This petition is for everyone who believes the Austin Stone Community Church (of Austin, Texas) needs to invite an independent investigation of abuse and assess the organization’s knowledge of the abuse and if/how it responded to allegations and concerns. Stand with us and join the petition!

Dear Elders of the Austin Stone,

As a group of former staff, residents, partners, and congregants of the Austin Stone across various congregations and related entities, we stand with the multitude of concerned voices alleging a pattern of abuse on the Bodies Behind the Bus podcast and through voices and stories shared in a multitude of other places.

We believe the gravity of these allegations cannot be understated, nor adequately addressed should they be handled by parties that may carry the appearance of vested interests or potential biases. The integrity of the Austin Stone and related entities and the well-being of its congregants hinge on a process that assures impartiality, thoroughness, and transparency.  

We urge the elders to thoughtfully and decisively pursue taking the following steps in order to show their commitment to transparency, accountability, care of the flock, and justice:

1. We officially call the elders of the Austin Stone to invite an organization like NetGrace or Pellucid Consulting, and not a law firm, to conduct a true third-party investigation into the specific abuse allegations and the systemic environment at the Austin Stone and related entities in order to protect the interests of alleged victims and current congregants. Further, we implore the elders of the Austin Stone to allow that organization to publicly publish their findings without restriction by the Austin Stone or its leadership.

2. Openly provide the resources below and direct individuals to said resources instead of the pastoral care or church counseling teams, given the conflict of interest and bias that team would have in the current situation, especially for those who may have allegations to disclose but have not come forward yet.

• Austin Police Department, 512-974-2000
• Austin Victim Services Resources
• Dallas Therapy Collective 
• The SAFE Alliance, 512.267.7233
• National Domestic Violence Hotline, 1.800.799.7233
• NetGrace Survivor Resources

 

Signed with solidarity,

 

Kelley Dowling

Partner and KIDS Volunteer 2015-2020, For the City Staff 2016-2020, Counseling Center Client 2018-2019

Shannon Frawley

Partner 2006-2020, For the City Resident 2012-2014, 100 People Network 2014-2016, Austin Stone Counseling Client 2014-2024

Matt Dowling

Volunteer/Partner 2008-2021 (KIDS, Welcome, Parking)

James Gómez

Partner, Resident, Connections, Kids, and Leadership Director 2012-2017, For the City Director 2017 - 2020

Angela Gómez

Partner and Staff Wife 2012-2020

Sawyer Greer

Austin Stone Counseling Center Client 2019-2025, Attendee 2018-2020/2023-2024

Lindsey Paschal 

Partner 2008-2021, Attendee 2003-2008, Austin Stone Counseling Center Client 2018-2019, Kids Coach and Interviewer, Premarital Mentor, MWDP Leader

Katherine Creamer

Kids Volunteer and Worship Team 2012, Austin Stone Counseling Center Client 2012, and Partner/100 People Network 2010-2015

Bitia Buenrostro

Partner 2011-2020, For the City/RBI Staff 2014-2018, Kids Volunteer 2011-2013, Austin Stone Worship choir and translation team 2018-2020, Austin Stone Counseling Client 2014-2018

Charissa Shuttlesworth (née Jeannett)

Attendee 2005-2008, Partner 2008-2011, Kids Volunteer 2008-2009, Missional Community Co-leader, first wave resident in St John neighborhood ministry 2009-2013

Stephanie Barrera (maiden name: Jeannett)

Attendee and Partner 2005-2011, KidStuff Volunteer, Austin Stone Counseling Client, first wave resident in St. John’s neighborhood ministry 2009-2011

 

Katie Jennings

Attendee and partner 2008-2009, 100 people network goer 2009-2019, Austin stone counseling client 2018/2019-2020, attendee to the north campus 2023, received counseling from an elder at the stone 2018-2022

Kathryn Nance (maiden name: Drake)

Attendee and partner 2011-2019; welcome team member and leader 2014-2016; childcare provider; MWDP graduate 2015; Counseling Center client; Story Team member; RBI volunteer 2016-2017

David and Cyntreva Paige

Attendees/partners 2007-2013ish; KidStuff coaches 2008-2013; first wave residents in St. John’s neighborhood ministry 2008-2013

Erin Roberts

Attendee/Partner 2009-2018, Austin Stone Counseling Center Client 2014-2018, Kidstuff Volunteer 2012-2016

Karen Oden

Attendee and Partner 2013-2016, Students volunteer 2013-2014, Story Team Volunteer 2014-2015, Kids Volunteer 2014-2016,  Story Team Level 3 Intern 2015-2016, MWDP graduate 2016

Cameron Oden

Attendee and Partner 2013-2016, Students volunteer 2013-2016

Alex Hodges Lacroix

Attendee, Partner & Weekly Greeting Team Member 2015-2017

Tifarah Canion (Quinters)

Volunteer (greeter and parking lot), Partner, Attendee 2013-2017 

Austin Stone Counseling Center Client 2014

Rebecca (Ritchie) Hernandez

Attendee, Missional Community Member 2011-2012

Christen (Thompson) Mullan

Attendee, Missional Community Member, Missional Community Leader 2010-2014

Davina Adcock

Attended 9 years, Staff 4 years

 

Michelle (Peters) McKown

Partner (2008-2020), Goer (2011-2013), Kids/Students volunteer (2009-2017), Choir member (2009-2011)