Matt Redman - Into the light

[thisusernameisminetoday]

Has anyone seen the 30 min YouTube documentary 'Into the light' which landed yesterday? Matt and Beth talked openly about the issues they experienced with Mike Pilavachi and how they reported years later but were told 'that's just Mike'.

Years ago I also experienced coercive control and emotional abuse while in a church. It was reported, an investigation was held but to this day, the people involved are still in active ministry. I resonated so much with what they said in the film, the need for justice, the desire to be 'heard' and to be believed. Also, as a Christian there's always a worry about 'going public' with something that might hurt how other people view God. It's all very complex!

Anyway, just wondering if anyone else has seen it? I think they're both incredibly brave to step up and be so transparent.

[Tir3edAndTested]

I watched it this afternoon. Quite disturbing after I spent all my teenage years attending the festivals.

[elliejjtiny]

Not seen it but I intend to. I've heard a lot of "that's just how Paul/John/whoever is" to excuse bad behaviour and as I've got older I've become less tolerant of it. When I did my safeguarding training at church we were told to practice forgiveness but also to report to the relevant authorities if necessary. I can't remember what we were supposed to do with something like this which is wrong but not technically illegal. Nobody ever confided in me and I was a Sunday school teacher working with 3-4 year old's anyway so never had to deal with this kind of thing.

[Youhaveyourhandsfull]

I'd be interested to watch this, thanks for sharing. Had been following what had been happening. Also grew up going to a lot of these events and it's sad how much toxicity there was behind the scenes in addition to the specifics of what MP did.
Matt Redman did probably need to do this given how connected he has been with Soul Survivor, otherwise people will wonder what he knew, but it must have been difficult. I read the statements on the Soul Survivor Watford and at best from some of the other staff (as I think there were other suspensions too while the investigations took place) there seems to have been a complete lack of safeguarding at a lot of levels.

[PandaOrLion]

I just watched it. Also grew up going to festivals and now work for a big Christian charity. I just feel so shocked and saddened by it all. There’s also a statement from Hughes brothers too.

[thisusernameisminetoday]

Yes, I saw the statement from the Hughes brothers too. There's a Twitter/X account called 'Needs light' which is worth looking at. The lady who runs it shares news on different investigations that are happening in Christian orgs.

I also work for a Christian charity and I'm just so thankful that we've got trustworthy leaders. I fully know what it's like to get stuck in a toxic cycle of manipulation and abuse though. I hope more and more people start shining a light on this stuff, not to crush or destroy the Church but to make it fit for purpose!

[PandaOrLion]

I think the needs light account is run by God loves women? She did a very comprehensive timeline of it all inc issues with finances etc but then moved the chat to a new account for people who wanted it all in one place.

i keep hearing snippets of people talking about it - at a local toddler group or aquaintances sharing stuff online.

[Thegreatestoftheseislove]

Thank you for leading me to the mini documentary . Watching it has given me a 'lightbulb' moment about a situation I experienced as a very new Christian in church. I remember feeling confused, upset, and outcast by the words and actions of particular church leaders. I thank God that although I was a baby-Christian, I was a mature adult and strong enough in my faith to know that, in Christ, I was forgiven and loved despite the opinions of others who held themselves up as leaders/teachers/preachers.