Background
In the spring of 2021, congregants at Chapel Hill Bible Church learned that, prompted by multiple complaints, there had been an investigation into Executive Pastor, Eric McKiddie, and he had subsequently resigned.
As part of their response to the resignation, Chapel Hill Bible Church leadership agreed to hire two outside agencies to advise them on next steps. Leighton Ford Ministries (LFM) was hired to assess church structures of governance, policies, etc. G.R.A.C.E. (Godly Response to Abuse in Christian Environments) was hired to do a cultural assessment of the church.
In the aftermath of McKiddie’s resignation, and before either agency had completed their assessments, an administrative assistant was abruptly fired. She was offered a severance package in exchange for signing a strict NDA, with non-disparagement, non-disclosure, and non-solicitation provisions . (See links below)
She decided that she could not in good conscience sign it. Because she declined to sign the document, she was able to share it with members of the church, bringing the practice into the light.
The Reaction of the Congregation
Many people who learned about the use of NDAs in the church were deeply troubled and tried to get answers from the church leaders. Eventually, they signed a petition asking to meet with their elders and deacons in the presence of representatives from LFM and G.R.A.C.E. to get answers.
You can read both the petition and a copy of the NDA the administrative assistant would have had to sign in order to receive her severance pay here:
Articles on NDAs at Chapel Hill Bible Church
The Wartburg Watch (blog) Sept. 29, 2022: Chapel Hill Bible Church: NDAs Are Not Gospel Documents and It’s Time to Pray for Those Who Speak Gospel Truth
The Daily Tar Heel Nov. 29, 2022: Chapel Hill Bible Church leaders face allegations, investigations over abusive behavior
The Roys Report , Dec. 8, 2022: Prominent North Carolina Church Embroiled in Controversy Following Alleged Abuse & 3 Investigations
Still waiting….
Even after multiple meetings with the congregation, and despite the recommendation from G.R.A.C.E. that the church release all employees from NDAs, the leadership of the Chapel Hill Bible Church still has not done so.
Why not?
