This Update provides resources for integrity and anti-corruption.
It also continues the call to confront the international NCI KB fraud,
I AM
Detail from the painting by Gaye-Lynne LaGuire (Revelation
1)
Used by permission
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“But I have a few
things against you...
Therefore repent; or else I am coming
to you quickly,
and I will wage war against them with the
sword of My mouth...
Those whom I
love, I rebuke and discipline; be zealous therefore and repent."
Jesus
Christ, Revelation 2:14,16 and Revelation 3:19
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"Integrity is moral wholeness—living consistently in moral wholeness.
Corruption is moral rottenness—the distortion, perversion,
and deterioration of moral goodness."
PART ONE
New and Ongoing Resources
What's New: Getting Equipped and Encouraged
In this latest PPNet Update and weblog entry (Issue 75), we feature two sets of new materials from Essays on Holistic Biblical Ministries and Global Integrity Day-9 June. Have a good look!
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1. New articles on integrity from Essays on Holistic Biblical Ministries (2022): Confronting Lying Biblically in Honor-and Shame-Oriented Cultures, Integrity and World Evangelization, and Living in Global Integrity. Here are the short descrriptions:
Confronting Lying Biblically in Honor-and Shame-Oriented Cultures by Ajith Fernando (p. 267). “This essay seeks to find culturally sensitive and biblically driven ways to combat the epidemic of lying that is seen among Christians, especially in collectivist cultures, where shared community values are important and lying is often an acceptable value. A two-fold strategy is presented. First, make revulsion for lying a shared value. Then it would be considered a shame to lie, and shame is a powerful motivation for action in collectivist cultures. Second, let Christians know that the Bible teaches that God abhors lying and that lying will be judged.”
Integrity and World Evangelization: What is the Connection? by David W. Bennett (p. 323). ”For nearly five decades the Lausanne Movement has been connecting influencers and ideas for global mission. Hundreds of networks and collaborative initiatives have sprung up, as evangelical leaders have linked arms and found ways to partner together to bear witness to Jesus Christ and all his teachings—in every nation, in every sphere of society, and in the realm of ideas....I would suggest three points of connection between integrity and world evangelization. The first is found in our fundamental understanding of integrity. The second point of connection is located in our understanding of the gospel, the good news of Jesus Christ. The third is based in our understanding of what may be the single greatest hindrance to world evangelization.”
Living in Global Integrity: Moral Wholeness for a More Whole World by
Kelly O’Donnell and Michèle Lewis O’Donnell (p. 335). “In this chapter, we
distill some of the lessons we have learned over the past twenty years in
promoting integrity and confronting corruption. How can we better live up to
our moral and ethical aspirations? As both Christians and psychologists, we
reflect on the nature of integrity and corruption, highlighting the challenges
and tactics of dysfunction, deviance, and self-deception (Part One). We then
feature ten materials that have been developed within the Lausanne Movement
(2010–2020), noting the importance of using and building upon these
foundational resources (Part Two). We conclude with a summons to the
international church-mission community (CMC) to resolutely and broadly
collaborate toward a global integrity movement, marked by righteousness and
relevance. We are the light—or the darkness—of the world.” See the additional multi-sectoral resources on integrity and
anti-corruption prepared for this chapter.
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2. New materials
highlighted for Global Integrity Day-9 June: Faith-Based Champions
Fighting Corruption: Character, Virtue, and Leadership (2023
podcast), Students Against Corruption (ongoing project in
Nigeria), and Corruption-Free Religions are Possible (2022 edited book). Here are the short descrriptions:
Character, Virtue, and Leadership (17 February 2023, 60 minute video). A
conversation with Michael Lamb, the Executive Director of the Program for
Leadership and Character at Wake Forest University, organized by
the Trinity Forum. One
of the main resources featured was the research on Seven Strategies for Character Development “that
have been identified through a rigorous analysis of research in philosophy,
psychology, education, and other fields.” The strategies range from habituation
through practice to friendships of mutual accountability.
Students Against Corruption Project, Student Christian Movement (SCN), Nigeria. "The aim of this project is to eradicate various vices that have become the order of the day amongst the youth while restoring positive values. The project has been ongoing for over five years now starting from 2016." SCN currently runs a network of members in Nigeria in about 40 tertiary education intsitutions and about 850 secondary and primary educaiton schools. An example of a recent project is the March Against Corruption on 13 August 2022.
Corruption-Free Religions are Possible: Integrity-Stewardship Accountability (2022), edited by Christoph Stückelberger. “This
book has three objectives: 1. to understand the mechanisms and roots of
corruption in religions by analysis and information, 2. to encourage stronger
commitment of religious institutions in fighting corruption as core part of
their commitment to their faith and values, 3. to strengthen cooperation
between people of different faith and religious institutions in order to
increase impact in all sectors of society. This book includes twenty
contributions from all continents in four parts: A) Values (2), B) Case Studies
on World Religions (3-11), C) Praxis: Standards and Procedures (12-18), and D)
International Policies (19-20).” (Introduction, pages 11, 13)
The theme of this Update and these new materials are especially addressed to compromised and lukewarm Christians in the international Church-Mission Community (CMC): “Be true. Repent and stop your duplicity.” Christ’s rebuke to all is especially applicable to Christian leaders in the NCI corruption debacle whose moral complicity in cover-ups and rationalizations continues to pollute the witness and integrity of the CMC. It is not too late to heed the loving rebuke of Jesus and to change course.
We are resolute in continuing the collaborative efforts (since 2007) in calling specific people and organizations for assistance and disclosures in confronting the international Nordic Capital Investments KB et al. fraud (NCI) and the related dismissals. Three ongoing efforts are the Professional Review, the Integrity Petition, and the NCI Summary and Summons (Part Two below). Here is a summary.
1. The Professional Review (2008) by Rand Guebert. "This review [investigates] several overlapping matters that have affected the mission, member care, and church community...[and] aspires to promote transparency, accountability, good practice, and healthy relationships." (p. 112). [It]has been organized to draw together the various events that have led to the dismissal of Drs. Kelly and Michele O’Donnell from YWAM [and other organizations/networks] and to the potential loss of millions of dollars by investors in Nordic Capital Investments (NCI) and Stichting Dutch Investments (SDI). Many of these events are related and overlap, and this review attempts to place them in context." (p.1)
The Professional Review is featured on the weblog, Loving Truth and Peace. This weblog's purpose, like that of the Professional Review, is to "review and learn, support good practice, and restore relationships. Click HERE to access this weblog and Professional Review. For a quick overview of the latter, see the Integrated Executive Summary. "One question arises over and over in this review--where is the ethical and accountable corporate governance?" (Integrated Executive Summary, page 1).
2. The Integrity Petition Shine the Light--Together! An ongoing, international petition calling for integrity and action to confront corruption in the Church-Mission Community and in particular the international NCI et al. fraud. More information via the link above and in Part Two below.
3. The NCI Summary and Summons. See Part Two below. This entry also includes verbatim the major section in the last several entries (Healing the Body: Living in Integrity--Loving Truth and Peace). They summarize many of the efforts by the People Network (PP Net) and summon the assistance of the people and the organizations affected by the Nordic Capital Investment KB fraud (NCI).
Those “affected” refers to the specific investors-victims, organizations-ministries, staff-leaders, and any others who received/lost money in this scheme or were somehow impacted. It also refers to the thousands of people who are or were part of these organizations-ministries (including Board members and supporters) and who have a moral responsibility to call leaders and others to account: to disclose, conduct independent reviews, and where there are “net positive” gains, to return money to victims.
How you can help--Being a person of inegrity!
The informed, resolute responses to NCI by those in the church-mission community (CMC) can help bring healing to many people and the reputation of the CMC. The NCI fraud, like all corruption, will not simply go away on its own, over time, by ignoring it, or by keeping silent. Remember, the only thing necessary for corruption to flourish is to do nothing about it--or to do some non-resolute "thing" and move on, feeling self-justified, with our consciences placated and our livelihoods protected. What can you do?
1. Get accurately informed. Read the materials, court documents, and exchanges with specific CMC leaders calling for disclosures and good practice. Take the time to carefully review the Summary and Summons below.
2. Join with others and hold your organizations and leaders accountable to good practice standards (see the list of organizations and leaders in the Summary and Summons below).
3. Read, sign, and share the Integrity Petition. There is an ongoing call for signatures. See below and in Part Two.
4. Beware of the deceptive tendency to rationalize wrong behaviors and to distort our true and mixed motives. Hypocrisy. The heart is more deceitful above all else, and desperately sick; who can understand it (Jeremiah 17:9). Living in integrity and staying morally engaged involve scrupulously considering how we might be hurting people and the planet--unintentionally or even intentionally--and changing our ways.
#CMCtoo -- #HealUsToo -- #MyOrganizationToo
--Some mixed and hidden motives: "I don't want to take risks. I/we might have my reputation and revenue negatively impacted. This would inconvenience me." And many more.
--Going further: Listen to our podcasts, done to advocate for truth, repentance, and healing in the past and ongoing NCI et al. corruption and related dismissals (Into Integrity podcasts, June and December 2019). For example, "Principles for Confronting Corruption in our Midst" (2019) "begins by exploring some reasons and rationalizations for NOT dealing with corruption in our midst. Sadly, it can be all too easy to excuse the complacency and complicity and indeed the cover ups and cowardice that prop up not just corrupt acts, but a whole culture of corruption. We then share some principles for fighting corruption based primarily on Rachel Denhollander’s recent interviews with MinistryWatch and Christianity Today as well as our own experiences confronting corruption." Two additional examples of the 14 podcasts are "Awaken the Good--A Personal Exhortation to Specific Leaders" and "Principles for Confronting Corruption in our Midst."
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PART TWO
Summary and Summons
to understand what happened and what needs to be done.
but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy.
Proverbs 28:13
.
calling for integrity and action to confront corruption
in the church-mission community and in the international NCI et al. fraud.
Read, sign, and share this petition.
In light of the Swedish court documents, we are publicly calling for the following organizations to provide assistance by reviewing and disclosing how NCI has affected them. We are also asking them to review how they have responded to the NCI matter thus far. Authorizing independent and internal reviews is strongly encouraged. It is not helpful to simply try to “move on” and leaders and members are urged now to hold their organizations accountable. There is much to learn and many ways to help. We urge organizations affected by NCI to emulate the organizations in the “United Response” to the New Era Scandal: be transparent, accountable and cooperate to return money.
Individuals and organisations committed to integrity
should welcome the opportunity to help via open investigations and verifiable disclosures.
1. Mercy Ministry Associations (MM). MM International, with related associations in France, Holland, and Switzerland (set up in 1994, 1995) are related directly to Le Rucher in France. They received hundreds of thousands of NCI-related euros/dollars over nearly 10 years. Where is this money? How will past and current board members and staff help? Docs: Money Flows Confirmed by EBM * Examples of NCI Money Flows * Suggestions (see point six in this link)
2. New Generation Foundation (NGF, GF). A foundation/account was set up in 1997 at a Liechtenstein bank by a major YWAM and Le Rucher leader. Over time it received hundreds of thousands of NCI euros/dollars. Where is this money? Doc: Examples of NCI Money Flows
3. Youth With A Mission International (YWAM). NCI is an affinity-based fraud and YWAM is the main organization affected. It is seriously affected. In July 1995 Mr. Westergard presented NCI at YWAM Le Rucher during an international YWAM conference. 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.
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.
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).
[YFC update June 2019: There have been exchanges with one leader in YFC over the past few months about the concerns above and the concerns shared in the paper trail August 2014-current. Although not willing to request an independent review, this leader nonetheless pulled together previous YFC responses and his current responses to the concerns. We see it as a helpful step in the right direction. We also believe it would be helpful for YFC to summarize and publicly share these responses in one document. Other organizations would do well to follow the example of YFC.]
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
--Youth With A Mission: Loren Cunningham, Darlene Cunningham, Lynn Green, Jim Stier, Tom Hallas, Iain Muir, and YWAM leaders/staff around the world. “We would be grateful if you (YWAM leaders/staff around the world) would carefully review the petition and Statement with links to core documents.” Click here to view the list of international offices from the organization’s website, many which link to specific leaders.
--Mercy Ships: Donovan and Mae Palmer. “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.). Click here to view the list of International Board Members and the Executive Committee from the organization’s website.
(PP Net Update Aug-Sept 2012, excerpts-introduction)
(a link to excerpts and quotes for good practice, to support YWAM leaders) What can all those associated with YWAM do? Here are four suggestions to keep in mind as you review and respond to these materials:
