CT Reports on Itself

As production of The Rise and Fall of Mars Hill progressed, another story was developing-inside the walls of Christianity Today. On March 15, 2022, CT released the results of an independent report from Guidepost Solutions, which outlined institutionally tolerated sexual harassment and misconduct along with failures in reporting and monitoring. To the heartbreak of many, some of the unhealthy behaviors that were being explored on this podcast were endemic at CT as well.
If the story of Mars Hill is about more than a particular church, we must consider how the institutions we love and serve model similar failures. We must be willing to pursue justice and submit ourselves to the costly work of repentance and restoration.
In this episode of The Rise and Fall of Mars Hill, host Mike Cosper turns over the microphone to pivotal voices in the CT investigation, including whistleblower and online managing editor Andrea Palpant Dilley and CEO Tim Dalrymple. Learn how CT’s informal HR policies hurt the organization and how a “ministry as family” attitude enabled predatory behavior. Listen as well to how CT plans to move forward as it seeks to respond with transparency, fairness, and accountability.
Links:
Timothy Dalrymple’s Editorial, “We Fell Short in Protecting Our Employees”
www.christiani...
Daniel Silliman’s Reporting, “Sexual Harassment Went Unchecked at Christianity Today”
www.christiani...
“The Rise and Fall of Mars Hill” is a production of Christianity Today
Executive Producer: Erik Petrik
Produced, written, edited, and hosted by: Mike Cosper
Associate produced by Joy Beth Smith
Music: Kate Siefker
Graphic Design: Bryan Todd
Editorial consulting: Kate Shellnutt, Senior News Editor

[@saltnlight8072]

Thank you, CT, and thank you, Mike. The transparency of the people and the organization is a blessing.

[@aliceinoregonland3942]

People dont report, because they are afraid of losing their jobs: this includes the victims, HR personnel and upper management! Companies/ministries are also afraid of law suits and by sweeping this behavior, under the rug, it will all just go away!

[@mj870715engelbrecht]

Has the accusations been proven to be true?

[@jefftipton2470]

You guys have seriously milked this topic. What’s this like episode 30 ?

[@gianni206]

Practicing what y’all preach. God bless you guys.

[@CasperLCat]

If you’re a man, it’s never a good idea, and it’s NEVER necessary, to touch any female in the workplace for any reason, beyond a single handshake on first mtg. Even if you’re a “hugger”, and it’s really NOT sexual on your end, why do you NEED whatever an innocent hug can give you, from a co-worker, of EITHER gender ? Whatever that is, you should be getting that need met elsewhere.

[@Window4503]

It goes both ways, but yeah, I’m not a huge fan of hugging in the workplace. The business owner I and my other female coworkers work for hugs us before going on a trip and I get the ick every single time.

[@killymorrison2136]

You're a great man of god.hes using you for such a time. It's not easy to have accountability

[@evktheartist]

I just want to follow Jesus and follow the scriptures as they are not as what our culture expects or demands. I want to please God in the end and a part of that is to uphold what He expects me to do. Walk with humility and to live rightly. May God bless everyone.

[@johnswope2208]

Sounds like you are encouraging partiality when it comes to hiring other than hiring the best person for the job regardless of race or gender.

[@EmbraceTerror]

I would be more impressed if management knew how to hire non-abusers, and more impressed if an organization that calls itself Christian (with all that talk (sermons) on righteousness, miracle healings, etc.) were capable of healing abusers -- either attendees or in the general population. But, I've never seen a glimmer of a possibility from any church or bible college attendee or leader I've met. Good luck with the new policies.

[@machtnichtsseimann]

( If you see this, hopefully...) It appears you are cynical or at least deeply skeptical since you have no evidence to be positive about sound institutions and leaders with integrity. Can relate! I can offer up my ( partial ) testimony about God and some good things Christians have done for me, mixed with the bad: Yes, I have had bad ( even spiritually abusive ) experiences within the Church ( specifically one community stands out of a "Charismatic" denomination - 4Square ). Been around leaders claiming "miracles" when they clearly didn't occur, as well as ostracizing "thinkers" who dared to engage in critical thinking. It was a threat to their positivity and high-emotion worship services. What is VERY ironic, seemingly, is that in that same community they offered prayer always at the end of the worship services, which did some authentic good. Including "Inner Healing", opportunity to receive a "word" from the Spirit, or just heartfelt support in prayer. Well? There were many times where my soul's pain poured out and there were decent, loving Christians there to hold me, sympathize, be especially and profoundly compassionate, and times of Words of Knowledge that sprung forth new Hope and Freedom. So, please be open to the possibility of wonderful Help and Community, though I would also strongly caution to be smart, discerning, wise as to whom you would avail your trust. "Christian" almost means nothing, because we are all fallen, fallible creatures. The especially super-spiritual types are prone to blatant hypocrisy and pride of their faults and sins. That goes for the more conservative AND liberal of Christian. Pride is an equal-opportunity consumer. And as for the abuse I experienced, yes, it has had a deep, deep impact upon me, which did lead me to seek out answers in books, knowledge, insight, which in turn led me to grow and mature and be more empowered as an adult. Redemption through harm. Overall, in the end, God showed me such Love and Understanding in ways that no human being has. It definitely sold me more on the Creator / Father / God of the Universe.

[@HearGodsWord]

Thank you for taking the time to talk about this in such an open and honest way.

[@maryherbert9082]

I appreciate this discussion. Right now in our cultural climate, I think truth is really important, and you are not hiding from it.

[@EmbraceTerror]

16:55 I can't listen to any more of this gibberish. With improved policies, you're getting closer. But relying on enough harms being reported AFTER THE FACT instead of recognizing abusers DURING an interview and not hiring them would be much better. If you also then healed the abusers, then I'd love to hear those podcasts of your success stories. Otherwise, "the church" with thousands of years of alleged truth under its bible belt is full of bulloney and hasn't got a clue about healing victims or their abusers.

[@PianoDisneygal10]

Can’t always recognize abusers the first instance you meet them.

[@EmbraceTerror]

@@PianoDisneygal10 Ok. And?

[@PianoDisneygal10]

@@EmbraceTerror so….you usually can’t avoid hiring them when you don’t even know that someone is an abuser.

[@EmbraceTerror]

@@PianoDisneygal10 That's a travesty. I've found that many if them give themselves away fairly quickly. It may take longer to spot them in interviewing situations than in casual conversations.

[@mphomathuba2942]

​@@EmbraceTerror you come across as somebody who might possibly be very difficult to work with. I could be wrong; in which case i apologize.

[@EmbraceTerror]

16:55 I can't listen to any more of this gibberish. With improved policies, you're getting closer to fewer harms. But waiting until enough harms are reported AFTER THE FACT instead of recognizing abusers DURING an interview and not hiring the abuser would be a more effective prevention method. If you also then healed the abuser, then I'd love to hear those testimony podcasts of your success stories. Otherwise, "the church" of any denominatiin with thousands of years of alleged gospel truth under its bible belt is full of bulloney and hasn't got a clue how to perform genuine healing miracles for victims and their abusers.

[@UglyOldGoat]

Where do men complain about unwanted provocative dress by women and men who identify as women? If we dare complain it is hate speech. Where is the CT institutional responsibility and accountability on the Christian virtue of modesty? CT is accurately named. Christianity Today is not Christianity Sola Scriptura.

[@Bob-sd8ns]

Misogynist here 👆

[@argentinisima]

Oh, you've complained long enough

[@Window4503]

Doesn’t give men a right to touch. Someone’s sinful reaction doesn’t absolve them because they “felt tempted.” Just as many victims have been dressed in sweats and a hoodie and still gotten unwanted advances so what you’re complaining about obviously doesn’t get to the root of the issue.