revised 3 May 2004 rev2

(circulated to the Rolly Laing the Moderator and elders. No comments made or received)

Meeting 28th September 2004, held at Oak Park Church of Christ
present:
Diane Young - Elder SCCC
Reg Cracknell - Elder SCCC
Kevin Phillips - Elder SCCC
Craig Edwards - Elder SCCC
Richard Woodman - Elder SCCC
Phyllis Bayly - Elder SCCC
Rolly Lang - Moderator
Barry & Jennifer Pendergast - Members SCCC

The purpose of this meeting was to have a full and frank discussion on the events leading to a decision made at an elder’s meeting held 18th September 2003 and a subsequent order for the Pendergasts to appear at an elder’s meeting September 22nd. 2003. The request to attend would allow the Pendergasts to hear the results of a decision to discipline them for activities against the governance and bylaws of South Calgary Community Church. Mr. Lang did allow the elders and Pendergasts some latitude on the timeframe to permit a better understanding of the context for these decisions.

Kevin outlined the evidence against the Pendergasts consisted of an email sent by the Pendergasts to Denise Chaulk on the 15th September 2003. This email outlined concerns about the actions of Pastors Wallace and Cumberlin at a meeting on 14th September 2003. Kevin confirmed that no other evidence existed since he was present when Pastor Wallace and the Pendergasts went through a process of forgiveness on the 14th September 2003. However Kevin noted a number of subsequent occasions when the Pendergasts voiced inappropriate concerns to staff and church members. The staff include Elizabeth Wade, Sylvia Mgla, Cameron Graham. The church members Doug and Susy Yuen and Sue Blackmur. All these staff and church members were subsiquenstly asked by email or letter to meet the Pendergasts to explain what their concerns were but none responded. It is assumed on instruction by the Elders or pastoral staff. Kevin noted objection to Jennifer seeking advice from a pastor at First Alliance about available counselors and to the Pendergasts to going to their home group on Oct 28th after they had been banned from the church and all activities.

Kevin read from notes items discussed at the 14th September meeting 2003. Rolly obtained Kevin’s confirmation that the notes were made soon after the meeting .Kevin claimed Pastor Wallace affirmed Barry to show he was valued by moving up close to him and making positive eye contact. The affirmation included Barry’s work in media and other ministry areas. Kevin claimed the meeting went through the 22nd August letter in detail. See Barrys notes for the 14th September 2003 meeting.

The Pendergasts expressed surprise that Denise Chaulk was not at the meeting to answer questions about the email, her reply and other discussions held with her in this time period. The Pendergasts claimed they wrote the email in confidence to Denise as a friend. Jennifer questioned why speaking to other pastors outside of SCCC was wrong? Who could they turn to and trust at this time?

Barry disputed the way pastor Wallace had affirmed him at the September 14th meeting. The Pendergasts both felt it was done in a threatening and intimidating fashion. Pastor Wallace's and Barry's knees were almost touching and Pastor Wallace's inclined his face very close to Barry's. The tone of voice was anything but encouraging. The Pendergasts claim there were threats made at that meeting about their future in ministry at SCCC and their role as surrogate grandparents to Pastor Blanton’s sons. The Pendergasts disagree that there was any in depth discussion of the 22nd August letter other than the private discussion held prior with Kevin on the question of a conflict of interest for Pastor Wallace to deal with concerns expressed about his own wife. Jennifer pressed Kevin for any other issues that were raised on the Pendergast's behaviour during the 3 day period from the 14th Sept to the elders meeting on the 18th Sept. Kevin made no comment.

The Pendergasts noted they were very unhappy not all the ministry leaders were at the Sept 3rd meeting, that Pastor Wallace had 2 days earlier made a decision not to let the Young Married group run the course yet did not inform the meeting until the end. Pastors Wallace and Cumberlin were in disagreement about this. Prior to Pastor Wallace arriving late for the meeting Pastor Cumberlin had attacked Barry for his anger in writing the email. Overall there was a great deal of confusion because not all the players were present. Barry said much of the problems came from poor communication. He read from a staff member’s email of this period about the poor communication at SCCC.

It was recognized that the Pendergasts, Jim Grady, Kyle Klym and others have lodged concerns about multiple leadership abuse at the church. Rolly Lang suggested that this is a subject for investigation by the denomination.

Kevin Phillips challenged the Pendergasts on why they used legal means to solve their disagreements - the legal suit had made them fearful. The Pendergasts referred to Dr. Martins letter of the 12th January 2004 that outlined the numerous times the Pendergast had approached elders verbally (Diane Young , Denise Chaulk and Richard Woodman) and in writing to allow a third party to assist in solving the dispute. Kevin Phillips could not remember a request from Ron Berg at NABC in Chicago to bring in a mediator. Barry read out his record of a meeting with Diane Young at the Cove on October 5th 2003 requesting a third party to assist reconciliation and to look into allegations of abuse at SCCC. Barry noted that Diane was uncomfortable discussing these issues.

Kevin read from an account of a phone conversation between Barry and Denise Chaulk on October 21st 2003. Barry's notes read“ Denise (an elder & long time friend) called -crying/sobbing why won’t we meet the elders. Made it clear we had been abused in the past by Jim Wallace and Marg Cumberlin and would need an intermediary to ensure we could speak freely. Said others had been abused. She said we must bring this to the elders - I said we couldn’t trust them without an intermediary. Said we would get back to her when we were ready. She was very unsettled by my comments about Marg Cumberlin - she said she thought we loved her - we said we thought we did also until this mess started then we found out how many people the two had abused.”

Jennifer Pendergast expressed the opinion that conflict and problems in a church were good and healthy. The question was how to deal with it effectively. She quoted from scripture to support this. She also stressed the elders role as shepherds to protect the flock and the need to nurture and empower lay volunteers.She said she found Pastor Wallace's lies difficult to take

Copies were distributed of the 22nd August 2003 email sent to Kevin expressing concerns about the way the Marriage Course Ministry was being handled.Barry read aloud the email. The only issue that Kevin expressed concern on was the questioning of the part played by Barton Wallace (Jim Wallace’s wife). Kevin argued the 14th Sept meeting followed a meeting held on the 27th Aug between the Pendergasts, Pastor Wallace and Pastor Cumberlin and Sue Blackmur. The Pendergasts noted the meeting was actually held on the 3rd September - they had been on holiday on the 27th.

When asked what the Pendergasts responsibility was for the Marriage Course Kevin noted they were just volunteers. Barry read from a email sent by Pastor Cumberlin that notes the Pendergasts ‘direct’ the Marriage Building Course at SCCC.

The Pendergasts raised the issue of Pastor Wallace telling a pastor from another NABC church about their being involved in previous law suits against other churches. This claim had been investigated independently and found to be untrue. Although this concern had been identified in writing to Pastor Wallace and the elders there had been no response or action taken. Also church members had confirmed they had the heard the same rumor. The Pendergasts have other evidence Pastor Wallace used other means to discredit the Pendergasts with church attendees and others externally unfairly.

Barry raised issue of additional paragraph in italics that had been added in the elders written apology. Kevin said this had been approved by Mr. Poelman their lawyer. Rolly did not feel it was prejudicial.

Kevin blamed the Pendergast for inciting others including the Henry and Nettie Weins to write to them. It created too much pressure for the elders. Barry noted the Weins became involved after the most recent general meeting when it was clear that Barry was trying to show there was a reconciliation process underway. Also that the elders appeared to be covering up the resignation of a youth pastor 2 months before. Only at the end of the meeting did Pastor Wallace give a brief explanation of the situation. The Wiens and others left unhappy at the way the church leadership had dealt with questions from the floor.

Rolly Lang gave his observations of what he thought both sides were looking for -Pendergasts looking for respect and the elders wanting their authority respected and obeyed.

Kevin asked what's more important - doing Marriage Course or what people said about the Pendergasts. Barry addressed Richard Woodman about the 20 or more couples who were identified as having serious to moderate problems at the April Marriage Retreat - Barry said he and Jennifer experienced great sorrow and pain at so many in trouble and nothing was being done about it.

Reg was asked what was in elder meeting minutes for the 18th September - he said it was a public document. (this was later withdrawn - the minutes are confidential)

Kevin denied making comments at the end of the 14th September meeting that it was fully confidential. He did concede he made the comment even his wife and family would not hear about the discussions but felt it was correct for Pastors Wallace, Cumberlin and himself to share the proceedings with the elders on September 18th. He agreed the slate was clean though since Pastor Wallace and the Pendergasts went through forgiveness process 14th September. The Pendergasts did note that Pastors Wallace and Cumberlin left the meeting extremely angry while the Pendergasts and Kevin hugged each other.

Barry noted an example of Pastor Wallace's need for control over all church activities. he referred to a men's group meeting in June 2003. Pastor Wallace was late arriving at the only meeting held in a number of years on men’s issues. Barry noted he felt hurt having organized many men's events, breakfasts, a discussion group at Tim Hortons and a ski trip yet Pastor Wallace arbitrarily selected Charles Biers as the volunteer to lead men's activities. Charles said it would be difficult to do the job due to being out of town in Fort McMurruy all week. Barry noted his many publicly stated concerns about the lack of men's activities yet not one pastor or elder ever asked about how it was going? Also nothing of substance had happened in men's activities in the past year.

Barry questioned why Pastor Wallace had referred twice in writing to him about the ‘mess’ created with The Seed ministry?. Kevin confirmed that the elders had discussed the Seed proposal in January and had concerns about funding but he agreed the elders had not referred the problem to either Barry or Ed Davies to find out what the intentions were. Barry noted in any case Jim Prichard, an elder was involved in the discussions at Tim Hortons several times in the fall of 2002 yet had obviously failed to convey the intent that no funding was required at the outset.

Barry noted he clearly had some personal disagreements with Pastor Wallace yet his request verbally on September 3rd 2003 and in a writing to Pastor Wallace's assistance was never responded to. Barry noted he was very hurt to be referred to Pastor Wallace’s executive assistant to have to arrange a meeting to discuss personal disagreements. Kevin noted Pastor Wallace is a very busy man.

Barry questioned the value of sending 20 people from SCCC to the Leadership Summit . Jennifer asked if it was a waste of money if the attendees didn’t discuss the findings especially since there was a lot of information given on problem solving techniques. Diane Young confirmed staff from SP/BGEA met after every session to discuss the value of information given.

Jennifer questioned Diane on how SP/BGEA deals with a concern or conflict involving many different interests. Diane replied it varies but generally all parties are invited to meet and discuss the issues.

Barry asked Diane Young whether she was surprised at the picture portrayed of himself in various letters from the elders in contrast to parts of a reference letter from Sean Campbell. Diane offered no response.

Kevin did agree the Pendergasts were passionate people but do not understand the complex workings of a business or church. Naturally the Pendergasts refute this having run their own businesses and been involved in leadership in many volunteer organizations

Kevin said its all about choice and circumstances - if you don't like a job or church you should leave; find somewhere more to your liking. You should not try to challenge the authority. The Pendergasts disagreed - good leaders, good businesses and churches thrive on tough questions.

The Pendergast’s noted no pastor with the exception of Pastor Weibe had approached them since they had returned as members.

Lastly in view of the information received at the meeting and supported by Dr. Martin’s letter in January the Pendergasts made it clear tthey hold the elders and SCCC responsible for the $21,000 incurred in legal fees.