401 – Tim Whitaker & TNE – Still Not Getting It

This Episode will be released on both The Unlearning Curve and the Desert Sanctuary podcasts. This episode is an introduction to the situation, and the second episode dives deeper into how we have operated in the past and how people enable the abuser to behave badly (led by Megan South Benninger).

History

During the 2023 incident with platforming an accused abuser at the Theo bros beer camp, The New Evangelicals and Tim Whitaker were deeply involved in participating and promoting. When abuse survivors asked for an explanation, they were ignored, dismissed, and harassed, including me.

Megan Benninger joined us on the Desert Sanctuary Podcast to discuss the incident, but very few supportive actions were taken by the speakers who were encouraged to speak up. Tim responded with a video, after 5 minutes of research and talking to the accused abuser, that was eventually removed by his board. Here is our podcast episodes if you want that history. I will also include other episodes that followed, with several others.

The Current Situation

Last year (2024), there was an incident between Tim Whitaker and a female employee, which was severe enough to warrant an investigation by Grace, an organization suited to helping groups like churches get the facts about issues that arise.

Here are some of the blogs that came out.

The Organization Comes First – Karl Forehand

TNE Reckoning Announcement – from RV and W1(link to report)

Allegations against Tim Whitaker and The New Evangelicals show how hierarchy transfers to progressive ministries – Rick Pidcock

That time I got an angry call from the subject of an article about anger and abuse –

Rick Pidcock

Is Nowhere Safe? 5 Things Whistleblower Helpers Should Do Instead of Repeating Harmful History – Rebecca Hopkins

TNE and Trauma: Not So Fast is Wiser than Let’s Move On – Tia Levings

Bodies Behind the Bus Podcast

The Net Grace report was a thorough report, but even while the online communities were trying to digest it and report on the situation, Tim Whittaker behaved badly and tried actively to convince people not to make this a big deal. The incident involved rage driving, which traumatized the victim, and Tam posted a video at his workout facility with the song “Student Driver.” Various things led us to believe that he was not serious about changing or the allegations, TNE was partially responsible for enabling this behavior.

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Karl Forehand is a former pastor, podcaster, and award-winning author. His books include Out into the Desert, Leaning Forward, Apparent Faith: What Fatherhood Taught Me About the Father’s Heart, The Tea Shop and Being: A Journey Toward Presence and Authenticity. He is the creator of The Desert Sanctuary podcast and community. He is married to his wife Laura of 35 years and has one dog named Winston. His three children are grown and are beginning to multiply! You can read more about the author here.