Responses to the Petition (October 2014--October 2015)
“Don’t be intimidated. Eventually everything is going to be out in the open, and everyone will know how things really are. So don’t hesitate to go public now. Don’t be bluffed into silence by the threats of bullies. There’s nothing they can do to your soul, your core being. Save your fear for God, who hold your entire life—body and soul—in His hands.” “Your task is to be true, not popular.” (Matthew 10, Luke 6, The Message)
Updated 1 October 2015
Christian Integrity
Transforming Ourselves and Our World
How the anti-corruption guidance from the Lausanne Commitment
and the United Nations Agenda can help us all to act with integrity
and the United Nations Agenda can help us all to act with integrity
This entry focuses on the Lausanne Movement’s Cape Town Commitment (2010) and the United Nations’ Transforming Our World (2015). We believe that these two
landmark documents offer crucial guidance for you and your work since they deal
with many global issues, including the issue of corruption.
We have included several excerpts below from both documents that pertain
to the areas of corruption and integrity. We align with the documents’ global
call to all people, organizations, and governments to resolutely prevent and
confront corruption in all of its forms (not just financial) and to act with
the highest levels of integrity. We encourage you to do the same.
Did You Know?
Over eight million
people around the word have responded to the United Nations current global
survey, “My World.” The survey asks
people to choose “the six most important issues for you and your family” from a
list of 16 areas. The fourth highest choice was “An honest and responsive
government.” http://data.myworld2015.org/
How do these global results apply to
questionable situations or practices that we find in our own spheres of
influence or in our own organization and community? What is our responsibility
to speak up, to raise questions that search for truth, transparency,
accountability, etc.? Consider how you
can help and the positive impact of some well-placed questions, information, and
joining with others in a resolute call for transparency. This is acting with
integrity!
NCI Updates
The Lausanne Commitment and
the United Nations Agenda documents
are especially relevant for confronting the international NCI KB et al. fraud (NCI)
and for informing the organizations and their specific leaders that have been
asked for verifiable disclosures (transparency and accountability) via the Shine the Light—Together petition and its signatories. We encourage you to help by reading, signing,
and sharing this important petition.
---It has been over eight years since the NCI fraud began to be publically
confronted. The organizations and people affected began to be asked for
assistance through disclosures, transparency, and accountability.
--It has been over one year since four of the organizations included in
the Shine the Light—Together petition
and several of their leaders were formally presented with the petition and the
names/comments of its over 100 signatories. The organizations are Youth With A Mission, Mercy Ships, Youth for Christ, and Crossroads Chruch in Ferney-Voltaie, France. Previous entries have included links to see the names of current leaders and Board members.
--There has been an almost total lack of response to the specific ongoing
requests for verifiable disclosures (i.e. responses from past and current:
members, staff, leaders, senior leaders, board members, donors, and partners
affiliated with these organizations). There continues to be a substantial gap
between the actions and the good practice standards which are clearly and
publically espoused by these organizations, along with standards in the
church-mission community, other sectors, and indeed the world community.
--See the record of exchanges with organizational
leaders since August 2014. We aslso encourage you to review the weblog entries from October 2013 (Going Wrong), which has excerpts of stated
values from different Christian organizations, and from April 2014 (Unity in Confronting Corruption), which has excerpts
on good financial practice from different sectors.
Final Thoughts
“To be
effective, major anti-corruption efforts need consensus on guiding principles,
unity in public support, and commitment to practical applications. Practical
applications can be very challenging though, where these hindering factors
exist: limited experience/interest in dealing with corruption; risks of
reprisals and lack of whistleblower protection; threats to livelihoods, revenue
streams, status, reputations, public opinion, and power structures; and desires
to maintain the belief that one’s personal/organisational “world” is safe,
good, and impervious to corruption. The result of these hindrances is often a substantial and deceptive gap between
our good principles and our good practices—ultimately at the expense of
vulnerable people, especially the poor of the world.” (April
2014 entry)
This gap is hypocrisy. We can and must close
this gap by embracing the transforming, moral wholeness of integrity. If you examine
your own actions/inactions, which of the factors in the above paragraph might be hindering you
from acting with integrity in your own spheres of influence including your organization, community, and relationships.
Finally, we want to remind us all of the many encouraging examples of people in
other scenarios of corruption, from whom we can all learn. People from all types
of backgrounds have acted with integrity, and though risky, have courageously
linked good principles with good practices. We can all follow their examples (e.g.,
see the material and case studies in Don’t be Afraid, the entry from June 2014).
*****
Guidance for Anti-Corruption and Integrity
The Lausanne Commitment and the UN Agenda
The Lausanne Commitment and the UN Agenda
(yellow highlights added below for emphasis)
Cape Town Commitment:
A Confession of Faith and a Call to Action
A Confession of Faith and a Call to Action
Lausanne
Movement (2010)
Preamble
“…We must respond in Christian mission to the realities of our own
generation. We must also learn from that mixture of wisdom and error, of
achievement and failure, that we inherit from previous generations. We honour
and lament the past, and we engage with the future, in the name of the God who
holds all history in his hand.
PART ONE
7. We Love God’s World
“C. Such love for the
poor demands that we not only love mercy and deeds of compassion, but also
that we do justice through exposing and opposing all that oppresses and
exploits the poor. ‘We
must not be afraid to denounce evil and injustice wherever they exist.’[30]
We confess with shame that on this matter we fail to share God’s passion, fail
to embody God’s love, fail to reflect God’s character and fail to do God’s
will. We give ourselves afresh to the promotion of justice, including
solidarity and advocacy on behalf of the marginalized and oppressed...”
9. We Love the People of God
“B) Love
calls for honesty. Love speaks truth with grace. No one loved God’s
people more than the prophets of Israel and Jesus himself. Yet no one
confronted them more honestly with the truth of their failure, idolatry and
rebellion against their covenant Lord. And in doing so, they called God’s
people to repent, so that they could be forgiven and restored to the service of
God’s mission. The same
voice of prophetic love must be heard today, for the same reason. Our love for
the Church of God aches with grief over the ugliness among us that so
disfigures the face of our dear Lord Jesus Christ and hides his beauty from the
world – the world that so desperately needs to be drawn to him.”
PART TWO
7. Truth and the Public Arenas
“B) Corruption is condemned in
the Bible. It undermines economic development, distorts fair decision-making
and destroys social cohesion. No nation is free of corruption. We invite
Christians in the workplace, especially young entrepreneurs, to think
creatively about how they can best stand against this scourge.”
IID. Discerning the will of Christ for World Evangelization
3. Christ-Centered Leaders
“The rapid growth of the Church in so many places remains shallow and
vulnerable, partly because of the lack of discipled leaders, and partly because
so many use their
positions for worldly power, arrogant status or personal enrichment. As a
result, God’s people suffer, Christ is dishonoured, and gospel mission is
undermined…”
“B) We renew our commitment to pray for our leaders. We long that God
would multiply, protect and encourage leaders who are biblically faithful and
obedient. We pray that God
would rebuke, remove, or bring to repentance leaders who dishonour his name and
discredit the gospel. And we pray that God would raise up a new generation of
discipled servant-leaders whose passion is above all else to know Christ and be
like him.”
“C) Those of us
who are in Christian leadership need to recognize our vulnerability and accept
the gift of accountability within the body of Christ. We commend the
practice of submitting to an accountability group.”
IIE. Calling the Church of Christ Back to Humility, Integrity and Simplicity
“B) Since there is no biblical mission without biblical living, we
urgently re-commit ourselves, and challenge all those who profess the name of
Christ, to live in radical
distinctiveness from the ways of the world, to ‘put on the new humanity,
created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.’ “
1. Walk in Distinctiveness, as God’s New Humanity
“…The Bible shows that God’s greatest problem is not just with the
nations of the world, but with the people he has created and called to be the
means of blessing the nations….When there is no distinction in conduct between
Christians and non-Christians – for example in the practice of corruption and greed, or sexual
promiscuity, or rate of divorce, or relapse to pre-Christian religious
practice, or attitudes towards people of other races, or consumerist
lifestyles, or social prejudice – then the world is right to wonder if our
Christianity makes any difference at all. Our message carries no authenticity to a watching
world.”
4. Walk in Integrity, Rejecting the Idolatry of Success
"We cannot build the kingdom of the
God of truth on foundations of dishonesty. Yet in our craving for
‘success’ and ‘results’ we are tempted to sacrifice our integrity...Let us
strive for a culture of full integrity and transparency. We will choose to walk
in the light and truth of God, for the Lord tests the heart and is pleased with
integrity."
Transforming
Our World:
The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development
The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development
United
Nations (2015)
See also the brief info-promo piece
on the newly adopted sustainable development goals.
on the newly adopted sustainable development goals.
Preamble
This
Agenda is a plan of action for people, planet and prosperity…We are determined to take the bold
and transformative steps which are urgently needed to shift the world onto a
sustainable and resilient path. As we embark on this collective journey,
we pledge that no one will be left behind. The 17 Sustainable Development Goals
and 169 targets which we are announcing today demonstrate the scale and
ambition of this new universal Agenda….The Goals and targets will stimulate action over the next
fifteen years in areas of critical importance for humanity and the planet.
Goal 16.
Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide
access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all
levels
16.4 By
2030, significantly reduce illicit financial and arms flows, strengthen the recovery and
return of stolen assets and combat all forms of organized crime
16.5 Substantially reduce corruption and bribery in all their forms
16.6 Develop effective, accountable and transparent institutions at all levels.
35.
Sustainable development cannot be realized without peace and security; and
peace and security will be at risk without sustainable development. The new
Agenda recognizes the need to build peaceful, just and inclusive societies that
provide equal access to justice and that are based on respect for human rights
(including the right to development), on effective rule of law and good governance at all
levels and on transparent, effective and accountable institutions.
Factors which give rise to violence, insecurity and injustice, such as
inequality, corruption, poor governance and illicit financial and arms flows,
are addressed in the Agenda.
52.
"We the Peoples" are the celebrated opening words of the UN Charter.
It is "We the Peoples" who are embarking today on the road to 2030.
Our journey will involve Governments as well as Parliaments, the UN system and
other international institutions, local authorities, indigenous peoples, civil
society, business and the private sector, the scientific and academic community
– and all people.
Millions have already engaged with, and will own, this Agenda. It is an Agenda of the people,
by the people, and for the people – and this, we believe, will ensure its
success.
53. The future of humanity and of our planet
lies in our hands. It lies also in the hands of today’s younger generation who
will pass the torch to future generations. We have mapped the road to sustainable development;
it will be for all of us
to ensure that the journey is successful and its gains irreversible.
**********
from 10 August 2014—current.
We Were Wrong--We Are Responsible—We Will Change
Lessons for “Leaders”
“APA [American Psychological Association] Apologizes for “Deeply Disturbing” Findings and Organizational
Failures; Announces Initial Policy and Procedural Actions to Correct
Shortcomings” (APA Press
Release, 10 July 2015)
What would it be like if organizations affected by the NCI KB fraud
issued a similar press release followed up by verifiable corrective
action?
.
.
Leaders in the church-mission community
(CMC) would do well to learn from the American Psychological Association's (APA) efforts to get "things" right and publically acknowledge its serious mistakes (see
the previous weblog below from 29 May 2015). Specifically, the APA, under internal
and external pressure, finally allowed an independent review of a) the ongoing,
serious accusations that some of its members/leaders had colluded with the US
government’s “enhanced” interrogation
techniques (i.e. torture) and b) the APA’s responses over the past several
years for dealing with these accusations.
Have a close look at the APA press release from 10 July 2015 regarding
the “deeply disturbing findings” of the independent review (Hoffmann Report)
and the APA’s recommended actions. You
will find clear public acknowledgments from senior APA leaders which do not skim over the seriousness of this ongoing matter and hence can and
should be modeled by the large number of CMC leaders at all levels affected by
the NCI KB et. al fraud (the common element at the very least would be how reviews and
disclosures were handled or avoided). The essence of many of the acknowledgments by APA (as
per this press release) are:
We failed, we colluded, we made terrible mistakes; we profoundly
regret what has happened; we apologize; our members and the public deserve much
better; we take responsibility; we are taking major corrective action in our
organizational governance, policies and procedures, checks and balances; and there are serious consequences for our organization
and for our senior leadership including removal, resignation, and early
retirement.
For more information see the special section of the APA website on the ‘Report of the Independent Reviewer and Related Materials.”
For more information see the special section of the APA website on the ‘Report of the Independent Reviewer and Related Materials.”
Press
Release and Recommended Actions
Lessons from the APA
For all affected by the NCI KB fraud
including organizational leaders at all levels, staff, donors, partners; victims, investors, and beneficiaries
“We Were Wrong--We Are Responsible—We Will Change”
1.
It usually takes time (perhaps years of
perseverance) and pressure (internal and external resolve) to force leadership
to be truly transparent and accountable. Leaders and organizations are usually reluctant
to disclose mistakes/wrongdoing unless forced to do.
2.
Professed ethical standards, good
practice principles, moral integrity, spiritual or professional authority,
altruistic orientation, etc. are seldom enough to deter inaction and wrong
action.
3.
Assurances from senior leaders must not
be mistaken for transparency. Forgiveness for senior leaders must not be
mistaken for accountability.
4.
Internal organizational reviews are usually
a good start but often not adequate, especially when they do not disclose the
full truth. Independent, professional investigations are necessary.
5.
The circumstances surrounding the
alleged unethical and/or illegal activity need to be understood although not
necessarily used as an excuse for wrong actions or inactions.
6.
Both specific people and systemic patterns
are usually involved in alleged illegal and/or unethical activity. Don’t be
afraid or hesitant to confront—often banding together as a group with
perseverance and resolve--until there is a satisfactory response.
7.
There needs to be a public acknowledgement
and apology along with the sincere commitment to and monitoring of efforts to
change the organizational practices and culture that have led to any illegal or
unethical behavior. This takes real integrity and real leadership.
8.
Leadership discipline, dismissals, early
retirement and/or resignation may be very relevant responses. There need to be
serious consequences but not convenient scapegoats. Leaders and organizations
are not above the rule of law or the scrutiny of people with real integrity (some of whom may get discredited, defamed, and/or dismissed in the process of acting with integrity).
Lessons from Proverbs
(excerpts from chapters 15-20,
The Message)
For all affected by the NCI KB fraud
including organizational leaders at all levels, staff, donors, partners; victims, investors, and beneficiaries
“We Were Wrong--We Are
Responsible—We Will Change”
1. God
cares about honesty in the workplace;
your business is his business.
2. Good
leaders abhor wrongdoing of all kinds;
sound leadership has a moral foundation.
3. A good leader motivates,
doesn’t mislead, doesn’t exploit.
4. Good leaders cultivate honest speech;
they love advisors who tell them the truth.
5. Love
and truth form a good leader;
sound leadership is founded on loving integrity.
6. God
doesn’t miss a thing—
he’s alert to good and evil alike.
7. Even hell holds no secrets from God—
do you think he can’t read human hearts?
8. Humans
are satisfied with whatever looks good;
God probes for what is good.
9. As silver in a crucible and gold in a
pan,
so our lives are assayed by God.
10. God is in charge of human life,
watching and examining us inside and out.
Final Thought
So why not take action with a group of colleagues and help make things right too? "You can't whisper one thing in private and preach the opposite in public; the day's coming when those whispers will be repeated all over town. I'm speaking to you as dear friends." (Luke 12:3-4, The Message).
It is better to stand before a trillion terrestrial tribunals (human) than before just one celestial court
(divine). Get it right: personally, organizationally, morally, publically--and
now: “We were wrong. We are responsible.
We will change.”
|
from 10 August 2014—current.
Independent Reviews
Learning from Crooks, Prostitutes, and Colleagues
Why do you call me, ‘Lord,
Lord,’ and not do what I say?…blessed are those who
hear God’s word and guard it with their lives!
Jesus Christ (Luke 6:46, NIV; Luke 11:28, The Message)
Jesus Christ (Luke 6:46, NIV; Luke 11:28, The Message)
Tell me what you think of this story:
A man had two sons. He went up to the first and said, ‘Son, go out for the day and work in the vineyard.’ The son answered, ‘I don’t want to.’ Later on he thought better of it and went. The father gave the same command to the second son. He answered, ‘Sure, glad to.’ But he never went. Which of the two sons did what the father asked? They said, “The first.” Jesus said, “Yes, and I tell you that crooks and whores are going to precede you into God’s kingdom. John [the Baptist] came to you showing you the right road. You turned up your noses at him, but the crooks and whores believed him. Even when you saw their changed lives, you didn’t care enough to change and believe him.” Jesus Christ, confronting major religious leaders (Matthew 21: 28-32, The Message)
With the above admonition to religious leaders
in mind, then and now--and in view of the many current corruption scandals (e.g., FIFA world cup bribery; major international
banks rigging currency exchanges)—we ask again,
aligning with the Shine the Light-Together petition and its signatories:
--Will Christian leaders in organizations affected by the international
NCI KB et al. fraud live up to their asserted/written values and ethics
regarding transparency, accountability, being beyond reproach, and financial
stewardship, and verifiably disclose how they have been affected?
--Likewise will those associated with these organizations, past and present--members,
leaders, Board members, donors, and partners—resolutely call upon their
organizations to verifiably review what has happened and how they have
responded or not responded to this fraud?
--Will Christians wait until there is
public pressure, or legal prosecution, or personal incentives before they take
action?
In short, it is not too late to help—to
call for and set up professional,
independent reviews which clearly follow the expected, good practice and
good governance standards. It is not too
late to humbly follow the model of the crooks and prostitutes whom Christ lauded in
the account above.
Who Can Help
1. The four organizations highlighted in the exchanges (including
associated people past and present—see the recent entries):--YWAM (Click here to view the list of international offices from the organization’s website, many which link to specific leaders—in addition to the eight international leaders specifically mentioned in previous entries)
--Mercy Ships Int. (Click here to view the list of International Board Members and the Executive Committee from the organization’s website)
--Youth For Christ (Click here to view the list of International Board Members from the organization’s website)
--Crossroads Church (Click here to view the list of elders, officers, and pastors from the organization’s website)
2. Organizations and the many investors listed in the Swedish court
documents (Click
here for the partial list). Some organizational
examples:
--International Assistance Mission, Afghanistan
--Mercy Ministries
--YWAM entities in Asia (Click here get
the link to access the
file of docs related to YWAM Asia) -- Some Charities Getting NCI Money (focusing on a list of charities that are mostly in Sweden)
3. Other organizations
--Interserve, The Netherlands (invested
in the related Stichting Dutch Investments scheme)
--Stichting Agrinas (received donations
from an organization seriously affected by NCI)--Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability (Mercy Ships International is a member and is required to follow their Financial Standards)
--Oak Foundation (as mentioned in the previous entry from 29 January 2015 and the longstanding question: “…has there been any receipt of NCI KB-related money, regardless of the source, used to match the Oak Foundation’s matching grant of ten million USD around this time, for Mercy Ship’s Africa Mercy? “)
--YWAM: Mercy Ministries International, International Frontier Mission Leadership Team, and Global Leaders Forum or its current equivalent body (Click here to access previous entries)
Learning from Colleagues
A few days ago the
American Psychological Association (APA) circulated the letter below (22 May
2015). In it they explained why they have authorized an independent review to
investigate the ongoing allegations of complicity with torture on the part of the
APA and some of its member psychologists. Although it is not clear what the
findings will be by the independent investigator and his law firm, the action and
principles outlined by APA colleagues are clear for the church-mission
community and all those affected by NCI KB:
--It is not too late to do what is right.
--Hold your organizations and your leaders accountable.--Act in accordance with the highest, recognized standards.
--Do independent reviews. Ultimately, truth is your greatest ally.
“Dear Colleagues,
Many APA members have shared their
concerns with us about the allegations reported in national media that APA
supported the CIA's “enhanced interrogation” program during the Bush
administration’s war on terror. Allegations that individual psychologists and/or
APA supported this torture program are extremely disturbing to us and to others
in our APA community.
.Due to the seriousness of the allegations, the APA Board of Directors, along with APA’s CEO and his executive staff, decided last November that an independent and definitive review was needed. As you may know, outside attorney David Hoffman of the law firm Sidley Austin was asked to conduct such a review. Mr. Hoffman has broad experience in conducting independent reviews and an unchallenged reputation for independence and integrity. His work on the review is ongoing.
.Due to the seriousness of the allegations, the APA Board of Directors, along with APA’s CEO and his executive staff, decided last November that an independent and definitive review was needed. As you may know, outside attorney David Hoffman of the law firm Sidley Austin was asked to conduct such a review. Mr. Hoffman has broad experience in conducting independent reviews and an unchallenged reputation for independence and integrity. His work on the review is ongoing.
We have urged Mr. Hoffman to take the
time he needs to fully investigate this matter. We now expect the review to be
completed early this summer. Mr. Hoffman’s report will be made public in a
timely manner, unmodified and in its entirety, along with any initial
responsive actions that the Board of Directors determines are needed with
input from the APA Council of Representatives (Council). The Council will also
have the opportunity to further review the report and take additional actions
during its August meeting.
The review process was designed by
Mr. Hoffman to meet all of his requirements for full independence. While the
review is still ongoing, APA is not making any comment on the allegations. We
recognize that it is difficult for all concerned that APA cannot make any
statements at this time; yet it is imperative that we await the outcome of the
review.
APA is committed to preserving the
independence of the review and is fully cooperating with Mr. Hoffman to
facilitate the process of the review. He has been given full and unfettered
access to contact all of the people and to request all of the documents he
deems necessary to conduct the review, including access to all APA staff emails
and computers.
We believe the independent review is
vital to enable our Association to move forward. We are committed to learning
from any problems identified in the report and to taking responsive action. We
will continue to keep our members updated on this matter of critical
importance.
Respectfully,
APA Board of Directors”
-------------------------------
More information in
the News Responses section of the APA website:
Update 27 March 2015
1. There continues to be no further response from Youth With A Mission, Mercy Ships International, Youth for Christ, and Crossroads Church Ferney-Voltaire. Click here to access the record of the exchanges, from 10 August 2014—current.
These emails-letters are written to specific leaders within these organizations, asking them for their assistance as per a) the request of the Shine the Light—Together petition and its 100+ signatories and their comments; b) their own organizational standards for transparency and accountability (publicly stated—see paper trail); and c) the standards for good financial practice within the Christian community and other sectors (e.g., see Going Public with the Truth, August-September 2014 entry on this weblog).
2. Other organizations have been contacted over the last few months: a) updating government agencies; and b) requesting regulatory and philanthropic organizations to review the concerns.
3. Globally the fight against corruption and the commitment to financial integrity continue to receive major attention. One example is the growing number of good practice standards being developed for finances and governance. Another example is goal 16 from the UN’s proposed sustainable development goals (anti-corruption/good governance and peace/security). Still another example is research in the field of psychology on institutional betrayal, cited below, as it is especially relevant for the issues being addressed in this weblog.
Institutional Betrayal
Denial, Distortions, Defamation
“"Institutional Betrayal" refers to wrongdoings perpetrated by an institution upon individuals dependent on that institution, including failure to prevent or respond supportively to wrongdoings by individuals…committed within the context of the institution… Currently the most definitive exploration of institutional betrayal is presented in the American Psychologist (Smith & Freyd, 2014). Betrayal blindness is the unawareness, not-knowing, and forgetting exhibited by people towards betrayal…Victims, perpetrators, and witnesses may display betrayal blindness in order to preserve relationships, institutions, and social systems upon which they depend.“ (excerpted from Dr. Jennifer J. Freyd’s webpage: http://dynamic.uoregon.edu/jjf/institutionalbetrayal/)
Characteristics
Carly Smith and Jennifer Freyd (psychology professors, University of Oregon) also include these characteristics about institutional betrayal in their 2014 article cited/linked above. Perhaps these characteristics can be viewed as being on a continuum (vs all or nothing) as well as a partial checklist for assessing the ethical health of an institution.
--“…institutions often implement strict definitions of membership in which conformity is valued and deviance is quickly corrected as a means of self policing among members.” (p. 580)
-- “When institutions or their leaders enjoy an elevated role within the community or society, their potential to perpetuate or facilitate abuse can be obscured. “ (p. 580)
--“Institutional betrayal may remain unchecked when performance or reputation is valued over, or divorced from, the well-being of its members.” (p. 580)
--“having clear standards of membership allows for the “othering” of the individual…in order to cast doubt on the veracity or importance of reports.” (p. 581)
--“…maintaining unawareness of injustices around us…is a very human quality, particularly if this knowledge would be threatening to our well-being.” (p. 581)
Seven items for measuring institutional betrayal:
--not taking proactive steps to prevent it
--creating an environment in which it seems common or no big deal
--creating an environment when it is actually more likely to occur
--making it difficult to report it
--responding inadequately to it
--covering it up and using misinformation
--punishing staff for reporting or challenging it. (pp. 582-583)
Transparency – Being Honest with Yourself and Others
“One of the first and best steps toward betrayal reparation an institution can take is to undergo a careful self-study of past abuse, risk factors, and protective factors within its environment (Healy, 2012). While truly problematic institutions may not be open to this level of examination/critique, this type of study can protect an institution from future damage while encouraging trust among its members. At least one, if not both, of these outcomes should serve as motivation. “
“In order to further shift an institution’s priority from damage control to honest recognition of abuses that may occur within its ranks, recognizing and reporting abuse must be viewed as an honorable action. Freyd and Birrell (2013) encouraged institutions to honor the courage of whistle blowers who speak up about their own or others’ abuse. Organizational research suggests that this type of environment must grow from examples set by those in power before ethical behavior such as whistle-blowing is likely to “trickle down” to other employees or institutional members (Mayer, Nurmohamed, Treviño, Shapiro, & Schminke, 2013).” (p. 584)
Update: 29 January 2015
There have been no responses since the last update on this weblog (28 November 2014) by any of the leaders in the four organizations that have been contacted—requesting assistance in view of the Shine the Light—Together petition and its 100+ signatories and their comments. In August 2014, leaders in YWAM, Mercy Ships, Youth For Christ, and Crossroads Church received separate emails-letters regarding the petition with references/links to core materials to inform their response to the petition's request for assistance. These requests are part of the ongoing effort since 2007 to call people/organizations to verifiable transparency and accountability in the international NCI KB fraud and in the process to set a clear example of integrity for the church-mission community and the public in general. So far the response has been pathetic, especially for Christians.
The initial four emails-letters are included verbatim in the 28 September 2014 entry (see below). Each of these emails-letters also includes the petition’s specific concerns for each organization. Click here to access the record of the exchanges, from 10 August 2014—current. For additional information and why public transparency and accountability are essential, see the previous weblog entry, Going Public with the Truth (August-September 2014).
.
.
Public Information and Involvement
"We believe that transparency and accountability are essential as people and organizations work together to raise awareness and take action on corruption, especially in the church-mission community. We are thus committed to sharing these exchanges and other important materials publicly via websites including those of the PETRA People Network and we encourage you to do the same via your own/organization’s websites."
1. Youth With A Mission: There has been no official response from the organization. The recent emails-letters (27 August and follow-up September23) have been addressed to international leaders and specifically Loren and Darlene Cunningham, John Dawson, Iain Muir, Jim Stier, Steve Goode. Tom Hallas, and David Hamilton. For reference to the previous responses which deny any responsibility to review or specifically acknowledge how the NCI KB fraud has affected YWAM personnel and projects, see the special weblog entry on YWAM, August-September 2012, Global Shame or a Good Name?
Click here to view the list of international offices from the organization’s website, many which link to specific leaders.
2. Youth for Christ: There has been no response since the initial exchanges (10 August, 1 September by YFC, and September 2014) and no commitment whatsoever to assist. The recent letters have been sent to Geordon Rendle (International President) and John Duncan (senior leader and former Director of the European region). So how and why was the Swiss Youth For Christ office/address used for NCI KB correspondence by a non YFC person who was actively involved in promoting NCI KB? Were there any benefits? And why has there been no further review to get to the bottom of this?
Click here to view the list of International Board Members from the organization’s website.
3. Crossroads Church, Ferney-Voltaire (by Geneva). There has been no response since the initial brief responses on 11 August 2014, with the assurance that “[we] will work together to address this in the fall.” The email-letter was given to Larry Lloyd (Senior Pastor) and Ian Rutter (Elder, Officer, and Pastor-at-Large for the French region) on 10 August. Many members/attendees of this church, including elders and the previous senior pastor, were aware of NCI KB since it had been promoted to people in this church publically and privately. Why will they not review and help?
Click here to view the list of elders, officers, and pastors from the organization’s website.
4. Mercy Ships: There has been no response since the last exchanges of 9 October and 23 October 2014 with a Mercy Ships leader at the International Headquarters in the USA, Donovan Palmer (member of the Executive Board). Only polite but brief and vague assurances were given in the 9 October email, and hence none of the requests from the Shine the Light-Together petition and its signatories were answered. The email exchanges also were requested to be passed on to Board members along with specific items to review where there are serious questions (see the 23 October 2014 email-letter). Has any of this been done?
Mercy Ships recently changed their website in the Financials section to correct their statement that Mercy Ships is a “charter” member of the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability (ECFA). Mercy Ships has never been a charter member and actually became a “member” in 1998, about 20 years after the original charter members (http://www.mercyships.org/who-we-are/financials/). No erratum was put on the site about this important error. Mercy Ships continues to state in the Financials section that as an ECFA member, it “faithfully demonstrate[s] compliance with established standards for financial accountability, fund-raising and board governance.” It also states that ”Mercy Ships is committed to being transparent with you. View our financials page to download our annual reports, audit reports, and form 990s. If you need anything else, call us.” This is nice to read, yet in light of these assertions—and promises —will Mercy Ships investigate and disclose if/how it might have been affected by NCI KB, including the freezing of three million USD of NCI-related money by the Austrian government that was somehow to benefit Mercy Ships? And has there been any receipt of NCI KB-related money, regardless of the source, used to match the Oak Foundation’s matching grant of ten million USD around this time, for Mercy Ship’s Africa Mercy?
Click here to view the list of International Board Members and the Executive Committee from the organization’s website.
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Real Integrity—A Moral No-Brainer
The lack of responses totally contradicts the good financial practice standards/values that have been publicly embraced within many sectors and as highlighted in the weblog entry Uniting to Confront Corruption (April-May 2014). Does this utter avoidance of responsibility not only further reinforce corruption and the cowardice, cover-ups, and complicity that go along with it? Does this not significantly stain the reputations of the people affected and their organizations as well as the entire church-mission community? And ultimately, as the EXPOSED Campaign has argued consistently, does this not further devastate the most vulnerable in our needy planet—the poor?
Again we ask, who within these organizations (past and present) will resolutely hold their organizations and leaders accountable? Who has the courage and integrity to jointly call his/her organization/leaders to be beyond reproach, regardless of what others say or do? We believe that each person connected to these organizations can and should get informed and take action to make sure their respective organizations/leaders have taken the verifiable moral high-ground as requested by the Shine the Light-Together petition and its signatories.
The international NCI KB fraud, exposed publicly in 2007, is simply not going away. It will not simply vanish by ignoring it, seeing it as someone else’s responsibility, pretending that it is not relevant, or distorting the facts about it’s impact. Youth With A Mission, Youth For Christ, Crossroads Church, Mercy Ships, and any other organizations and people who have been affected, what will you do? What would Jesus---and what would Judas—do?
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Update 28 November 2014. Click here to access the latest record of the exchanges (it is also linked in the green highlighted text below). Who within these organizations will resolutely hold their organizations accountable? The international NCI KB fraud with its cover ups and stolen money is not going away. This evil continues to profoundly haunt the church-mission community. Who has the courage and integrity to call his/her organizations/leaders to be beyond reproach, regardless of what others say or do? 'Fear God and keep God's commandments. This applies to every person. God will bring every act into judgement, whether it is good or evil.' (Ecc. 12: 13-14)
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Public Information and Involvement
"We believe that transparency and accountability are essential as people and organizations work together to raise awareness and take action on corruption, especially in the church-mission community. We are thus committed to sharing these exchanges and other important materials publicly via websites including those of the PETRA People Network and we encourage you to do the same via your own/organization’s websites."
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Update: 28 September 2014. This entry provides an update of the recent exchanges between colleagues in the PETRA People Network and four of the organisations specifically mentioned in the Shine the Light-Together petition. It builds upon the many previous requests for help and the entries on this weblog including the previous entry on going public with the truth (August-September 2014).
Leaders in YWAM, Mercy Ships, Youth For Christ, and Crossroads Church received separate email-letters regarding the petition with references/links to core materials to support their response to the petition's request for assistance. Attached to the email-letters were the petition with the names and comments of 100+ people who signed it and the PETRA Statement 2012. Each email-letter also included this "Public Information and Involvement" statement at the end:
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Public Information and Involvement
"We believe that transparency and accountability are essential as people and organizations work together to raise awareness and take action on corruption, especially in the church-mission community. We are thus committed to sharing these exchanges and other important materials publicly via websites including those of the PETRA People Network and we encourage you to do the same via your own/organization’s websites."
The initial emails-letters to the four organisations are posted below in this entry (beginning 10 August 2014). Click here to access the record of all the exchanges as of 28 September 2014.
Click here to access the record of all the exchanges as of 26 November 2014. Note that the only additional exchanges are with a leader/representative from Mercy Ships in Texas, USA.
As a reminder, some of the core principles of good practice include taking the time to get accurately informed (not merely relying on someone's explanation), joining with others to make sure there are independent and internal reviews (verifiable transparency and accountability including public acknowledgements), and strengthening (or in some cases developing) anti-corruption, grievances, whistle blowing and financial accounting policies and safeguards within the organisation.
Click here to access the record of all the exchanges as of 26 November 2014. Note that the only additional exchanges are with a leader/representative from Mercy Ships in Texas, USA.
As a reminder, some of the core principles of good practice include taking the time to get accurately informed (not merely relying on someone's explanation), joining with others to make sure there are independent and internal reviews (verifiable transparency and accountability including public acknowledgements), and strengthening (or in some cases developing) anti-corruption, grievances, whistle blowing and financial accounting policies and safeguards within the organisation.
1. Exchanges with YWAM
Email-Letter one
Email-Letter one
Sent by: Michèle O’Donnell, Kelly O’Donnell, Hollis C. Lewis, Jr., Donna Seymour, Rand Guebert
Wednesday, August 27, 2014 6:20
To: YWAM leaders
Subject: YWAM leaders/staff--request for assistance, Shine the light-Together petition
Wednesday, August 27, 2014 6:20
To: YWAM leaders
Subject: YWAM leaders/staff--request for assistance, Shine the light-Together petition
Dear Loren, Darlene, Lynn, Jim, Tom, Iain, and YWAM leaders/staff around the world,
Please find attached the Shine the Light-Together petition which includes the signatures and comments of 100+ people. You will likely recognize the names of many of the signatories, including 19 who are current or former YWAMers, dozens of long-term supporters of YWAM, and others in the international church-mission community.
The petition, which includes the PETRA Statement 2012 (also attached), is an international call for assistance. It is directed primarily to organizations and people affected by the Nordic Capital Investment KB fraud (NCI). Many YWAM personnel and ministries around the world have been affected by this fraud according to Swedish court documents and personal testimonies. The petition and Statement also provide links to core materials to give a good overview of NCI.
In light of recognized good practice standards for financial governance, the petition is asking all organizations affected by NCI “to provide assistance by reviewing and disclosing how NCI has affected them…to review how they have responded to the NCI matter thus far…[to authorize] independent and internal reviews…[for] leaders and members…to hold their organizations accountable….[and to be] transparent, accountable and cooperate to return money.” (e.g., Seven Standards of Financial Stewardship, Best Practice in Finance and Governance in the Voluntary and Community Sector, International NGO Charter of Accountability).
Specifically with regards to YWAM, the petition states: “NCI is an affinity-based fraud and YWAM is the main organization affected...Major YWAM leaders invested since at least 1996 and YWAM projects received NCI-related money. Senior leaders have consistently stated that senior/international leaders were not aware of NCI and that one of the major YWAM leaders actively involved in NCI (administering contracts, receiving NCI funds, etc) and YWAM Le Rucher in France were not properly part of YWAM. Hence, it is argued, YWAM has no responsibility. These assertions are hard to understand in view of the court and other documents. YWAM leaders (e.g., IFMLT, GLF, MMI), YWAM members, and YWAM donors internationally are urged to get informed and together call for an internal and an independent review of how YWAM has been affected and how it has responded, and to persevere until such reviews are done. Will they do this? Docs: Request to YWAM Leaders for Assistance 5 June 2011, with links to investors, projects, previous requests; see also this partial list of YWAM-related investors, based on EBM documents.”
We would be grateful if you (YWAM leaders/staff around the world) would carefully review the petition and Statement with links to core documents. An additional helpful document is the summary entry about YWAM on the August 2012 PETRA People weblog which includes comments by YWAM senior leaders and others about NCI/YWAM and YWAM’s responsibility to help.
In closing, we encourage us all to keep in mind the Biblical exhortation/criteria for leaders “to be above reproach” (I Tim. 3: 2,7,10) as well as the current anti-corruption efforts calling for verifiable financial integrity efforts across sectors, including within the church-mission community (for examples see the three latest entries on the PETRA People weblog ). One example of the latter is the recent open letter to the G20 government finance ministers initiated by the EXPOSED Campaign, an excerpt which focuses on Christians’ responsibility: “…we need to examine our practices that may have contributed to corruption and mend our ways. We need to be faithful in teaching integrity, and as we abide by God’s teaching, we hope to be instruments of transformation in our society.”
Sincerely,
Michèle O’Donnell, Kelly O’Donnell, Hollis C. Lewis, Jr., Donna Seymour, Rand Guebert
Links
Public Information and Involvement
We believe that transparency and accountability are essential as people and organizations work together to raise awareness and take action on corruption, especially in the church-mission community. We are thus committed to sharing these exchanges and other important materials publicly via websites including those of the PETRA People Network and we encourage you to do the same via your own/organization’s websites.
2. Exchanges with Mercy Ships
Email-Letter one
Sent by: Kelly O'Donnell and Michele Lewis O'Donnell
Sent by: Kelly O'Donnell and Michele Lewis O'Donnell
Sunday, 10 August 2014
To: Donovan Palmer <donovan.palmer@mercyships.org>
Subject: request for assistance from Mercy Ships---Shine the Light-Together petition
To: Donovan Palmer <donovan.palmer@mercyships.org>
Subject: request for assistance from Mercy Ships---Shine the Light-Together petition
10 August 2014
Dear Donovan and Mae,
Hi from the Geneva area.
We have enjoyed reading your latest newsletter and seeing how your kids have grown! We wish you well as you transition back to the USA from the Africa Mercy Ship/West Africa.
We are writing to ask for your help as long-term colleagues and friends. Please find attached the Shine the Light-Together petition which includes the signatures and comments of 100+ people. You will likely recognize the names of many of the signatories, including those in the church-mission community around the world. The petition is an international request for assistance and is directed primarily to organizations and people affected by the Nordic Capital Investment KB fraud (NCI). Mercy Ships (international and some national offices) may be among the organizations affected (see petition excerpt below). The petition also provides links to core materials to get a good overview of NCI.
We would be grateful if you could please review the petition and its links to core documents and share it with members of the international Mercy Ships Executive Committee and others Board members (e.g., Don Stephens as President, Myron Ullman as Chair, Rosa Whitaker, Francoise Andre, Ian McColl, and Peter Schulze as Vice-Chairs, etc.). You may also find material on the PETRA People weblog supportive, featuring examples of the current anti-corruption efforts and commitments to transparency and accountability across numerous sectors including the church-mission community (e.g., EXPOSED Campaign)
Would you be free to talk with us by skype? We welcome interacting further and would greatly appreciate yours and Mercy Ships’ assistance in response to the request of the petition and its signatories.
Please know that we very much appreciate your friendship over the years, your ongoing leadership in Mercy Ships, and your supportive comments about our integrity and character. We also appreciate Mercy Ships’ public commitment to being transparent with its finances. (see below)
Warm greetings,
Kelly and Michèle
kellyodonell@compuserve.com
michele.lewis.odonnell@gmail.com
“4. Mercy Ships International (based in Texas USA and including Mercy Ships in the UK, Switzerland, and France). An Austrian court document from 2001 and other Swedish documents indicate that Mercy Ships (part of YWAM until 2003) was to benefit from NCI funds related to a three million US dollar transaction that was frozen by the Austrian government in November 2001. How does this transaction and other NCI-related money flows relate to this respected organization and especially the refitting of the African Mercy hospital ship, including a $10 million USD matching grant (matched between 2002-2004)? Docs: See the “NCI Documents” section on the PETRA People web site, and then open up the “Austria case” folder in the attachments.” [Note: The 10 million USD matching grant mentioned above was from the Oak Foundation in Geneva.]
“Mercy Ships is charter member of the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability (ECFA) which provides accreditation to Christian nonprofit organizations that faithfully demonstrate compliance with established standards for financial accountability, fund-raising and board governance. Mercy Ships is committed to being transparent with you. View our financials page to download our annual reports, audit reports, and form 990s. If you need anything else, call us. We appreciate talking with our partners about all that we’re doing to reach the world’s forgotten poor.”
[Note: The above commitment is very much in line with the current anti-corruption and financial integrity efforts across sectors, including within the church-mission community. One example of the latter is the recent open letter to the G20 initiated by the EXPOSED Campaign, an excerpt which reads: “…we need to examine our practices that may have contributed to corruption and mend our ways. We need to be faithful in teaching integrity, and as we abide by God’s teaching, we hope to be instruments of transformation in our society.”)
Links:
Public Information and Involvement
We believe that transparency and accountability are essential as people and organizations work together to raise awareness and take action on corruption, especially in the church-mission community. We are thus committed to sharing these exchanges and other important materials publicly via websites including those of the PETRA People Network and we encourage you to do the same via your own/organization’s websites.
3. Exchanges with Youth For Christ
Email-Letter one
Sent by: Donna Seymour, Michèle Lewis O’Donnell, Kelly O’Donnell
To: johnduncan <johnduncan@yfceurope.org>
Sunday, Aug 10, 2014 8:31 pm
Subject: for Geordon and John request for assistance, Youth for Christ--Shine the Light-Together petition
Sent by: Donna Seymour, Michèle Lewis O’Donnell, Kelly O’Donnell
To: johnduncan <johnduncan@yfceurope.org>
Sunday, Aug 10, 2014 8:31 pm
Subject: for Geordon and John request for assistance, Youth for Christ--Shine the Light-Together petition
10 August 2014
Dear Geordon and John,
Summer greetings from the Oxford and Geneva areas!
Please find attached the Shine the Light-Together petition which includes the signatories and comments of 100+ people. You will likely recognize the names of many of the signatories, including those in the international church-mission community. The petition is an international request for assistance and is directed primarily to organizations and people affected by the Nordic Capital Investment KB fraud (NCI). Youth for Christ (YFC) in Coppet, Switzerland is one of these organizations (see excerpt below). The petition also provides links to core materials to get a good overview of NCI.
Thank you very much, John, for your help in the past (2010, 2011), especially where you contacted two former YFC leaders from the YFC Switzerland office. And thank you also for being one of the signatories of the PETRA Statement 2011, which issued a call for transparency and accountability in the NCI matter. As a major YFC leader, you took the matter seriously and began to research what had happened. However it is not clear what, if any, outcome there was to your efforts. We do know that, throughout the NCI case and similar cases in confronting corruption, there is misinformation in circulation that obfuscates the truth along with attempts to discredit those who are taking a lead/risks in calling for transparency/accountability.
We would be grateful if you could please review the petition and its links to core documents, as well as the initial helpful efforts of YFC via John. We also believe it would be very important to share the petition with other board members/officers at Youth for Christ and the previous staff at YFC in Coppet, Switzerland. You may also find material on the PETRA People weblog supportive, featuring examples of the current anti-corruption efforts and commitments to transparency and accountability across numerous sectors including the church-mission community (e.g., EXPOSED Campaign: “…we need to examine our practices that may have contributed to corruption and mend our ways. We need to be faithful in teaching integrity, and as we abide by God’s teaching, we hope to be instruments of transformation in our society.”
We welcome interacting further with you and board members/officers, and would greatly appreciate your assistance in response to the request of the petition and its signatories. This is also an excellent opportunity to review the good governance and good reputation of YFC, as well as to help set a precedent for similar helpful action within the international church-mission community.
Warm greetings,
Donna Seymour, Michèle Lewis O’Donnell, Kelly O’Donnell
seydonna@googlemail.com michele.lewis.odonnell@gmail.com kellyodonell@compuserve.com
“5. Youth For Christ (YFC) in Coppet, Switzerland. The name “YFC” and its physical address in Switzerland were used for a substantial amount of NCI-related correspondence (by a person actively involved in NCI but not part of YFC). Why? YFC is a respected organization yet it has not fully investigated and verifiably disclosed what their relationship was with NCI and any possible benefits. Will they do this? Docs: Two Swiss addresses used for correspondence (Note that there was overlap between Board members of YFC Coppet Switzerland, Board members of Mercy Ministries related to Le Rucher, and the Elders Board of Crossroads Church in Ferney-Voltaire, France by Geneva).”
Links:
Public Information and Involvement
We believe that transparency and accountability are essential as people and organizations work together to raise awareness and take action on corruption, especially in the church-mission community. We are thus committed to sharing these exchanges and other important materials publicly via websites including those of the PETRA People Network and we encourage you to do the same via your own/organization’s websites.
4. Exchanges with Crossroads Church
Email-Letter one
Sent by: Donna Seymour, Kelly O’Donnell, Michèle Lewis, O’Donnell
To: ian.rutter <ian.rutter@sfr.fr>; crossroadslarry <crossroadslarry@gmail.com>
Sunday, August 10, 2014
Subject: request for assistance--Shine the Light-Together petition for Crossroads Church
Sent by: Donna Seymour, Kelly O’Donnell, Michèle Lewis, O’Donnell
To: ian.rutter <ian.rutter@sfr.fr>; crossroadslarry <crossroadslarry@gmail.com>
Sunday, August 10, 2014
Subject: request for assistance--Shine the Light-Together petition for Crossroads Church
10 August 2014
Dear Larry and Ian,
We hope you are having a good summer!
Attached please find a copy of the Shine the Light-Together petition which includes the signatures and comments of 100+ people. You will recognize the names of many of the signatories we are sure, including those who have attended Crossroads church.
The petition is an international request for assistance and is directed primarily to the organizations and people affected by the Nordic Capital Investment KB fraud (NCI). Crossroads Church is one of these organizations (see excerpt below). The petition also provides links to core materials to get a good overview of NCI, including a link to two letters about NCI that were sent to Crossroads and other church leaders in the Geneva area in 2010 and 2011.
We would be grateful if you could please review the petition and its links to core documents and then share the petition with other current/former elders and officers at Crossroads and current/former members and attendees at Crossroads. You may also find material on the PETRA People weblog supportive, featuring examples of the current anti-corruption efforts and commitments to transparency and accountability across numerous sectors including the church-mission community (e.g., EXPOSED Campaign: “…we need to examine our practices that may have contributed to corruption and mend our ways. We need to be faithful in teaching integrity, and as we abide by God’s teaching, we hope to be instruments of transformation in our society.”
We welcome interacting with you further and would greatly appreciate your assistance in response to the request of the petition and its signatories. This is also an excellent opportunity to support the good governance and financial integrity of Crossroads, as well as to help set a precedent for similar helpful action within the church-mission community as a whole.
Warm greetings,
Donna Seymour, Kelly O’Donnell, Michèle Lewis, O’Donnell
seydonna@googlemail.com michele.lewis.odonnell@gmail.com kellyodonell@compuserve.com
“6. Churches in Holland and France. One example of a church that can really help is Crossroads church in Ferney-Voltaire, France. Members of and people attending Crossroads church were aware of NCI and many of them have invested over the years. The former pastor for example helped by sharing how he was approached to invest in 1995. Will this church do a review, inform their past and current members/attendees about NCI, and seek information from them to help? Several church leaders in the Geneva/Lausanne area were updated in 2010, 2011. Docs: Letters to church leaders.”
Links:
Public Information and Involvement
We believe that transparency and accountability are essential as people and organizations work together to raise awareness and take action on corruption, especially in the church-mission community. We are thus committed to sharing these exchanges and other important materials publicly via websites including those of the PETRA People Network and we encourage you to do the same via your own/organization’s websites.
