MO--Complicit pastor is back on the job; Victims respond

By Barbara Dorris
Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests
February 9, 2016

http://www.snapnetwork.org/mo_complicit_pastor_is_back_on_the_job_victims_respond

A vengeful, selfish pastor is back on the job while the brave whistleblowers he sued and hurt are still suffering, as are the families whose kids were abused by a now-imprisoned child molester who worked at the church.

http://www.riverfronttimes.com/newsblog/2016/02/09/after-six-months-away-pastor-at-center-of-church-cover-up-scandal-returns

Six months ago, the board of First Christian Church of Florissant put Rev. Steve Wingfield on leave, after he had   “banned former FCCF members, (and) his own brother, pastor Paul Wingfield of White Flag Church, pressured a Christian college to fire an outspoken professor-turned-critic,” according to the Riverfront Times.

The controversy erupted after several courageous and concerned congregants began challenging church officials over how they dealt with Brandon Milburn, who sexually assaulted several youngsters.

These individuals, including Doug Lay, Dawn Varvil and Titus and Kari Benton, are heroes. They were ostracized and wounded because they dared to question an egomaniac minister and support abuse victims. And even now, virtually no official at FCCF has taken a single step to ameliorate their suffering. It’s utterly tragic.

Shame on FCCF's Stan Dubose, vice chairman of the board of elders, and on every person who brought Wingfield back to the church and sat passively by while he ducked and dodged in his sermon last Sunday, expressing no real contrition whatsoever for his selfish, mean-spirited attacks on his own church members.

Ministers should not sue church members, period. They should welcome, not attack, those who expose wrongdoing, prevent abuse and help victims.

Wingfield brings shame onhis occupation. And First Christian Church of Florissant’s tolerance of Wingfield brings shame to their church.

We hope every single person who saw, suspected or suffered child sex crimes or cover ups at FCCF will find the strength to speak up. We hope they’ll call the independent professionals in law enforcement, not biased and often self-serving church officials.

And we hope that St. Louis’ religious community will shun Wingfield and his FCCF colleagues. That’s one easy way to discourage such hurtful actions by pastors in future child sex abuse and cover up cases.