Integrity in Ministry

We live in a time in which people have grown tired of ministries misusing money. It is commonplace in our day to hear of abuses, financial irresponsibility and shepherds who feed off of the flock. From the outset, I have made it a point to stand apart from all of this. While Roots of Faith does accept contributions, we seek to provide all of our services at no charge to any and all that have a desire to learn.

Several months ago, a person joined our Saturday morning service and shared a story that touched us all. This person claimed to live in an impoverished area in most miserable conditions. We were told that they did not even have water supplied to their home. I admit; I was moved by this and that very day we began to explore ways that we might practically share with these less fortunate souls. It was agreed that we should do something. A very close and trusted friend of mine took this mission on and several other caring individuals sent contributions towards the goal of digging a well for these people.

We were informed in mid-October that at least one other religious institution was claiming that this individual was a fraud. I immediately suspended this person from the Synagogue Without Walls, informed them of the reason, and asked them to respond to the charges that were published on another website. We then started an investigation into these allegations. While the investigation was ongoing, I told my close associates that I would not ban these people from listening to my teachings, nor would I come to any rash decisions as to their guilt. I wanted a thorough investigation. One of my associates recently sent a note to those under investigation that they should contact one of us if they needed any assistance so that we could make any decisions regarding help. The point of this request was to prevent them from soliciting members of Roots of Faith and the Synagogue Without Walls for funds.

This week, it has become apparent that this request was ignored.

I have consulted with several trusted members of my team and we feel that it is essential that we make this situation right. Although we did not intend for any of this to happen, we assume responsibility. We want to ensure that Roots of Faith is measured against the highest standards of integrity. Our plan is to offer to restore the funds to those who, like us, felt moved to give. This may take some time as we operate on a very minimal budget. I have asked for the names of those who gave towards the well and the amount that they gave. I will be contacting these contributors personally to set up a full restoration of funds for those who need or desire to have their money restored. There may be those who choose not to be refunded, but others gave money that they really did not have to give. It will be up to the contributor, but we will offer to make it right. Please understand that this may take us some time as I have determined to first pay the bills to keep the ministry up and running.

I do apologize for this entire situation. We have learned from this and hope that this will show everyone that Roots of Faith and the Synagogue Without Walls wants to be an example of honesty, integrity and transparency.

Thanks for your continued support and interest in Roots of Faith.

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Earth White Horse on December 16, 2010 at 9:39pm

Ross,

I wasn't faulting you or your ministry for what Naomi was doing.

Thanks for your concern. She still remains in our prayers.

L'chaim Meod.

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Permalink Reply by Leslie Campbell on December 16, 2010 at 10:50pm

This is a very big subject and you'll probably receive a variety of responses to this post, Ross, but I feel the need to speak up. I have been in a similar situation a couple times in my life, meaning, I felt the obligation to make up for losses that people experienced "on my watch", so to speak. Well, I'm here to tell you that we are all grown-ups and we should be using our own discernment and not relying on others. You are not responsible for other people's financial choices, you are only responsible for your own. Everyone on this forum has brains and hearts and the personal responsibility to use wisdom and make their own choices. It is truly disturbing to think that anyone would blame you for being human and making mistakes in judgment. We all do that. Torah is full of stories of human beings who made mistakes in judgment. RIght? That's what all humans do from time to time, and that's what keeps us humble.

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Permalink Reply by Leslie Campbell on December 17, 2010 at 12:14pm

One item of note today, Ross, in my opinion...

These people, recipients of Bernie Madoff's stolen money, these are people who need to return money to investors who were scammed. http://finance.yahoo.com/news/AP-source-Madoff-trustee-gets-apf-427...

A financial advisor's practice and a ministry are not the same at all, in my opinion.

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Permalink Reply by Ross Nichols on December 17, 2010 at 12:56pm

My decision to offer to restore funds donated to the well fund was carefully considered and prayed about. The offer stands as stated. I will be contacting those who gave with an offer to repay their money. Roots of Faith did not receive any of the collected funds. All money was sent to those that we believed were in need. All who gave did so out of concern for the story that we were told. Some that gave may not have had money to give. Often, people who wish to serve God are so generous that they give beyond their means. I would hate to know that anyone placed themselves in a hardship due to this and so I want to make this offer. No one has accused us of any wrong. We are doing this because we should all look for opportunities to make things right even when we were not the ones who did wrong. In this case, I am of the opinion that there can be no wrong in doing right. While some may see this as unnecessary, I will do as I have decided. Thanks for the comments. We have all learned from this. May you all have a wonderful Shabbat!

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Permalink Reply by Glenn C Judah on December 17, 2010 at 1:19pm

Well said !!

Ross Nichols said:

My decision to offer to restore funds donated to the well fund was carefully considered and prayed about. The offer stands as stated. I will be contacting those who gave with an offer to repay their money. Roots of Faith did not receive any of the collected funds. All money was sent to those that we believed were in need. All who gave did so out of concern for the story that we were told. Some that gave may not have had money to give. Often, people who wish to serve God are so generous that they give beyond their means. I would hate to know that anyone placed themselves in a hardship due to this and so I want to make this offer. No one has accused us of any wrong. We are doing this because we should all look for opportunities to make things right even when we were not the ones who did wrong. In this case, I am of the opinion that there can be no wrong in doing right. While some may see this as unnecessary, I will do as I have decided. Thanks for the comments. We have all learned from this. May you all have a wonderful Shabbat!

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Permalink Reply by Rachel Frank on December 19, 2010 at 10:20am

While I agree with Leslie, I just want you to know Ross, that your offer goes to prove/show your integrity. In a day when trust really does need to be earned, your offer goes far to prove you are worthy of trust!! One thing that we should all be praying for is discernment, since we live in a country with a huge percentage of people with attachment disorder (if you don't know what that is I highly recommend everyone look it up, because it is a very really disorder which makes people very manipulative and very good at fooling and spinning sad tales in order to get different things). But again I think we have all been fooled, and well your are right, it is always better to err of the side of righteousness, and part of that is being ready to give. So Ross please know that you are everyone who did give already erred on the side of righteousness, because God loves a cheerful giver, even when the person receiving isn't righteous.

Ross Nichols said:

My decision to offer to restore funds donated to the well fund was carefully considered and prayed about. The offer stands as stated. I will be contacting those who gave with an offer to repay their money. Roots of Faith did not receive any of the collected funds. All money was sent to those that we believed were in need. All who gave did so out of concern for the story that we were told. Some that gave may not have had money to give. Often, people who wish to serve God are so generous that they give beyond their means. I would hate to know that anyone placed themselves in a hardship due to this and so I want to make this offer. No one has accused us of any wrong. We are doing this because we should all look for opportunities to make things right even when we were not the ones who did wrong. In this case, I am of the opinion that there can be no wrong in doing right. While some may see this as unnecessary, I will do as I have decided. Thanks for the comments. We have all learned from this. May you all have a wonderful Shabbat!