The silence of the Church in the face of abuse, the protection of predators over victims, and the failure of so many to step up is a disgrace that no apology can fix. This isn’t just about the past; it’s about the present and future. If the Church is to regain any shred of credibility, it must tear down the systems that have allowed these abuses to continue, and start anew.

This guide is a collection of my thoughts on the process of making amends, using the Soul Survivor scandal as a case study. The principles outlined here can be applied to any organisation, institution, or community seeking to make reparations after causing harm. True reconciliation involves a deep, methodical process of accountability, reflection, and restitution.

Andy Croft’s previous role as senior pastor at Soul Survivor Watford, where he resigned following allegations about his handling of serious complaints involving Mike Pilavachi, raises critical questions about his suitability for a senior leadership position.

If the Church is serious about healing and reform, it must reconsider decisions like this. Transparency, humility, and a genuine commitment to justice are the only paths forward. Anything less is a betrayal of those who suffered under its watch and a tragic failure to live up to its calling.

In churches, compliance is often misinterpreted as spiritual humility or loyalty to leadership. Members are taught to avoid questioning authority, fearing they may appear divisive or rebellious. But when compliance becomes the default posture, it creates an environment ripe for misuse of power.

The Church of England faces a critical juncture. Survivors are not asking for symbolic gestures but for substantive changes that address the culture of complicity and ensure protection for future generations. Whether the Church will rise to meet this challenge remains an open question.

If there’s one moment in the Gospels that cuts through the saccharine Sunday School version of Jesus, it’s the scene in the temple where he flips the tables. It’s raw. It’s righteous. It’s a furious response to the hypocrisy and exploitation he saw in the heart of the religious establishment. That moment isn’t just about rage—it’s about defending what matters. Truth. Justice. The vulnerable.

So what would Jesus think about the Soul Survivor scandal? Let’s not sugar-coat this. He’d be f*cking furious!

This isn’t just about a refund. It’s about recognising the damage Soul Survivor caused and the enduring impact on people like me. The £2,500 represents more than money - it symbolises what I was denied: support, clarity, and the chance to be myself without fear or shame. Yet Soul Survivor continues to shirk responsibility, as if their 2019 incorporation magically absolves them of past wrongdoing.

The Soul Survivor scandal is a tragic reminder of how far institutions can stray from their mission when power and image take precedence over integrity and care for the vulnerable. The evangelical community must confront this failure with honesty and courage, ensuring that this dark chapter becomes a catalyst for profound and lasting change.

What happened at Soul Survivor is more than a tragic oversight; it’s a betrayal of trust on a massive scale. Mike Pilavachi’s actions reveal the stark reality of unchecked power within religious institutions.

Soul Survivor and other institutions associated with Pilavachi have an opportunity to demonstrate real accountability. This moment demands more than words of regret - it requires action that prioritises the voices of the victims over the reputation of a former leader. Removing Pilavachi’s preaching from public platforms would be a step in the right direction.

For an organisation with Soul Survivor’s reach, the fallout should have been monumental, leading to fundamental changes in structure, leadership, and priorities. Yet, bafflingly, it feels as though Soul Survivor has treated this as little more than a speed bump on its journey.

The scandal at Soul Survivor isn’t just another unfortunate episode in a long line of church abuses - this is a profound and brutal failure of leadership, ethics, and basic human decency. It’s been weeks since Fiona Scolding QC’s report tore the lid off years of predatory abuse, neglect, and willful ignorance in the Soul Survivor organisation. And yet, the dust seems to be settling, far too quickly

This article seeks to explore the intersection of Pilavachi’s actions and the Church’s uneasy relationship with human sexuality, asking how repression and denial of natural desires might create environments ripe for abuse.

Soul Survivor and its Watford church should shut down once and for all. The revelations coming out of this “ministry” are beyond disturbing. This isn’t just a sad story about a few mistakes. It’s about systematic betrayal, power unchecked, and a church that manipulated its members while refusing to hold itself accountable.