The elders of The Crowded House church (TCH) in Sheffield have apologised over the behaviour of former leader Steve Timmis after an independent enquiry found ‘evidence of a pattern of coercive and controlling behaviour’ by the former leader of the Acts 29 church network.
His behaviour led to members of his church experiencing significant emotional and psychological harm, according to the report by Christian safeguarding charity thirtyone:eight.
Timmis stood down at the time of the accusations and was replaced as leader of the Acts 29 church network.
Upon the release of the enquiry’s discoveries, TCH elders said they were ‘grieved by its findings’. They said: ‘The current elders at The Crowded House fully and wholeheartedly accept the conclusions of the Learning Review. For too many people their experience was that their concerns were not adequately engaged with, our leadership was not properly accountable, our governance was weak, and our pastoral care insensitive. We wish to make a full and unreserved apology to all those who have been harmed.’
The thirtyone:eight report states: ‘Steve Timmis chose not to participate. He wrote to the reviewers, explaining his reasons for this decision. Consequently, the reviewers have had to rely on documentary evidence and other people’s recollections and accounts in formulating their conclusions. The reviewers have sought to be fair and balanced in doing so.’
