Vineyard USA is call on a dissident congregation to launch a “thorough and independent investigation” into allegations of misconduct, narcissism and spiritual abuse.
“We pray for those who have been hurt, abused or otherwise affected by their time under Alan Scott’s leadership,” the denomination’s statement said. National leaders implore “current and former board members” of the church in Anaheim, Calif., to “fulfill their legal and spiritual responsibilities.”
Scott has not responded publicly and did not respond to CT’s request for comment.
His Southern California church was founded by the late charismatic leader John Wimber and was long considered the “mother church” of the movement. Scott and his wife Kathryn took over Vineyard Anaheim in 2018, then unexpectedly led the congregation out of the denomination in 2022. There was little explanation, beyond the assertion that they were following the leadership of the Holy -Spirit.
“We don’t really understand why,” Scott said in a sermon at the time. “We don’t always know what’s on the other side of obedience.”
A few former members of the church, which is now called Dwelling Place, have for follow-up for fraud, claiming Scott misrepresented his relationship with Vineyard in an attempt to gain control of $62 million in church assets. The building is debt-free and sits on more than five acres zoned for commercial use in Orange County.
Scott may also have been reacting to efforts to reorganize the vineyard to provide more oversight and accountability. National director Jay Pathak, who took office in January 2022, had dinner with the Scotts to talk to them about the direction he wanted to take the denomination — and ask them to play a role in strengthening oversight — just before announcing their departure.
The unrest caused by the separation prompted a number of people who worked under Scott at his former church in Northern Ireland to file complaints. The first was Luke Martin, host of a podcast explore questions about the Christian life. He interned at Causeway Coast Vineyard when he was a teenager.
“It was fine as long as you followed what the leader said,” Martin said. recalled. “But once you started having doubts, which I did, about what he was saying, it wasn’t appreciated. At best, you have been told, “You are not in touch with the Holy Spirit.” …At worst, you were told that you were working for the Devil. Literally.”
Others have told similar stories. The church’s former business manager said The Roys report that Scott claimed powerful spiritual insight and then used it to manipulate and dominate staff.
“He told us he could tell what our sins were before he met us,” Donna Finney said. “He also regularly stated that we were likely to dream of him, and if we did, he represented God in our dreams. »
The Causeway Coast and Vineyard Churches in the United Kingdom and Ireland have hired a human resources company to conduct an independent investigation. THE final reportreleased earlier this month, said there was compelling evidence of manipulation, narcissistic behavior and spiritual abuse.
“Some said Alan wrongly idolized himself,” the report said. “One incident mentioned by more than one respondent, regarding Alan in particular, included him getting off the stage mid-service and clapping himself, suggesting he was not receiving enough praise.”
Investigators heard from dozens of people in Zoom interviews and written statements, some spanning more than 10 pages. The majority were negative. Twenty-three people reported feeling spiritually abused. Nineteen reported being manipulated and nearly 30 left the Church feeling rejected.
Former staff said Scott cultivated a “culture of honor” that left “no room for questions or disagreements.” In one case, pastors were forced to physically bow down to Scott. He also occasionally presented himself as the “God-appointed” leader.
Those who encountered him told investigators they were privately reprimanded. Publicly ignored. Or humiliated at a staff meeting or in front of other church members.
Scott also created a culture obsessed with numbers and encouraged staff to compete with each other to increase attendance, salvations and cures. He pitted staff from two departments against each other, former church members said, asking which could report the better statistics. According to the investigation, this led to exaggerations and lies. Church leaders inflated attendance counts to gain Scott’s approval, sometimes by as many as 100 people.
Scott did not participate in the investigation to respond to the accusations.
The pastors who replaced the Scotts, Neil and Janet Young, first apologized to those who were hurt by the Church, but then said they did not fully agree with the report and resigned.
The investigation acknowledged that “not all incidents could be independently verified.” The report says, however, that there are enough overlapping stories and mutually confirming narratives to provide evidence of a clear trend.
“It is highly likely that most of the examples of behavior and issues raised occurred as described,” the report said.
In the United States, the denomination is also seeing a trend.
“The findings of this UK report are consistent with the numerous testimonies that have been provided to Vineyard USA since the disassociation of Anaheim Vineyard in February 2022,” the statement said. “Vineyard USA continues to pray for those who have been impacted by Alan’s leadership and will continue to work toward greater accountability structures.”
Vineyard USA set up a confidential tip line last year and received more than a dozen reports about the Scotts in a month. The stories include “allegations of spiritual abuse, manipulation, deliberate exaggeration, deception, humiliation” and “dismissive, overly spiritualized and controlling language.”
Faith leaders said they reached out to the church but were rebuffed and ignored.
Scott’s only public statement was made to his congregation in May 2022.
“Some people say certain things,” he says. said. “That’s what people do. People are talking.”
He described himself as “a lamb among wolves” and said he was blessed when people reviled him, as Jesus promised in Matthew 5:11.
He urged the Church not to get angry about it.
“God is doing something here too precious for us to allow,” Scott said. “Continue to be who you are, people of his presence, called by his Spirit. »
Meanwhile, in a California court, a judge agreed to dismiss the fraud suit against Dwelling Place on the grounds that the government cannot interfere with the hiring and firing of clergy or with the internal administration of a church.
Judge William D. Claster, however, invited the former members of the congregation to revise and resubmit their case. In examining the allegations, he note that “if everything alleged in their complaint is true, the Court understands why they would be upset.”
The complaint was amended to argue that “this civil action arises out of a secular, not ecclesiastical, dispute…regarding fraud.” The next hearing is scheduled for December 15.
