set. It also certainly exacerbates the CSA problem as well as SA and other forms of abuse.
That said Nicky, you go on to describe yet another exclusive doctrine, albeit a broader exclusivity. That broader Christian exclusivity is why children brought up in Christian settings, particularly the more fundamentalist type, are much more subject to CSA and other forms of abuse than people brought up in a less religious setting. I can’t speak for other major religions but the statistics for Christian settings having elevated risk is established fact.
Accepting Christian exclusivity outside of involvement in religious church settings would lower risk a lot and still provide people with decent guiding faith principles. It still sets people up for clashes with other religious beliefs and cultures. Yet it would be an improvement, however, to avoid deep involvement in church activities and the associated risks.
Ditching all exclusivity is the best way forward imo. It is liberating to be free of “only way” shackles and brings forth one’s humanity in a way that exclusive religion suppresses in an ugly way.
@Watchman
When I speak of ONLY WAY, I am speaking of Christ Jesus not any religion. I fellowship in my house with my family.
There is no other way under heaven except through our Lord Christ Jesus.
I doubt that the worker doctrine is successful at keeping people from salvation- I don’t believe that correctness of doctrine is essential to salvation. The shame is that people are conditioned, as children, to treat salvation as sort of an unstable, explosive, precarious, fearful thing. I believe that this uneasy cognitive dissonance is a risk factor in both creating and tolerating abuse.
Another pity is that they (some of them) can’t imagine that outsiders have the spirit of god working in them, or to put it another way, they miss out on knowing kindred spirits. I recommend the short story “coffee-house of surat” for a useful perspective on religious certainty.
People can believe what they want. We all have different convictions. We are are saved by grace through faith. Faith in who and in what? Faith in Jesus as our Lord and saviour and in his death and resurrection. Knowing that even as he was raised even we can be raised.
The point is if people believe that the meeting is the only way to salvation, then how can they also believe that Grace through faith in Christ, his death and resurrection is also the only way as well. People need to decide what they believe going forward.
I agree with you very much, but I am comfortable with knowing God’s mercy yet not ascribing to that grace any bounds. I believe God saves people tomorrow just as he gives us breath today, as he pleases. At any rate, no one holds the copyright, the author of life and salvation has made it public domain, published daily.
No one needs to be subject to religious bullies- but children are the most vulnerable.
Good points, Nicky.
As many of us have noted, some things are different in each country and region, even in this group or fellowship that was supposed to be the same around the world. Culturally, Dutch people in general are very open communicators, even to the point of bluntness (even moreso than Germans!) which makes me hope that people in the Netherlands, friends and workers and exes alike, are saying what they mean.
At least in this English version of the letter, I notice the writers don’t refer to any concepts of exclusivity, nor authority of the workers. They refer to responsibilities and duties “as a congregation” (third paragraph; not, e.g. “as the people of God” or other exclusive language). And they refer throughout to actions and errors of “responsible workers”, rather than “God’s established ministry”, chosen people, kingdom, etc, or other misguided language that we’ve seen in letters from other regions that try to reinforce an unbiblical hierarchy.
Definitely not trying to give anyone a pass, or to imply that things are hunkydory. They’re not, at all, in any region as far as I can tell. But based on this letter, it seems like maybe these workers in the Netherlands are more willing to be honest and open, and less insistent on weird exclusivity, than those in other parts of the world.
Next step: As always consistent and reliable ACTIONS are needed to back up nice words.
Dit kernprobleem heeft inderdaad eveneens geleid tot slachtoffers. Van generatie op generatie. Oma, dochter, kleindochter. Allemaal met psychisch trauma.
Google translation:
This core problem has indeed also led to victims. From generation to generation. Grandmother, daughter, granddaughter. All with psychological trauma.
This letter hits most of the right notes, at least for going forward. It should be applauded as it shines far better than the moral morass we are seeing coming out of other regions.
One place it is a bit deficient is in a lack of explanation of the “personal support” that is available to survivors who come forward. What does that mean? Is it sympathy? Moral support? In house expertise? Financial support for therapy? A better explanation would be helpful, particularly for survivors who want to move ahead with healing. I’m not a survivor but if I was, I would be reluctant to come forward if all I can expect to receive for support is “we are sorry for your experience”.
I agree with Watchman.
Marg Meyer/Magowan
I agree with the Word of God!
Policies do not change people, they only educate people. People have to want to change.
It is a bit like true repentance, falling before God and being purposed in your heart never to do a thing again.
It is not about presumptuous sins, where you keep doing the same thing and assume that forgiveness is guaranteed.
Hebrews 10:26
For if we sin willfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins.
No one can make a mockery of Christ’s sacrifice.
The so-called “only true ministry” could not operate according to the policies set in the Word of God. Let’s see how well they do following man’s policies.
Perhaps, if the perpetrators did not believe that being in the meeting was their ONLY way to salvation and the workers did not make them believe that it was the ONLY WAY to salvation it would be easier to protect innocent children.
They could be separated from the people they have hurt and work on their salvation in their own space because it is between them and God only.
It has nothing to do with workers, meetings, fellowship or ministry.
The ONE policy they need is to preach the GOSPEL TRUTH, this is what saves and frees us from bondage.
1st Corinthian’s 15:1-4 (King James Version)
The Resurrection of Christ
1Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;
2By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.
3For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;
4And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:
They deserve some credit, thank you Netherland 2×2 group for at least acknowledging these horrendous atrocities, apologizing for it, and willing to address this in the future so that children can be safe in your fellowship.As far as the doctrine and the culture goes, I doubt it will ever change, it has contributed to CSA and SA non the less.
So those that want it to change it will be better for you to leave the group then hope for them to change on doctrine and culture.
I agree with Louise.
Marg Meyer/Magowan
eens.
This letter is the best communication I have seen from a group of workers yet. There is some serious meat and potatoes of heavy lifting gone into this letter. The spirit I get from this letter says some true self examination and reflection has gone on…..with a confession – “shame on us!” “We are humbled!” “The numbers speak for themselves.” “Now where do we go from here?” They have actually clicked in with an acknowledgement -‘the trust has been broken’. Epiphany time in the Hague.
Thank you Dutch workers for saying something meaningful. I am feeling confident – the people of Holland will be liberated to a certain degree with this letter. Maybe not yet to the full freedom of God’s grand control, but they will be liberated. Over here, they are still thinking the trust is well intact because most of the church is telling them that it is so. Maybe not in their words necessarily, but they certainly are in their actions. Life certainly can be a mystery at times. It is amazing what a man or woman is able to overlook; all it takes is the power of faith in a certain belief, and anything can be overcome. All things can be justified by beliefs and faith. It is most interesting what different people are inspired to do in the name of the God. History tells quite the tales of horror of those that that were inspired ‘by God’ to do such-and-such and those that were at the same time inspired by God to push back. Two groups of people in the church now clashing – but paradoxically one group inspired by God to go one direction, and the other inspired by God to go the other. Mankind has really found great convenience in making God the fall guy. Someone made the comment I make things too complex in my writing. Maybe; so let me try to simplify. We may think of God as being the holder of all knowledge, all understanding, and all wisdom and He is the Master of Love and Truth. I do. But here is the thing; how complex does religious enterprise really want to turn the word love into? Religious enterprise has made it out to be so very, very complex – so complex that nobody wants to study it. But the truth of love is very simple. But it takes a child to understand it. And so we grasp at the air as a’dolts in the room. And we know not the math. Yes, we will leave it to the one’s with a PhD in Love to figure it out for us. Mankind for whatever reason, rather loves to gravitate to the simplicity of the tinkling symbol.
But this new wine out of the Netherlands? It seems full bodied…and has some robustness to the flavor. And has savory notes of alabaster and frankincense. That… I can make a toast to! The Soldiers of the Netherlands with moxie! I hope they can get their landing craft on to our beaches.
But above all, it would be a dream if the governance of our two neighboring nations would permit it. Some times politics can prove to be unpredictable and can prevent these sorts of things though. And besides, not many seem interested in the freedom of His grand control. Their heart is not really in this liberation thing. Freedom yes, but there has always come into the heart of man a confusion about what freedom is. Play time is important, and it would not be right for us to call everyone off the beaches so those landing craft could land. Omaha Beach – that one is empty though; rip currents there. So the Dutch Navy better not land there either. They might not know what they are doing and a few soldiers might drown. Better not have it.
When the American, British, Polish, Dutch and Canadian soldiers rolled in to liberate Holland in September ’44, there was a great welcome and thankfulness of the people, but very little joy. The soldiers could see it, despite the smiles and waves…there was devastation in the backdrop. All caused from man’s ambition to take control, and bolster their own empire. It took seven months for the Allies to clear the decks in Holland.
Yes, history can repeat itself. Just none of us ever lived long enough to notice. But there comes a day and there comes a time in history. A time when people are willing to sell the children, for a morsel of bread. Man just never asks for the ravens to feed them. They have not the faith. And why do we point at our brother, and forget we have the same father? All because… our mother is different. Meditation time anyone? And further along the road, the younger brother would always be Johnny Come Lately…but there would come this later day, when the older would serve the younger. But we would be left with the choice. The choice on what day we wanted that to be.
Cavendish Beach could get cleared maybe! Coast Guard! Coast Guard! Copy? If those two boys that are adrift on their surf boards far out in the ocean do not want to get aboard your vessel, you will have to leave them behind. You are telling us they don’t seem to care anyway! What did one say? They don’t know what all the kafuffle is about? Clear the beach! So the Dutch can land! We need to clear the beach! So they can deliver their letter to the people. And the people of the land can get back to the place they once belonged – the place of saying “I am sorry”, and actually mean it. Yes, and I am one of those too. Just a wave on the sea, rising and falling, and eventually cresting and breaking on the shore. But one day, the white dove will sail for the last time, and eventually rest in the sand. But the albatross? It will one day die in the ocean it loved so well and never forsook. It always felt at home there. It never seemed to tell, one storm from another.
Maybe those two boys will have second thoughts and wonder what is really going on when the Dutch battle ships sail by them. At least we have it recorded on video that they just wanted to be left alone.
But I have confidence …and I have hope…that those two fearless boys adrift on the sea +/- twenty years ago without a care, would climb aboard the Dutch vessel, and read their letter. It might cause them to survey the horizon. The horizon that was out of sight while they paddled on their surf boards. But like faith and belief, I have come to know, hope at times can be found with no substance either. I hope this time my hope is real. And that those two men can be boys again, and can be fearless again. But instead, fearless in the church this time, and not recklessly adrift on the ocean without a care.
Thank you, Netherlands workers. This is a fine letter. If the North, South and Central American workers could emulate this, much confidence would be restored. To the extent that workers anywhere adopt the attitudes of the Montana letter, there shall only be division. I particularly like how it is signed, “Your workers.” Outstanding. Not lords over anyone, but helpers of faith, and this letter is the only positive note I have heard from the trumpet. Some will find wrong in any response, and everyone will not ever be satisfied with any given response, but this is like a breath of fresh air, and a step in the right direction.
A well written letter accurately describing the extensive sexual abuse issue within the fellowship and expressing a certain determination to deal with it. Yet it does skillfully evade the hottest issue of them all — “How and if perpetrators and enablers” should be accepted and welcomed in the fellowship meeting culture!“It is this issue that has violently split 2x2ism in North America –
….there’s another elephant in the room as well, an issue that has divided the fellowship for many more years, but I understand what you mean.
@edgarmassey, hopefully this will be addressed in the protocol they mention, in the “What steps are we taking?” section of the letter: “A protocol with guidelines on sexual abuse will be established, as is done in other countries.”
Should have been managed much better, much earlier, of course, as the letter acknowledges.
I’ve seen no violence surrounding the issue in any meetings or conventions. I have seen anger. Some likely justified.
“What steps are we taking?
All this leads us to serious self-examination and a change in our approach and attitude. This applies to all of us. We find it essential that all friends and all workers are invoked in this change. This will take time, as it is not easy for many.”
This is so much like the Keystones Cops. It would be comical if the subject matter wasn’t so important. These guys are running around and banging into each other. “Where’s the fire”!. It would almost make one have pity on them that they are that stupid. If they actually were that incompetent.
The trouble is these worker leaders want to act like, “what the he** to we do, this is blowing up in our faces”. They play the dumb card. They say, “Now where do we go from here?”
These guys are so full it. They know exactly what to do. It’s not rocket science. It never has been. Stop the abusers where they are at. If another one surfaces, whack then down. Stop them. Don’t let them anywhere near the group again. It’s very simple. Except it is not.
This group does not want to stop the abuse. The workers want what they have had for decades. That means, RULE. That means that they are in charge. They are NOT the Keystones Cops and they are not stupid. The people that think that the workers are trying to figure out a plan are stupid. Sorry, but stupid is as stupid does. Be who you are.
@BeWhoYouAre, I recognize and appreciate your anger and frustration. It is justified.
The one reason I find this letter from the Netherlands more encouraging than any other response we’ve seen to date is that they do acknowledge the need for “a change in our approach and attitude” and that “all friends and all workers are invoked [involved?] in this change.”
“Stopping the abusers where they are at” is crucial – and should have been done long, long ago – but it’s not enough. If we just wait for abuse to happen and then react, it’s too late for some precious soul who already has been harmed. Instead, as BGM and others have explained on this site, there are ways to put in place systems, and a group culture, that decrease the risk of abuse happening in the first place. (This applies to any human group, organization, church, workplace, etc.)
This letter from the Netherlands seems to recognize the need for serious change in approach, not just for dealing with abuse that already has happened but for preventing it in the future. It’s also good that they recognize the need to involve everyone in the fellowship, not just insist that everyone should trust a few at the “top” to do the right thing (ha). And it’s good that they recognize the need to address not only the horrible issue of sexual abuse, but also other types of abuse and damaging behavior in the group.
Thus far these are just words, and effective ACTION is needed to back up the letter. But this letter brings me more hope (cautious hope) than any other response we’ve seen to date from workers.