Apparently, some people really didn’t like the line: “He (Mark Driscoll) didn’t make himself accountable.”

WOW EDU CLUBS HAVE SIMILAR PROBLEM TO RELIGIOUS ORGS (but core issue is Elite mentality which wrongly enriches old/destroys young/disenchants middle-age:)

“I’ve seen a lot of pastors come and go because of extramarital affairs, flirting, porn addiction, gambling addictions, and a whole mess of other stuff. It’s never easy to see a pastor, leader or friends shipwreck their life because of bad choices. Usually they lose their spouse, respect from their kids, their extended family, and their job.

With Mark Driscoll, the details are different but the core truth remains the same: he didn’t have people speaking into his life to help him make the best choices. This was his downfall. He didn’t let anyone in to help guide him, to speak truth to him, to coach him, to tell him when decisions might be a bad idea.

He didn’t make himself accountable.

As a leader, if you don’t have accountability, your time is coming. You will fall. I’m not saying this to scare you (okay, maybe I am), but it’s for your own good. I hope you all are choosing to be a leader that’s OPEN.”

I thought that what he wrote regarding Driscoll is chilling.

We should discuss “prejudice” (any preconceived opinion or feeling, either favorable or unfavorable), “racism” (“a belief or doctrine that inherent differences among the various human races determine cultural or individual achievement, usually involving the idea that one’s own race is superior and has the right to rule others”) and “bigotry” (intolerance toward those who hold different opinions from oneself)

I think this article is a fair summary:

“Where Cuban should be reassured — and the rest of us should be reminded — is that having prejudiced thoughts doesn’t make someone a bigot. Only acting like a bigot does.”

Maria, I can sympathize with what you are saying. It’s important not to scapegoat anyone because of their race. Racism is evil. But when we are engaging in cross-cultural missionary activity, we cannot be blind to race or forbid talk about race, because race is a huge factor in understanding what is going on in the church. Think about Paul’s missionary work. The churches that he planted were a mixture of Jews and Gentiles. Paul was adamant that in Christ all are equal. “There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus” (Gal 3:28). Paul is the very opposite of a racist. But if you look in Paul’s letter to the Romans, how often does Paul specifically talk about Jews and Gentiles? He uses that language over and over. The Jew-Gentile differences were very real and very strongly felt. To bridge the gap between the groups, people needed to talk those differences, understand them, and then overcome them in light of the gospel. Not pretend that the differences weren’t there.

THE VOICE: good nickname for this website, for without it we’d have none. Thanks Brian, Joe, Ben, Others..

noone had a right to tell you those things, it came from their own insecurity about losing their situation when others would follow suit

better yet when enough followers step up, some long-term facilitators can step down to maintain broad base of support (advisory role) spreading the square out to a rectangle

it finally dawned on me that collective $ has always been the problem when religion goes bad: the house of prayer turned into a marketplace in Jesus’ time, Catholic church sale of indulgences & celibacy savings lost on lawsuits.

I suppose native members contribute the lion’s share of $ & effort in established longterm ministries, but do they reap only the lamb’s share of the consequent collective “blessings”?

Same for me, big bear. In my 10 years at UBF I must have shared well over 500 testimonies, and listened to tenthousands of testimonies of members, but I did not hear a single testimony of my chapter director or other people higher in the hierarchy. The essence of these testimonies is admitting sins, repenting and promising to do better next week. By not sharing their testimonies, the directors send the message that they are without sin, that they have nothing to repent of and to improve, while at the same time everybody else feels guilty for failing to live up to the standards and promises of last week’s testimony. It manifests the idea that the director is “the servant of God”, while the member has always to prove that he is even worthy of being part of the community. This is a very powerful mechanism in the UBF system; it’s one of the ingredients that make up a poisonous mixture. When you only hear the words “Bible study” or “testimony sharing” it sounds all good and well. But if you look carefully what these words mean in UBF, how exactly they are practiced and what they entail, you will find many such crucial problematic details all working together to establish the system that leads to dependency and spiritual abuse.

The Bible says “confess your sins to each other” (Jam 5:16) and “submit to one another” (Eph 5:21). In a healthy church, these things are bidirectional, but in UBF they are unidirectional.

A leaders may avoid being accountable, but no leader can avoid being called to account.

Sadly, variations of this offensive directive has been given to so many UBF people who dares to question something/anything that the senior UBF leader does not like, especially “shut your mouth!”

It is too late for that. Too many native leaders have left. There is a gaping hole in most ubf chapters. You have the senior Korean missionaries who have been in ubf 20+ years, and the you have new, young students who have been in ubf less than 3 years. Almost every “Abraham of Faith” in ubf has left. Most “junior leaders” have left.

ubf is now faced with starting all over with a few native leaders who are left. And the funny thing is, the ubf directors seem ok with this, almost happy that they no longer have to deal with “lazy junior leaders” who were hindering their “world mission plan”.

So to this day, any native UBF leader in any country, perhaps including the U.S. and Canada, is still expected to humbly defer to the “covering” senior missionary chapter director/pioneer, or even to the UBF director of Korea.

“How about other Korean missionaries? I believe they have the same process – yes/no?”

NO! There is no process for Americans to become missionaries (as far as I know). But there is a very clear process for Koreans. Problem is that most Americans would never go through such “training”.

I wanted to be a missionary almost my entire 24 years in ubf. Everyone knew it. Part of our MbF was to pray to be missionaries to Russia, because I had already been a 3 month ubf missionary in St.Petersburg.

But I was told I would be a bad missionary. This made me angry but I never expressed it. Instead, we went to Detroit. The irony is that I would indeed have been a bad ubf missionary. I do not have the selfish ambition or the absolute loyalty or the sublte manipulation abilities needed to reach the “missionary” status. And of course the obvious reason: I am not Korean, I am American.

This is exactly what several of us noticed too, big bear. I am convinced there is no widespread conspiracy to “dominate the world”. But I am also convinced there are ubf chapter directors who view this networking as their primary reason for doing ubf ministry.

Toledo ubf was a Korean immigration machine for several years. But that is broken up now after half of the leaders left. If you were a Korean young person in Korea, you could come to Toledo and get a PhD with almost no effort. This made my wife so angry because she received zero help for her PhD, and yet these young Koreans would come to visit, get a PhD and good paying job and have such a nice life in America.

I think we need to uncover the multiple layers of ubf and define what ubf consists of. In 2012, one newspaper reporter in Chicago correctly wrote that ubf is a “mixed bag”.

Well, here is the mixed bag as far as I can tell. Your experience in ubf will often depend on what mixture exists in your chapter.

I’m not sure if this is a comprehensive list but here are the layers of issues I’ve had to fight through. This multi-layered system allows chapter directors to remain unaccountable except to their direct superior in the pyramid.

1. BUSINESS LAYER: Take a multi-level marketing system and swap out business concepts with spiritual discipline activity

2. CONFUCIAN LAYER: Emphasize the 5 Confucian values and use them as the ultimate lens to see the world and yourself through

3. CHRISTIAN FUNDAMENTALIST LAYER: Create an 8-point list of Christianized slogans that are loosely based on right-wing, conservative Christianity

4. INDOCTRINATION LAYER: Proof-text the 8-point list with the Bible, especially by repeatedly emphasizing Genesis 12, Genesis 22, Exodus 19:5,6, John 4, 1 Peter 2:9, 1 and 2 Timothy, and Ephesians 2:10 (which requires developing various indoctrination programs, such as the UBF 7 step and 9 step programs)

5. SHEPHERDING LAYER: Implement the shepherding movement authority structure

6. SHUNNING LAYER: Ignore, dismiss and demonize former members and critical voices

7. SELF-PRAISE LAYER: Publish only positive material about your organization and establish nostalgic hagiographies about yourself

8. HUMAN LAYER: Repeat the cycle of rebuilding the system every 5 years, which requires continuous re-indoctrination efforts by older members

If both Korean and native leader pioneer and follow the same regulation it could be argued as fair. (Follow me on this, don’t tear me to pieces.) However, if there is a dual standard, one for the native and one for the Korean missionary than that is a big problem. Similarly, if there is even another consideration for second gens who happen to be called to pioneer than the practice is overwhelmed with trouble from the start.

My stance is very clear, adapt to the people you have committed to serve and do not try to implant your social ideology on them.

There are many variants even among Koreans. A man who held high authority during military service may have loved his experience which may or may not affect how he perceives leadership later on. Another man may have hated his experience in military and carries out a more moderate approach in leading. What I am addressing is the common comparison of Korean leaders in UBF to an inherent application of military order. This goes beyond Confucianism because even the idea of “training” takes on new meanings.

Now a younger man from Korea may handle things very differently and with more sensitivity.

I would rather not pick on UBF as most commonly outlined by the general concerns which really do come from cultural differences. That being said if a foreigner goes to Korea to work there they are constantly told, “This is Korea. Get used to it.” Just go online to see many examples from various blogs about teaching and so on. In that same breath, any Korean should be aware that when something arises in a country foreign to them the same sentiment may be stated.

It might be unclear, but I will try to help what I am getting at. If a foreigner goes to Korea that is their choice from some desire to teach or do something more. That person should already be prepared for many cultural tendencies that are otherwise objectionable. But when Korean missionaries desire to go somewhere and bring the gospel to native inhabitants there should be no question about cultural toleration. Frankly, cultural concern should be a moot point in matters of faith. The Koreans should willingly struggle and adapt and that does not just include eating foreign food and watching TV and movies or listening to music. They need to integrate at a social level that goes beyond establishing a church in that country and city.

The social value system needs to be challenged. This article is addressing accountability, but how can any foreigner in UBF effectively challenge when in even a Korean context accountability is a touchy issue? But we are not in Korea! Many Koreans were convicted to go somewhere. Bringing UBF to America, Canada, UK, Russia, Mexico etc…..should at some point realize a sovereignty. Once continental and country directors are established the responsibility should become theirs. Once a chapter director is recognized it should become his/her responsibility.

Once more, we all understand why primary activity was done by Korean missionaries, but at this time UBF really should examine how it may effectively give responsibility over to native or non-native chapter leaders. Once responsibility has been handed over we can address more clearly the matter of accountability. Until then I think accountability will only come from a minority of Korean leadership in UBF.

speaking of preferences may inadvertently (or advertently) derail real issues.

What about senior, dedicated, experienced and knowledgeable non-Korean former members? Oh wait, those people are just bitter and poisonous so we should dismiss them automatically no matter what they say.

“Why are young native leaders being appointed in name only?”

I think it is because ubf directors love the “new sheep” smell and feel. They chew them up and spit them out when anyone becomes a “senior” leader.

I am a good example. I remember being married for 10 years, I was 35 years old and had 2 daughters. I had been a junior leader for many years. I was a fellowship leader. Shouldn’t I have been considered a “senior leader”?

But no! I was just a junior leader and in the eyes of my director I was still just a weak, timid 18 year old like when he first met me.

ubf directors just won’t give up their power and authority. When anyone grows and becomes mature, the director senses that the leader is a threat and pushes them away.

It was SO SAD and such a tragedy to watch grown men older than me, who were in their 40’s at the time, be made to look like foolish teenagers, always asking for permission from the Korean director or another Korean missionary. THAT is why I speak so harshly against the Korean authority in ubf. Such authority must be challenged and dismantled if there is any hope for life of ubf ministry in the future.

“Why do I read comments from Brian, Ben and Joe that suggest that even though a pioneering chapter evolved into an official chapter – that chapter is still under the authority of a Korean?”

Yes! Chicago ubf didn’t recognize Detroit ubf as a chapter for several years. We were just a fellowship of Toledo. Still some people think I live in Toledo and dismiss what I say because I am just someone “wounded by PH”. That is not the entire truth of my reality. PH caused problems yes, but he is not the root problem. The root of the ubf problems is the authority expressed in the shepherd/sheep bondage.

Release the bonds!

I think the majority of leaders are not open to criticism. Those that are may be seen in the ministry context of being different and against the traditional UBF way. Junior’s don’t have a right to call them to be accountable. It is the hierarchy. A junior not only lacks the experience in the ministry, but also in life. Just reviewing the old articles I read the comment that even a young missionary is affected by this same dead end situation. A young missionary should listen to the older and wiser senior missionary. Well, you did get the older part right.

We need to get away from the Christianity that is heavy laden with Korean culture. In a Korean context it is understandable, because there is a social structure at work. (Now, I said understandable, I am not an advocate.) I also see the concern for younger native leaders to take the lead for America or Canada or anywhere that is not Korea. Why are young native leaders being appointed in name only? Why do I read comments from Brian, Ben and Joe that suggest that even though a pioneering chapter evolved into an official chapter – that chapter is still under the authority of a Korean? I am loosely asking since I don’t know all the behind the scenes stuff. It is not only important to establish native leaders, but also that they take leadership by 100%. This could aid the openness for accountability since there should be no influence from Korean culture. It should also shed insight into new approaches by a native for the population of that country. That being said, we are having this discussion after many have already said that all natives conform to certain measures and the intolerance to juniors speaking up is a classic.

When a junior speaks up it disrupts the environment. All of a sudden everyone has to do damage control for any young students who may have heard about the situation. Frankly, this causes an even more stressful environment because in a healthy church any topic should be free to discuss. If there is fear that someone may leave because of a controversial topic then isn’t that a warning. What are people trying to hide? As far as keeping spiritual order – let’s put this in different language. Let’s keep social order – obey your senior.

It is abusive for decisions to be made about your life without your consent. After a decision has been made you are confronted with a tough choice – say “yes” and continue to say “yes” or say “no” and receive rebuke and judgment for lack of faith. So, if you do not put your 100% trust in UBF leaders that is the same as not trusting God 100% – I really don’t think so.

Thank God for UBFriends! Here is a place where we can share and express our thoughts. It is possible we may be corrected by our peers or even yes a senior member or ex-member, but no one is fighting for power. Most of us are rather challenging UBF to publicly confess its history and clean up. We are also discussing fundamental Christian issues that arise in any gathering – however – primarily in a UBF context.

Accountability and leadership go hand in hand. We need a leader whose example is truly and sincerely Christ centered. But often times we get leaders who would rather be political agents. As a result everything gets ugly and who looks bad? Anyone who objects.

In regard to leadership, any leader should pay attention to the things that followers want most: TRUST, COMPASSION, STABILITY, HOPE.

I found those things in 1987 in ubf leaders. But trust was shattered when I was ordered to break into my pastor’s house. Compassion was non-existent when I wanted to be a missionary. Stability was broken when I was told I was not a Christian when I was already a Christian before ubf. And hope was lost when I tried to raise just a few concerns and started asking questions about the suffering of my friends.

I contrasted one key leadership article with a couple indirect articles because of the socio-cultural aspect of UBF.
Here are a couple of the articles about leadership, but really all of them should be reposted:

http://www.ubfriends.org/2012/06/15/what-kind-of-leader-are-you/
http://www.ubfriends.org/2010/08/06/individualism-collectivism-and-ubf/
http://www.ubfriends.org/2012/04/05/is-there-racism-in-your-church/

The authoritarian hierarchical top-down control and the politics behind the scenes is not the only problem but it is the only problem that cannot be overcome by working things out. It is certainly the primary problem. This is why I contend that change isn’t the answer for ubf. Change won’t happen, even with double-agents, until the power and control is challenged and removed.

Change anything you want, but if the authoritarian control is not renounced and the 20 or so dictator-like directors are not removed from their office of power, nothing significant will change. That is why we need both the reconciliation and intervention of the Holy Spirit and the “William Wilburforces”/”Sophie Scholls” in ubf to step forward.

My wife and I were talking for a long time yesterday about how we really love our life in UBF. We really love what UBF does, which is focus on Bible study with young people. We discussed how we cannot imagine living anywhere else besides living near a university campus and being surrounded by young people.

We might prefer living in a “better house” and in a “nice suburb,” but we both concluded that we would become totally bored. We love the UBF expression of Christian life, evangelism, discipleship that gives us limitless opportunities to share Jesus with others. We would choose no other life other than the 70 years combined that we have both spent in UBF.

The ONLY problem is the authoritarian hierarchical top-down control and the politics behind the scenes, which I believe UBFriends is bringing to the forefront.

“How was God sovereignly working in your midst during the 24 years you spent in UBF before ‘waking up’”

> Most of that time was what I call “building the cocoon”. In one sense, it is common and perhaps necessary for a Christian to enter into a cocoon stage. Mine was an extended cocoon time it seems. This was part of God’s sovereign hand in my life.

“what conclusions have you drawn from this?”

> A cocoon is necessary for a butterfly to emerge. What ubf doesn’t realize is now many butterflies have been aborted by weaving the cocoon too tightly or crushed by demanding them to remain as caterpillars.

> Since I was a Christian before ubf, I have conclude that one sovereign purpose of God for those 24 years was to prepare me as a witness and voice to articulate the gospel to ubf people. No one can say truthfully that I am just a bitter member or a casual bystander. I was Mr. ubf, a real insider who heard and saw so much. I am convinced that God’s sovereign purpose for my life is and has been to preach the gospel Jesus preached: forgiveness, freedom, fulfillment, grace, peace, life, kingdom, glory and rest.

Yes, indeed. One night in 2011 I realized I was just a “donkey” in the eyes of ubf directors. So I wrote my SUMMARY REBUKE OF KOREAN AUTHORITY IN UBF.

Ultimately all directors will bow and submit to Jesus Christ. For their sake, it is time to stand up and demand their accountability. It is said that power concedes nothing without a demand. Now is the time to hold your chapter director accountable. Keep asking questions. Keep digging into problems. Keep raising your voices of concern. The Spirit has decreed this time as a time of accountability. Call them into account!

The words of Frederick Douglass ring loud and clear. These words speak to the “sheep” in ubf:

“If there is no struggle, there is no progress. Those who profess to favor freedom, and yet depreciate agitation, are men who want crops without plowing up the ground. They want rain without thunder and lightning. They want the ocean without the awful roar of its many waters.

This struggle may be a moral one; or it may be a physical one; or it may be both moral and physical; but it must be a struggle.

Power concedes nothing without a demand. It never did and it never will. Find out just what a people will submit to, and you have found out the exact amount of injustice and wrong which will be imposed upon them; and these will continue till they are resisted with either words or blows, or with both.

The limits of tyrants are prescribed by the endurance of those whom they oppress. Men may not get all they pay for in this world; but they must pay for all they get. If we ever get free from all the oppressions and wrongs heaped upon us, we must pay for their removal. We must do this by labor, by suffering, by sacrifice, and, if needs be, by our lives, and the lives of others.”

(source: West India Emancipation on 8/1857)

Let’s not forget that I severely rebuked the GD’s message in private discussion with him. Some of my specific and explicit points of contention were the things he changed. So it is even more remarkable that he listened to a former member like me.