Letter 3 V.3 Re-release 07-27-2007
BEFORE YOU READ THIS LETTER.
IF YOU HAVEN'T DONE SO,
PLEASE READ
(letter # 1), (letter
# 2)
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Dear Pray’s Mill Members and Concerned; Thank you. Again, thank you all for all the kind words, letters, email, and phone calls of support. To say that the support is overwhelming is an understatement. The website has had over 1,700 viewers in less than 2 weeks of being on the internet. Thanks to those of you who have spread the word concerning issues which needed to be exposed at the church. I am sorry I can not get back to everyone’s emails and phone calls, but I will get in touch with you as soon as I can. Know that I appreciate them and please do not stop as they continue to lift my spirit. I had hoped to avoid another letter by getting a simple apology from Mike Everson, his staff and the deacons, but I guess they can not and will not do this for the church’s satisfaction and GOD’s glory, so I will bring out more evidence against them for your review so you can do what is best for the church with this letter and a 4th letter soon hereafter. Again, I say to you that all statements made by me are true in fact and in nature and nothing I am about to say is speculation or rumor. I will not say anything that is considered hearsay, rumor or untrue and I will be disclosing some things which may shock you as members of a church and you will not want, but you must consider and believe that what I am stating in this letter is true. If you do not want to read and hear the truth about these issues or have your spirituality world turned upside down, then DO NOT READ THIS LETTER as it will only hurt your heart as it has hurt mine to have to write about these issues. Many, many other issues exist that could be dealt with that did not personally involve me but were known by me and I will not discuss these issues or the individuals. I will only explain issues I have direct knowledge of, and which I was personally involved in. I am doing this to clear my mind and honor God so that I may move forward and put this behind me. In this third letter I will bring out more issues kept from the church and will show you clear violations of the By-Laws and Policy and Procedure manuals used by Prays Mill Baptist Church. As many of you have stated to me I am still considered a member of Pray’s Mill, especially considering the way my situation was shamefully exhibited and not resolved in accordance with and as stated in the by-laws. Also because of how it was handled by Mike Everson (who did not even face you as a church and “hid” using some health issue reason as an excuse to say he did not do it) and the deacons. Like your consideration of me still being a member, I to consider myself currently a member of Prays Mill, but I will not be attending or returning any time soon. But know that if requested, I will be there to help Pray’s Mill pick up the pieces and move forward. I will answer a couple of questions to start. 1. Why did you feel you had the right to monitor and check the computer system? First, I was told by Mike Everson to do it, and I, like you as a member, had the authority to do so. Below are a couple of sections which makes it very clear anyone could check the computers anytime – you or I. In the Policy and Procedure manuals used by Prays Mill Baptist Church employees, which was signed and agreed to for employment which includes the pastor and his all staff members we pay at Prays Mill, it is very plain and simple to understand. This is what it says: Section 9.5 No Expectation of Privacy Employees are given computers and Internet access to assist them in the performance of their jobs. Employees should have no expectation of privacy in anything they create, store, send or receive using the church's computer equipment. The computer network is the property of Pray's Mill Baptist Church and may be used only for church purposes. 9.5a-Waiver of Privacy Rights User expressly waives any right of privacy in anything they create, store, send or receive using the church's computer equipment or Internet access. User consents to allow church personnel access to and review of all materials created, stored, sent or received by User through any church network or Internet connection. 9.5b Monitoring Of Computer and Internet Usage
Pray's Mill Baptist Church has the right to monitor and log any and all
aspects
of its Computer
system including, but not limited to, monitoring 9.5c Blocking Sites with Inappropriate Content The Pray's Mill Baptist Church has the right to utilize software that makes it possible to identify and block access to Internet sites containing sexually explicit or other material deemed inappropriate in the workplace. So as you can see, as a member of the church you and I had the right to check the computers and system for anything. I was able to do it as a sub contractor and as a member of Prays Mill. 2. Were you getting paid to do the computer work? Yes , However I did it for several years (until 2001 or 2002) with no charge for my labor with the church paying for only equipment / software purchases and I also did the labor as a “gift” to the church. It got to be so much work at the church I had to start charging for my time until March 2007. But I still gave gifts in the computer area – such as Ms. Sharon’s monitor, the design of the website - which I paid others to help do, software, etc., among other things at the church. 3. Why didn’t we track our staff with software? I brought to Mike’s attention several times that we had a firewall, but we did not have “web security,” even showing him an example of another local church’s great software that I installed to monitor and block access to these sites. He never wanted to spend the money for this software. I also told him that the software would “keep up with what, when, and where a user went on the internet.” He told me “he DID NOT want that!” After having knowledge of him sending out his resumes to other churches, plus other hidden stuff he did on the computer, we know why he made this statement. If only he would have allowed this to be done, we could have done a lot of “damage control” at the church. Below is the section on web security issues. 9.5c Blocking Sites with Inappropriate Content Pray's Mill Baptist Church has the right to utilize software that makes it possible to identify and block access to Internet sites containing sexually explicit or other material deemed inappropriate in the workplace. 4. Doug, you were one of Mike Everson and his staff’s biggest supporters. What happened? To keep it short and to keep it simple ( otherwise read letter #1 discussing David) It all really started in the deacons meeting with C.J. Robert, Stacy and Mike in July /August when I heard them say they were going to allow David to resign due to “ health reasons” and I was given a copy of his letter confirming this ( which you can read for yourself by requesting this via email.) . That was my wakeup call. When the deception and lying started about “search committees” coming after him vs. him going after them and the sending of resumes from our computer system in the church, and doing this with the church paying him over $160,000 in salary/benefits, enough was enough!!! 5. There is rumor Jarrod Everson's church in Florida now knows about his viewing of pornography at Pray’s Mill. Is this true ? Yes it is very true, and I believe this is the reason for Mike Everson’s attempts to discredit me and harass me as a member at Prays Mill Baptist Church. Currently, only the deacons and staff know of his issues while he was here at Prays Mill. 6. You discussed Mike's salary, what about Ric and Clay’s salaries? Well, what I was shown by Vernon Collett in December, 2006 for Ric Blazi was:
I was shown Clay Cox’s number which showed in December 2006:
Make sure and check these for yourself. However I was recently informed that the numbers and other things were being changed or had been changed, so be aware. Also I was informed investments were being pulled away from the pornography and alcohol based companies as discussed in my previous letters. All I can talk about, or discuss with full knowledge concerns issues dealing with finances that I demanded to see immediately and without fail in December 2006 from Vernon. If you ask to see them and there is a delay, I would really wonder what is going on. 7. Are you having a hard time finding another church?
------------------------------------- I wrote: Moving on, below you will see a very small example of emails from me, evangelical and staff members and others at Pray’s Mill concerning several issues as discussed in my 5-04-07 opening letter #1. This first one is in reference to my concern for Ric Blazi’s notebook PC’s protection to Jennifer and for a meeting to discuss the issue (which never happened) with Mike Everson :
From: Doug Pittman [mailto:dougpittman@comcast.net]
………………..???? Also, as you know, Ric refuses (for some reason) to allow me to finish and check the needed software / protection installs on notebook – which make me suspicious….. I need that notebook to checkout and his other one which he says is dead? Please have Bro. Mike contact me ASAP concerning this. Doug Pittman 770.920.1120
….and the
next email was a very simple question concerning a payment on a FINAL
outstanding invoice
It starts out:
From: ceo [mailto:ceo@upward.us] Doug Pittman Check status please. Thank You. Doug Pittman Founder / Chairman Upward TechnologyInc. 770.920.1120 Then Clay responded:
From: Clay Cox [mailto:pmassocpastor@comcast.net] It will be mailed Monday. Clay Then also Mike Everson responded:
From: pmpastor@comcast.net [mailto:pmpastor@comcast.net]
Mike Everson Check written, awaiting Deacon approval. Will mail upon their approval. Mike Everson Then Clay responded again:
From: pmassocpastor@comcast.net [mailto:pmassocpastor@comcast.net]
Clay Cox No the letter will be mailed to you. Clay Then I responded:
From: ceo [mailto:ceo@upward.us] Doug Pittman Subject: RE: CHECK OK guys which is it.. I have gotten 3 different replies. 1.It will be mailed Monday. (From Clay Cox) 2. Check written, awaiting Deacon approval. Will mail upon their approval. (From Mike Everson) 3. No the letter will be mailed to you. (From Clay Cox) I hope there are no more games, I am ready to move forward and find my family another church. Do not need a letter I need the invoices paid. Doug Pittman Founder / Chairman Upward Technology Inc. 770.920.1120 Then for some reason Robert Reynolds responded:
From: Robert Reynolds [mailto:rreynolds@co.douglas.ga.us]
1. “will be mailed” 2. “will mail” 3. “will be mailed” Doesn’t sound like 3 different replies (or games) to me……. Then I responded:
From: ceo [mailto:ceo@upward.us] Doug Pittman Robert; One says 1. “It” 2. “check” 3. “letter” Yes Robert, these are confusing email responses to my simple question of “check status please – thank you”. Sorry I asked…. Doug Pittman Founder / Chairman Upward Technology Inc. 770.920.1120 Then Mike Everson’s Great response:
From:
pmpastor@comcast.net - Mike Everson Bless your heart........ still as confused as ever. Read the replies very slowly several times and maybe it will sink in. S L O W L Y . Mike Then I responded:
From: ceo [mailto:ceo@upward.us]
Doug Pittman Great Christ like response “pastor”?.. Doug Pittman 770.920.1120 Then Mike Everson responded:
----Original Message----- Just trying to help you understand, since there seems to be some difficulty in that area for you as evidenced by every deacon, as well as others, who heard you that Wednesday night! Then again, Mike Everson responded with 1 more final stab:
-----Original Message----- Time will tell. Besides, support from you and others like you have always been in question. I am just very surprised at you relating to Scripture since you have no difficulty violating the Word of God to seek to carry out your personal agenda. And as always, you never have names........................................ when the lid is off the can......... Have fun. I've got better things to do, so you can play without me. See ya. Mike Everson ------------------ OK. Now, wasn't that a nice response to a simple question? So now you can see the attitude come thru just because I ask the simple question “check status please?” This is just one example of what I received for the leadership at Prays Mill. I will expose the others later on the website. Now, on to the By-Law and Policy / Procedure violations. As you may know, Prays Mill Baptist Church's leadership/staff are required to follow strict policies concerning the church. There are documents (which as members are available for viewing anytime) called By-Laws and the other, called "Policy and Procedure Manuals". In these manuals, are rules which the church is to be governed by. I will disclose some of the issues in which I see clear violations from within our leadership. I cannot put them all in this letter, but will reference some of them for your review. Below you will see the direct violations of BY-LAWS AND POLICIES/ PROCEDURES manuals as signed by deacons and Mike Everson Pastor of Prays Mill Baptist Church: These concern how discipline is to be handled in the church, which has been repeatedly violated by the deacons and leadership at Pray’s Mill. 1. By Law violation Article 12 section 1, 2, and 3 – which says:
SECTION 1;
In all cases of personal difficulty between members of the church, the
parties involved shall endeavor to bring about reconciliation in the manner
laid down by our savior and recorded in Matthew 5:23-24, Matthew 18:15-17
and Galatians 6:1 As you will read below, it is my opinion that Mike Everson and the deacons clearly violated the BY-Laws of the church AND GOD’s word. Again I was never notified before, during and now after this blatant attempt to “railroad” me out as a member of Prays Mill for almost 48 years. Read my statement in the member letter # 2 to see more on this subject and how it was handled if you have not already done so. By-Law violation Article 13 Section 4 : A purchase order system will be in place to insure adequate budgeted funds are in place and not exceeded. The finance committee in consultation with the pastor, Chairman of the deacons, or treasurer shall issue the purchase orders. NO committee, board, department head, employee, or member may enter into an agreement to incur financial obligations for the church NOT covered by the budget process. Decisions involving financial obligations for the church may not only be made by the church in conference except the following: a committee comprised of the pastor, the chairman of the deacons, the chairman of the finance committee, and the treasurer may, at its discretion and without approval of the church in conference, add an unbudgeted amount to a line item to meet current day to day operational requirements and to maintain the integrity of the church. The church will, be informed of such actions at the next regular church conference. On many occasions Mike Everson allows credit card purchases and general expenditures without going through the approval processes Vernon Collect has in place, concerning items over $300.00 (which the credit cards are almost always maxed out and is a very hard unbudgeted item for the financial secretary and treasurer which have to contend with on a daily, weekly, and monthly basis.) As a small example, recently a “ New SHARP COLOR COPIER” was purchased because basically he wanted it. Nothing was wrong with the current copiers and printers except the cost was equal to getting something new. I advised them to sell the current models before they purchased a new $30,000 copier, (which was “sold, leased, rented” as a cost per copy plan and will cost even more over the years). The purchase was never disclosed to the membership. Many times during the years credit card usage was used for “unbudgeted items, as stated in my previous letters. The last credit card purchase I saw was for $1,200.00, for the purchase of Microsoft software without authorization or approval from anyone and was not done in the process as stated in the above stated Article 13 Section 4 By Laws. Personal credit cards were also used to buy items, and in my opinion, was reimbursed in a way to get around the Section 4 process. Another instance of By-Law violations. There were many Policy and Procedure violations which are going to be listed here for your review. Some will reference sections for you to research for yourself and others will be stated and referenced. These are policy/procedure violations seen by me. In one of my emails I received from a member a confirmation of what I said concerning the hours worked during the day by staff. I was told that indeed Ric left the office as I had claimed frequently for personal reasons, in which the member said in the email “I saw on a daily basis how he came home several times during the day”. Ric lives many miles away from Prays Mill which takes him at least 30 minutes or more to make the one way trip. Church, this is your tithe and offering money being misused and him not doing God’s ministry work. Other issues are: 1.3 Personnel Status 1.3a – excessive personal phone calls / personal business while at work from 8:00-4:00 p.m. 1.3b – Tardiness and absences – employees who are tardy or show a consistent pattern whether excused or unexcused will be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including termination. 1.3 d – grounds for discharge 1. dishonesty; 2. spreading rumors; 3. causing friction; 4. Immorality; 5. insubordination; 6. Public conduct adversely affecting the image of the church; 10. Failure to perform assigned task as prescribed by supervisor; 11.Excessive tardiness and or absenteeism; 12. Breach of ethics concerning confidentiality of members or employee information or church records. 1.3e – time records – Clocking in and out 1.6a Work Rules & Performance standards This is the section which I feel has been violated the most, SECTION 9 of the INTERNET/COMPUTER NETWORK ACCESS POLICY SECTION 9 INTERNET ACCESS POLICY Section 9 9.1-Disclaimer The Internet is a worldwide network of computers that contains millions of pages of information-Users are cautioned that many of these pages include offensive, sexually explicit, and inappropriate material. In general, it is difficult to avoid at least some contact with this material while using the Internet. Even innocuous search requests may lead to sites with highly offensive content. Additionally, having an e-mail address on the Internet may lead to receipt of unsolicited e-mail containing offensive content. Users accessing the Internet do so at their own risk and Pray's Mill Baptist Church is not responsible for material viewed or downloaded by users from the Internet. To minimize these risks, your use of the Internet at Pray's Mill Baptist Church is governed by contents of this policy. 9.2 -Permitted Use of Internet and Church Computer Network The computer network is the property of Pray's Mill Baptist Church and is to be used for legitimate business purposes. Users are provided access to the computer network to assist them in the performance of their jobs. Additionally, employees may also be provided with access to the Internet through the computer network. All Users have a responsibility to use Pray's Mill Baptist Church's computer, resources and the Internet in a professional, lawful and ethical manner, Abuse of the computer network or the internet, may result in disciplinary action, including possible termination. 9.3 Computer Network Use Limitations 9-3a-Prohibited Activities Without prior written permission, Pray's Mill Baptist Church's computer network may not be used to disseminate, view or store commercial or personal advertisements., solicitations, promotions, destructive code (e.g., viruses, Trojan horse programs, etc.) Or any other unauthorized materials. Occasional limited appropriate personal use of the computer is permitted if such used does not a) interfere with the user's or any other employee's job performance; b) have an undue effect on the computer or company network's performance; c) or violate any other policies, provisions, guidelines or standards of this agreement or any other of the policies or procedures of Pray's Mill Baptist Church. Further, at all times users are responsible for the professional, ethical and lawful use of the computer system. Personal use of the computer is a privilege that may be revoked at any time. 9.4 Duty Not To Waste or Damage Computer Resources 9.4a-Accessing the Internet To ensure security and avoid the spread of viruses, users accessing the Internet through a computer attached to the Pray's Mill Baptist Church network must do so through an approved Internet firewall or other security device. Bypassing Pray's Mill Baptist Church's computer network security be accessing the Internet directly by modem or other means is strictly prohibited unless the computer you are using is not connected to the Pray's Mill Baptist Church network. 9.4b-Frivolous Use Computer resources are not unlimited. Network bandwidth and storage capacity have finite limits, and all users connected to the network have a responsibility to conserve these resources. As such, the User must not deliberately perform acts that waste computer resources or unfairly monopolize resources to the exclusion of others. These acts include, but are not limited to, sending mass mailings or chain letters, spending excessive amounts of time on the Internet, playing games, engaging in online chat groups, uploading or downloading large files, accessing streaming audio and/or video files, or otherwise creating unnecessary loads on network traffic associated with non-business-related uses of the Internet. 9.4c-Virus Detection Files obtained from sources outside Pray's Mill Baptist Church, including disks brought from home, files downloaded from the Internet, newsgroups, bulletin boards, or other online services; files attached to e-mail, and files provided by customers or vendors, may contain dangerous computer viruses that may damage the church's computer network. Users should never download files from the Internet, accept e-mail attachments from outsiders, or use disks from other outside sources, without first scanning the material with Pray's Mill Baptist Church- approved virus checking software. If you suspect that a virus has been introduced into the Pray's Mill Baptist Church network, notify your immediate supervisor immediately. 9.5 No Expectation of Privacy
Employees are given computers and Internet access to assist them in the performance of their jobs. Employees should have no expectation of privacy in anything they create, store, send or receive using the church's computer equipment. The computer network is the property of Pray's Mill Baptist Church and may be used only for church purposes. 9.5a-Waiver Of Privacy Rights User expressly waives any right of privacy in anything they create, store, send or receive using the church's computer equipment or Internet access. User consents to allow church personnel access to and review of all materials created, stored, sent or received by User through any church network or Internet connection. 9.5b- Monitoring Of Computer And Internet Usage The Pray's Mill Baptist Church has the right to monitor and log any and all aspects of its Computer system including, but not limited to, monitoring Internet sites visited by Users, monitoring chat and newsgroups, monitoring file downloads, and all communications sent and received by Users. 9.5c-Blocking Sites With Inappropriate Content The Pray's Mill Baptist Church has the right to utilize software that makes it possible to identify and block access to Internet sites containing sexually explicit or other material deemed inappropriate in the workplace. 9.6 Acknowledgment of Understanding I have read and agree to comply with the terms of this policy governing the use of the Pray's Mill Baptist Church computer network. I also acknowledge that other references contained in this policy to "church" are referring to the Pray's Mill Baptist Church. I understand that violation of this policy may result in disciplinary action, including possible termination. So in closing this letter, I state to you that based on his own rules setup in April 1999, Mike Everson and his staff have repeatedly violated our church’s By- Laws, Policy and Procedures as stated in the manuals, and most importantly GOD’s Word. It is up to you what you do with this info I have presented so far, but I believe these are clear grounds for action from the church elders to restore our church’s integrity. I leave you with a note about the church and a response to an email I received from a Mike Everson fan. His message is in black with my answer in BOLD BLACK. Now portions of an email from a Mike Everson supporter: “I regret you have had a difficulty with Pastor Mike Everson, the staff and Prays Mill Church. I would simply remind you as a believer you have an obligation to love and forgive.” I agree. If your fellowship is not right with your fellowman, it is not right with God. I hope you can find peace within yourself and with others. If he and the deacons are man enough and “Godly” enough to apologize for their actions against me and others then this will be a first step for peace and joy within everyone’s hearts. What they did was an outright “attempt to discredit me and my reputations as a Christian.” I will fight forever to recover my character and reputation at Pray’s Mill. In closing, I believe God is using me to show them that their “arrogance” is totally opposite of the” Christ Like” attitude needed to be a minister and a true called man of God. / dp “ Praying for Prays Mill Baptist Church,
Doug Pittman |