13th May 2005

Barry was shocked by the absolute blind faith in the senior pastor by Charles Biers. The "if you don't like it leave the church" attitude is why so many churches continue to support abusive leaders. Nobody can be held to the high Bibilical standards for leaders if congregational and ministry leaders are muzzled. Sadly six weeks later the Elders were found at fault by the mediator yet nobody challenged them, nobody questioned the depth of the terrible things done to Barry & Jennifer. A paper appology was all that was given.

From: "Barry Pendergast" <barrypendergast@shaw.ca>
To: "Charles biers" <charles-linda@shaw.ca>
Sent: Saturday, October 18, 2003 1:23 PM
Subject: Men's Ministry


Private & Confidential

Charles
Had the pleasure this morning of giving my testimony and a presentation on the new Samaritan's Purse headquarters at a Men's Group at a local church. Its a small to medium sized church but 26 men turned out as they do every month. Their senior pastor and pastor in charge of family and mens issues were there. The senior pastor noted this is perhaps one of the most important ministries - its a foundation for most of the other work of the church. What a blessing to be a part of a ministry that I have dreamed about happening at SCCC for at least 5 years. Only recently did I come to understand why it has not happened and why the pastor in charge at SCCC has zero interest in anything relational, zero interest in anything that does not bring him personal glory and fights anybody who challenges him in a vindictive and abusive
manner. All the signs point to a leader with a serious personality control problem that is damaging so many past and current people at SCCC including staff. You alluded to this yourself when we chatted on the phone.

I was sad to see you a part of the charade at Tim Horton's (click to see details of this deliberate attempt to harrass) - I'll assume your innocence but for Jim wallace and Darren it was pure harassment and part of an ongoing program of spiritual abuse by the
senior leaders against Jennifer and I and many others. I'm glad to say we have and will continue that ministry whether its part of SCCC or not.

Jennifer and I have come through a very challenging 3 months - sometimes it has felt as bad as when as our son died in 1981. We have suffered extremely bad abuse at the hands of Wallace & co but we will not tolerate any more of it. The elders wonder why we won't meet but we will not meet until we can feel safe and respected for our years of service we have given at SCCC. The elders have stripped us of any service at SCCC but it will not stop us identifying and publicizing past and ongoing abuse. We believe the stripping us of the ability to
serve as unscriptual and extremely vindictive. It points to us a group of elders that have not separated themselves sufficiently from the full time staff in order to preserve healthy conditions.

We are not taking this action in isolation. We have ongoing external and respected Christians (including Christian counselors) giving us advice, prayer and accountability. All are shocked at what they hear. We will continue to work towards bringing this whole issue into the
light.

Thank God for this morning and giving me a vision of what a powerful and supported men's ministry can be!
Barry

From: linda biers <charles-linda@shaw.ca>
Date: Sat Oct 25, 2003 6:00:33 PM US/Pacific
To: Barry Pendergast <barrypendergast@shaw.ca>
Subject: Re: Men's Ministry

Barry

I'm saddened to read your e-mail below. I have no intimate knowledge of what the issues are between yourself, Jennifer and SCCC. What I do know is that we need to be submissive to those who are in authority above us (Romans 13:1 to 5). I do not always have to agree 100% with everything that is done at SCCC (or at work or at any other activity that I take up) as I had mentioned to you, but in everything, I have two choices: either submit or
withdraw from either that activity or the church I am attending or that specific governing body.

There would be many who would be deeply saddened to see you leave SCCC, including Linda and myself, but if things have gone as far as you outline below, you need to make a decision, submit or leave.

I have great respect for both Jim and Darren. I pray that you will take the earliest possible opportunity to be reconciled to both Jim and SCCC. There is much work to be done in this kingdom in the name of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, and we must be both under authority and reconciled one to the other. God will not honour and prosper a work if we will not give or accept forgiveness.

Barry, I pray that you will reconcile your differences with the leadership
of SCCC.

Your Brother in Christ.

Charles
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