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“We have a strange illusion that mere time cancels sin. But mere time does nothing either to the fact or to the guilt of a sin.” CS Lewis

I hope to talk about a pedophile running around a 9 Marks church next Monday or Wednesday. There are other stories percolating, keeping us busy.

In May 2024, I wrote The Falls Church Anglican Found Out They Had an Abuser Named Jeff Taylor. They Didn’t Do Much. Parents and Pastors: Time to Wise Up! I reported that an Independent Report by Attorney Edward Isler(who shares an office with Gammon and Gage who I believe was an Attorney in the Sovereign Grace Ministries/Churches situation) demonstrated that the church did little to investigate or inform the church congregation of the reports of abuse by one of their former pastors, Jeff Taylor. I reviewed the report and discussed various sections of the report. Here are my conclusions.

Here is what I believe was the actual conclusion for Pastor Yates, the subsequent Pastor Ferguson, the leaders, and the parents:

• All were naive.
• The pastors and leaders were deliberately stupid and held their hands over their eyes and ears while singing “la, la, la” to avoid receiving anything awkward,
• Failing to supervise a staffer who had access to minor children for years was a dereliction of duty.
• The leaders and pastors were derelict in their duty to report this to law enforcement because it was the right thing to do. The police would have had reports on file if more accusations came up in the future, as they did for Taylor. This is how the system works. I routinely advise families and churches to do this as a minimum.
• When parents learned that adults were not welcome in the Cornerstone activities, they should have immediately demanded to attend to see what was happening. I do not recommend that parents dump their kids off for talks that the parents aren’t supposed to hear. Remember, I blame myself in this category.
• The leaders should have held Yates’ feet to the fire when they realized supervision was lacking. Oh, they didn’t know that? They should have. Where were the church leaders?
• I must admit that I find it problematic that no one knew anything about what was happening. Indeed, they heard of the discussions on masturbation. Didn’t anyone realize that this was weird, or were they so into the purity movement that they thought this was normal and advisable?
• Every church and organization that had Taylor involved must conduct a real investigation, not one “to protect the church.” It’s time the church started acting like the church by doing the right thing, even when it’s hard.
• Everyone should support Rev. Dr. Porter Taylor’s petition. Involved churches should contact him to get his thoughts on protecting their kids.
• Parents: abusers are clever, and they will worm their way into your hearts. It happened at my church. When Goodrich was being tried, some deceived moms begged the judge to let them “mentor Goodrich.” They loved the guy, and he had them right where he wanted them. Protect your students. Supervise them and be careful when someone starts paying lots of attention to them. Red flags should be waving.
• My heart goes out to the victims. One victim died, most likely because he was abused. This happens to victims of abuse. If any victim wants to tell their story, please get in touch with me at dee@thewartburgwatch.com. I would be happy to print it.

The Roys Report posted Report: Prominent Anglican Church Failed to Investigate or Inform Congregation of Sexual Abuse Involving Former Pastor, which reached similar conclusions.

Isler Dare represents companies in employment matters like discrimination and harassment claims and advises on HR matters. But Isler, the attorney investigator, told TRR that church leaders were not permitted to edit the report and asked him to reveal the truth.

Isler wrote in his report that a key finding was how Taylor’s success in youth ministry “blurred” the vision of church leaders.

“The recommendation here is simple,” the report stated. “Even the Church’s most successful leaders need to be asked hard questions, for the benefit of the leader’s own sanctification, as well as for the benefit and protection of those to whom they seek to minister.”

I was asked to stress the Cornerstone Connect Reddit group, which has 147 members.

According to their site description:

A forum for updates, links, resources, and reconnection. For former students of Cornerstone and The Falls Church Episcopal. Anonymity is completely acceptable, though not required. Admin is a former student. This subreddit has zero affiliation with The Falls Church Anglican or any religious body of any kind. We affirm all walks of life, religious or non-religious endeavors, and sexual identities. Please act with kindness. TW: sexual abuse and religious trauma

The Roys Report said:

An 85-member Reddit page called CornerstoneConnect has disputed some details in the investigation, particularly whether Taylor’s employers did enough to respond to disclosures over the years.

Michael Waidmann, who grew up at TFCA in the 1990s, noted the investigation mentioned two additional men at TFCA—a former associate rector and volunteer youth leader—who also abused people in their care. Waidmann, who declined to participate in the investigation, said the report didn’t do enough to examine TFCA’s culture.

“What I want our church to consider and other churches, is what makes a place like The Falls Church Anglican a magnet to predators?” Waidmann said.

An example of one entry: The church appears ready to pay for counseling.

They are also keeping track of Jeff Taylor’s current whereabouts.

Jeff Taylor worked at The Red Cross, too.

It is hard to believe that this man is still free.

Finally,

Anglican Watch is reporting that Jeff Taylor, the abuser, is now under investigation by the FBI. I can only hope that this is true and that arrests will be made in the matter.

For those interested in following the history of the ACNA problems, including abuse and coverup in the denomination, please listen to the Wall of Silence podcast. Rumor has it that the denomination has asked that further podcasts be held by the denomination. Let’s see who wins this one.  Hey ACNA, what a way to help people time being. It might cause me to think you are guilty! What is going on in ACNA?