The galaxy NGC 1961ocated about 80 million light-years away in the constellation Camelopardalis NASA/Hubble
“It matters enormously if I alienate anyone from the truth.” –C. S. Lewis
On May 4, 2022, I wrote the following post: Trinity Christian Chapel and the Christian and Missionary Alliance’s Slow Response to Sexual Harassment Allegations Against Pastor Jim Ammerman.
The elders then discussed candidate Jim Ammerman but felt he was not a fit for TCC and went back to the C&MA requesting more candidates. The ADS told them that Ammerman was their only option and for the elders to “walk through the hiring process” with Ammerman.
The reason for their hesitation was understandable. It seemed he was unable to hold a pastoral position for more than two years. TCC would end up being his 5th church in the span of 8 years. There seemed to have been some issues, but nothing specific was mentioned. However, the CMA appeared to push Ammerman. At the time, he was still credentialed.
Something was amiss. Ashe, a concerned member, expressed his concern to the CMA.
- April 2019, the Head Deaconess resigned from her position after difficult interactions with the pastor.
- Ashe asked Pastor Ammerman not to discuss his wife’s diagnosis of cancer. He did it anyway, making sure Ammerman’s wife was visiting her even though Ashe asked them not to do so.
- Within Ammerman’s first 15 months, the church lost over 75% of its congregation, including most of its ministry leaders, deacons, deaconesses, and every single staff member- aside from the pastor and assistant pastor.
Guess who got in trouble? Ashe!
…the pastor and other elders began preparing a statement on how they (the elders and pastor) were going to try and “Biblically Discipline” Ashe for going forward to the C&MA and speaking up about the church leadership and their failures to protect the flock’. Elder Campise announced his resignation from the elder board and membership in the church. Another elder would resign in a few months.
Things went from bad to worse.
An explosion: the former children’s ministry leader (CML) files a police report alleging multiple incidents of sexual harassment by Ammerman.
And here is where this story ties into a story from ten years ago.
In August 2021, the truth came out. It appears that he had pled guilty to his former church of sexual harassment. This allegedly has still not been communicated to the members of TCC.
In 2012, the CMA was notified by another church, First Alliance, of harassment charges against Ammerman.
About a month ago, I was contacted by Robin Currie, who bravely permitted me to use her name. She is currently in North Carolina, having evacuated her home in Florida due to Hurricane Ian. She tells me her area did not receive a direct hit from the hurricane. I’m so glad for her!
Robin served as the Celebrate Recovery Administrator and Office Secretary, along with CL for First Alliance Church. On the first day of Ammerman’s job, he insulted Robin, who reported to Pastor Scott, the Senior Pastor. He never addressed it. However, the insults would continue. He made another negative comment about Robin, saying women like her should be used to that kind of talk.
Shortly after that, Amerman’s wife, Jennifer, speaking in the Church office, referred to CL as b***h. Although Robin and CL reported this to one of the elders, no action was taken by the church. I believe it was the lack of immediate action by the leadership that allowed this behavior to escalate quickly,
Ammerman made a sexual comment to Cindy Long when her husband who was the Youth Pastor was out of town. Robin and CL reported this to the elders, and, of course, nothing happened. The leadership decided to transfer him to a sister church in North Port. Pastor Chris Long objected, stating that the Longs and Robin Currie would sue the church.
Many women and girls came forward, claiming Pastor Ammerman was harassing them. The SE District of CMA entered the picture.
The youth pastor finally said if they didn’t do something to hold Jim Ammerman accountable, he would sue the church. The church sought legal counsel and was reportedly advised that they better settle this. By this time, others were coming forward.
The SE District representative, Chuck Hughes, somehow got involved. I believe there was a canvas of the church to see if others had experienced inappropriate comments, rudeness, sexual harassment, and touching by Pastor Ammerman. Around 40 folks were scheduled to be interviewed during a hearing at the church. So many instances were reported that the interviewers stopped their queries after about 25 women and girls testified of his misconduct.
The threat of a lawsuit appeared to motivate the church, and possibly the SE District of the CMA, to act.
The CMA appeared only to want to move him to another location. This type of response by church leadership is the typical, inappropriate response to sexual harassment. They turf the problem onto the next church. Yet, as we know, ten years later, Ammerman was pushed by the CMA to be the next pastor of Trinity Christian Chapel. Is this stupid, or what?
As you will see, Robin and Cindy had to pursue the CMA to receive information about Amerman’s discipline. Robin had kept the letters from 2012!
The impact of CMA’s seeming inability to deal with reported harassment
Robin had this to say.
Our decision to come forward was not taken lightly and had a profound impact on each of us. These incidents were numerous and constant with Jim Ammerman and the church chose the route of denial until forced to act. Prayerfully, this will change going forward.
What about Ashe from the first post?
In that post, we saw Ashe harassed by a probable church member. Others were also upset that Ashe pursued the truth when they preferred the “status quo.” I think the church and the CMA owe him an apology.
In the meantime, “Ashe” was harassed by those who apparently don’t understand that exposing sexual harassment in the church is a godly pursuit. Maybe the elders at TCC or the CMA could do a sermon series on how to reflect Christ on social media?
What about the CMA?
I believe there is a serious problem within the organization. Perhaps it is time for an independent, third-party investigation by a group like GRACE. Let me quote from the first post. Remember, Ravi Zacharias was a member of the CMA, and we know how that went.
The unanswered question: “Why did the CMA circulate the CV of a pastoral candidate who had been accused of sexual harassment ”
This makes no sense to me. Perhaps the CMA might be willing to answer this? It’s time to take a hard look at what they really believe about sex abuse and harassment. It is highly unlikely he would have been hired by TCC if this had been known. This appears to have resulted in so much pain and conflict at the church.
In keeping with something I said about Zacharias, let me leave you with this question.
If he is guilty of sexual harrassment when he knows people are commenting and also might be watching, I wonder what he does when no one is watching…
Numero uno?
Si!
The power of “touch not my anointed” apparently has no limits for this errant leader and his coarse-tongued wife.
However, obviously this leader and his wife are in no way God’s annointed.
In any case, “anointed” never means anything goes.
Moreover, those serving in these churches who were harassed by the offending leader and his wife, could be considered the anointed by God who should not be offended by the brutish leader and his vulgar wife.
“Whatever you do to the least of these, you do unto Me,” Jesus said.
How those in power treat subordinates or collaborators matters. Misuse of power should disqualify them for office.
Misuse/Abuse of power im churches seems to be common. Think: cult.
Freedom of religion, a pillar of our founders, should never translate to anything goes.
Excellent and important post, Dee.
Cult leaders position themselves with a power imbalance between them and their followers.
The leader has been given special status by followers, thus anointed.
Cilt leaders seek control. They read people. They thrive on chaos.
One never knows if the authoritarian leader is going to be good and kind-hearted or be mean and call someone out or create some kind of dangerous situation.
Unpredictability and charisma (anointing) allow cult leaders to be in control — which is by design for the power-hungry and authoritarian.
One effective way to address cults and their leaders is to pop their secretive bubble by exposing them. That’s why this post is so important.
The C&MA,, when their feet are held to the fire, act in the moment but they see those incidents as isolated and no reason to make denomination-wide changes. Like all religious organizations, the C&MA surely has written policies in regard to abuse. What they don’t have is the mindset that abuse/harrassment is a crime and not a just a sin. That, coupled with a higher regard for leadership and their image than for members of the flock, creates disasters like TCC.
They, of all denominations, should know better. In 1995, after years of denying, minimizing and stonewalling, a public demonstration that hit the press made them investigate the claims of survivors who had been abused at Mamou, one of C&MA’s boarding schools. An investigation proved, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that the victims were right. Did they think of that when they initially championed Ravi?
When you know better but you don’t do better – for decades – that is a serious problem.
Sounds like a bad case of friendship/protection of Mr. Ammerman by key dudebro(s) at CMA. Considering their poor handling of this and the Mr. Zacharias saga, they don’t need to be in the Christian & Missionary Alliance business!
More annoying than anointed. A perfect example where the church MUST touch the “anointed” and send them packing! Ordaining someone to preach in no way implies they are anointed by God to do so. Just look at all the ordained “Men of God” who have fallen in recent years to sexual immorality … hundreds (perhaps thousands) in SBC alone.
It’s scary to see how the CMA continues to deny clear indications of wrongdoing by Ammerman. Those who spoke out were shamefully vilified, and I admire their courage. Dee, I agree with you: “If he is guilty of sexual harassment when he knows people are commenting and also might be watching, I wonder what he does when no one is watching.” and,” Remember, Ravi Zacharias was a member of the CMA, and we know how that went.”
Speaking of remembering, I recall your statement (back in 2017?) when Z was exposed for falsifying his doctorate. You said at that time, “What else is he hiding?” You called that one right.
Don’t call CMA … call 911!
SBC, currently under DOJ investigation, had policies/resolutions in place while countless denominational leaders/pastors ignored them, leaving countless victims/survivors in the wake of their abuse. A piece of paper never scared the devil much!
Amen! That’s why many church leaders hate the blogosphere. They tell God’s people to get off the Internet – it’s just a form of gossip, the devil’s business, etc. Without social media, many pulpit bad-boys would have continued undetected while a multitude more are shaking in their boots right now. Praise God for TWW and other Christian watchblogs, for setting the trumpet to their mouth.
“Blow the trumpet! Sound the alarm! Vultures are circling over God’s people” (Hosea 8:1)
Lather, rinse, repeat. First off we need no shamans or gurus. Get a Bible, read it, pray, live it. If you choose to “go to church” consider just meeting with a small group of Christians, no leaders all equal. If you persist in attending church services, do not join. If the place ceases to pass the sniff test, walk away.
It really is that simple.
Dianne Couts,
“What they don’t have is the mindset that abuse/harrassment is a crime and not a just a sin.”
++++++++++++
i have come to despise the word “sin”. I observe it used as a tool of manipulation, and a get-out-of-jail-free card.
i detest the christian proclivity to spiritualize everything. it either assigns responsibility to someone where there is none, or it absolves them of personal responsibility.
(and makes people terrified of supposed demonic gargoyles perched on their nose when not flying around them at all times)
Bad thing A happened because sh|t happens due to no fault of one’s own.
Bad thing B happened because ‘you’ were remiss, irresponsible, selfish, dishonest, etc.
Don’t blame God or ‘satan’. (speaking to the air here, not you. well, really, I’m speaking to my entire silly religion.)
I second the motion.
When religion becomes the basis for all of life, it’s easy to become like frightened serfs cowering in their hovels from the lightning.
Both good and bad poo-poo happens to the good, the bad, and the ugly alike, no rhyme and no reason.
I am not surprised at all of what I read. Many in Trinity asked “what happened in the previous church?” when there were so many issues reported behind the scenes. For BIBLICAL reasons (the guidelines the Bible contain to make decisions regarding pastoral leadership), many (including myself) said that Jim Ammerman was not fit to keep the role of head pastor at Trinity, and that Jim and Jennifer Ammerman were causing many issues. Seeing these new findings as somebody who was there, I’m now processing through and am finding myself becoming angry. I will form my anger into questions for all to read.
Ashe, multiple women, and others who expressed concern were made to be the villain because they came forward. Would the truth be known about what REALLY happened if there were no complaints? And is expressing these complaints an action that is better than what the Ammerman’s did according to BIBLICAL AND SOCIETAL standards? We were too comfortable to admit the harm done? How many will continue to defend the indefensible and move forward in denial?
It was claimed that Ammerman’s actions were merely misunderstandings and issues with perception. Is it right to claim that all total findings are misunderstandings and dismiss all these testimonies? There were those who were mistreated and had resulting consequences. Can we now see that they were NEVER at fault? Can we now RE-FRAME the narrative and put PROPER blame where it belongs?
The biggest question of them all- How and why was this story hidden when Ammerman interviewed at Trinity?
None of this had to happen. None. Had many been listened to and the proper protocols followed,there would be minimal damage done and not the damage of this magnitude. I’m writing because I want this point emphasized: None of this needed to happen, and the fact that it did TWICE speaks to leadership and structures that ALLOWED these misconducts to continue. This type of denial demonstrated in all findings never served anyone properly, and a very low standard for the Church to abide by. It is not Holy. None of this should have happened.
The questions I had years ago are now answered thanks to this written piece. I’m grateful for those who told their stories.
Yes!
Church is connecting with others doing the same. Church is NOT kowtowing to a leader (other than Jesus).
Hi, I tried to find a pic of this guy ( in case I ever attend a church he might be pastoring) but keep drawing blanks, everything is scrubbed pic was.
True, but a piece of paper that potentially has a lot zero’s listed on it will (likely) scare the devil’s that are in charge. Even more so if those zero’s come along side of some numbers that are potentially associated with some prison time.
Actually, according to Kristin Du Mez’s research in “Jesus and John Wayne”, the more brutish the holy man, the more spiritually empowered and godly.
i.e. “The Cruelty IS the point.”
Because they have been catechized with a Cruel God of Wrath on a Hair Trigger.
The more Cruel and Brutal, the more Godly.
Just like the Soviet System in Chernobyl, Heaven runs on Fear and Threats.
Thou Shalt Not make a Graven Image of Thy ManaGAWD?
Isn’t that what the Rabbi from Nazareth said about the Siloam Tower Collapse?
“And sometimes, Sh*t Happens”?
They become so SPIRITUAL(TM) they cease to be Real.
Maybe just selectively live it. If follow some of the laws, you might in the clink for murder.
Linda, that is my constant prayer for the American church. Sometimes, I think we have gone down the wrong path so long, that the essentials of being a Christian were lost somewhere along the way. But God …
From the blog title “Jim Ammerman … Accused of Harassment by Many Women”
I would say it’s high time for many women to start harassing Mr. Ammerman, as well as C&MA!
Headless Unicorn Guy,
“i.e. “The Cruelty IS the point.””
++++++++++++++
perhaps it is perceived / assumed (on some level) that it takes great faith to embrace a non-intuitive belief system of cruelty (in administering it and receiving it).
if faith is the evidence of things not seen / if ‘God’s ways are not our ways’ / if we are ‘a peculiar people’, then to hell with what is intuitive — the degree to which you go for what is not intuitive & strays further and further from common sense is a measure of one’s faith and holiness.
what a crock o’ sh|t.
What Kristin Du Mez’s research exposed was a straight line of Civil Rights (for POC and women) in the 60’s to Evangelicals embracing a pushback Rise of the Tough Touch-Not-Annointed-Me White Guy who will have none of it (no 60’s PC-ness for this guy). Driscoll, Wilson, Piper, SBC 2000, et al.
“Jesus & John Wayne”.
Their cohort seems to live out the fact that we just can do the United States of America without crushing someone, mostly someone of color or women. There’s pretty much an uninterrupted timeline of cruelty to somebody from the get-go on the underbelly of the history of our nation here.
So yes, The Cruelty is the Point. Definitely an unseemly band of brothers.
Correction:
Their cohort seems to live out the fact that we just CANNOT do the United States of America without crushing someone, mostly someone of color or women.
“Jesus and John Wayne” is a good book. I highly recommend it, as well as:
“Strongmen: Mussolini to the Present” by Ruth Ben-Ghiat
“The Making of Biblical Womanhood” by Beth Allison Barr
“The Turnip* Women: Part of the Deal” by Nina Burleigh
4 excellent researcher writers.
4 incredibly interesting books.
No nonsense.
*Turnip Family history. Nonpartisan.
Jack, no, really live it. But first you have to read the whole thing lol! Even hatred and snarkiness is seen as murder in the eyes of Jesus.
Before someone says “sin levelling” nope not at all. Just proof that every last one of us needs a savior. I would rather be snarked at than shot, of course, no question. But the ground at the foot of the cross is level ground. I may not can see it but my snarking can be just as deadly to souls as a bullet can be to a body.
All across America this morning, millions of Southern Baptists will be gathering in Sunday School classes. Most come unprepared for the study because they didn’t read their Bible and pray as they ought through the week. But they will be thrilled to drink coffee and eat donuts with the rest of the class. I know how they are; I was a former Southern Baptist for 70+ years.
Ava Aaronson,
thank you for the comments. you say “*Turnip Family history. Nonpartisan.” — how are the other books partisan?
in that they are arguing for a biblical interpretation?
or are they arguing for a political perspective?
(i expect i would mostly likely be in agreement, but just asking in case i have the inkling to ask my husband to read one or more of them with me.)
Max,
it’s like going to the movies with friends (or without friends). going to a venue to sit, relax, and receive.
the act of which will be self-improvement, and meet some social needs.
and as a bonus you get God-points to help tip the scales in your favor for the upcoming week.
is this not the current iteration of church?
elastigirl,
Here’s an excellent article that addresses your concerns.
And not just yours, but many of us out here who don’t buy into the current mess that evangelicalism has become.
https://news.yahoo.com/u-evangelical-christianity-become-more-095211303.html
Muff Potter,
Related…
https://www.amazon.com/President-Donald-Trump-Son-Man/dp/1977249752
This is No Joke. It’s Dead Serious.
Click on the cover image to “look inside” for a sample.
Headless Unicorn Guy,
Sorry HUG, but I cannot take Muller’s stuff seriously.
It’s as rambling and incoherent as the writing of one nut-bag a few years back who tried to say that Obama was the anti-christ.
That was interesting… Did you notice how only two of the reviews were 5 star? And one of those two is a review on the packaging with a line at the end about how the contents of the packaging were trash and they would be returning for a full refund.
I also noticed how Amazon recommended that if I was interested in that book, there is another book that claims that Trump is the 4th beast of Revelations.
That is quite the accomplishment: one claiming that Donald Trump is the Messiah and another claiming he is a beast.
Ava Aaronson,
Of the 4 on the list, I’m most interested in “Strongmen….” A couple of parts of the Amazon review stand out to me: “…strongman playbook employed by authoritarian demagogues ” and “Recounting the acts of solidarity and dignity that have undone strongmen over the past 100 years, Ben-Ghiat makes vividly clear that only by seeing the strongman for what he is―and by valuing one another as he is unable to do―can we stop him, now and in the future.”
It is unfortunate that examination of playbooks of the past have not been more widely studied and remembered, especially the tobacco industry’s playbook and Marcia Angell (former editor in chief of the NEFM) and her playbook to be aware of and study: “The Truth About the Drug Companies: How They Deceive Us and What To Do About It.”
Good point, as usual. None of the books are partisan per se, but historical in nature.
Du Mez, Ben-Ghiat, and Barr are historians, working for universities.
Burleigh, IMHO, does due diligence research (she’s a writer), and again, IMHO, is particularly insightful in her exposes about women.
The stories of how each of these books came to be, is also fascinating.
The 4 books reveal a lot of background information regarding the posts here at TWW.
Personally, I just cannot say enough good things about the work of these four women AND Dee here at TWW. Love, love, love, what they do … as their work in a very non celebrity fashion.
Celebrity and namebrand is NOT where it’s at, IMHO.
I’m reading “Empire of Pain” about the Sacklers.
So I’ll probably have to watch “Crime of the Century” on HBO, too.
Criminal is the right term, in looking at the history. Tragic. Evil. Filthy money. The family members are big donors, too, of course. Their cover.
Just need a talking wombat and we got ourselves some scriptures!
elastigirl,
History. Plain old history.
Not writing to persuade or convince (as politicians and proselytizers do).
Just history.
I don’t know about you but I am so over anyone trying to get me to their stuff, like pay for their private plane, for example.
Ava Aaronson,
Correction:
I don’t know about you but I am so over anyone trying to get me to DO their stuff, like pay for their private plane, for example.
IOW, church and political marketing.
Ella,
NEJM not NEFM
This is pitched at the Robert Jeffress crowd; you know, the Real TRUE Christians? The Holy Spirit Lobotomies who have shown in the past they will believe any absurdity in their Godly Evangelical Minds? The Church of QAnon types who go all Bible Code for Secret Messages in a rally speech or the color of a necktie or blinking eyes? Take their cat having kittens as an Omen from God about The End Times? So Deep into The Spirit where Reality and thinking is All Of The Flesh?
This is the new SCRIPTURE(TM) of a new Cult that’s been building for the past six years. Christian Culture Warriors and End Time Prophets whose Christ kept them waiting with His Wrathful Return to smite their enemies, so they found another Christ who WILL Get Things Done NOW (and seat them at His right hand).
Rich Religion only benefits the pulpit, never the pew. The Christian Industrial Complex is all about the leaders, never the followers.
Yes, many churches (particularly, mega-mania) are becoming amusement parks where the Great God Entertainment sits on the throne. “Hurry, Hurry, Hurry, Step Right Up to the Greatest Show on Earth!” shouts the carnival barker from the pulpit. The audience is whipped into a frenzy, laughs and applauds.
Oh, but where is Jesus? … Outside the camp.
I don’t think Digger (from Ursula Vernon’s graphic novel of the same name) is available.
.
My hatey snark (or is that snarky hate?) is pretty harmless.
My kids aren’t scared of me so I highly doubt I’m slaying anyone in this forum.
I may elicit the odd chuckle but even that’s debatable.
linda,
“I may not can see it but my snarking can be just as deadly to souls as a bullet can be to a body.”
+++++++++++++++++++
hmmmm,…
my sarcastic aunt from brooklyn would be out of luck then. if only she had been born in memphis into southern hospitality.
Stuff like this makes me furious, because my husband has wanted to be in full time ministry for years, and yet no one can seem to find a place for him. He is kind, wise, smart, has an MDiv, etc. He would make a great pastor. Noy just a speaker but a *pastor*. And yet, these church leaders have the audacity to whine about the lack of good pastors out there and how hard it is to find someone. WTF?? Just because my husband doesnt know the right people or have the right Uber charismatic personality. Maybe it’s for the best that he doesn’t have the opportunity to lead these kinds of churches. This really frustrates me as you can prob tell. But I know God is using him where he is, in a “normal” job. That’s another reason he’d make a good pastor I think. He’s worked in the “ordinary” workforce for years and can relate to people in a way that many lifetime pastors can’t. Anyway, thanks for coming to my Ted talk.
The pulpit could never exist without the pew, and the question remains:
How is the pulpit able to bewitch the pew into keeping the flow of greenbacks flowing?
Re snarking: might want to look up what Jesus, Whom we are to actually follow, has to say about calling someone a fool.
We all need the Savior.
FEAR.
FEAR and GUILT.
The threat of Eternal Hell can be quite a motivator to NOT Rock the Boat and keep Paying Up.
“BEGONE FROM ME, YE CURSED, INTO EVERLASTING FIRE!!! JOIN THE DEVIL AND HIS ANGELS!!!”
— God on The Great White Throne (with the lightbulb head), Jack Chick Tracts (plural)
Headless Unicorn Guy,
And Fear of The Other.
The HOMOSEXUALS, the WITCHES, the DEMONS, the SATANISTS after Your Children, Your Children, Your Children…
THEY’RE HERE! THEY’RE THERE! THEY’RE EVERYWHERE! BEWARE!!!!!!!!!
No one is calling anyone a fool – I disagree that snarking is equal to murder (that is the ultimate sin level – my opinion).
As for needing a saviour – again that is a christian tenet so I can’t disagree in the context of this forum.
Unfortunately for some folks – living the bible has a different meaning than the “love your neigbour” parts in the new testament.
The snarkiest book in the Bible is Proverbs (my opinion).
And it cuts no corners with, nor does it have any patience with fools.
Ava Aaronson,
Interesting. A friend of mine recommended me this book, but I’ve yet to read it. In the case with Ammerman, in my opinion, he was not a brutish type, but more of a chameleon type. Meaning, he would act “pastoral”, “apologetic”, and even sent encouraging notes when it was necessary. There were accounts of him crying when confronted. And so, when there were those claiming he acted inappropriately, some saw the “pastoral side” and would minimized the problems that were happening. Grace was given, and the cycle would continue with no real consequences. “Lather. Rinse. Repeat”. Some couldn’t “pinpoint” what “felt” wrong. Some were directly affected behind the scenes. Others had positive/ a more “normal”experience with the Ammerman’s and felt heard and seen by them. In my experience, the dynamics became confusing, scattered, more political and harder to pin down. I can’t speak for the other church if they experienced the same. I’m not sure if there are books describing this particular phenomenon in churches. The “John Wayne” analogy on paper to me sounds more “obvious” personality contrast to Christ and a more “in your face” difference. What I call the “chameleon” phenomenon was more nuanced and what I personally experienced. I don’t know if the book quoted talks about those dynamics.
And as far as we know is not responsible for any murders.
Proverbs is THE classic collection of Wisdom Literature.
Hard to turn Wisdom Literature into a Call to Jihad.
(The Trippy imagery of Revelation, however…)