From the Bishop of Willesden
Sir, - I was sorry to hear of Chris Pitts's experience of Spring
Harvest (Letters, 14
June). Let me assure him that Spring Harvest utterly repudiates
abusive Christianity, and would not want to be associated with
anything that could be de- scribed as a "fascistic, abusing power
system". Indeed, I personally have run seminars at the event
helping Christians to identify and expose abusive forms of the
faith.
He expresses two main concerns. One is that the worship and
musical style on offer is not conducive to stillness and
reflection. The Big Top is indeed a place where the worship style
is modern, led by the best practitioners of Charismatic worship
from Anglican and Black Pentecostal traditions. But alongside this
there is Encounter Café, where guests can experience relaxed café-
style worship; and Presence, precisely a place of silence and
meditative worship. We also have Prayer House, open all day for
guests to make their own individ-ual pilgrimage in prayer, and a
seminar stream on the spiritual disciplines.
His second concern is that Spring Harvest makes no room for
stories of pain, poverty, and suffering. Again, I am afraid that
this simply isn't true. Our seminar programme this year included
sessions on being alongside those coping with self- harm,
addictions, recovering from divorce, and ministry to survivors of
abuse or domestic violence - all supported by a pastoral team com-
posed of people with professional qualifications.
Our main teaching and theme guide included stories from people
struggling with faith. Our partnership with Compassion enabled us
to hear from people in other parts of the world where poverty is a
daily experience.
I am surprised that Mr Pitts found nobody to speak to about his
concerns. Not only the Pastoral Team, but the Event Leadership
Team, are only too willing to engage with guests (it is something
that we make a priority on site). If Mr Pitts has any specific
allegations or complaints to make about his experience of Spring
Harvest this year, I invite him to contact me directly (020 8451
0189 (office); bishop.willesden@btinternet.com).
Spring Harvest has no wish to be a stumbling-block to people in
their journey with God and Jesus Christ.
PETE BROADBENT
Chair of Spring Harvest
17 Willesden Lane, London NW6 7YN
From Dr Hazel Butland
Sir, - As I read Mr Chris Pitts's letter concerning his
experience of abusive Christianity, my overwhelming feeling was
sadness: if only he had spoken to me or to one or two of the
speakers at Spring Harvest to whom I talked.
Maybe we were at different sites, or went to different sessions,
but I found I was listened to, supported, affirmed, encouraged, and
certainly not dismissed when I raised issues surrounding the
subject of abuse of power in the Christian community.
The pain of feeling excluded, ignored, dismissed, and disparaged
is real. As a church community, we need to recognise it,
acknowledge it, and seek to listen with compassion to each other;
and then, perhaps, the process of healing and reconciliation can
begin.
I am truly sorry that we, as the Christian community at Spring
Harvest, let Mr Pitts down.
HAZEL BUTLAND
24 Coppidwell Drive, Aylesbury, Bucks HP21 9QF
From Kathleen Robertson
Sir, - I write in response to Mr Chris Pitts's letter. I am, I
suppose, a "cradle Christian", having been an Anglican all my life.
A regular worshipper, organist, choir member, secretary of the PCC,
et al., I have faithfully served God and the Church of England.
Now, at the age of 74, I find that the church that I used to attend
has become all that Mr Pitts writes about.
Because I do not fit the mould of Evangelicalism, and have had
no blinding Damascus-road experience, or so the leaders imagine,
knowing nothing about me as a person, I am left feeling that I am
not a "saved Christian". When any deeper questions are put to the
leaders, they can say only "We will pray for you."
My faith is strong, but my experience of Evangelicalism leaves
me feeling that I no longer wish to be part of organised religion.
I no longer attend any church.
My experience of an over-zealous Baptist, now part of the
leadership of the church, who came to take home-communion in the
sheltered housing in which I live, caused great concern to me, the
manager, and residents attending the service. In brief, we were
told that this man knew that he was going to heaven, and hoped to
see some of us there, if we didn't go to hell!
After several services, all on these lines, a complaint was made
to the Archdeacon. That is not the end of it, however, as there is
a residential care home opposite, which experienced the same
problem. Carers were left to pick up the pieces. This is hardly a
good way of dealing with people with dementia and other memory
problems.
As at the Court, in which I live, we are all in the age group 70
to 90-plus, and at a time of life when we realise more clearly our
mortality. Most of us have lost dearly loved partners. The comfort
of believing that they are safe in God's hands has been sadly
abused by such an experience.
I know others feel the loss of the ability to join in meaningful
worship as much as I do; but there is nothing to be done, as an
Evangelical is always right, and the Evangelical way of worshipping
God, dumbed down as it is, leaves me cold. Going to church is no
longer good for my health - a sad reflection on a life- time of
service.
KATHLEEN ROBERTSON
19 McNish Court, Grenville Way, Eaton Socon, St Neots, Cambs PE19
8PE
From Mrs Vivien Moores
Sir, - I can sympathise with Mr Chris Pitts. Sometimes it seems
that the aim of Evangelicals is not to make Christians, but to make
people who then persuade others to become Christians.
VIVIEN MOORES
4 Redwing Road, Bury BL8 4ET