The attached notes are part of an email sent 20th September 2003 to Barry & Jennifer, from a respected and trusted member of the community who also left the church under difficult circumstances. The advice was repeated by many others - ex elders, ex. staff members, ex ministry leaders and ex members who had witnessed what Rev Jim Wallace and the Elders would do if allowed to operate with no witness or third party present.

Barry & Jennifer had already experienced Rev Wallace threatening them on 14th September 2003 with Rev Cumberlin and Chairman of the Elders - Kevin Phillips present. They could not trust that the behaviour would be any better. They would not meet without a third party and made that clear in writing and verbally to individual Elders. The Elders brutially forced them out of any ministry or service area to pressure them to submit but Barry & Jennifer refused to give in to the bullying behavior.

"The elder issue is one where Jim has the power. In front of someone outside of the eldership the elders will be unified, this is the manner in which they are trained, show unity in order to protect Jim's position. I would not allow them to meet with me in this manner ever again. I would start with the bibilical principle, you have already done the one on one encounter, now, I would get an outside, such as Ron Berg and do the two on one approach. I would also have this meeting at a venue of your choosing. Depending on the result of this meeting the next step would have to be prayerfully played out. Unfortunately the board of elders is not runniing the church, Jim would like the body to believe this is true, however, if the board as a unified body approached Jim this would likely throw him for a loop. He has been very influencial to the people of the board. This is a north american dynamic where the body of believers desires to be directly in relationship with the pastor, as opposed to being in relationship with the fellowship in order to meet the needs of the body.

I continue to pray for discernment for you and Jennifer, as well for a softening of Jim's heart.

Go slow, be quick to listen, slow to anger and evener slower to speak. Trust the Holy Spirit to guide you through this, as hard as it is, try and set your emotions aside and lean on God for the direction and answers to your prayers. Be encouraged, you are not alone!

Yours in Christ,

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