Greater Grace World Outreach Quits ECFA Amid Abuse Scandal

Embattled MD church admits ‘sins,’ vows unspecified reforms

Greater Grace World Outreach (GGWO) resigned March 25 from the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability while under accreditation review, the ECFA reported.

The move follows the Maryland-based megachurch’s announcement of a “roadmap” for reforms after an independent investigation uncovered mishandling of numerous sex abuse allegations. Critics call the roadmap too little, too late.

GGWO Senior Pastor Thomas Schaller reading the church’s January statement alongside other church leadership in response to GRACE’s report / Video screenshot

The ECFA requires members to uphold its Seven Standards of Responsible Stewardship. GGWO had been under review in regard to the governance standard, which requires “a responsible board” that actively and effectively holds the ministry accountable.

“When a ministry encounters failure — or even worse, scandal — its difficulties can almost always be traced to a breakdown in governance,” the ECFA explains in its governance standard description.

“Left unchecked, even minor board neglect can eventually intrude upon the accountability and effectiveness of the ministry. In contrast, the active, informed board will hold to the mission, protect the integrity of ministry objectives, and ensure consistent adherence to board policies,” it says.

Last December, an independent investigation agency called Godly Response to Abuse in the Christian Environment (GRACE) released a report analyzing the church’s response to claims of sexual misconduct. Focusing on 17 alleged perpetrators and their victims, GRACE concluded the church failed to protect its members from abusers.

“GGWO leaders have been involved, sometimes in the abuse itself and often in attempts to silence victims or smooth over situations — dynamics consistent with what many would reasonably term a cover-up,” the report stated.

In recommending a path forward, GRACE urged the firing of key leaders, including Senior Pastor Thomas Schaller, Youth Ministry Director Pete Westera, and Youth Pastor John Love.

Instead, GGWO responded with a preliminary statement read by Schaller himself, then on Feb. 5 published its roadmap, which vaguely referenced future leadership transitions without committing to a timeline.

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“GGWO is actively looking to the future and the transition that must inevitably take place. In some cases, a successor is apparent, and concrete steps are already being taken to pass the baton. In other cases, the next generation of leadership is not obvious at this point,” the statement said. “By far, the most challenging role to fill is that of the Senior Pastor, given the vital role this position plays in the life of our local congregation and our ministry. The Elders of GGWO Baltimore invite everyone to join them in prayerful consideration of future leadership for the church, trusting the Lord to guide our local assembly in His perfect timing toward a wise and smooth transition.”

Members of The Millstones, a whistleblower group of former GGWO members, criticized the church’s response.

In a written statement received by The Baltimore Banner, Millstones member Sari Heidenreich lambasted the lack of leadership change as “yet another example of their continued refusal to take full responsibility for the ways they have failed victim-survivors of sexual abuse who came to them for help.”

A social media post by The Millstones lamented, “The number one person GRACE recommended step down was the one who read the statement.”

Former GGWO member Alissa Byrne Scibelli told The Baltimore Banner the church should permanently close.

“It’s time for consequences,” she said. “This church has repeatedly hurt people and failed people.”

While retaining its leadership for the time being, GGWO did confess to a history of poorly handled sex abuse allegations, but stopped short of naming specific individuals who failed to prevent abuse or protect victims.

“Where we have been wrong, we repent. Where we have been ignorant, we apologize and commit to being better-informed and educated about best practices in the field of abuse prevention. Where we have been insensitive, we say, ‘We are deeply sorry,’ Schaller said, reciting the January statement. “As elders and leaders in the GGWO church, we repent of our shortcomings, imprudence, and sins.”

The roadmap focused on policy shifts such as creating a sex allegation “response team” and requiring leaders to be trained in trauma response. In addition, GGWO announced a “thorough academic analysis of Greater Grace Church in Baltimore and Maryland Bible College and Seminary” as an answer to the GRACE report’s criticism of the church’s “authoritarian power structure rooted in the teachings of late founder Carl Henry Stevens Jr.”

“Certain aspects of our teaching have, at times, been misused by leaders, underscoring the need for continued clarity,” the roadmap statement read, neither directly confirming nor denying the validity of any of Stevens’ teachings.

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