Redeemer Baptist Church and authorities respond to claims by former church members
The Redeemer Baptist Church wants the world to believe it’s a loving Christian community devoted to doing God’s good work, and that the elite school it operates in Sydney’s western suburbs is a perfect example of that.
But if that’s the case, why is the church now being so vociferously challenged?
Alexandra Garth was born into the church, unaware of the control she would experience. Nine
In a joint 60 Minutes, The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age investigation, former insiders make serious allegations about Redeemer, saying it’s built on a foundation of control, exploitation and questionable financial dealings.
They also accuse church elders of dominating the lives of members, deciding who they marry, what careers they pursue, even their living arrangements.
And anyone who tries to leave the church needs to be aware the consequences are as severe as they are heartbreaking.
Former insiders have made serious allegations about the Redeemer Baptist Church in Western Sydney. Nine
Response from Redeemer Baptist School and Church
“Redeemer Baptist School is a NESA registered school, a charitable entity under the ACNC, and a recipient of recurrent student funding, meeting the requirements of the NSW and Federal governments.
We are fully accountable to these regulators in terms of annual independent audits of the accounts, an annual report meeting the ACNC’s standards, and to governments for the spending of student funding only on school operations.
To this end, we are no different to almost all independent schools.
Where we are different - as stated in our annual reports - staff at Redeemer Baptist School are members of the Ministry Order of Redeemer Baptist Church. The members of the Ministry Order are volunteers, who work in the school in response to a calling from Jesus Christ to serve students and their families.
Members of the Ministry make a personal commitment to live a life of holiness in Christian community which finds expression in a biblical lifestyle of prayer, charity, love, good works and chastity. We encourage and submit to each other in pursuing these goals. On the rare occasion when someone decides that they do not wish to continue to live our Christian vocation, we are naturally disappointed, but we wish them the best for their future.”
Statement in response to list of questions:
Your questions imply wrongdoing or significant omissions by our Church and our School in our duty of care to our members – we reject those assertions and remain concerned that you are being seriously misled.
The Redeemer Baptist Church Ministry Order is a Religious Order under the direction and supervision of Redeemer Baptist Church. All members of the Order have chosen a lifestyle of sacrifice and have as their primary activity the practice, study, teaching and propagation of religious beliefs.
This includes community volunteering such as teaching roles for those who are suitably qualified and we encourage volunteer work by Year 13 students if they wish to do so.
Some members of the Order receive a stipend for support – the NSW Supreme Court ruled in 2006 that this could not be called a wage or a salary and was unrelated to volunteer activities.
Our Order is a community which is open to many different national and religious backgrounds. We welcome new members who share our beliefs and we do not prevent anyone from deciding that our vocation is not for them.
If someone decides that they wish to leave, we are naturally disappointed and speak to them out of pastoral concern – ultimately respecting their decision and wishing them the best for their future.
Just because our practices are unfamiliar it does not mean they are unlawful, coercive or abusive and we reject the attempt to portray us as anything other than a law-abiding community with strong Christian faith and practices.
Your questions contain significant misinformation which requires correction:
- The governance and operation of our entities adhere to Australian regulations and laws including the ACNC. Any monies paid to related parties are audited and reported as required.
- Our entities are all mandatory reporters for child safe matters and we adhere to the requirements around training, as well as policies/procedures including Working With Children Checks. Any allegation of a child protection nature is reported to relevant authorities including Police and is referred for independent investigation. The specific examples you raise have all been responded to in a legally appropriate and sensitive manner. In regards to [name redacted] and [name redacted] who you specifically mention, they have been found not guilty in courts of law. In relation to the comment about policing underwear colour – this does not occur.
- Redeemer Baptist School is a NESA registered school, a charitable entity under the ACNC, and a recipient of recurrent student funding as we meet the requirements of the NSW and Federal governments. We are fully accountable to these regulators in terms of annual independent audits of the accounts, an annual report meeting the ACNC's standards, and to governments for the spending of recurrent student funding only on school operations.
- Elders of the Church, including Russell Bailey and Jonathan Cannon who you reference – sacrificially serve the members of the Ministry Order. They do not monitor or exercise control or power over the lives or financial accounts of members – and members are able to spend their money as they wish and within their beliefs and priorities.
- As with any school, students are provided with career advice and assistance in selecting their university preferences – but they retain their own passwords and control over their choices at all times.
- School students clean the School for approximately 20 minutes each Friday as part of learning responsibility and practical skills to look after where they live, work and study.
- We are not prepared to comment on individual members or former members particularly where those matters relate to mental health or other private family matters where recollections may differ. I can assure you that as a community we are law abiding in the way we live our lives.
Many of the questions put to Redeemer conflate Redeemer Baptist School, Redeemer Baptist Church, the Ministry Order, family households and private pastoral matters in a way that is misleading and unfair. We also wish to advise that we have no awareness of the following contained in your questions:
- We have not had any reports of elders holding copies of birth certificates.
- We have not had any reports of elders restraining or following anyone who chooses to leave our community.
- We are unaware that any elders have been asked to provide permission for members to drink alcohol, grow facial hair or have body piercings – however, it is our view that consumption of alcohol is not consistent with our Ministry.
- Like any other Australian, individual members of our community may of their own volition apply for Centrelink benefits, but we can confirm that neither Redeemer Baptist School nor Redeemer Baptist Church relies on Centrelink benefits in any way.
- We have had no reports of students, including international students, being forced to stay in any teacher’s home, sharing bedrooms inappropriately, or being routinely moved out of their parents’ home. Students are not prohibited from talking or interacting with the opposite sex. We have not heard any of these claims until your questions.
We have gone to considerable trouble to address your questions and to provide you with as much information as possible.
We remain concerned that you are being misled and that ill-informed commentary has the potential to significantly impact on our community which includes nearly 600 school students.
In particular, I am very concerned that these students and their families travel on public transport, work and shop in broad community settings and that they will unfairly become targets because of false accusations.
I ask you to seriously consider the accuracy of your information source before you print or broadcast anything.
Thank you in advance for your thoughtful consideration.
Statement from Federal Education Minister Jason Clare
These are very serious allegations.
I’ve referred this to my Department to investigate.
I’m advised the New South Wales Education Standards Authority that accredits all schools in that state will also investigate these serious allegations.
Statement from NSW Deputy Premier and Education Minister Prue Carr
“These reports are deeply concerning. Parents have a right to know their children will be safe at school, and that funding intended for schooling is being used appropriately.
“It is entirely appropriate that NESA is investigating these matters. Where issues fall outside its jurisdiction, they will be referred to the relevant authorities.
“I have asked NESA to keep my office updated on the progress of its investigations.”
Statement from NSW Education Standards Authority
“We investigate all information brought to our attention, in addition to our regular inspection program, to ensure funding is used appropriately and schools meet their registration requirements.
“NESA is investigating matters raised relating to teacher accreditation, school registration compliance and funding obligations.
“Any relevant information will also be referred to the appropriate authorities, including the Office of the Children’s Guardian and NSW Police, where required.
“Any substantiated breaches of NESA’s registration requirements may place a school’s registration at risk.
“The safety and wellbeing of students across NSW schools remains the priority.”
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