contact@eastminstertruth.org

Church Response: Progress Made, Full Accountability Still Needed

Recent Progress We Welcome

Law Enforcement Contact

After sustained pressure, church contacted law enforcement and agreed to cooperate. This validates survivor demands for independent investigation.

NDA Waived

Both parties waived the 2008 non-disclosure agreement after survivors exposed the church's false claims about who initiated it.

Systemic Failure Admission

Church admitted "systemic failure to provide proficient oversight" - validating what survivors have said all along.

Ongoing Problems That Need Resolution

Timeline Credibility Continues to Erode

2007 Police Investigation Hidden

KWCH FactFinder revealed police investigated Weiss in 2007 after he left Eastminster. Church never disclosed this investigation existed, showing pattern of concealment.

Conflict of Interest Cover-up

Used church member Randy Coffman as "independent" investigator without disclosing this conflict to victims.

False NDA Claims

Falsely claimed 2008 victim's family initiated NDA when church actually initiated it.

Investigation Access Still Restricted

  • • Full report (100-200 pages) remains completely hidden
  • • Only 6-page summary available to victims and members
  • • Out-of-state survivors must travel to Wichita to read findings
  • • No redacted public version to warn community

No Systemic Changes

  • • No bylaw changes requiring law enforcement reporting
  • • No prohibition on future NDAs
  • • No support for legislative reforms
  • • No truly independent oversight implemented

What Still Needs to Happen

Immediate Transparency

  • • Release redacted version of investigation summary to protect community
  • • Explain 2007 police investigation and why it was concealed
  • • Disclose all other unreported investigations or incidents
  • • Commission truly independent investigation by GRACE

Institutional Reform

  • • Change bylaws to require direct law enforcement reporting
  • • Prohibit NDAs for abuse cases permanently
  • • Implement external oversight and accountability measures
  • • Support Kansas legislative reforms (HB 2300, SOL elimination)

Why Individual Progress Isn't Enough

KWCH Investigation Shows Pattern

2007 police investigation + church cover-ups prove systemic institutional failures that voluntary compliance can't fix.

Legal Gaps Remain

Kansas clergy still not required to report abuse. Same laws that enabled this cover-up threaten other children today.

Prosecutorial Accountability Needed

2007 case shows prosecutors can decline abuse cases without explanation. We need DA accountability alongside institutional reform.

Take Action Now

Recent progress shows pressure works. Keep demanding full accountability and legislative reform.