For anyone who didn’t get the e-mails here they are.
First from Recovering Alumni at http://teenmaniahonoracademy.blogspot.com
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Hi Fellow Alumni,
Over the past several years, there have been many Honor Academy alumni that look back at the internship and wonder, “What was that all about?” For the most part, we enjoyed our time at the HA but when we re-entered the real world our expectations collided with reality. Confusion, depression, pain and isolation are just a few of the things we’ve experienced as we try to make sense of our experiences. After talking with many alumni and processing through my own experiences, I’ve come to realize that many of us are in the same boat. The legalistic and performance based atmosphere wounded us spiritually and emotionally. Some of us are constantly trying to get back to the spiritual high of our intern year but instead can’t shake the nagging feeling that we will never measure up. Instead of joy, we are burdened by our Christian walk. And we keep wondering what we are doing wrong.
I have good news for you. You are not alone. It is not your fault. You were taught some very bad things about who God is and how He feels about you.
Instead of continuing this journey alone, we are now on the journey to healing and wholeness together. If you were wounded at the Honor Academy, there is a safe place for you to talk about your negative experiences without being labeled bitter, backslidden or weak.
Visit the blog to read stories from your fellow alumni as well as critiques of HA teachings and culture that point the way to grace, freedom and love.
I hope you’ll take the time to see what we are doing and, if you need it, find a safe place to begin the healing process.
Peace,
Recovering Alumni
www.teenmaniahonoracademy.blogspot.com
PS – The Board of Directors is now looking into the specific allegations I’ve made regarding the spiritual, emotional and physical abuse that occurs at the Honor Academy. They are asking interns to share their story so they can best decide how to proceed. For all the details, including how you can participate click here.
PSS – If you disagree with the premise of this blog, please read the comment policy before responding.
I don’t plan to email you again, but if you want to make sure you aren’t contacted, simply reply with “unsubscribe.
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Second is the reply from Ron Luce at www.teenmania.com
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Dear Honor Academy Alumni,
I wanted to write a note to you in reference to an email that many of you received recently. Unbeknown to us, an alumni from many years ago, managed somehow to get the list of all of your email addresses and emailed you without our permission. We’re very sorry for the inconvenience.
We’re not sure how he/she got the list, but we feel that this was definitely a breech of privacy and for that, we are very sorry.
As to the content of his/her letter, we just want each of you to know that we have tried repeatedly to dialog with him/her to help him/her work through the struggles and challenges that he/she’s facing. We all know that the internship year is a very intense challenge. Some people respond differently than others. The program is designed for Honor Academy participants to grow spiritually and emotionally. We know, however, that there are some who have experienced the Honor Academy challenges personally in ways that they have not been able to fully understand or overcome.
We have repeatedly tried to reach out to this person, but he/she does not seem to really want to dialog in a personal manner to resolve conflict as outlined in Matt 18, or to make the Honor Academy better. He/she did, as he/she mentioned, send a letter to our Board of Directors, who are reviewing the matter as they review many matters proceeding in this ministry on an ongoing basis.
Please note that many of the challenges from this person’s blog and letter are challenges that we’ve long since improved upon since he/she was an intern, as Dave Hasz and staff constantly are receiving feedback from interns and alumni; so that each year is progressively better and more improved. From the Life Transforming Events, to the ministry opportunities, to the deep impact upon each intern’s life as they move forward in advancing the Kingdom.
Please join me in praying for the individual who is still recovering from his/her time at the Honor Academy and those that he/she has gathered around her that God would really perform a healing in their hearts and lives. If any of you still have concerns or questions about your time in the internship please always feel free to contact us to resolve the concerns and reach a place of wholeness. You can reach David Hasz at david.hasz@teenmania.org, and he is ready and willing to listen to your concerns and take action on them.
Please know that I honor you and the sacrifice you made while being an intern; laying down your life, and pouring out your heart to reach a generation. We at Teen Mania are continuing to build on that foundation so that we can reach more people then ever – both young people here and people all around the world with the life-changing power of Jesus Christ.
Soon you will see a response from our Board to the concerns raised by this recovering alumni posted on our website, and we’ll be happy to notify you when that’s complete.
Consumed by the Call,
Ron Luce
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So that’s what all the hoop-la is about.
My personal concerns about RA(Thats the tag that Recovering Alumni goes by) are three.
My first is that there are a lot of wine-ers and complainers at her site who are looking for someone to blame for thier own poor choices, and they choose to do so anonymously.
Second, I personally belive that if something is worth complaining about, it’s worth signing your name too. By not being that face, that person behind the complaint, you are only adding to the handful of legitamate complaints out there. This thought also applies to RA’s tendencies to delete comments. As you are all well aware, I consider deleting comments to be censorship, and censorship is only one more way of attempting to forcebly mold others to your way of thinking. In more descriptive lauguage, stop being like the fench cowering in fear and grow a pair.
Third, RA’s site is great! I fully belive, with a few minor tweeks and adjustments, some open windows, some fresh air, that every incoming intern should thouroughly read and research the stories on that site. It will serve two pourposes, one of which is to warn the incoming and hopefully keep them from being that “super intern” who gets off on “lording” his own percieved wisdom and knowledge over others. Or teach the incoming that the above described person is wrong in thier thinking and that if seen correcting actions needs to be taken.
As far as Ron’s response. I think it is what is expected of the ministry, an attemp to add some calm to the storm while the ministry sorts out what to do. Which hopefully includes fixing the “super intern” issues and finding a way to descourage that attitude in the future.
I have always fought that fight on a personal level. I stood up when I saw wrongs committed, and there were many. I have the pink slip to prove it. But my complaints were always heard, and listened to. I took them directly to whom they belonged and did not leave till my point was made.
More descriptive launguage, I was forced by my life circumstanses to “grow a pair” at nine years old. See my previous post about my grandma. I’ve since always strived to be brave, honorble, and integris. May you do the same.
