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Statements from Morning Star Community Church Regarding Sex Abuse Claims

Statesman Journal
March 8, 2018

http://www.statesmanjournal.com/story/news/2018/03/08/statements-morning-star-community-church-regarding-sex-abuse-claims/377821002/

From the former pastor

Morning Star Community Church Senior Pastor Scott Nelson read the following statement during services Jan. 14, 2018, attributing it to former pastor Ken Engelking:

Morning Star Family. As difficult as this is for myself, Lori and our family, we believe God’s promises for us and hope going forward. I love and support Pastor Scott and the leadership at Morning Star. I am deeply grateful for the chance to have served Jesus and minister the family at Morning Star for the past 31 years, and we’re very sad to have this chapter of our lives to end. I’m so sorry for the pain of my past sins have caused anyone and as I have in the past, take full responsibility for those sins. I ask forgiveness if I have caused you or someone pain because of my past actions. We are so thankful for God's continued grace and mercy in mine and my family’s lives, and we will continue to trust and serve him. While there is much more I can say, there is hope for you that you will all continue to trust the lord no matter what. And I will do the same

From the church board

Morning Star Community Church Board of Directors emailed the following statement to the Statesman Journal on Feb. 23, 2018:

In April, 2017, the Morning Star Board of Directors received a written complaint detailing allegations of sexual misconduct by staff of Morning Star Community Church. The allegations involved incidents that occurred between 1994 and 1997. The Board sought legal counsel who engaged a private investigator to conduct an independent investigation into the allegations. The Board cannot publicly address matters that were dealt with in confidence. However, without violating confidences the Board determined the following:

In 1994/1995 a youth pastor engaged in a sexual relationship that lasted approximately nine months with an adult woman who was a volunteer in the high school ministry. The Board determined that the information regarding the relationship was not fully divulged when the allegations first surfaced in 1996. Based upon the disclosures known in 1996, leadership took disciplinary action at that time. In 2002, more information regarding the relationship became known. Leadership took additional disciplinary action based on the new disclosures in 2002. The Board’s 2017 investigation resulted in additional details. When its investigation was complete, the Board asked for this pastor’s resignation, which was tendered.

In 1995 an intern was alleged to have engaged in criminal sexual contact with a minor in the high school ministry. This intern was immediately dismissed at the time of disclosure. Following the 2017 investigation, the Board determined that the initial disclosure of information was incomplete. Contrary to church policy, the pastor supervising the intern unilaterally decided not to report the incident to the minor’s parents or anyone else.

In 1997 a college and career pastor was alleged to have engaged in criminal sexual contact with an adult in the college ministry. This pastor had previously been disciplined for misconduct with another adult in the congregation. However, this pastor promptly left the state and abandoned his position before the facts were fully disclosed to Morning Star staff.

In 2010 an adult parishioner of Morning Star alleged she was the victim of a sexual assault while on an overseas mission trip that was sponsored and controlled by a ministry independent and separate from Morning Star. The Board referred this matter to the ministry controlling that overseas mission.

The Board immediately advised immediate reporting of all suspected criminal behavior to law enforcement.

As a result of the Board’s investigation, Morning Star has been and continues to take action to ensure the safety and well being of those in our care, and the healing of each person who has been hurt. We are deeply sorry that anyone has ever experienced hurt, abuse, or felt unheard while under our care. The Board determined that the time-frame of the incidents involved with this inquiry involving pastors or interns of Morning Star church occurred between 1994-1997.

From the board's attorney

Attorney Daniel A. Hill, of Adams, Hill & Hess in Salem, responded to followup questions on behalf of the board in the following statement emailed to the Statesman Journal on Feb. 26, 2018:

Thank you for your inquiry. We appreciate your desire to be fair and accurate in your reporting. Unfortunately I cannot publicly address confidential matters and must keep confidential the details of the investigation, including the names of those involved. Nevertheless, in an attempt to address your questions, I can offer the following:

The Board is aware that some individuals who have attended Morning Star have posted negative reactions to social media posts made by at least one of those who initially brought the allegations to the Board’s attention in April 2017. The Board and leadership of Morning Star do not condone these negative social media reactions. It is painful to see the dialogue that has transpired that serves no positive or productive purpose.

The Board’s statement noted that the allegations it received in April 2017 involved conduct that was described in the April 2017 letter as criminal sexual misconduct. Whether or not the conduct was criminal is a legal conclusion outside the purview of the Board.

Each situation must be viewed independently. When the situation involving the minor first became known, the supervising pastor promptly terminated the intern and then unilaterally decided not to inform the minor’s parents or authorities.(Please note that in the earlier statement the phrase “or anyone else” was intended to refer to “authorities” and should be amended as such.

A response by Morning Star to inquiries from potential employers regarding former pastors/interns who have had allegations of sexual misconduct asserted against them, would have included disclosure of any non-confidential information.

The church has protocols in place to ensure the protection of victims of sexual and other misconduct. It is important to recognize that the events which are the subject of the Statesman Journal’s inquiry occurred approximately 23 years ago. The church is devastated by what happened and wants to help bring healing and wholeness to those who were wounded so long ago. However, despite the view of some, these events are not part of a systemic culture or cover-up.

 

 

 

 

 




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