Pastor Glenn Dryden of the Churches of God Lends His Support

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"I Hope Dr. Thompson Will Soon Take Heed to Your Logic"

-------- Original Message --------

From: Glenn Dryden
To: Bob
Subject: blacksda.com POSTING
Date: Fri, 1 Dec 2006 19:42:46 -0500

Greetings from Pastor Dryden,

I have taken the opportunity to read the postings at blacksda.com. Assuming you are the author of the message to Dr. Thompson of 26 Nov 2006 11:07:44, I would like to commend you for the logic in your plea to him.

I think Dr. Thompson must be a good and well-intentioned man and I hope he will soon take heed to your logic.

Glenn Dryden

"May I Quote You? Adventists Are Skittish About Things Like This"

-------- Original Message --------

From: Bob
To: Glenn Dryden
Subject: Re: blacksda.com POSTING
Date: Sat, 02 Dec 2006 18:17:05 -0600

Thank you so much for your encouragement, Pastor Dryden.

...

Many Adventists will feel skittish about meeting this thing head on, because they fear that the cause of God will have reproach brought upon it, and thus there might be a negative effect upon evangelistic efforts. Of course, I share that concern, and thus I want to deal with this very carefully. It is a delicate balance. I covet your prayers for the wisdom of God in the days ahead. I know you must have wrestled with these very same thoughts, since it certainly was not good PR for your faith.

Having said that, ... I wonder if you would allow me the privilege of quoting what you wrote below, attributing it to either yourself explicitly, or perhaps better yet to simply a pastor of another faith. For our people to read such encouraging words from a pastor of another faith would help calm their fears.

...

Thanks so much for your prayers, and we will pray for you as you work further with the situation there.

Bob

"Less Will Be Lost by a Full Disclosure and Honesty Than by Cover-up and Deceit"

We received permission to release both Roger Clem's name and the information about the young man in Virginia.

-------- Original Message --------

From: Glenn Dryden
To: Bob
Subject: Re: blacksda.com POSTING
Date: Sat, 2 Dec 2006 20:25:25 -0500

Dear Bob,

I am sure we share similar emotions regarding this matter. Perhaps an argument may be made for the criticism you have received regarding the e-mail postings, but I should tell you that they have served to make me comfortable communicating with both you and Mr. Joy and if they serve to put pressure on Danny and Tommy, you may carry the criticism as a badge of commendation.

You should know that I have FAXed to Mr. Joy a copy of Mr. Riva's letter to me dated June 13, 2003, along with excerpts from my reply to Mr. Riva.

As to the skittishness we all suffer, I find a remedy in a Biblical principle. That principle perhaps may be best expressed "The truth shall set you free!"

Too many for too long in too many venues have feared reproach and negative effects. The number of victims has increased as a consequence. Though a foul path, we should shod our feet appropriately and march forward and attack the issue head-on! Ultimately, less will be lost by a full disclosure and honesty than by cover-up and deceit. Not the path of least resistance, but does not this path seem more like the one Jesus would take?

You may quote me by name on anything except the fact that I am personally aware that Tommy Shelton molested a young man here in Virginia in the mid to late 1990s. Give me until after the meeting here Sunday and then check with me regarding that.

You may make public my 2003 letter to Dr. Thompson and action items (which were compiled by the congregation of the Ezra Church of God) and may note that the action items were also sent to Mike Riva, Tommy's attorney, with my reply to his letter of June 13, 2003. You may note that I gave you my permission to do so.

In early 2003 Roger Clem first confided to me his victimization by Tommy Shelton. It was within a week or less that Tommy called me. Please give Roger the courtesy of a call and do not make public his name unless he gives you permission. If necessary, call me and I will call Roger ahead of you that he might feel comfortable speaking openly with you.

This is a divisive issue here and our Board of Trustees and I welcome your prayers in advance of our meeting tomorrow afternoon.

Pastor Glenn Dryden

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