Ministry leader Gothard quits after abuse allegations

Bill Gothard, an Illinois-based advocate for homeschooling and conservative dress who assails rock music and debt, has resigned from the ministry he founded after allegations he sexually harassed women who worked at his ministry and failed to report child abuse cases.

Gothard’s resignation from the Institute in Basic Life Principles, according to a letter sent to families affiliated with the ministry, came a week after he was put on administrative leave. According to an organizer involved in the whistle-blowing website Recovering Grace, 34 women told the website they had been sexually harassed; four women alleged molestation.

Gothard told IBLP’s board of directors he wanted to follow the New Testament command to listen to those who made accusations against him, according to an e-mail sent from David Waller, administrative director of the Advanced Training Institute, to families involved in the ministry. In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus directs his followers to “go and be reconciled” if “your brother or sister has something against you.”