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Dave Hebert to Board, 11/20/2002

November 20, 2002

TO: TMOC directors, officers and operational leader

FROM: Dave Hebert, board member

RE: TMOC Leadership and the board's present actions

At this critical time in the ministry of TMOC, I felt it necessary to share my concerns with you as fellow believers in Christ, as well as fellow board members.

As you may recall, in July of 2001 my employer offered me an opportunity to relocate to our home office in Stevens Point. After much prayerful consideration my family and I decided to accept the offer. In October of 2001 I submitted my resignation from the TMOC board. However, I was asked to temporarily suspend my resignation and remain on the board until such time as the board could elect a replacement in order to fulfill TMOC's legal obligation for a minimum of seven members, based on the organization's bylaws. I agreed to do so on the assumption that that process would begin immediately.

Given the length of time since my resignation, I had assumed that a replacement had been selected and my board responsibilities had concluded. I recently learned, however, that this has not been the case. TMOC needs and deserves a full complement of qualified and active board members. It is troubling not only that my request had been ignored but that the furtherance of the ministry has been undermined, as well, by the failure of the board to provide a suitable replacement member. Thus, the board has fulfilled the letter but not the spirit of its own bylaws.

Given my inactive status, I did not expect to be notified of ongoing operational issues or normal and customary meetings to discuss such issues. Still, since I remain legally obligated to account, in some measure, for the collective actions of the board regarding the oversight of TMOC, it's operations and finances, I would have expected to be kept advised of any developments that impact the operational leadership, direction and reputation of TMOC. This has apparently not been the case.

Earlier this month I was contacted by Jack Brown regarding a recent development with respect to the perception of his leadership by the board. In a hastily arranged meeting on a weekend visit to Milwaukee, Jack and fellow board member John Wegner expressed to me their frustration and disappointment with the present board actions, specifically...

For what it's worth, it is my counsel, brothers, that any action to replace Jack Brown with Mike Rintelmann as Executive Director is premature, unwarranted, and antithetical to the whole purpose and calling of TMOC. With all due respect, to presume to make such a significant change at this time—especially in light of the ordeal Jack and Linda have, by God's mercy, endured over the past year—is unconscionable as well as dangerous. If there are pragmatic issues regarding Jack's health that need to be addressed, by all means address them - but do so proactively, with compassion befitting TMOC, and with the goal of restoration, not termination.

Jack founded TMOC and has led the ministry dutifully, humbly and with great fruitfulness for nearly two decades. Under his leadership, God has blessed TMOC and this community; the mark of divine selection and guidance is all over this man - who can dare to presume otherwise? indeed, to most in the community Jack Brown is the face of TMOC - and rightly so.

If there are concerns about finances, they are apparently ignorant of the fact that in our post-9/11 world, charitable donations have decreased dramatically across the board and regardless of mission, personality and budget. To judge Jack negatively because he has not achieved the unachievable is preposterous - and certainly beneath our calling as leaders admonished to follow the humble example of Christ.

If there are concerns about vision for the future of TMOC, remind yourself whose vision it was that built this ministry from nothing. Remind yourself whose heart laid out the needs of the community before the Church in Milwaukee, and its often skeptical leaders, in order to fund and establish this outreach. Remind yourself whose unflinching faith it was that rebuilt the foundation of the forerunner to this ministry after the 1980 fire took the life of Esther Worthington and seemed to lay waste all the prayers, contributions, volunteer hours, and facilities now reduced to ash. And, please ask yourself how vivid your vision would be following a year of intense pain, fatigue, chemotherapy, and preparation for probable disablement or premature departure to glory.

While the impact of TMOC's counseling program has been great, it is far overshadowed by the impact of TMOC's love, compassion, benevolence, and Christlike example; these lasting works are the legacy of TMOC chiefly because of the obedience, vision, abilities and faithfulness of Jack Brown.

Whatever the reasons for the present controversy, and whatever guilt rests on all parties, it should be clear to all that to attempt to resolve it without a fair and open examination of the facts; without a due and timely process designed to come alongside, not remove, a good and valued brother; without mature, inclusive, and constructive communication; and without a prudent and exhaustive assessment of all available solutions - such a decision is unthinkable for those who purport to seek the mind of Christ. If such a process has, indeed, not been implemented by the board to date I would argue it is not Jack that needs to step out of the picture.

Please consider also the following exhortation from John Wenger...

The original Mission Statement of TMOC was focused on 1) reaching people with the Gospel of Jesus Christ 2) teach and train Christian lay people to counsel and comfort 3) to project genuine care for people in need or crisis, in tangible ways and 4) to reveal the love of God, His plan of salvation and forgiveness, and thetransforming power of the Holy Spirit into Milwaukee and surrounding communities. "Compassion In Action" was our benchmark and signature statement.

Sadly to say at this point in 2002 we have come to a place where our signature statement is ignored in our own house. The supporting Board has receded to a place where instead of offering support and recommendations to our Executive Director and leader, Jack Brown, we now offer criticism and mandates that usurp his power and respectability. God help us. Everyone associated with the Board, past present and future must bear some responsibility for the current situation of daring to posit a "no confidence" vote on the part of the staff as an acceptable report. This frames not only a breach in protocol but a betrayal of trust. Is it possible to backtrack to a point where decisions are made co-operatively with the unadulterated input, and in the presence of our Executive Director? Or do we pursue a direction that suggests a change in leadership without consideration of establishing protocol, Jack's input, or God's will? Are we being faithful to the foundational vision, "A Ministry Purposed Toward Encouragement and Reconciliation"? if we fail to stand with and serve Jack with encouragement and compassion, especially in the backdrop of his physical status. Aren't we daring the chilling words Daniel spoke, "You have been weighed on the scales, and are found wanting".

Brothers, it is absolutely vital that all parties to this conflict, both as believers and as leaders in faith-based compassion ministry, preserve relational integrity. Accepting a leadership role mandates that we take great pains to, first and foremost, protect and promote the unity of the Body of Christ, the integrity of the Gospel, and the redemptive impact of TMOC throughout the community. Please do not fail to consider these goals in all you do, but especially now. We have all been called to be partners in ministry, not dictators - please choose your path accordingly.

Finally, I would humbly exhort each of us associated with TMOC leadership to consider our own words and decisions prayerfully and humbly, to acknowledge and repent of our own failures of leadership with regard to TMOC, to consider as paramount our commitment to Christ and his gospel as well as to TMOC and its clients and supporters, to preserve our unity and faith, to act in a manner incumbent upon men of God, to move with due deliberation and patient wisdom, to lead with appropriate conviction and character, to eliminate all pettiness and rivalry among the leadership and to do all things to the glory of God and of His Son, Jesus Christ.