[Hope]

Dear blessD, JulieP, Overflow and others who have become involved in our recent controversy,

I feel very bad for causing any pain to any of you. Please accept my heart felt apology. To the entire forum, in the future I will be slower to respond to any references to myself or to where I may have spent time.

I would like to make a few items as clear as I can. I never initiated contact with the abused regarding the incidents they suffered. I only referred to the incidents when others attempted to use the reports as proof cases to overthrow points I was making. I am still not clear how I could have handled that without examining the cases and trying to put things in some perspective.

I now realize I should have just taken any gotchas that other posters raised and been mindful of the real hurt that the abused had indeed suffered. I just endured and looked the other way a lot in the old lc time. I have promised myself not to be that way in the future, but now I must confess I have been wrong and I was reacting to some of my former passivity and not being understanding of others in the present situation.

As I stated in several posts, I can easily believe that blessD suffered abuse from some in leadership in the LC. I was also in leadership. In some ways, at that time, I was considered among the first among equals. Thus I have to consider what part did I play even if I was not present nor have any knowledge. Many of the men in the lc leadership did exercise an inordinate amount of control over many areas of the lives of the members. Being available to help or assist or council when asked is acceptable and desirable in a church leader. But exercising control over others and intervening in their personal lives is not acceptable. There were many incidents that I knew of where I should have adjusted the elder’s behavior and even protested or rebuked the brother, but I usually failed to act responsibly. Therefore blessD and JulieP for the abuse you suffered I do bear some responsibility even if indirectly and I do apologize for what you suffered.

If I had been proactive in resisting the tendencies to control others perhaps many things would have gone differently and these two young sisters could have received the love and nurturing they needed and deserved. I was not proactive and thus am to blame.

Furthermore, I apologize to blessD and JulieP for the failure of the local church leadership to provide them Christ like shepherding. Especially to JulieP I apologize that I was not there for you when you were going through a great trial in the Dallas area.

I was too caught up in our spiritual and devotional practices and meeting and service agendas to shepherd deserving and needy saints such as JulieP. I also failed to provide the admonition to other elders to strengthen this part of their service and thus I bear some indirect responsibility toward blessD.

May you all find peace and comfort in the sweet presence and care of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ

Your brother in Christ Jesus,

Hope, Don Rutledge