Hyles' son-in-law is the latest to be caught.
Here is the list of pastors from the Hyles circle who have been caught abusing women and girls.
That post has over 4500 views now, and the number increases each week as people read about it. I am guessing that the victims and their families are wondering how many others suffered.
Jack Hyles was the ultimate hero to the Church Growth gurus, who only worshiped numbers.
He had the LARGEST church attendance in America in the 1970s. He was in all the Church Growth books. I read them at the Trinity Seminary library in Columbus.
Now Hyles is recognized as man who destroyed families and taught others to be exactly like him. He never went to prison for his criminal acts, but his son-in-law did.
When a sect covers up and lies about abuse, as WELS and Missouri have done, that is a good sign that the problem is widespread.
Missouri protocol is to destroy all evidence, because one case alone could cost them millions of dollars. If a DP has taken notes on clergy sexual abuse, he has to shred them.
If a blogsite like Steadfast (get the humor?) Lutherans articulates a DP welcoming a convicted sex offender into ministry training, the entire thread is erased by command of Matt the Fat.
When abusive clergy are moved around from district to district, so everyone can play dumb - that is an abusive sect.
When clergy and laity are trained to worship Holy Mother Synod and protect one another, abuse is bound to happen.
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| Sect members built this altar to worship Jack Hyles and his long-suffering wife. |