Former Vineyard Pastor Alan Scott told people in his church that he knew people’s sin just by looking at them. He knew from God if people were talking about him in their homes. And he made a competition out of who had the best story of someone being healed.

That’s according to a devastating investigative report, commissioned by Vineyard Churches UK and Ireland (VCUKI) and Causeway Coast Vineyard (CCV) and conducted by Trusted HR, which was released Friday. The report confirmed preliminary findings of abuse in July, which prompted an apology from VCUKI and CCV.

The report found themes of narcissism, a focus on numbers, public shaming, manipulation, safeguarding deficiencies, underpaying staff, favoritism, and spiritual abuse in Scott’s leadership. The strongest theme was rejection, with 76 percent of the respondents mentioning this, including a man whom Scott reportedly cut off when the man admitted to struggling with addiction. Another couple said Scott told them they no longer fit at the church and that they and their kids should leave.

The report confirms and expands on the exclusive expose published by The Roys Report (TRR) last May, documenting numerous allegations of abuse.

Scott did not respond to request for comment from TRR.

The report documented concerns from 37 people, spanning Scott’s tenure at CCV from 1999—2017 and the tenure of more recent pastors, Neil and Janet Young, Scott’s sister-in-law. It did not include testimony from staff or congregants from Scott’s time pastoring the Vineyard Anaheim, which separated from Vineyard U.S.A. in 2022 and became Dwelling Place.

Some of the abusive dynamics continued when the Youngs took over CCV in 2017, the report stated. And Neil Young, who was interviewed for the report, defended Scott throughout the report. The Youngs resigned last Sunday due to a dispute about the investigation.

The report included another statement of regret, sorrow, and apology by VCUKI and CCV

“We acknowledge that wrong and hurtful conduct occurred at Causeway Coast Vineyard and we apologise to all those who were hurt, harmed, mistreated or in any way negatively impacted by their time at this church,” CCV and VCUKI wrote in a joint statement

Seeing the final report was “validating” said Donna Finney, a former CCV employee who participated in the UK investigation and also spoke to TRR.

“As someone who took part in the review, I welcome the final report and its findings,” said Finney. “It is validating to see the truth being presented publicly at this time. My hope is that this would never happen again in any church community.”

Scott wrote in his memoir, “Scattered Servants,” that he led CCV from a church of six into a megachurch using evangelism and physical healing in the unchurched community. Initially, the church was “loving with a family feel,” the report found.

“Church members enjoyed serving in teams, feeling privileged and honoured to do so,” the report stated. “People spoke of having great friendships and support; indeed, many friendships still exist between current and ex members that have spanned years.”

But Scott sometimes manipulated ministry numbers and exaggerated stories, the report said. For example, leaders reportedly exaggerated numbers for a revival that supposedly attracted 5,000 people. More than one person told of a situation in which, mid-service, Scott stepped off the stage and clapped for himself, “inferring he was not receiving enough praise for what he was saying.”

Church members were soon forced to evangelize and share compelling ministry stories, the report continued. Scott would shame and spiritually abuse those who failed to do so, saying, “(Y)ou are not in a good place with God; you need to repent, you are not a good enough Christian,” the report stated.

Scott’s presumed success in the UK followed him to the United States, contributing to his ability to take over Vineyard Anaheim when it was looking for fresh leadership, former Vineyard Anaheim members previously told TRR. CCV members had concerns but had trouble reporting these to Scott or other leaders at CCV.

At CCV, Scott “handpicked” leaders, pushed out people who disagreed with his leadership style, and publicly called employees out for not giving the required 10 percent tithe, the report said. Sometimes he’d publicly describe people and their sins in enough detail that hearers could guess the names of the individuals.  Disagreement or criticism of Scott wasn’t allowed, often with spiritual consequences from Scott who reportedly called himself the “God-appointed praise and worship leader.”

“(O)ne individual stated you could not criticise leaders because if you did, God would not bless you; it was as though honouring God was used as a weapon,” the report stated.

Scott also worked against good safeguarding protocol, the report stated.

“It was believed by a number of people that Alan did not like child protection issues being raised,” the report stated. “A child was showing signs of abuse, and an individual went to the Gateway team, which was the next stage for this situation. The respondent said that Neil stated he was protecting her from Alan as he was not pleased she had contacted social services.”

The report recommends that CCV offer counseling to those hurt by Scott and other leaders, which the church began in July. It also recommended that church leaders not bring up employees’ sensitive personal issues, such as personal relationships or sexual behavior, unless the employee raises the issue themselves. CCV should also review how its trustees and pastors are appointed.

Finney is looking forward to seeing the changes and healing that come from this.

“Whilst there have been some welcome changes to CCV leadership in recent days, I believe there is much work to be done to ensure that this becomes a thriving church community,” she said. “This stage in the process is for me the end of a time of hurt and allows me to now move into a time of healing, with a hope and a future.”

Rebecca Hopkins is a journalist based in Colorado.