08 Oct 2024
A review of the inappropriate behaviour of former Soul Survivor pastor Mike Pilavachi has recommended that St Albans Diocese apologise for their part in it – but it will be three months before they decide their response.
Last year allegations were made about the church leader’s conduct around young men in the Soul Survivor movement with more than 15 people – now adults – coming forward with statements detailing controlling behaviours from the 1990s, 2000s and 2010.
They gave accounts of being given opportunities of church leadership or travel and feeling Mike’s approval and affirmation only to then be ‘ghosted’ by him or publicly humiliated or shunned, often suddenly and without reason.
Additionally, some men had said they had been asked to massage Mike or subjected to wrestling and horseplay, sometimes only partially clothed, which they had found uncomfortable and confusing.
In November 2023 the Trustees of Soul Survivor festivals, Soul Survivor Watford, and Soul61 (collectively known as Soul Survivor) commissioned Fiona Scolding KC to conduct an Independent Review into the culture and practices of Soul Survivor, following the National Safeguarding Team’s investigation into Mike Pilavachi.
The 101-page Scolding Review was published on September 26 and sought to understand more about the nature of the behaviour and actions of the Christian youth leader amid the wider church culture which allegedly spanned decades.
The report found a “wholesale” failure of organisational culture at Soul Survivor, where staff were fearful of the consequences of raising concerns and trustees did “little to nothing” in response.
It found “credible and consistent evidence” that Mike Pilavachi had developed “inappropriately close relationships with young men” with “inappropriate levels of controlling behaviour”. It also said he had initiated “lengthy, one-on-one wrestling sessions in private with young men”, and private one-on-one massages to partially clothed young men.
The report said it was almost impossible that nobody in the church leadership knew about the massages, and condemned the governance at the church, which was founded by Mike Pilavachi in Watford in 1993.
One of the recommendations under the heading of ‘accountability and redress’ said: “The Diocese of St Albans should consider whether it should apologise for the inadequate oversight of Soul Survivor Church from 2014 when it became a BMO and should consider what lessons can be learnt about future church plants and expressions of new sorts of congregation and ministry to avoid repetition of the same mistakes.”
The St Albans Times approached St Albans Diocese with a set of direct questions about their response to the report, including whether they will be making an apology, but rather than answer we were instead sent a link referring to a general statement they have made.
Shockingly, the most informative point of the commentary is that the diocese will be taking three months to respond properly.
They said: “We have formally received the Independent Review into Soul Survivor from the Trustees of Soul Survivor and wish to express our thanks to Fiona Scolding KC and her team for their work in producing this report.
“We are especially thankful to all those who have contributed to the review. We recognise that, for many, sharing their experiences will have been personally challenging, and we would like to extend our gratitude for your courage and willingness to come forward.
“Your voices will be crucial in helping us understand the full scope of what occurred.
“We wish to underscore the seriousness of what has happened and the profound impact on those affected by Mike Pilavachi’s abusive behaviour.
“We deeply regret the pain and distress caused, and we offer our sincere apologies to all survivors and victims who have suffered as a result.
“We will now take the necessary time to consider the findings and recommendations the Review includes for us as a diocese.
“We aim to provide a full response within three months.
“This response will be shaped by careful deliberation by the Bishop’s Council and other relevant diocesan bodies, ensuring that we respond in a manner that is thorough, appropriate and representative of the Diocese as a whole.
“Throughout the safeguarding investigation and the Scolding Review, we have worked alongside Soul Survivor Watford to strengthen their safeguarding practices, and the Rev’d Canon Tim Lomax, the Diocese’s Director of Mission and Ministry has attended frequently to provide oversight of the church’s operations and to support the congregation and church leadership in his role as Diocesan Visitor.
“We will also use this experience to strengthen safeguarding practices, improve the formation of Bishops’ Mission Orders (BMO), and consider how the oversight of churches and clergy operating under the BMO framework could be enhanced.
“Our priority is to ensure the safety and well-being of all those within our church communities, and we remain fully dedicated to promoting a culture of openness, accountability, and care. Should you have any concerns or require support, please contact the Diocesan Safeguarding Team at safeguarding@stalbans.anglican.org, who are available to listen and help. Please be assured that any safeguarding concerns raised will be treated with the utmost sensitivity. If you, or anyone you are in contact with, have been affected by this news and wish to speak to someone independently, please call the Safe Spaces helpline on 0300 303 1056.
“Thank you for your understanding, support and prayers as we work through this important process.”
