Vineyard USA Responds to Pastors About the Allegations of Sexual Abuse at Vineyard Duluth. Brenda Gatlin Has Been Placed on Leave.

http://www.publicdomainpictures.net/view-image.php?image=66150&picture=woman

Woman With Red Hair, Crying link

“They like to use those fancy words. They don’t like to say “raped,'” he said. “They say “misdeed,’ “inappropriate touching,’ “mistake.’ That’s insulting. I’m not a mistake.”
Charles L. Bailey Jr., In the Shadow of the Cross


Tonight, Bill and I are going to work at “Night to Shine’ at our church. I never realized how many people with various disabilities did not attend their school dances, etc. I have participated in these events at various churches along the way. I will never forget one woman who appeared to be in her 70s. She arrived with a beautiful smile, dressed in a ruby red, sequined gown. As she walked the “runway,” surrounded by folks who were clapping, I thought I was going to ruin things by bawling my eyes out. She danced the night away along with us and many guests. I grabbed folks and danced with anyone I could find.

In the meantime, I have so many stories to write and feel like I’m falling behind.


On Monday, I wrote Jackson Gatlin, the Youth Pastor of The Vineyard Church, Duluth, Accused of “Misconduct,” Is Suspended, Along With His Father and Lead Pastor, Michael Gatlin.

It appeared that Vineyard USA was caught in a rapidly developing situation and was not responding adequately to the needs of the survivors. Given that all major Christian groups have experienced serious and well-documented cases of sexual abuse, the early response to the victims by the mothership seemed inadequate. Yes, they asked for GRACE to be involved. That is great, but that will not take care of the immediate needs of the victims.

It is alleged that the church leadership did not initially report allegations to the police. It appears to this outsider that this might have been due to the fact that the alleged perp, Jackson Gatlin, was the youth pastor under the senior pastor, Michael Gatlin, who is also his dad. Brenda, his mom, had been in leadership at the church until she moved up to the national organization.

I have seen this sort of thing happen time and time again. Moms and dads like to protect their kids, even when the kiddos grow up and develop particular sexual predilections. I, for one, am opposed to creating a mom-and-pop shop model to replace independent church leadership based on Biblical relationships instead of nuclear family units. Even Jesus did not call His own brother, James, to be one of the Twelve. Later, James would become a leader in the church as well as a martyr.

I received the following letter, which was sent to all Vineyard pastors. Perhaps the most important development is that Jackson’s mom has been placed on leave from her position in Vineyard, USA.

I have heard that there are Vineyard pastors who have been very concerned about the welfare of the victims. I hope that the church will support the victims while the police are involved. I guess that GRACE will not immediately begin its investigation until the police complete their criminal probe.

I am grateful that Vineyard leadership discussed supporting the victims instead of what many ill-informed groups do. Those groups put a priority on supporting the perp and his pastor/family. In this letter, I do not see such a sentiment expressed in this letter to the pastors.

However, the leadership continues to call the accusations of the victims by the misguided term of “misconduct.” Misconduct is too light of a word. It appears that the accusations involve unwanted sexual contact on the part of Jackson. Sex abuse is a horrific, life-altering experience for the victim. I wish Vineyard would get smarter in their vocabulary so they can better support the victims. Ask GRACE for a better way to communicate.

My thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families. I am willing to write their stories if they wish.

Dear Pastors,

Over the past few days, you may have become aware of allegations of misconduct and their mishandling at the Duluth Vineyard. This has been a dynamic situation with information coming from various sources.

As you should expect, our primary focus and the majority of our time has been spent in support of the Duluth Vineyard and their need to plan and communicate effectively in order to support reporting victims, staff, leaders, and the congregation as a whole as they navigate this most challenging of situations.

Based on the information provided to VUSA and additional information that has come available since the allegations were made public, Vineyard USA placed Brenda Gatlin on leave, effective February 1, 2023. As the fact-finding process provides clarity and additional information becomes available, we will determine the appropriate next steps and update the appropriate people.

Brenda Gatlin’s leave directly impacts local Vineyard churches in the Midwest North, Mountain and Northwest Regions – her Super Region. We are working to coordinate among staff to ensure that the needs of local churches are able to be met by the National Team. For the immediate future, John Elmer (john.elmer@vineyardusa.org) will serve as the interim Super Regional Leader for the Midwest North and Northwest Regions and Joel Seymour (joel.seymour@vineyardusa.org) will serve as the interim Super Regional Leader for the Mountain Region. They will continue to support all Regional and Area Leaders, who have all been advised of these developments and are available to support you as well.

If asked, you are free to share the information provided in this email, but while there is a lot of information swirling around the internet, we would encourage you to avoid answering questions and direct inquiries of any kind to Robb Morgan (robb.morgan@vineyardusa.org). As this is an active investigation, we will only provide ongoing updates to RLs and ALs until the investigative process has been completed or material developments require additional communication.

Comments

Vineyard USA Responds to Pastors About the Allegations of Sexual Abuse at Vineyard Duluth. Brenda Gatlin Has Been Placed on Leave. — 23 Comments


  1. Notice: Undefined variable: button in /home/guswo2wr8yyv/public_html/tww2/wp-content/plugins/quote-comments/quote-comments.php on line 127

    She is on leave. That is at least something. Late, but something.


  2. Notice: Undefined variable: button in /home/guswo2wr8yyv/public_html/tww2/wp-content/plugins/quote-comments/quote-comments.php on line 127

    I seriously doubt that the people of Minnesota will put up with the same cr4p as the folks in the southern red states when it comes to knowing a skunk when they see one.

    The air in Minnesota is crisp and clean and the people are a wholesome lot, not used to ‘giving in’ to ‘authority’ or abdicating human decency to keep creeps in power.

    Wrong move to pull that act in that state and think to get away with it, youbetcha


  3. Notice: Undefined variable: button in /home/guswo2wr8yyv/public_html/tww2/wp-content/plugins/quote-comments/quote-comments.php on line 127

    The right thing to do, but “It’s never too late to do the right thing” is bittersweet from a victim’s perspective.


  4. Notice: Undefined variable: button in /home/guswo2wr8yyv/public_html/tww2/wp-content/plugins/quote-comments/quote-comments.php on line 127

    Sexually assaulting a minor isn’t mere “misconduct”; it’s a crime.
    I hope GRACE reps (as well as officers of the law) make that distinction clear, not just to the church leadership, but to the congregation as a whole.


  5. Notice: Undefined variable: button in /home/guswo2wr8yyv/public_html/tww2/wp-content/plugins/quote-comments/quote-comments.php on line 127

    So Brenda Gatlin was placed on leave “effective Feb 1st”.

    Was that a leave instituted a couple of days ago, but retroactive to back to Feb 1? Or did the action occur on Feb 1st and the news is still catching up?


  6. Notice: Undefined variable: button in /home/guswo2wr8yyv/public_html/tww2/wp-content/plugins/quote-comments/quote-comments.php on line 127

    Nancy2(aka Kevlar): Sexually assaulting a minor isn’t mere “misconduct”; it’s a crime.

    Don’t call Pastor … call 911!


  7. Notice: Undefined variable: button in /home/guswo2wr8yyv/public_html/tww2/wp-content/plugins/quote-comments/quote-comments.php on line 127

    Unspecified “Misconduct” is Christianese for Pastor/Elder/Minister/Apostle got caught thrust to the hilt inside “a live boy or a dead woman”.

    Which (of course) is NEVER the Pastor/Elder/Minister/Apostle’s Fault.


  8. Notice: Undefined variable: button in /home/guswo2wr8yyv/public_html/tww2/wp-content/plugins/quote-comments/quote-comments.php on line 127

    Nancy2(aka Kevlar): Sexually assaulting a minor isn’t mere “misconduct”; it’s a crime.

    [sarc]That’s because you’re thinking with the Flesh(TM) instead of the Spirit(TM). TOUCH NOT MINE ANOINTED! [/sarc]


  9. Notice: Undefined variable: button in /home/guswo2wr8yyv/public_html/tww2/wp-content/plugins/quote-comments/quote-comments.php on line 127

    JJallday:
    She is on leave.

    Waiting for the heat to blow over and have the Angel Encounter at the gas station in the middle of nowhere commending her to Return to Ministry.
    Lather, Rinse, Repeat, Lather, Rinse, Repeat, Lather, Rinse, Repeat —
    Oh wait! That’s only for MENaGAWD, not Wimmenfolk!


  10. Notice: Undefined variable: button in /home/guswo2wr8yyv/public_html/tww2/wp-content/plugins/quote-comments/quote-comments.php on line 127

    Afterburne,

    I thought the same thing. I happen to know that an all church email a few days prior to this one did not mention this. If I were to be, the heat got turned up.


  11. Notice: Undefined variable: button in /home/guswo2wr8yyv/public_html/tww2/wp-content/plugins/quote-comments/quote-comments.php on line 127

    dee: the heat got turned up

    I suspect there have been Vineyard Duluth members reading TWW and other watchblogs and demanded that the elders act. It’s hard to ignore truth for very long.


  12. Notice: Undefined variable: button in /home/guswo2wr8yyv/public_html/tww2/wp-content/plugins/quote-comments/quote-comments.php on line 127

    Headless Unicorn Guy: [sarc]That’s because you’re thinking with the Flesh(TM) instead of the Spirit(TM). TOUCH NOT MINE ANOINTED! [/sarc]

    First, ya’ gotta prove they’re anointed.


  13. Notice: Undefined variable: button in /home/guswo2wr8yyv/public_html/tww2/wp-content/plugins/quote-comments/quote-comments.php on line 127

    Headless,

    it’s been a few years since I had much contact with my Vineyard connections, but I was secretary at one of the original Vineyards for 6 years, interacted with regional and national leaders, and kept in contact for some time after we moved from SoCal. Your characterizations above may in fact be the case for the accused people in Duluth, but on the national level it is not so; none of that attitude has ever been promoted. In fact, my experience was that humility was a value in the Vineyard, along with the leadership understanding that reality is that people – even ministers – are going to get caught up in sin (which might also be criminal), and it is repentance (and accepting whatever legal judgment comes with guilt for a crime) that is needed, not shoring up a position. To my knowledge, that has not changed.

    At the end of my time there, and for a few years after, when the whole Toronto thing was going on, Wimber stumbled with regard to it because his attention was focused on helping one of his children out of severe drug addiction (What? The one who prays for the miraculous to occur has obviously not been a good parent!!!). When that issue started to resolve was when the leadership asked Toronto to leave the organization. Stuff happens behind the scenes that, while not an excuse, can explain delay in appropriate engagement.

    Based on my experience, I believe it’s reasonable to expect that the national folks will make every effort to see that the victims’ needs are fully addressed, and will cooperate completely with GRACE. Wait to see how it plays out in this situation before you unleash your sarcasm. It might be different than other instances where the sarcasm has indeed been warranted because of the crappy attitude of the organizations (whatever the size) behind too many perpetrators.

    D.


  14. Notice: Undefined variable: button in /home/guswo2wr8yyv/public_html/tww2/wp-content/plugins/quote-comments/quote-comments.php on line 127

    I knew a Vineyard church, and several that are “Bethelated-Torontulated-Bromptosauruses”, lookalikes where there is an un-analysable mixture of both genuine harnessing of gifts, and anxious, sclerosed image-burnishing (i.e average church really, but of a style one might rightly tire of), in all of which “unexplained” nervous breakdowns took their toll. Habitually causing a stir (which J Ellul criticises) has become a distraction.

    I don’t like the word “swirling”, at all. In this instance evidently the “Super” Region had momentarily felt ashamed and subconsciously lapsed into “damage limitation rationing” for a few days (from which it is semi-reluctant to emerge).

    Causing a stir or causing a swirl – aftershocks of the designer melodrama that is de rigueur (mortis) almost throughout christendom . . .

    Dee, it’s good that you can identify some good behaviours currently.

    The interviewer on his barstool the other day sounded and looked relieved to see the back of the Gatlins and / or some badly thought through prevalent habits, though grieved at the substance of what has precipitated it (and evidently wasn’t coaching the interviewee). As if he couldn’t believe what he was saying – that they might be on the verge of a more genuine phase – total contrast with the ultimate puppetmaster on display, Josh Patterson at Village Church.

    A propos, we didn’t have school dances, but if we had, I’d have had lots of problems. The studies, and some relationships (including loose cannons) were causing me ample difficulties as it was.


  15. Notice: Undefined variable: button in /home/guswo2wr8yyv/public_html/tww2/wp-content/plugins/quote-comments/quote-comments.php on line 127

    Michael in UK: interviewer on his barstool the other day … grieved at the substance of what has precipitated it (and evidently wasn’t coaching the interviewee). As if he couldn’t believe what he was saying – that they might be on the verge of a more genuine phase – total contrast with the ultimate puppetmaster

    Of course he was on video himself, so let’s hope he rejects the chance to forge ahead in the brownie point stakes. St Paul wanted the Corinthians to be saved better than him. This is why all believers should be supplicating to God for all leaders (big and small) of all churches, and parishioners who behold them, who all face hazards of format (even away from videos), then the kingdom of heaven (genuine spiritual economy) will be established among us. (I hope part of my “Glory Be’s” gets apportioned to them!)


  16. Notice: Undefined variable: button in /home/guswo2wr8yyv/public_html/tww2/wp-content/plugins/quote-comments/quote-comments.php on line 127

    p.s amend 472704 first para. to read “harnessing of some gifts sometimes”.


  17. Notice: Undefined variable: button in /home/guswo2wr8yyv/public_html/tww2/wp-content/plugins/quote-comments/quote-comments.php on line 127

    It appears to me that the church and the parent org at the moment have their moral compasses correctly calibrated to north.


  18. Notice: Undefined variable: button in /home/guswo2wr8yyv/public_html/tww2/wp-content/plugins/quote-comments/quote-comments.php on line 127

    “Misconduct”. Which is more of a political or military way of attemmpting to explain this whole mess. My family and I attended this congregation for about 8+ years. We left quite a while ago. I was really never comfortable with the “Overseeing Couples”, and the subsequent nepotism that can ensue. I also was never impressed with who they selected as leaders, or those who they assist with planting. There was a couple who were in Youth Leaddership who left to plant the Cloquet Vineyard. Within a couple of years, Kris and Nikki Sauter, went full blown apostate. Complaining about Vineyards stance on homosexual marriage, denying the existence of Hell.
    Hard to fathom the Gatlin’s never realized that for over a decade the preached sermons, led youth, music, “prophesied”, and had no idea the spiritual state of their soul.
    Sadly, those who are serving the LORD there, when all is said and done, the place will likely see it’s members and attendees to have to find another place to serve and worship and our responsibility to minister to them. Even worse, there will be many so disullisioned the may avoid the body of Christ forever.


  19. Notice: Undefined variable: button in /home/guswo2wr8yyv/public_html/tww2/wp-content/plugins/quote-comments/quote-comments.php on line 127

    Thatguy,

    Thank you for your insight into Vineyard Duluth. Your comment was helpful to me in understanding what was going on there.

    I have reason to believe that some decent pastors and leaders in the Vineyard will demand accountability. However…this

    Thatguy: Even worse, there will be many so disillusioned they may avoid the body of Christ forever.

    I hope GRACE will impact this organization for the good. Members must demand the release of the full report.


  20. Notice: Undefined variable: button in /home/guswo2wr8yyv/public_html/tww2/wp-content/plugins/quote-comments/quote-comments.php on line 127

    christiane: The air in Minnesota is crisp and clean and the people are a wholesome lot, not used to ‘giving in’ to ‘authority’ or abdicating human decency to keep creeps in power.

    Really? Look up the abuse perpetrated by John Piper and others at his church in the Twin Cities area. No real repentance there.


  21. Notice: Undefined variable: button in /home/guswo2wr8yyv/public_html/tww2/wp-content/plugins/quote-comments/quote-comments.php on line 127

    Michael in UK,

    I can’t fathom why I wrote some of those things. Vineyard / New Frontiers / “reformed” / designer outlet religion have abolished belief and providence. It’s pointless me approving some minor nominal meaningless PR move. They themselves will no doubt be oblivious that they don’t have any belief.


  22. Notice: Undefined variable: button in /home/guswo2wr8yyv/public_html/tww2/wp-content/plugins/quote-comments/quote-comments.php on line 127

    Headless Unicorn Guy: Waiting for the heat to blow over and have the Angel Encounter at the gas station in the middle of nowhere commending her to Return to Ministry.
    Lather, Rinse, Repeat, Lather, Rinse, Repeat, Lather, Rinse, Repeat —
    Oh wait! That’s only for MENaGAWD, not Wimmenfolk!

    The perpetrator of the inappropriate sexual behavior or alleged inappropriate sexual behavior is her son who was the pastor at the church. He has been terminated. Her husband was the lead pastor at the church and he has resigned and was told that he would be terminated if he didn’t fall through on the investigative process. She is the only one that has not been terminated and actually has or in the case of her son and husband had the highest ranking position in vineyard and is on leave. So your statement is completely off base. Vineyard Duluth appears to be doing a solid job of investigating this and holding people accountable.


  23. Notice: Undefined variable: button in /home/guswo2wr8yyv/public_html/tww2/wp-content/plugins/quote-comments/quote-comments.php on line 127

    The investigative move is sound and the statement was weaker-sounding than it need have been. God moves in mysterious ways and we mustn’t lose hope of finding love in “hopeless” places.

    I assume this mode of investigation is non adversarial? Individuals would gain from feedback on how to do better. How this will ripple outwards across their world branches, I mustn’t despair. It’s going to be about improving their whole theology.