Launch of Challenging Leaders

Press Release from Affinity; Gospel Churches in Partnership:
Launch of Challenging Leaders

Challenging Leaders, which is a new suite of resources for evangelical churches and ministries based on a statement, an online conversation and a book, was launched at a Parliamentary Lunch, sponsored by Janet Daby MP, former Shadow Faiths Minister and Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group for Safeguarding in religious setting this week.

Graham Nicholls, Director of Affinity; Gospel Churches in Partnership which is behind this project to support evangelical churches spoke at the launch:

“We want to acknowledge there is a problem. Abuse of power by leaders and of leaders does happen. It is always wrong and we need to deal with it biblically, justly and compassionately,” Graham Nicholls said.

The Parliamentary Lunch was attended by leaders from member churches, evangelical agencies and those who have contributed to the project so far.

Graham Nicholls, one of the authors of the book went on to say:

“One group of evangelical Christians are wary of victim advocates, often saying ‘there is nothing to see here’ and taking refuge in the fact that being a good and strong leader will always provoke opposition. They see the drive for more openness about safeguarding as mostly driven by a secular victim culture.

“Other evangelicals believe there is an endemic problem with overbearing leaders, that the inbuilt power imbalance means leaders are almost always overreaching and church members are vulnerable victims, so they get frustrated with those who instinctively defend pastors or ask for evidence.

“We want to cultivate healthy Christian communities where concerns about pastoral malpractice can be raised and dealt with fairly, and in ways which are honouring to Christ, theologically faithful and legally compliant”.

Originally designed as only an online resource, there was an announcement of the publishing of a book entitled: Challenging Leaders – preventing and investigating allegations of pastoral malpractice which will be available from March 2023. 

The book has been put together by experts and is a unique guide for those struggling to navigate this hazardous landscape and create a healthy Christian community in which concerns about pastoral malpractice can be raised and dealt with fairly, and in ways which are honouring to Christ. 

The group also want those who believe themselves to be victims of spiritual abuse to be confident and willing to come forward and to use this resource as a helpful reference to guide them. It is with sincere hope and prayer that it will be a good resource for everyone within a church congregation.

Graham Nicholls, who is Director of Affinity and also a local church Pastor went on to say: 

“We are making a clear statement that spiritual abuse exists. But we are also launching the start of a conversation, with two initiatives: one of these is an online forum where you can talk about your experience of good and bad leadership and make suggestions on how church leaders can challenge but also be open to challenge. We want you to share your insights and voice your concerns. The other is that we will, in conjunction with the new book, be organising seminars to work through the procedural and pastoral issues.”

Janet Daby MP, the sponsoring MP for this event said: 

“It is a delight to welcome leaders from the Affinity network onto the Parliamentary estate to launch this conversation. Safeguarding in all religious settings is important and I am grateful for the contribution this new suite of resources will make to helping evangelical churches discuss this issue in their communities.

For more information and to be part of the conversation, please visit challengingleaders.uk

You can also listen to an interview Graham did with Premier Christianity following the event below

ENDS