A Statement on Harassment at Christianity Today

15 March 2022—This afternoon I read a report from Christianity Today, where I worked and had leadership roles from 2005 to 2016, on instances of harassment experienced by women there over many years. I feel great grief for the experiences described in the report, and above all for the fact that they follow a consistent pattern. I feel remorse that I shared responsibility for sustaining an environment where such behavior could happen without being promptly and fully addressed.

I know Andrea Palpant Dilley and admire her tremendously. Her faithfulness and truthfulness, as a Christian and as a journalist, are exemplary. If she says women’s dignity was diminished by acts of harassment at CT, that is the truth. I had opportunities to work alongside Amy Jackson and considered her one of my most valued colleagues. If she says she experienced a hostile environment, that is the truth.

I worked closely with Mark Galli for most of my time at CT, and worked in 2015-2016 in direct partnership with him leading CT’s editorial and design teams. I never knowingly witnessed behavior like that described in this report, nor do I recall anyone approaching me, formally or informally, with information that such behavior might have happened. Because I was not in “line” management it is not surprising that I was not part of any confidential conversations, but I do not recall hearing anything at any time about formal or informal complaints about Mark’s behavior. (I did hear in 2016, extremely briefly and in a context that suggested management was aware of the situation, about at least one complaint about harassing behavior by Toks Olawoye.)

I do not say this to excuse myself from responsibility. To the contrary, I am deeply sorry if I was not seen by my colleagues at the time as someone who could be trusted enough to approach personally for support and as an ally in seeking decisive organizational change.

I would have characterized the ethos at CT, during my time there, as one that consistently spoke of the equal dignity of women and men, and sincerely though imperfectly sought to promote and advance women in leadership. This ethos was set by the board and CEO and I was grateful for it. I also witnessed Mark Galli affirm and advance this ethos on several occasions. It grieves me inexpressibly that despite our professed commitments, some of our colleagues experienced insults to their dignity and standing as daughters of God, sisters in Christ, and valued partners in our work together.

I am grateful that the current board and executive leaders of CT, most of whom I also personally know and admire, are pursuing truth, repentance, and repair. I am praying for them, for those identified in the report as having committed harassment, and above all for all those who have courageously told the truth in ways that can ultimately lead to restoration and greater health in the future. For my part I ask God’s mercy, and theirs, for what I may have done or left undone such that any person was vulnerable to exploitation or any person with power was protected.

Lord, have mercy.