Earlier this week, megachurch pastor John Ortberg claimed his congregation had “extensively investigated” concerns about his son and found “no misconduct.”
Now elders at Menlo Church, a Bay area congregation of 5,000, say their initial investigation fell short and have announced plans for an additional “supplemental” investigation.
“While many of you know that the Board took immediate action upon learning of these concerns, we understand our initial investigation could have gone further and included specific expertise in child safety and sex abuse issues, and it could have been informed by conversations with a wider group of people,” church elders said in an email to the congregation Saturday (July 11).
Rev. Ortberg was placed on leave last fall after church leaders learned he had withheld information about his son from them, a move they described as “poor judgment and a betrayal of trust.”
In July 2018, Rev. Ortberg’s youngest son — who volunteered with children at the church and in the community — told his father he experienced what church leaders called an “unwanted thought pattern of attraction to minors.” The senior Ortberg did not tell church leaders or staff about what he had learned from his son. Nor did he act to prevent his youngest son from working with children.
Church leaders finally learned of Ortberg’s decision after his older son, Daniel Lavery, wrote to them expressing concerns.
As reported by Religion News Service, the elders hired an investigator who talked to church staff and Lavery, among others, but never spoke with Ortberg’s younger son, or with any parents of children who had contact with him. The elders also never officially acknowledged the family connection between Rev. Ortberg and “the volunteer” in question.
The church had consistently defended its investigation as "independent" and said no misconduct was found. Rev. Ortberg told RNS he had betrayed his "sacred trust" as pastor but also defended the investigation.
After the identity of the volunteer became public in June of this year, congregation members began to pushback against the elders.
“After carefully listening to our community these last several days about the investigation into a former church volunteer, we want to first acknowledge the Board’s ownership in what we have done to contribute to the pain and distrust many of you are feeling right now,” the elders said in the statement. “Fundamentally, we did not provide the transparency that our community deserves and as a result have eroded the trust some of you place in our leadership.”
Church elders said they would begin a “supplemental investigation” to be overseen by a committee including elders, parents, staff and volunteers.
On social media, Lavery expressed disappointment in the church’s announcement and called for his father to be removed as pastor.
“This plan is a non-starter, a confession of failure, and a disgrace,” he said on Twitter.
During an online church service, Eugene Lee, an executive pastor at Menlo Church, acknowledged the recent controversy at the beginning of his sermon.
Lee did not specifically mention Rev. Ortberg in his opening remarks, instead mentioning “a hard week for our church.”
“I have talked to so many of you who are hurting, disappointed, confused and heartbroken and I am so sorry you are feeling that way,” he said. “I want you to know that we are listening."
"We are listening and praying and we hear your concerns. We are listening to your questions and we understand your disappointment.”
Lee also said church leaders were working on “significant next steps” which they hope to share with the church in the coming week.
This is the church's statement, posted Saturday night:
After carefully listening to our community these last several days about the investigation into a former church volunteer, we want to first acknowledge the Board’s ownership in what we have done to contribute to the pain and distrust many of you are feeling right now. Fundamentally, we did not provide the transparency that our community deserves and as a result have eroded the trust some of you place in our leadership. We are writing you today to show how we’re moving forward as a community.
While many of you know that the Board took immediate action upon learning of these concerns, we understand our initial investigation could have gone further and included specific expertise in child safety and sex abuse issues, and it could have been informed by conversations with a wider group of people. Based on the feedback we’ve received, we are initiating a supplemental independent investigation into concerns raised about the volunteer.
The Board will also form a new committee, comprised of representatives from elders, staff, parents and volunteers, to provide transparent oversight of the new investigation and ensure all impacted perspectives are represented.
We also have directed staff to conduct a full audit of policies, practices and training related to child and youth safety, to be led by an independent outside organization with expertise in this area and are committed to conducting regular audits on an ongoing basis. Our staff and volunteers run incredible ministries for children and youth. Our community deserves to have full confidence in their work and that the systems safeguarding our children and volunteers are best-in-class.
We sincerely appreciate your patience as we finalize further actions in the coming days. As a reminder, we encourage you to report any instances of inappropriate conduct or behavior in our community.
We know what Menlo Church means to you, and each one of us on the Board shares a deep sense of mission and partnership with our community. We commit to be in better communication with you, our church family. We covet your prayers as we seek to discern the Lord’s guidance for how best to serve our community.
In prayer,
Menlo Church Elders
This is Danny's reaction:
It must not be allowed to stand.— Daniel M. Lavery (@daniel_m_lavery) July 12, 2020
First, and most importantly, John Ortberg’s position as senior pastor will materially impact any possibility for a full and scrupulous report.
Second, there would be no need for a follow-up investigation were it not for the Ortberg- and Seabolt-led cover-up effected by the Alvarez investigation.— Daniel M. Lavery (@daniel_m_lavery) July 12, 2020
I’m very skeptical that this fix will last the weekend: the case for the investigation IS the case for firing Ortberg. It makes no sense to do one and not the other.— Daniel M. Lavery (@daniel_m_lavery) July 12, 2020
We will not remain silent until consistency and accountability have been established. John Ortberg must go. He must go NOW.— Daniel M. Lavery (@daniel_m_lavery) July 12, 2020
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