From the Board, last night (they always release stuff when there will be the least amount of media pickup):
"It was the Arise Board’s intention to release publicly the full report from Pathfinding on Thursday 7th July 2022. It is deeply regrettable this delay continues because there is now an urgent non-publication order over the report. This prevents the Arise Board from releasing it as scheduled.
The Board is unable to give a timeframe on the release of the Pathfinding report, and is committed to upholding its privacy obligations and so cannot comment further on the matter for now."
Unsurprising and idiotic. Do they not realise the whole world knows what they’re up to? It’s a mystery why people and organisations persist with self-serving legal procrastinations when it would be better for them to fall on their swords as soon as possible. No one wins in this scenario.
They can delay, but I doubt they can prevent this report from getting out eventually... Or if they do manage that, then there's no god in this universe. But then I'm an atheist so that's my assumption already :D
I know you know this, but we're right here with you David. It's your excellent work that has got this whole awfulness to this point. I can only hope these people do the right thing.
"It was the Arise Board’s intention to release publicly the full report from Pathfinding on Thursday 7th July 2022. It is deeply regrettable this delay continues because there is now an urgent non-publication order over the report. This prevents the Arise Board from releasing it as scheduled.
The Board is unable to give a timeframe on the release of the Pathfinding report, and is committed to upholding its privacy obligations and so cannot comment further on the matter for now."
Lot of money in (+~15% on last year). Lot of money spent on staff ($6M) but fuck all spent on "community care and giving - only $650k (out of $15M revenue) and $530k went to "Arise Care". Interesting they are making a bit from property deals. presumably all tax free because "church". Tax the fuckers. Tax all of them.
"**As if some people having a good time somehow outweighs those left utterly fucked up.**" I think about this sort of thing a LOT, the expectation that if you were harmed, or abused, or burned out by church leadership that you should stay silent so everyone else can keep having a good time. Only thing is, all that does is isolate people and prevent church leaders from being held to account for the culture they allowed (nay, even fostered) under their watch. I am SO TIRED of people making excuses for shitty church leaders. I am SO TIRED of mediocre men making excuses and dodging being accountable. BURN IT ALL DOWN I say, there is nothing good left in these abusive places any more. Perhaps something good might rise, phoenix-like from the ashes instead?
My experience in times past with Pentecostal leadership and don’t get me wrong not just churches but bullying, manipulation and control in ANY organisation or work place has always been “power and status talks”. Lies and more lies told freely to cover up the abuse and the victims are left helpless. I HOPE justice is done this time. It never was in my past experience.
Holding leaders accountable for their abuses is a fundamental need. It is not being negative but truth telling. For without truth there can be no change, no repentance, no healing or justice for the victim. This is what the prophets did, and they were vilified for daring to expose the abuses of the powerful. Doing what you do comes with a huge cost, but is so necessary. Kia kaha mate.
As always, the complete lack of empathy for church victims from these so-called “Christians” shows that they continue to use JC’s name in vain. If there was a God, he’d be smiting down those blasphemers day and night. Yet they continue to make themselves out as the real victims to keep the grift up. That’s some big lie BS right there. Keep showing them to the world for what they really are: over-privileged bullying male grifter crybabies, not Christians in the truest sense.
This from the Arise board last night (worst possible media pick-up time):
"It was the Arise Board’s intention to release publicly the full report from Pathfinding on Thursday 7th July 2022. It is deeply regrettable this delay continues because there is now an urgent non-publication order over the report. This prevents the Arise Board from releasing it as scheduled.
The Board is unable to give a timeframe on the release of the Pathfinding report, and is committed to upholding its privacy obligations and so cannot comment further on the matter for now."
FINALLY. Fingers firmly crossed for those who’ve been severely damaged by Arise. My hope is that they’ll get some validation and those at Arise who perpetrated these abuses will be held accountable.
"It was the Arise Board’s intention to release publicly the full report from Pathfinding on Thursday 7th July 2022. It is deeply regrettable this delay continues because there is now an urgent non-publication order over the report. This prevents the Arise Board from releasing it as scheduled.
The Board is unable to give a timeframe on the release of the Pathfinding report, and is committed to upholding its privacy obligations and so cannot comment further on the matter for now."
What in the actual fuck?!! Pathetic. Unable to give a timeframe, committed to upholding it's privacy oligations? What about the victims and their obligation to do right by them! So gross. At the end of the day these are bullshit excuses, half expected by us all I'm sure, protecting their own skin and their income. Gross. Fuckwits.
David I'm sure you don't want to toot your own trumpet, but might you be the first journalist to successfully hold a megachurch to account (emphasis on successfully)? This is groundbreaking stuff and could start movements against predatory financial "churches" in other countries. Your work is so important as we witness the US laying the groundwork for a right wing fascist dictatorship that uses christianity as its cowardly shield.
Excuse my assumption, but it appears that a perceived future damage being done to the reputations of a few is far more serious than the documented historic damage that’s been done to hundreds.
Update:
Arise church is not run by God or the pastors or the board — it’s now run by lawyers.
No report tomorrow.
Will report more when I can.
Why does this not surprise me...disappoint completely...surprise no :(
From the Board, last night (they always release stuff when there will be the least amount of media pickup):
"It was the Arise Board’s intention to release publicly the full report from Pathfinding on Thursday 7th July 2022. It is deeply regrettable this delay continues because there is now an urgent non-publication order over the report. This prevents the Arise Board from releasing it as scheduled.
The Board is unable to give a timeframe on the release of the Pathfinding report, and is committed to upholding its privacy obligations and so cannot comment further on the matter for now."
Unsurprising and idiotic. Do they not realise the whole world knows what they’re up to? It’s a mystery why people and organisations persist with self-serving legal procrastinations when it would be better for them to fall on their swords as soon as possible. No one wins in this scenario.
I just popped over to see if there was an update and saw the 1News article. It must be pretty damning for them to resist this hard.
Gutted.
Run rabbit run.
They can delay, but I doubt they can prevent this report from getting out eventually... Or if they do manage that, then there's no god in this universe. But then I'm an atheist so that's my assumption already :D
Kia Kaha, David - the truth will come out.
I know you know this, but we're right here with you David. It's your excellent work that has got this whole awfulness to this point. I can only hope these people do the right thing.
Thanks Nadene - I feel like with a report out I can semi put this to rest!
I hope that too, although my Spidey senses suspect more worms will appear.
Sheesh, I just saw your update :-(
Yeah. Gross eh.
"It was the Arise Board’s intention to release publicly the full report from Pathfinding on Thursday 7th July 2022. It is deeply regrettable this delay continues because there is now an urgent non-publication order over the report. This prevents the Arise Board from releasing it as scheduled.
The Board is unable to give a timeframe on the release of the Pathfinding report, and is committed to upholding its privacy obligations and so cannot comment further on the matter for now."
I'm sure all the survivors also went to church wanting to have a good time. And got a nasty surprise.
Lot of money in (+~15% on last year). Lot of money spent on staff ($6M) but fuck all spent on "community care and giving - only $650k (out of $15M revenue) and $530k went to "Arise Care". Interesting they are making a bit from property deals. presumably all tax free because "church". Tax the fuckers. Tax all of them.
Yeah, most of the money goes into their empire building. It's pretty revolting.
Jesus, apparently, said "Sell yer shit, and work among the poor."
Off you go then boys....
OMG yes, can't fricking believe they are getting off tax free....
"**As if some people having a good time somehow outweighs those left utterly fucked up.**" I think about this sort of thing a LOT, the expectation that if you were harmed, or abused, or burned out by church leadership that you should stay silent so everyone else can keep having a good time. Only thing is, all that does is isolate people and prevent church leaders from being held to account for the culture they allowed (nay, even fostered) under their watch. I am SO TIRED of people making excuses for shitty church leaders. I am SO TIRED of mediocre men making excuses and dodging being accountable. BURN IT ALL DOWN I say, there is nothing good left in these abusive places any more. Perhaps something good might rise, phoenix-like from the ashes instead?
My experience in times past with Pentecostal leadership and don’t get me wrong not just churches but bullying, manipulation and control in ANY organisation or work place has always been “power and status talks”. Lies and more lies told freely to cover up the abuse and the victims are left helpless. I HOPE justice is done this time. It never was in my past experience.
Holding leaders accountable for their abuses is a fundamental need. It is not being negative but truth telling. For without truth there can be no change, no repentance, no healing or justice for the victim. This is what the prophets did, and they were vilified for daring to expose the abuses of the powerful. Doing what you do comes with a huge cost, but is so necessary. Kia kaha mate.
As always, the complete lack of empathy for church victims from these so-called “Christians” shows that they continue to use JC’s name in vain. If there was a God, he’d be smiting down those blasphemers day and night. Yet they continue to make themselves out as the real victims to keep the grift up. That’s some big lie BS right there. Keep showing them to the world for what they really are: over-privileged bullying male grifter crybabies, not Christians in the truest sense.
It's.... bad.
This from the Arise board last night (worst possible media pick-up time):
"It was the Arise Board’s intention to release publicly the full report from Pathfinding on Thursday 7th July 2022. It is deeply regrettable this delay continues because there is now an urgent non-publication order over the report. This prevents the Arise Board from releasing it as scheduled.
The Board is unable to give a timeframe on the release of the Pathfinding report, and is committed to upholding its privacy obligations and so cannot comment further on the matter for now."
Urgh. What does that even mean? They make it sound like its out of their hand but who placed this “urgent non-publication order” in the first place?
Kia kaha David
Thank you David for speaking out. I rejoice that these days gutsy people like you are coming to the aid of victims. Love you bro.
Love back, Denis.
FINALLY. Fingers firmly crossed for those who’ve been severely damaged by Arise. My hope is that they’ll get some validation and those at Arise who perpetrated these abuses will be held accountable.
Yeah. All of John's BS needs to be out, en masse. And his congregation needs to know (they don't read Webworm, I am the devil etc)
Alas - UGH.
"It was the Arise Board’s intention to release publicly the full report from Pathfinding on Thursday 7th July 2022. It is deeply regrettable this delay continues because there is now an urgent non-publication order over the report. This prevents the Arise Board from releasing it as scheduled.
The Board is unable to give a timeframe on the release of the Pathfinding report, and is committed to upholding its privacy obligations and so cannot comment further on the matter for now."
What in the actual fuck?!! Pathetic. Unable to give a timeframe, committed to upholding it's privacy oligations? What about the victims and their obligation to do right by them! So gross. At the end of the day these are bullshit excuses, half expected by us all I'm sure, protecting their own skin and their income. Gross. Fuckwits.
WTF? An urgent non-publication order?
Absolutely. Let's hope justice is finally served.
CLEARLY I'm in the wrong rort.
.
.
.
I mean, profession.
Don’t they realize the victims WERE people who wanted a good experience at church and Arise utterly fucked them? Cheese and rice...
Good on you for reporting the good news on how much Arise is earning.
Perhaps Arise can balance their Instagram feed with the bad news that Brent Cameron is a rampant hand farter
If only. Just one Instagram post about the farting is all I want.
On a serious note - what that guy did - fuck it.
David I'm sure you don't want to toot your own trumpet, but might you be the first journalist to successfully hold a megachurch to account (emphasis on successfully)? This is groundbreaking stuff and could start movements against predatory financial "churches" in other countries. Your work is so important as we witness the US laying the groundwork for a right wing fascist dictatorship that uses christianity as its cowardly shield.
Excuse my assumption, but it appears that a perceived future damage being done to the reputations of a few is far more serious than the documented historic damage that’s been done to hundreds.