Steve Timmis' church 'truly sorry' for 'pattern of coercive and controlling behaviour'. CT.
A Sheffield church has issued an "unreserved apology" to all those "harmed" under the leadership of its former pastor Steve Timmis.
Timmis founded and led the Crowded House church, affiliated with the global Acts 29 network, until February this year when he resigned following accusations of spiritual abuse, and a culture of bullying and intimidation.
An independent learning review by safeguarding charity Thirty:One Eight has now published its report into the allegations.
It stresses that while no criminal or illegal behaviour took place, there was a culture of "heavy-handed leadership" and a lack of accountability.
"[T]he majority of participants in this review reported that, whilst there are things to admire about Steve Timmis and his ministry, there are also concerns about his leadership style," it said.
"These centre around a lack of accountability and a need for personal control over every aspect of church life that some participants in the review experienced as coercive, overly-controlling and stunting rather than enabling."
Members of Crowded House who participated in the review spoke of the "harm" and "hurt" caused by "unreasonable expectations", a "domineering" and "intimidating" leadership style, and "overbearing demands", all of which amounted to a culture of "misusing authority". CT.
