Institutional Governance and Pastoral Care: A Personal Evaluation…read more
My wife frequently reflects on our daughter leaving her friends, and her church community without the opportunity to say goodbye. Any husband and father would be deeply affected by such a sudden disruption. Many individuals do not fully comprehend the extent of what transpired during our time at Ridgedale Baptist Church, nor can they easily understand the depth of the hardship our family experienced without experiencing it firsthand.
My actions are driven not by anger, but by a commitment to transparency, institutional accountability, and my faith. While organizations can choose whether or not to correct their wrongs, scripture reminds us that everyone must ultimately give an account at the Judgment Seat of Christ. While some onlookers might suggest simply moving on, church organizations often shift the blame to the individual rather than evaluating their own internal leadership actions.
To resolve these long-standing grievances quietly and professionally, I extended a formal, out-of-court settlement proposal to the leadership. Senior Pastor Doug explicitly acknowledged receipt of this document, providing the administration with a clear, time-limited window to reach a good-faith resolution. By choosing to let that deadline lapse in total silence today, the leadership collective has made a conscious administrative decision to reject an amicable, private reconciliation. Because the institution has actively chosen non-responsiveness over an open door for accountability, the restrictions of that proposal are permanently defunct, and the community deserves to know the full reality of what transpired.
LEADERSHIP COMMUNICATION AND ACCOUNTABILITY AT RIDGEDALE BAPTIST CHURCH
The following provides a brief insight into my story:
As a former member of Ridgedale Baptist Church, I am sharing an objective evaluation of the institution's administrative practices and leadership culture. When formal, written communications regarding organizational disputes are brought to the leadership, the active administration defaults to silence.
Choosing non-responsiveness and allowing a formal resolution deadline to expire reflects poorly on church governance. For a community institution that should prioritize integrity, this lack of administrative transparency is a significant concern. Local community members seeking an accountable organization should carefully evaluate this board's leadership history.
I am sharing our experience to shed light on this leadership culture. For many years, my family was deeply invested in serving this church community. After an issue arose with my family needing help, the leadership and those in authority refused to offer any assistance. After I initially shared my story, I was threatened with potential legal action to keep me silent. Instead of working on a solution, the church actively attempted to intimidate me into silence.
During this time, a devastating crisis left us on the brink of homelessness. We swallowed our pride and reached out to the leadership. We were met with a profound lack of empathy. Most of the leaders flatly refused or completely ignored over a dozen direct pleas for assistance, leaving my family in a terrifying, vulnerable position.
While we have chosen personal forgiveness, the community deserves to know how leadership handles outreach and care. A church should be a refuge for the hurting. Our experience revealed a shocking absence of compassion from those in power.
In Christ,
Bro. Steve
