tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2357475346759651140.post4008539668027655998..comments2024-03-27T11:13:34.520-05:00Comments on The Dunamis Word: Speaking To Dr. Earl CarterUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2357475346759651140.post-90384937348240697712016-02-06T15:29:38.120-06:002016-02-06T15:29:38.120-06:00The Catholic Church always has had the tradition o...The Catholic Church always has had the tradition of excommunication. What did that do for sexual crimes among clergy? Threat of penalty is not servitude. Hopefully we serve Christ, not out of fear of going to hell, but because serving him is the right thing to do! Doing something because of threat is a control mechanism. That is not how we serve Christ. <br /><br />I did not mean to infer that you and or your work were insignificant. So please forgive me if it came across to you as such. What I am saying and referring to is that I have stood in the face of these folk by myself, without fanfare or assistance from anyone. For the years I have been doing this, I have had very few partners and individuals come forward to say, "I will partner with you even if in prayer." <br /><br />It was YOU that said that you were "disappointed" with me and that I sounded like "everyone else" on the issues. I only pointed out that your opinion, though you are entitled to them, are not accurate or correct. You may be disappointed, but it is not because I sound like everyone else!<br /><br />What I find is that the people involved have heard me and us (including you). They read this blog and seek to know what I am saying. That is without question. Knowing that a person has heard you, the ball is left to them to respond and take action. As I have stated, they know what should be done and thankfully, due to efforts such as those by DL. Foster and myself, they have implemented measures that they would not have implemented otherwise. <br /><br />There are backgrounds checks required for all COGIC clergy now that was not required previously. There is training on sexual harassment and sexual abuse and how to avoid it. There is a guidebook on what happens in the event of sexual abuse and what the leaders rights in due process are. <br /><br />Are those things sufficient? <b>NO! By no means!</b><br />Are they better than what we had previously? <b>ABSOLUTELY YES!</b><br /><br />We had nothing previously. So progress is a slow process. In the meantime and during the process advocating for victims advocacy IS exactly what ALL MINISTRIES should be doing. Who ministers to the needs of those victimized? How should they be treated and handled? Who ministers to unsaved family members who witness this? What type of services does the local church support and implement to address the issues? What are the best practices that ministries can engage in to prevent these sins? <br /><br />Victims advocacy addresses ALL of these things and more. Creating a "Safe Church" atmosphere where there are checks and balances (ACCOUNTABILITY) from the top to the bottom of the church system. <br /><br />You were critical of that effort. I have to believe that it is because I haven't educated my readers too well on what victims advocacy actually means and the scope of the I Am My Brother's Keeper program. So that is my fault. But I cannot believe that anyone serious about ministering to the hurting and those in need could possibly reject such an important mission. <br /><br />So thanks for stirring me to expound. I believe these things provide opportunity for the church to come to a much higher standard. District Supt. Harvey Burnetthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15315686602819371111noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2357475346759651140.post-27082079496368950672016-02-06T14:27:29.324-06:002016-02-06T14:27:29.324-06:00Accountability is action. If one cannot be gained...Accountability is action. If one cannot be gained through the steps taken to reconcile then they should not be a part of the brotherhood. That is the last step that is so often ignored. Excommunication. Accountability is preventative because long before the crimes are committed, people know and are talking about what is going on... The problem is the criminal is never confronted. I know this because I have seen it so many times growing up in COGIC.... NOT anymore. When perpetrators know that they will be exposed, they think twice. That is all I am saying... When will we return to not just knowing what the word says or discussing what it says, but actually doing what it says, we will see change in the lives of people and thus the church. No need for excuses. It really does work and there is no better idea. And no you don't see what I do because I don't have a national platform. I am just one of God's servants tilling where he has placed me. You may not know me...but He does. May God bless you and the church as He purifies it before his coming. <br /><br />Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09566943680026444559noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2357475346759651140.post-76627285575937058872016-02-06T11:43:02.005-06:002016-02-06T11:43:02.005-06:00I don't necessarily disagree with what you are...I don't necessarily disagree with what you are saying, but that doesn't solve the problem. It is certainly not a preventive measure to hold anyone accountable. That is a reactive measure. It doesn't matter to folk intent on doing wrong whether they will be held accountable or not. The fact is that righteousness has to be born in their hearts, and until then, we will see these sorts of problems and issues, no matter what church you are talking about. <br /><br />Then to deal with the issues, we must continue to be scriptural:<br /><br /><b>James 1:20 ~ For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.</b><br /><br />How situations are dealt with makes all the difference to God. Getting "angry" doesn't solve the problem. Noone ever has to be so angry that they LIE or sow falsehood and halt truths among the brethern. That is what Carter is doing and it is diminishing his cause. <br /><br />What you are referring to is an overall polemic and code of conduct that should be in place. Who is to say that it is not in place though? Every COGIC Pastor knows the standard. Some don;t know best practices, and that is why I exist, to bring them into that knowledge. Then, simply going to someone with witnesses or not does not prove or make a case. Anyone can come to a person accusing them of doing or having done something. The intent of scripture was not to simply relay and accusation and to make a smear, but to address the issue, whether sin or fault and solve it and get it out of the Body of Christ. <br /><br />In fact if it was a "fault" we were to restore the individual in "meekness" no accusation or slander, considering ourselves. (Gal. 6:1) and at that only those "spiritual;" were to correct anyone. Not just anybody who has seen something.Those less spiritual were to work with those who were spiritual to take care of and address the issues of faults. <br /><br />So don't pervert accountability. Accountability is good, but in an of itself does nothing. There must be some action behind it. <br /><br />So far as this issue of what I "assume" that you have done, <b>NO I don't see anything that you've done!</b> I've been on this issue and tangential issues since 2007 and this blog has over 500 articles with over 100 or so dedicated to the issue and addressing and solving problems. There is NOBODY that has held anyone to greater accountability and higher standards than I have on the issues...the record speaks for itself! <br /> District Supt. Harvey Burnetthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15315686602819371111noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2357475346759651140.post-23685295018973671282016-02-06T10:40:32.659-06:002016-02-06T10:40:32.659-06:00I think it is unfair that you assume that I am one...I think it is unfair that you assume that I am one not doing something about it. As a matter of fact, I am and I do. What I do is hold those accountable who name the name of Christ as their Savior. And we follow Matthew 18 as a church body. I don't understand why man feels the need to create a system when the scriptures already have one in place to handle such issues. And it handles it all the way to the end... that is. if behavior does not stop, they are put out and treated as an unbeliever. This method is what should be used for those who are committing crimes against the innocent as well as Pastor Carter, it that is indeed warranted. Go to them, it they hear, you have won a brother. Take a witness, it they hear, you have won a brother. If they don't hear, take them to the church... if they dont hear, treat them as a publican. What is wrong with this method? It is the one prescribed by our Lord... And I can tell you it works! Especially, when God's people are armed to use the Word of God to confront sin. I can testify that accountability helps everyone... It helps those who struggle with sin and those who would be the victims. And we are not talking about the laity!.. This is about leadership... The Apostle said, these things should not even be named among you. There should be no accusations... It is possible! There is a higher standard. And if one cannot live to that standard... then he or she should not be in leadership. If Billy Graham can minister without accusation of moral depravity than so can I.... and everyone else who put their trust in Christ and lives according to His Word. Men and women of God should love the Body of Christ more than your own organization... Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09566943680026444559noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2357475346759651140.post-63930239497437949172016-02-06T09:44:04.060-06:002016-02-06T09:44:04.060-06:00BTW: EVERY church needs a victims advocacy group! ...BTW: <b>EVERY church needs a victims advocacy group!</b> I don't care what is being taught or where they are. The largest settlement from sexual abuse and clergy misconduct in the Midwestern United States arose out of a traditionally White church that teaches reformed theology. The single case settlement was over $300 million. If this is happening in a green tree of COGIC, then it is off the chain in other organizations and denominations whether independent or not. <br /><br />PROTECT your church and implement a sound and solid victims advocacy plan NOW!District Supt. Harvey Burnetthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15315686602819371111noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2357475346759651140.post-51845564625161423242016-02-06T09:40:31.047-06:002016-02-06T09:40:31.047-06:00Appears,
While I appreciate and welcome your opi...Appears, <br /><br />While I appreciate and welcome your opinion and commentary on the issue, one thing that we should keep in mind that the end does not necessarily justify the means. eg: One does not have to lie, cast innuendo, and otherwise make an ungodly presentation to call people to godliness. Unfortunately, carter can't seem to get some of the very one's "reporting" stuff to him to say any of these hings on record. That is an issue, because what he is touting is no more than heresay or GOSSIP, which all of us are commanded by God to shun and avoid. <br /><br />Secondly. victim's advocacy is for those who have been abused. If you think anyone can stop folk from abusing folk by passing some rule and or restriction, I don;t think you've done enough study in this area. It is impossible to stop folk from victimizing. Invariably human nature shows up somewhere in somebody. That is the plight of the human condition of man. One can either turn their backs on the victims or minister to them to heal them AND recommend the implementation of healthy practices within the church. That's what WE do!<br /><br />Finally, just because the news is reported and focused on these issues, does not mean this type of behavior and sins are just spread out and rampant within the church. COGIC has over some 12,000 churches in the USA. Just based on numbers we can expect a certain percentage of those churches to have problems. In fact, Larry Stockstill said that out of 300,000 churches in America about 25% of them have pastors in trouble sexually or morally. If those numbers are true in COGIC then we can project about 3,000 churches to have some type of issue revolving around sexual sins of leadership. <br /><br />NONE of that is right. However, COGIC is not any less normal than anyone else. I would venture to say that overall and in comparison, probably better. The only problem that we have is shock value. I too am shocked and outraged when this happens and when folk abuse the souls and pulpits that they have been given. But my outrage is more than simply talking about it and them...<b>I AM DOING SOMETHING ABOUT IT!</b> <br /><br />I remain to be the ONLY Pastor that has heralded this issue openly even meeting with the Presiding Bishop specifically regarding it and other issues.I am the ONLY pastor in the church that has interviewed victims and demanded investigations as well as justice for them. <br /><br />I haven't received a dime from you or any critic to continue doing something and helping folk. So until you can join me in doing something about it, your criticism falls more flat than an opened, week old 2 liter of pepsi!<br /><br />Thank you. District Supt. Harvey Burnetthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15315686602819371111noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2357475346759651140.post-82541315355659725632016-02-05T22:45:23.339-06:002016-02-05T22:45:23.339-06:00One comment. It is a shame that a national church...One comment. It is a shame that a national church needs a victims advocacy group. If the church would follow Matthew 18, there would be no need for such an organization within the church. Dr. Carter's method may not be the most tasteful but how else will this church be shaken up. When will the abuse and sin stop. Talking about it has only done one thing, perpetuate it. Supt. Burnett, I have been a semi-regular reader of your blog for a few years and I am disappointed in your stance regarding this issue. You sound like everyone else. When is someone going to get mad enough to put an end to this foolishness. There are too many children, former members of the COGIC, who are scarred for life, due to the sins that the church continues to hide. Im sorry but the victims advocacy that you often discuss is useless. If you handle the perpertrators, there would be no victims. It is a shamed that pastors have to report pedophiles to the police. The world has to call the church to accountability! Pitiful! God's people ought to handle these things better than the world. And you dont do it by sympathizing with those who are harming the innocent, no matter their title. How many people have actually investigated what is being "reported"? If any, few. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09566943680026444559noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2357475346759651140.post-36217349063668601712015-12-23T23:42:06.105-06:002015-12-23T23:42:06.105-06:00I certainly say call a spade a spade. However, at ...I certainly say call a spade a spade. However, at least make sure it is a spade FIRST! As leaders of the people we have great responsibility to tell the truth, but we also have a great responsibility to display the character of Christ. <br /><br />If Carter is 100% accurate regarding the spiritual condition of them that he speaks about, he is also obligated to evangelize them in fear of their souls being lost. Laughing at their sins and calling them the malicious names that he has called them is off target if the intent is to reform. <br /><br />So far as my position of Darrell "Pimpoliscious" Scott...I have had person dealing with him and he has left evidence and proof of his insanity. I have no need to speculate for what he has said and for what I have proof of both by recordings and by his written account. Unfortunately, he proved out the condition of his heart with his attempt to gain significance by delivering support for Donald Trump. He was exposed by his own actions, not by a continued call from me or anyone asking the world to point him out. <br /><br />In short, I believe that carter's efforts are best spent joining the efforts of myself and others in developing a reform plan and working within the system to present that plan and gain acceptance. No need to denigrate character, it will speak for itself. District Supt. Harvey Burnetthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15315686602819371111noreply@blogger.com