Missionary Farewell Letter
It is with a heavy heart that I must write to you today. For several years we at the Embassy, under my leadership, have been seeking God and attempting to engage our leadership in meaningful debate over many issues that we still regard as vital. In the course of time, the Elders and I felt that we needed to drive a stake in the ground, clearly defining our positions as well as reinforcing the local sovereignty of the Embassy. We held a series of meetings between November 11 and December 19 to decide the direction of our ministry. After a 95% vote of the membership in our 12/19 meeting (with our Supt. in attendance) we elected to sever administrative relationship with Springfield. However, it was always our desire and official intention to retain all of our foreign and home missionaries, because our issues are with Farmington Hills and Springfield; NOT with the dedicated ministers serving overseas (many of whom inspired us, as well as share our deep concerns). However, after resigning my credentials on Thursday, 12/20/07, the day after our legal business meeting (according to General Council Bylaws Article VI, Section 4, paragraph d. under "preservation of affiliation"); To my surprise, on January 15th of 2008, almost a full month after our legal meeting and my resignation, I received a letter from the District Office informing me that my resignation was being refused under Gen. Council Bylaw Article VII. Not only that, but I was now being brought up on charges, charges that were never mentioned or counseled about during the period between 11/8 and 12/19, when I was still in full relationship (in good standing) with both the District as well as General Councils. I have since (as of 2/08) been dismissed under the charges of "Any moral or ethical failure other than sexual misconduct", under Article X, Section 3, paragraph c of the General Council Bylaws. Because of this unexpected and unwarranted decision, you, our beloved missionary partners, will not be allowed to visit Michiana Christian Embassy any longer. Of course, we were told by District Secretary/Treasurer Norman Muhling, that we could keep sending support anyway. However, I know that you could not in good conscience keep receiving monies from an unethical and immoral pastor or his church; especially when you are prohibited from any professional contact. If you have any further questions regarding any of the correspondence we've had with denominational officials, or any of our position papers, there is a full record of them on our website www.michianachristianembassy.com. The most tragic part of this entire scenario is that we still hold all of you in the highest regard. I pray even as I write that God will more than replace the small amount of support you are now losing from our local church family.
With both tears and hope,
Pastor Jeff Whittaker
Michiana Christian Embassy
Niles, Michigan
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