A statement in the light of the independent learning review for The Crowded House

In February 2020, we took the difficult decision to withdraw titles including Total Church by Steve Timmis and Tim Chester, pending the investigation of allegations of ‘spiritual abuse’ within The Crowded House (TCH) network of churches. In October 2020 thirtyone:eight produced an Independent Learning Review into the allegations.

Review findings

A central finding of the report is that: “…there is sufficient evidence for the reviewers to conclude that, whether intentionally or unintentionally, the culture at TCH was one in which some instances of emotional and/or psychological abuse took place as a result of persistent coercive and controlling behaviour, in the name of Christian vision and ministry.” (p.77)

The review also says that “at the time of writing this review, it needs to be emphasised that no allegations have been made of any criminal or illegal behaviour.” (p.12)

The report notes that Total Church, published by IVP, written by Tim Chester and Steve Timmis, leaders in the TCH network, articulated and promoted the vision driving this church network.

This vision is summarised in the report as being for ‘…a church that was refreshingly different from the established denominations, a church that was serious about the call to New Testament discipleship and living out the Christian faith within close-knit, missionally-minded communities.’ (p.49)

The report notes that Total Church makes a number of references to the accountability of leaders, but that ‘the majority of participants reported that this was not their experience of the reality of TCH’ (pp. 28-29).

Our response

We are grieved for those hurt by the patterns of behaviour and culture reported to have taken place in The Crowded House network.

In our view, the patterns reported in the learning review are consistent with the original allegations in Christianity Today and elsewhere and so justify our withdrawal of Total Church, its sequel Everyday Church and Steve Timmis’ book I Wish Jesus Hadn’t Said That.

As we said in our original statement, we are sorry for publishing books that may have contributed to unhealthy and even abusive church cultures, and we unreservedly apologize to people who have suffered as a result.

We believe that there is still much of value in the broad principle of intentional Gospel communities. We believe the problems that arose within The Crowded House network were in part a failure to live up to these principles, particularly around mutual accountability. At the same time, we recognise that in hindsight these books contained insufficient safeguards against unhealthy and abusive dynamics.

We will seek to take account of the issues raised by this report in any future books on leadership and church culture. We want to help support churches in being safe and flourishing spiritual communities, with strong and dynamic leadership that is also accountable and healthy.

We welcome the response of the elders of The Crowded House network of churches, making an unreserved apology to all who have been harmed. We pray for them and for healing as they reflect, learn and implement the Review’s recommendations.

We also welcome Tim Chester’s statement on his blog, expressing his apologies, taking responsibility for his own failures to take necessary actions, and committing to learning and changing. In the light of this, he continues to have our confidence as an IVP author.  

We note that the report indicates Steve Timmis informed the reviewers of his decision not to take part in the learning review (p. 7). We pray that healing, reconciliation and restoration will be possible in time, recognising the gravity of the hurts and wrongs done even unintentionally, and looking to the Cross of Christ as the only power that can heal these wounds.

We pray for God’s wisdom in playing our part as a Christian publisher in helping the wider evangelical church address these pressing issues of power, abuse, and healthy church cultures. We believe this report raises significant broader issues – cultural, practical, theological, spiritual - that all Christian leaders, churches and institutions need to reflect and act on.

Caleb Woodbridge, Publishing Director
Sue Halliday, Chair of the IVP Publishing Board

Any enquiries should be directed in the first instance to Caleb Woodbridge, Publishing Director.