Official Update December 10, 2023
Dear IHOPKC community, Please take time to carefully read and understand the following text.
Significant updates were announced at our 11am church service on December 10. Watch the full service here
1) ELT Passes Management of the Crisis to Board of Directors. As a matter of wisdom, governance, and the growing size and complexity of this crisis our Executive Director, Stuart Greaves, along with IHOPKC’s legal counsel, decided it was best for him to pass off the day to day management of this crisis to the Executive Committee of our Board of Directors. For Stuart to pass off the crisis management aspect of this will allow him to focus on our community, the body, our base, and the healing of hearts. In addition, IHOPKC has appointed an official outside spokesperson, Eric Volz. Volz is the managing director of The David House Agency, an international crisis resource agency. The New York Times recognized Eric as a highly sought crisis manager and his involvement is visible in some of the highest-profile cases of recent years.
2) IHOPKC Has Engaged a New Third-Party to Conduct an Independent and Impartial Investigation. The firm has extensive experience conducting independent investigations into high-profile cases across the Kansas City metro area, including those involving clergy abuse allegations. They are highly sought after due to the skill and thoroughness by which they conduct investigations. Importantly, they are also trauma-informed.
IHOPKC does not control this investigation, meaning that it has no ability to dictate the process or outcome.
While IHOPKC is shouldering the financial burden, the investigators operate completely independently. The investigators have already started: IHOPKC has turned over it’s documents, and the investigators are in contact with the Advocate Group and all known alleged victims.
The length of time it takes for this investigation will depend on several factors, the main one being whether or not the alleged victims and parties involved are willing to participate. We hope that they will participate, so that truth can be brought to light quickly.
Since they have already started the investigation, their identity is not a secret. However, IHOPKC will not be publicizing the names of the investigative firm, lead investigator or any members of the investigative team in order to avoid any interference with their ability to conduct the investigation. To be clear, neither the investigator nor firm have ever had any ties to IHOPKC or any relationship with any of the involved parties.
3) The Truth and Reconciliation Commission Has Been Formed. Lastly, Volz has announced that IHOPKC and it’s board of directors are planning to go beyond the third party investigation by building out what will be called, The Truth and Reconciliation Commission.
This Commission will include an advisory panel of outside leaders, a thorough examination of everything that has taken place in the past weeks, human resources experts, pastoral programs, regular community meetings, and much more. The details of that project will be shared more in detail in the near future.
In closing, PLEASE KNOW and BE ASSURED that IHOPKC deeply cares about sound oversight, accountability, and is open to improvement, this gift of crisis is what it can teach IHOPKC. This board of directors is not only willing, but eager to make improvements.
We thank you for your patience and prayers.
Executive Committee — IHOPKC Board of Directors