Why Steve Timmis Was Accused of ‘Spiritual Abuse’

Quick to Listen

Christianity Today

Religion, Christianity, Religion & Spirituality

4.3 • 622 Ratings

🗓️ 13 February 2020

⏱️ 49 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

Transcribed highlights of the show can be found in our episode summaries. Last week, CT published an investigative report on allegations of spiritual abuse by Steve Timmis, who previously served as the CEO of the church planting ministry Acts 29. But long before assuming the leadership in 2014, Timmis was known for his model of intensive gospel community developed at his 120-person church in England known as The Crowded House and for his books like Total Church: A Radical Reshaping around Gospel and Community. But not everyone who was part of Timmis’s close-knit church community felt warmly toward the church leader. According to our report: Fifteen people who served under Timmis described to Christianity Today a pattern of spiritual abuse through bullying and intimidation, overbearing demands in the name of mission and discipline, rejection of critical feedback, and an expectation of unconditional loyalty. People in these environments aren’t always aware they’re being abused, says Lisa Oakley, the co-author of Escaping the Maze of Spiritual Abuse: Creating Healthy Christian Cultures. “Psychological abuse is not a one-off. It's usually a series of incidents which when told by themselves can seem minimal,” said Oakley, now an assistant professor for the developmental psychology team at the University of Chester. “It's when you put that story together that you actually start to see this pattern of control.” Oakley joined digital media producer Morgan Lee and editorial director Ted Olsen to discuss what people should do if they think they are being spiritually abused, how spiritual abuse can also affect pastors, and why it may be hard for people in close-knit communities to realize the unhealthy state of their church’s leadership. What is Quick to Listen? Read more Rate Quick to Listen on Apple Podcasts Follow the podcast on Twitter Follow our hosts on Twitter: Morgan Lee and Ted Olsen Follow our guest on Twitter: Lisa Oakley Music by Sweeps Quick to Listen is produced by Morgan Lee and Matt Linder The transcript is edited by Bunmi Ishola Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0	This episode is brought to you in part by The Apologetics Guy Show, the podcast that helps you find clear answers to tough questions about Christianity.
0:11.1	Learn to explain your faith with courage and compassion. Join Moody Bible Institute professor Dr. Mikhail Del Rosario at apologeticsky.com.
0:23.5	Last week, our colleague Kate Sheldut published a piece investigating allegations of
0:28.6	spiritual abuse by Steve Timis.
0:32.2	Many of our American listeners may know Timis's name from his leadership as CEO of the
0:36.6	Church Planting Ministry, Acts 29.
0:39.3	But long before, assuming the leadership role in 2014, Timis was known for his model of
0:44.2	intensive gospel community developed at his 120-person church in England that was known as
0:50.6	the Crowded House. As the author of Total Church, a radical reshaping around gospel and community and everyday church,
0:58.8	gospel communities on mission, Timis developed an international platform for his teachings on
1:03.4	how to build a close church community.
1:06.2	But not everyone who was part of Timis' close-knit church community felt warmly towards
1:10.6	a church leader.
1:11.9	So I'm going to read something from our report.
1:14.1	It said, 15 people who served under Timis described to Christianity today a pattern of spiritual
1:19.4	abuse through bullying and intimidation, overbearing demands in the name of mission and discipline,
1:24.6	rejection of critical feedback, and an expectation of unconditional loyalty.
1:28.8	End quote.
1:29.9	One of the sources in the story, Pastor Melvin Tinker taught at a training program alongside
1:34.4	Timis and considered him a close friend.
1:37.4	But when he began to hear stories from others that Timis was, quote, unquote, dismissive,
1:41.7	when students shared alternate views on doing ministry, things changed.
	...

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