Third-Party Assessment

Sunday, March 16, 2025

We received a final report from The Stier Group on Wednesday, March 12. Their firm provided us with two documents that can be accessed below, alongside a recording of our statement made during worship services today.

The Final Report contains The Stier Group’s reconstructed timeline of events that culminated in the suspension and subsequent resignation of our former senior pastor. This information was compiled from verbal and written testimonies collected during their investigation. The timeline continues into a period of time when individual members of our leadership team began receiving accounts of the incident from those who were personally involved. The Final Report concludes with an assessment of the ways in which we failed to respond well during this time.

The Recommendations are The Stier Group’s suggested next steps for Grace Church to consider, and best practices for us to follow, as we move forward together. We are taking each of these recommendations seriously.

A Week for Prayer and Lament

One of The Stier Group’s recommendations is that “Grace Church should lament and grieve the harm before moving forward toward the future.” Our first step is a week of quiet prayer in the Chapel beginning on Sunday evening, March 16, and continuing through the weekdays that follow (Monday through Thursday).

Next week, during a Family Meeting on Sunday evening, March 23, we will spend more time in prayer, talk about our next steps, and provide answers to questions submitted in advance. At the end of this Family Meeting, the elders will be available to talk one on one with you as needed.

We do not view today as the end of a journey, but humbly approach it as the beginning of a process of healing and restoration.

— The Elders