For years, across multiple churches, staff members and lay leaders have tried to hold Alan (and his associates) accountable for the corrupt culture of abuse (including the fog of secrecy, lack of transparency, crushing hierarchy, constant scrutiny, and pervasive shaming).
Here are the steps taken towards biblical accountability and corrective action, according to Matthew 18.
Matthew 18:15-17
“If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over. But if they will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’ If they still refuse to listen, tell it to the church; and if they refuse to listen even to the church, treat them as you would a pagan or a tax collector.”
Biblical Direction: Step 1
“If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you.”
What Happened
Many victims tried raising concerns of abuse, harm, and manipulation while still attending the church. They were belittled and made to feel naive for raising concerns. As staff members or lay leaders, they were then slowly stripped of their titles and pushed out of the community.
In addition, there were no formal systems in place to report abuse of any kind.
Biblical Direction: Step 2
“But if they will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’”
What Happened
Dozens of individuals then shared their stories with the leadership of Vineyard USA.
It is important to note that according to the bylaws, the Board of Dwelling Place Anaheim (DPA) does not have real power over Alan Scott. Additionally, as DPA employees under Alan, many of them have conflicts of interest.
In accordance with the principles of Matthew 18, VUSA placed these in front of Alan and the Board of DPA. Their response was to deputize their own legal counsel to conduct an internal review, headed by a board member of the DPA.
To the best of our understanding, no one was willing to participate in a process that was overseen by a firm and board member whose interests are aligned with Alan Scott.
Furthermore, the leadership team at Vineyard Churches of UK and Ireland (VCUKI) and Causeway Coast Vineyard (CCV), the church that Alan led for decades prior to taking over Vineyard Anaheim, conducted their own investigation into Alan’s behavior while leading CCV. See the report HERE. Their conclusion was the same as what was stated above, “repeated patterns of behaviour including examples of manipulation, inappropriate comments, narcissistic behaviour, and certain occurrences of public shaming and spiritual abuse”. VCUKI and CCV reached out to Alan to address these issues, and he did not respond.
Biblical Direction: Step 3
”If they still refuse to listen, tell it to the church.”
What Happened
Here, we will share the context and tell the stories of how Alan Scott, Jeremy and Katie Riddle, and the Dwelling Place leadership have harmed, abused, or injured those under their leadership.
Biblical Direction: Step 4
”If they refuse to listen even to the church, treat them as you would a pagan or a tax collector.”
What Happened
After sharing stories here, we are asking Alan’s board, peers, or congregation to hold Alan and his associates accountable for their wrongdoings and to remove them from ministry.