When You Work for the Church

I started this website because my husband’s long and fruitful ministry as a Bible college professor ended abruptly and with great pain due to no fault of his own. He tried to end as well as he could and to work for positive change in the college’s policies and practices so no one else would have to go through what he did. But the college’s governance model made that difficult, and although he tried to follow up, he never knew what changes if any were made.

At the time I wondered:

Why do churches and other Christian organizations seem to handle employee relationships so poorly? Or is it that Christian employees have unreasonable expectations of their employers?  Why do apparently good, well-meaning, Christian people seem to struggle on both sides of the employer-employee relationship?

I’m asking those questions again today in light of the following concerns that have surfaced around a well-known and well-respected Christian organization.

May 3, 2024
Seven former staff with Mennonite Central Committee begin an online petition, Stop MCC Abuse:

All of us lost our employment after we spoke out about workplace harassment or psychological or emotional abuse. Several of us were also terminated while we were in the midst of health crises related to MCC’s abusive practices, with MCC staff showing a seemingly total lack of concern for our wellbeing or safety. Together, we are aware of at least 17 other cases of individuals or couples whose time with MCC ended in deeply painful ways.

June 11, 2024
A nine-page open letter to MCC constituents is released detailing the concerns:

We write this letter with deep grief, longing for what we say not to be true. Through this public statement, we are confronting the very organization that has taught us so much about what peacebuilding at its very best might look like. We are engaging in this very difficult journey, not to ruin MCC, but because we care so deeply about this organization and the churches that support it.

June 18, 2024
MCC issues a response to the petition and open letter:

We acknowledge the hurt expressed by these former MCC staff members. We want to respond with humility and compassion. People are fallible and as a result, MCC is constantly reviewing policies and procedures to ensure they meet the complex needs of our staff and reflect the difficult locations where we serve. As people serving people, our goal is to ensure the ongoing health and safety of all our workers.

June 20, 2024
Canadian Mennonite publishes their report: Involuntary: Terminated MCC Workers Call for Accountability and Change:

The concerns of the terminated workers raise questions about how MCC, and, by implication, other organizations, deal with internal conflicts and how the influence of human resources (HR) practices affect organizational culture. 

June 28, 2024
Canadian Mennonite publishes their rationale for covering the story: Involuntary: Behind the Scenes:

Our conclusion is that the story as reported is sufficiently credible and important to warrant reporting. The interest of readers is served by access to the information presented. Readers deserve to know, and the terminated workers deserve to be heard.

July 19, 2024
MCC executive directors for Canada and the United States issue a response to the concerns raised: MCC Executive Directors Respond to Concerns of Former Workers:

As an organization, MCC is composed of imperfect people trying to do difficult and compassionate work. We must listen. We must learn. We must do better. We will continue to seek healing and resolution with those who have experienced situations where MCC has not lived up to our values and mission.

What has been released publicly is, of course, only part of the story due to confidentiality in personnel matters, legal steps that have been taken, and other considerations. But the pain is evident. The complexities are evident. And this story isn’t finished yet. I pray for all concerned and for the wider work of MCC. May there be compassion, respect, peace, and justice.