Caring Well (March 2021)

Congregational Update: March 2021 View our April Update Here

Dear Chapel Family,
As you are aware, a few months ago we announced a membership meeting to discuss troubling allegations from the 1990's brought to our attention that occurred in our Senior High ministry which involved a former employee who directed that ministry during that period. We've been made aware that some communications surrounding this issue have been placed in the public sphere independent of The Chapel. Because we believe some misinformation has circulated, we felt it appropriate to clearly articulate both the actions and decisions involving this situation that The Chapel has taken to date. Our intent has never been to bring harm to anyone, but rather to honor the trust of this congregation and to ensure that accurate and truthful information is communicated. In October 2019, pastoral leadership at The Chapel was made aware of allegations against the President of Circle "C" Ranch of inappropriate behavior.

Because these allegations were specifically related to the camp, our pastoral leadership encouraged those that had made us aware of these allegations to raise them to whatever governance and accountability structures that existed at the camp. In light of this unsolicited information received, pastoral staff made efforts to help facilitate productive, God-honoring conversations between those involved.

Those efforts by both parties proved to be less productive than what was hoped, but we continued to work privately to encourage those with authority (the Circle "C" Ranch Board) to give these issues due attention and that those raising these allegations be given the opportunity to be heard, understood and given a response.

In addition to the above, in February 2020, The Chapel's pastoral leadership was made aware of additional allegations of inappropriate behavior against this same individual alleged to have taken place during his time as a staff member of The Chapel from 1991 - 2000. This former staff member has not served on The Chapel's staff for 20+ years and The Chapel's current leadership was not on staff when this individual was employed.

The women who brought these allegations to our attention were known to us (i.e. they were not anonymous), but at the time they initially contacted us they requested that their identities remain confidential. We have sought to honor their wishes throughout this process.

Based on these multiple allegations, members of our leadership team spoke directly to this former employee about these allegations (since, at that time, the women desired their identities remain confidential). He denied any wrongdoing or inappropriate behavior. We made efforts to, again, try and facilitate productive, God-honoring conversations between those involved. He then followed up in writing denying any wrongdoing regarding the substance of the allegations we shared with him and those he is presently accountable to. As our leadership listened to and vetted the allegations against this former employee, we recognized their seriousness. Therefore, in October 2020, we made the decision to engage Ms. Kimberlee Norris, an attorney who co-founded MinistrySafe, to conduct a thorough, independent investigation regarding what we had come to learn of the alleged actions of this former Chapel employee. We notified the membership of the church that this investigation would take place. It was completed in December 2020.

High level findings and recommendations were shared with membership of the church in January 2021. The membership was advised that the independent investigation credibly confirmed a pattern of inappropriate interaction with young women involved in The Chapel's student ministry in the late 90s and also uncovered ongoing inappropriate interaction with young women not associated with The Chapel who had been involved in the previously referenced local youth camp over the last two decades.

Ms. Norris (the lead investigator) made specific recommendations to Chapel leadership which included:  

  • Reaching out to law enforcement to make a report, (in light of the substance of the allegations and findings of MinistrySafe's independent investigation);
  • Encouraging those who are willing to file a report or complaint with relevant law enforcement (two jurisdictions);
  • Making a report to child protective services;
  • Making a report to relevant state agencies and licensing bodies;
  • Fully cooperating with any and all inquiries made by the above local authorities; and
  • Temporarily ceasing Chapel involvement at Circle "C" Ranch.


In The Chapel leadership's desire to accommodate the efforts of law enforcement (and not to impede their investigations), our leadership patiently waited for the results of the criminal law enforcement system to advise us as to any necessary additional steps. Both of the local jurisdictions that were contacted in this investigation had determined that, given the passage of time (in some cases) or the nature of non-criminal allegations (in others), the allegations are not believed to be subject to criminal prosecution.

We continue to work with State authorities for child protection and licensing in the hope that the leadership of Circle "C" Ranch will issue a full response. At the request of the authorities, a written report of the findings of the independent MinistrySafe investigation were provided to State authorities. That same written report has been provided to the fact witnesses who initially brought allegations to The Chapel's attention. It is likewise being given to the Board of Circle "C" Ranch.

We also believe it is important for you to know the communication process Chapel leadership has been working through. The Chapel has communicated in writing to student ministry families (middle & high school) that we are no longer supporting or scheduling activities or events at Circle "C" Ranch as we had been at points in the past. We have invited those with further questions to speak with Chapel leadership. We also updated our entire staff team and held a membership meeting to disclose the findings and explain the recommendations of the investigation with a Question & Answer time immediately following. The Chapel's leadership has offered to speak with any Chapel member who may have been unable to participate in that meeting (for whatever reason), and moreover has also offered to speak individually with anyone in the church who has further questions. The method for doing so has been available at thechapel.com/caringwell.

Finally, it is important for you to know that both The Chapel leadership and MinistrySafe have found the allegations to be credible, and we continue to stand with those who have courageously come forward.

The Chapel has committed to provide ongoing counseling support for any individual who was harmed by the alleged actions of the individual referenced above, even if they were not an active part of our church during the time periods in question. We continue to update the women directly involved in this process with relevant, periodic communications. We recognize that these are painful issues to address - primarily for the women bringing these allegations forward. As church leadership, we endeavor to make sure their voices are heard by the parties that can effect real & lasting change. We ask for prayers for all involved and stand confident in our belief that justice, accountability, and healing will prevail. If you have questions or concerns related to the investigation as described above, please contact John Camardo, Executive Pastor at The Chapel by email or at 716-631-2636 x263.

Thank you - The Chapel Board & Pastoral Leadership