The Memphis Commercial Appeal is reporting on a local controversy against Bellevue Baptist Church Pastor Steve Gaines who refused to allow a lesbian to lead the church’s softball team. In the two minute video, Gaines explains to the congregation his decision but has refused to get into public debate about the situation.

First story in the CA
Second story in the CA

What do you think, was the pastor right or wrong to deny the lesbian a leadership role? He seemed to frame it in that context while saying that anyone is welcome to attend the church, but not in positions where their influence is seen as being approved of by the church.

On February 2, the 236th District Court judge dismissed the case against the church in the Sherman Allen trial. In a rather stunning (and brief) ruling Judge Lowe granted the church’s motion for “evidentiary summary judgement and motion for no-evidence summary judgment”. Click graphic for larger version of the judgment.

The ruling left open the option to appeal. Attorneys for the plaintiff will appeal the case. The case had experienced multiple delays as motions were filed back and forth and ruled on. Darian Kelley, husband of the plaintiff said that he was “shocked” at the ruling. We hope to have a fuller interview with Mr. Kelley in the near future.

In the second trial overseen by Washington State’s King County Superior Court,  four women had sued COGIC, Inc. for 10 million dollars. The church settled the case out of court for an estimated 1.6 million dollars.  GCM Watch was told the case was settled literally right before it was about to go to trial. The money had to be paid within 60 days of the ruling.

Sources close to the case from Washington told us that the national church footed the bill for the entire judgment but “loaned” part to the jurisdiction headed by Bishop TL Westbrook.  Washington State churches (about 25-30 in number) would be responsible for repaying some $650,000. But the “assessment” has caused some controversy among local pastors. According to our source,  “Bishop Westbrook believes COGIC should pay the debt not the WA Jurisdiction.  Most of the churches in WA are incorporated.  Although he disagrees he still assessed the credential holders in his jurisdiction.  People are very angry and some refuse to pay.”

The man at the center of the case Pastor Charles Smith is now deceased, but here he is in 2007 denying everything to a news reporter.

Related stories:
Sherman Allen abuse trial date looms

Case in point,  on March 9th, The Commercial Appeal reported that  Dickerson LS Wells, a Memphis based pastor and “senior executive administrator” to Presiding Bishop Blake had “resigned” but COGIC officials refused to say why he left.

But Thaddeus Matthews, a Memphis based radio talk show host reported on his blog that Wells had stolen $20,000 of COGIC’s money. That prompted an immediate visit from Blake who flew in to personally ensure Wells was no longer in position.

“Sources within COGIC state that Dickerson L.S. Wells pastor of Bethel COGIC here in Memphis who also serves as a trustee of the national organization was asked to resign his position of superintendent By Presiding Bishop Charles Blake after it was found that Wells had diverted church funds for his personal use.

As Superintendent here in Memphis Wells was the highest ranking official of the national church having control of church funds and properties. Its said that Wells diverted a $20,000 check belonging to COGIC for his own personal use.

Sources state that Bishop Blake flew into Memphis several weeks ago and ask the stealing preacher to step down.”

So why hasn’t Bishop Blake flown into Birmingham, AL and told Bishop Peter Wren, Sr. to resign? That’s very easy to answer. If an official in COGIC steals money, they’re worse than an infidel but if they are a sexual predator its not a big deal. Well, it is on paper but who cares what a “zero tolerance” policy says?  After all, its just a diversion tactic to stop people from asking questions and demanding truthful answers.

Business as usual?

So is this about protecting the “name, image and assets” of the organization while ignoring the hurt, pain and devaluation of the people of the organization?

In November 2009, COGIC officials stumbled and fumbled over whether to remove a local church minister who was arrested for rape of a 16 year old girl. The church’s pastor refused to remove the man claiming he could only required “pray and forgive”. After considerable outcry from outside organizations, church officials finally settled on an unusual resolution. They brought in the jurisdictional bishop to be the church’s CEO. Later, the minister was removed.  We daresay had the minister stolen money, the removal would have been swift.

If you think that’s stretching the truth, look no further than the case of  COGIC’s highest ranking homosexual sex predator, the late General Board Member John Husband.

According to reports by the Atlanta Journal Constitution, Husbands stole $500,000 dollars of church money. But before any of that came to light, it was an open secret known by both peers and subordinates that the bishop was engaged in numerous homosexual sins. Yet, nothing was done. But when Husbands stole the money (reportedly to pay for medical bills) COGIC quickly moved in the discipline him. In fact, the discipline was the severest on record. Husbands was defrocked and [sort of] excommunicated from COGIC.

As COGIC Bishop Neaul Haynes of Dallas reportedly said in reference to sex weirdo Sherman Allen, “old habits die hard.”

Dear Bishop Blake:  please go back and listen closely to the November 2008 message of the man you fired for stealing money. You might just learn something about yourself and your leadership.

A grand jury has indicted a former western Kentucky preacher on charges that he raped a teenager nearly 25 years ago.

Owensboro police Sgt. Randy Boling the family of the alleged victim filed a complaint against 75-year-old Prince Wilbert Woolfolk in July. No criminal charges were filed at the time, but the case was presented to the grand jury on this week.

Woolfolk gave an interview to the Messenger-Inquirer in which he denies a rape occurred. But he acknowledges having some sexual contact with the then 17-year-old girl.

Woolfolk resigned in June as pastor the Seventh Street Church of God in Christ in Owensboro and the Branch Street Church of God in Christ in Madisonville.

The Owensboro Message-Inquirer also reported that the victim’s mother told the court Woolfork used scriptures to discourage her from notifying the police about the rape. Very typical of these wolves to cloak themselves in scripture to hide their crimes.

Its not clear why COGIC leadership didn’t enact its so-called zero tolerance policy and remove the rapist from the two churches he pastored. But then again, we all know zero tolerance is just a window dressing rule COGIC leadership conveniently refers to when questioned about the frequency of clergy sexual abuse in the denomination.

Only 20-25 cases of sexual abuse in COGIC?

In November 2009, Presiding Bishop Charles Blake told 1, 592 delegates to the 6.5 million member church’s General Assembly that COGIC spent on average $800, 000 on clergy sexual abuse cases.

According to official minutes of the meeting, both Blake and Enoch Perry, the denomination’s lawyer-in-chief addressed what they called “significantly small” number of sexual ” misconduct” cases.

Judge Enoch Perry, Chief Counsel, gave a brief status report on the topic of sexual misconduct and legal matters of the church. He reported that in over 100 years, there have been 20-25 processed cases of sexual misconduct. He stated statistically the numbers are significantly small; however there should not be one case among us. Judge Perry reported there has not been one successful lawsuit against the church; cases either have been settled or dismissed. He further stated that Bishop Blake supports the church’s zero tolerance policy against sexual misconduct. The delegates were encouraged to purchase the book entitled, “The Church of God in Christ’s Continued Stand Against Sexual Misconduct”. He reminded delegates that there was no statue of limitations for sexual misconduct.

Bishop Blake thanked Judge Perry for his remarks regarding the church’s policy in relationship to sexual misconduct. He pointed out that, on average, the church spends about $800,000 to settle legal matters many of which have to do with accusations of sexual misconduct. (Who made this comment? And that one single lawsuit has the potential to bankrupt the church.) Our bold.

If we’re seeing this correctly, Bishop Blake is saying that the nearly 1 million dollars per year is spent on sexual abuse cases, yet Enoch Perry, using a 100 year time construct,  is saying that its a significantly small number?   The report showed COGIC’s 2008-2009 budget  just over 10 million dollars in expenditures. Report COGIC Abuse has tracked over 30 cases in just the last 30 years. Most of the cases are not small errors in judgment, but heinous crimes rivaling those of serial rapists. Something just doesn’t add up.

There’s much to be said about these comments (and we will fully review them later) but here are some unavoidable questions delegates should demand specific answers to in the upcoming April Call Meeting.

1. What’s the definition of a “processed case”? Is COGIC leadership using the most restrictive definition possible in order to make cases against the church appear “significantly small”?

2. If the church has settled sexual abuse lawsuits, just how many have been settled in comparison to those won in a court of law? What what the settlement amount and who authorized it?

3.  How does the church effectively conduct and ratify such serious matters when a whopping two thirds of the delegates are missing from the meeting?

4. From what departmental budget is the 800k deducted from?

5. Why does COGIC continue to present budgets with no actuals at the time new information is introduced?  At best this is unprofessional perhaps even unethical.

6. If the zero tolerance policy is supported by the Presiding Bishop, why was Prince Woolfolk, Larry Weems and others allowed to remain in office?

7. Why should delegates have to purchase to so-called sexual abuse book? Purchasing certainly minimizes the possibility of the book being widely disseminated, unless of course the leadership really doesn’t care about the book being widely seen and read.

In our opinion, this administration is either corrupt to the core with no regard for truthfulness or God is asleep on the throne.

Supt. Harvey Burnett reviewed the proposed changes calling it “good and bad news”.

In our opinion, here are the major flaws of the proposal:

1. There is still no identification of the alleged “professionals” working on the changes. Who are they and what are their credentials? Are they hand-picked yes men/women whose goal is to do the Presiding Bishop’s bidding or are they objective individuals who sincerely want to craft a comprehensive, workable sexual abuse policy? Does the proposal team include any victims or family members of victims who are able to give critical input?

2. Neither the policy or new proposals include elements of outreach, care, or restoration of victims of clergy sexual abuse.

3. The proposals contains no enforcement mechanism.

4. The proposals contain no timelines for completion or implementation. Without this critical component, there’s nothing to hold the church accountable for.

5. Instead of a forward thinking perspective, the handout is apologetic in nature, seeming to defend the church’s past conduct and rarely known or understood policies which have been largely ineffective.

6. Although the handout cites  general sexual abuse statistics, it steers clear of any statistics on COGIC. Such information would help to ascertain the depth of the problem in the church, thus better application of the solution. But the question is, does the COGIC even keep records on file of sexual abuse allegations reported to its national offices?  If they do not, doesn’t this violate the law and its mandatory reporting system? If they do, who is allowed to access this information?

7. The policy does not address “consensual” sexual activity among leadership. Whether consensual or nonconsensual, illict sexual activity has the same devastating effects on the health and spiritual welfare of the church.

8. The proposals are only suggested adherence for subsidiary elements of the church such as jurisdictions. These elements form the bulk of the church’s membership. In short, it is the same as before.

9. The proposals are only mandatory for a tiny group of individuals in COGIC, namely an alleged 75 odd employees of the national church. That’s 75 out of 6.5 million.

10. An information desemination plan isn’t fully expressed nor does it have a mechanism to gauge effectiveness.  For instance, most church members depend on (and actually only trust) the information passed down to them by their pastor. What if a pastor decides this isn’t important enough to share with his congregation?

Major commendations of the proposal:

1. It is a public acknowledgement that clergy sexual abuse is fundamentally out of control in the denomination.

2. It appears to expand some aspects of screening to all national office/credential holders.

3. The biblical language is strong.

4. There’s an undated promise to post the sexual abuse policy of the church’s website for all to see

Overall, the proposal leaves very little to applaud. Its language vacillates back and forth in a fairly tortured manner which leaves the reader wondering if the stated commitment is serious or if it is just an attempt to say “the right words” to quiet growing objections. Citing biblical language does reinforce that clergy sexual abuse is not purely a matter of legal or social importance, but such language aside if an organization cannot adhere to corresponding biblical admonitions regarding honesty, integrity and reasonable care for the least among them, its questionable whether its policies will effect change.

Bishop Blake called on seemingly every quarter of church leadership to respond to the call, but how will he know if they will or won’t? The recent alleged rape arrest of Dwayne Wilson was a proving ground which produced more confusion than resolution. Read the latest development in the case where the church’s jurisdictional bishop was allegedly voted by membership to be the church’s CEO.

Have an opinion on COGIC’s proposed clergy sexual abuse policy changes? Leave a comment here or go to reportcogicabuse.com and participate in our poll.

But the few people that showed up were met with an overwhelming show of force at the bequest of COGIC officials.

David Brown, the chapter’s president and chief spokesman told me that four police squad cars with a police captain as well as COGIC’s internal security guards met them.

Brown said SNAP had done similar press conferences many times before and had never encountered  any police presence. The show of force he said was highly unusual but he was told by an official with Memphis police that they [the police] received a call and were asked to come out.

In addition to all the police and security, Brown said he observed what appeared to be COGIC officials standing on the other side of the street on headquarters property watching them.

The press conference was covered by two local media outlets.

I found it highly ironic and hypocritical that COGIC would so quickly call out the police and security against unarmed and peaceful press conference and yet do nothing against the many sexual criminals who have raped and pillaged innocent children and adults in its church.

This is more mounting evidence that the window dressing rhetoric of Bishop Blake proves he is only interested in “the name, image and assets” of the COGIC. Protecting members from predators is low –if any– priority in his administration.