Abuse in The Crowded House - with Stephen McAlpine

The report has just been released into abuse at The Crowded House, an evangelical church in Sheffield in the UK.  

It’s a 98 page report exploring the spiritual abuse allegations that were levelled at the senior pastor Steve Timmis, author of the influential church leadership manual Total Church, and who was at the time the CEO of the global church planting movement Acts 29

The key question the authors attempted to address was to give a ‘comprehensive picture of Steve Timmis’ activities in relationship to the alleged harm caused to individuals, while serving as an elder at The Crowded House?’

A key report finding is that, 

‘There is sufficient evidence for the reviewers to conclude that whether intentionally or unintentionally the culture at The Crowded House was one in which some instances of emotional and/or psychological abuse took place as a result of persistent coercive and controlling behaviour in the name of Christian vision and ministry.’

Steve McAlpine was a trainee with The Crowded House in 2007, has written extensively on these matters.  He’s a senior pastor, a blogger and evangelist with the City Bible Forum’s Third Space. 

Read the response to the report from the The Crowded House elders here.

Anglican Aid

To find out more about how to support Anglican Aid go to http://www.anglicanaid.org.au/tph

Reach Australia National Conference

Reach Australia’s National Conference is happening from 19 to 22 May 2025 on the Central Coast of NSW. This year’s theme is URGENT: The Necessary Task of Mission Before Christ Returns.  For more info.

Support the show

--
Become a regular financial supporter of The Pastor's Heart via Patreon.