A few weeks ago the Canadian Salvation Army took a pro-active step, a step many churches and their denominations would not do, wouldn’t think of doing.

They released a statement that essentially said: we have a problem, and right now we don’t know how big this problem is. We know it’s ours and we are working with each other and with appropriate others to deal with it.

The PR (press release) didn’t make much noise, but then again it is the Sally Ann. We tend to trust them, take them for granted and expect them to do the right thing. Being the Salvation Army, they released it, stepped back and went about their business.

Yesterday the Globe and Mail broke the story open (no doubt with the help of the Toronto Police) and later that day CTV announced charges against a SA employee. There are unanswered questions, but what I want to point out is a class act. Walking the way Jesus Christ called people to walk and talk.

Man, I wish more churches would get this attitude on the collective level. Ian’s Messy Desk posted the PR from the Canadian Salvation Army after the police and media had done their jobs.

1. We have a problem.  Here it is.

A former employee of The Salvation Army, Ming Wa, who worked in the national headquarters finance department in Toronto from January 20, 2003 to December 16, 2005 as a property accountant, has been arrested and charged with Fraud over $5,000 and Falsification of Books and Documents by Toronto Police Services.

2. We are all affected, this hurts. From the top down and the bottom up we are all hurting.

We are shocked that any employee of The Salvation Army would act with such disdain and disrespect for the important work we do in more than 400 communities across Canada.

3. We see ourselves as stewards and put measures in place for such a time as this.  No excessive railing against failure, no public blame game, good framing about accountability first to the church and those they serve - then to those of us watching. Here is what we believe we need to do and what boundaries we will set.

We would like to assure our donors and supporters that we see this fraud as an unusual and isolated circumstance, not one that can be repeated.  However, under the direction of external auditors, we are reviewing all of our accounting and auditing practices.

4. We know who we are.

We have strong programs that help hundreds of thousands of Canadians each year.  The faithful support of our donors in the past has made a significant difference in the lives of real people in desperate need, and this valuable work needs to continue.

5. Thank you for for who you are. In acknowledging the theft, in acknowledging the hurt from the top down and the bottom up, in letting the police and media do their jobs, I admit I wasn’t expecting this last paragraph. I’m so used to corporate defensiveness. I’m so used to dissembling. This is leadership.

The Salvation Army has been serving the needs of vulnerable members of our communities across Canada for more than 120 years.  We are very proud of our heritage, our work, and our dedicated officers, members, volunteers and employees.