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Artwork for Spoiled Fruit: Faith & Power

Spoiled Fruit: Faith & Power

John Williamson
Vineyard Movement
Spiritual Abuse
Duluth Vineyard
Sexual Abuse
Anaheim Vineyard
Michael Gatlin
Brenda Gatlin
Vineyard USA
Alan Scott
Accountability
Jackson Gatlin
Causeway Coast Vineyard
Jay Pathak
Institutional Negligence
Evangelical Christianity
Church Abuse
Narcissistic Leadership
The Roy's Report
Colerain Vineyard
Guidepost Solutions

Spoiled Fruit: Faith & Power is an investigative podcast exploring the rise of the Vineyard movement - from a humble network of churches to a sprawling global empire. Through in-depth research and firsthand accounts, this series examines how power, influence, and ambition shaped the movement's evolution, often at the expense of those who trusted it most. From its early days under John Wimber to it... more

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes25Founded7 months ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Religion & SpiritualitySociety & CultureDocumentaryChristianity

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Artwork for Spoiled Fruit: Faith & Power

Latest Episodes

While production continues on Season Two of Spoiled Fruit: Faith & Power — which takes a broader look at evangelical movements beyond the Vineyard — John shares a full, uncut conversation with Pastor Doug Warburton, his own pastor and a leader within... more

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While Season Two of Spoiled Fruit: Faith & Power is in production, John shares one of his full, uncut interviews — this time with Pastor Brian Metzger, one of the most outspoken critics of Vineyard USA’s handling of cases like Duluth Vineyard.

In th... more

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Episode Summary:

In this powerful and unfiltered conversation, former Vineyard pastor Melody Winderweedle shares her story of being quietly removed from leadership—not for misconduct, but for daring to lead with integrity, inclusion, and pastoral ca... more

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Thank you to everyone who submitted questions! If you have additional questions not answered in this episode please send them to spoiledfruitpodcast@gmail.com or via our contact form on www.spoiledfruitpod.com

Support this podcast at — redc... more

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Recent Guests

Brian Metzger
Pastor and vocal critic of Vineyard USA's handling of abuse allegations
Episode: Full Interview: Brian Metzger
Ken Wilson
Founding pastor of the Vineyard Church of Ann Arbor and author of A Letter to My Congregation.
Vineyard Church of Ann Arbor
Episode: Full Interview: Ken Wilson
Dr. Paula Swindle
An experienced scholar and practitioner with a PhD in psychology, focusing on survivors of spiritual trauma and abuse.
Center for Healing Religious Harm
Episode: Full Interview: Dr. Paula Swindle
Todd Hunter
Former National Directors of the Vineyard
Vineyard Movement
Episode: Chapter 8: The God Card - Power, Control, and the Death of Accountability
Reagan Wagoner
Long-time Vineyard pastor and son of former national director Burt Wagoner
Vineyard Movement
Episode: Chapter 8: The God Card - Power, Control, and the Death of Accountability
Rebecca Hopkins
Investigative journalist specializing in church abuse stories
The Roy's Report
Episode: Full Interview: Rebecca Hopkins
Spencer Kluvin
A board-certified civil trial attorney specializing in sexual trauma and abuse cases.
Episode: Full Interview: Attorney Spencer T. Kuvin Esq.
Kris Sauter
Former youth pastor at Duluth Vineyard, providing insights into the Vineyard movement and its internal challenges.
Neighborhood Church, Duluth, Minnesota
Episode: Full Interview: Kris Sauter
Ryan Bauers
Former Vineyard pastor who raised concerns about leadership.
Vineyard Movement
Episode: Full Interview: Ryan Bauers

Host

John Williamson
Host and interviewer known for engaging discussions on faith and accountability.

Reviews

3.8 out of 5 stars from 97 ratings
  • Trying too hard

    This podcast sounded like it’d be interesting…but it’s not. Really disappointed in the lack of facts, interviews and concrete information provided. It felt very forced and honestly I couldn’t get past a couple episodes, especially the host. Trying way too hard to make drama where there isn’t much. Way better podcasts out there!

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    .:tropicalwave:.
    United Statesa month ago
  • Challenging & a Must Listen

    As an active, long-time member of a local Vineyard church, and on the elder board, this series was challenging for me to listen to. Though it was only one side of the story, I think it was as objectively and fairly presented as is possible to do. From my perspective the VUSA organization is making efforts to change towards some of what was put forth. There is also more work to be done.

    Pretending there are no problems is not helpful. A very difficult listen for those of us who are inside of an... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    MrMurphyLaw
    United States2 months ago
  • Half Baked

    This just isn’t journalism. While there are some sound bits of wisdom here and there, and while the evangelical church as a whole needs to take a look at itself, this podcast doesn’t have much to offer. It contradicts itself and lacks fact-checking or any semblance of intelligent journalism. There are many things to be dealt with in these types of church movements, but this isn’t the way to do it.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    elKay92
    United States3 months ago
  • Inconsistent

    How can Vineyard USA both have failed to do enough and be trying to exert too much control? Vineyard is an association of autonomous local churches. (Thus why Alan Scott could exploit that and take control of Vineyard Anaheim and all its assets.) The local church either agrees with the statement of faith or doesn’t. No hard feelings if your church chooses to leave because your beliefs and values don’t match what the Vineyard believes.

    My understanding is that local church pastors never had an a... more

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    Betsywrite
    United States4 months ago
  • Irresponsible and inaccurate

    This podcast is filled with partial truths, one-sided stories and absolute falsehoods that put good people at risk. While the need for accountability is high, especially in the church, that isn’t what’s offered up here. Instead, the host seems to be finding anyone he can with unhealed trauma and a vendetta against the Vineyard and blindly believing everything they say, without considering that there might be another version of the story.

    I’ve been in the Vineyard for 25 years, a member of some... more

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    adiscerninghuman
    United States4 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Listeners appreciate the diverse perspectives shared throughout the series, especially those advocating for inclusivity within faith communities.
There are concerns about the portrayal of church leadership and the handling of abuse allegations, indicating a desire for accountability.
Some reviews highlight the thoughtful engagement with personal stories, while others express skepticism about the podcast's narrative framing.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

BONUS: Q&A
Q: Have they done enough to improve their policies?
The answer is no; they have opportunities to take more action and implement necessary changes for accountability and transparency.
BONUS: Q&A
Q: What's going on in Duluth right now?
There are updates regarding the church's leadership, internal tensions, and upcoming changes within the organization.
Full Interview: Dr. Paula Swindle
Q: Can spiritual abuse occur even when the abuser believes that they are doing the right thing?
Yes, abusers can harm while believing they are following God's will.
Full Interview: Dr. Paula Swindle
Q: In your view, how does spiritual abuse differ from other forms of psychological or emotional abuse?
The main difference is the amplification of power dynamics when the sacred element is involved, as it complicates the situation significantly.
Full Interview: Adey & Tom Wassink
Q: At what point did you start to ask yourselves, hey, I don't know if I really believe that, you know, for example, that these folks are committing this mortal sin or are going to burn in hell for eternity?
It started with me being really uncomfortable that we were living in a city that had all these queer people, and that if anybody came to our church who was queer, they weren't going to last very long.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Spoiled Fruit: Faith & Power

What is Spoiled Fruit: Faith & Power about and what kind of topics does it cover?

An investigative series focuses on the evolution of a once humble network of churches into a significant global movement, examining the complex dynamics of power and ambition that have influenced its trajectory. The content highlights the troubling consequences faced by individuals who placed their trust in the institution, particularly in light of contemporary scandals and allegations of abuse within the organization. Through personal narratives and thorough research, the series aims to reveal the hidden costs of this expansion, making it a compelling listen for those interested in the intersections of faith, accountability, and cultural dynamics within evangelical Christianity.

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Which podcasts are similar to Spoiled Fruit: Faith & Power?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Spoiled Fruit: Faith & Power:

1. The Deconstructionists
2. The Holy Post
3. Bodies Behind The Bus
4. Theology in the Raw
5. The Esau McCaulley Podcast

How many episodes of Spoiled Fruit: Faith & Power are there?

Spoiled Fruit: Faith & Power launched 7 months ago and published 25 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Spoiled Fruit: Faith & Power?

Recent guests on Spoiled Fruit: Faith & Power include:

1. Brian Metzger
2. Ken Wilson
3. Dr. Paula Swindle
4. Todd Hunter
5. Reagan Wagoner
6. Rebecca Hopkins
7. Spencer Kluvin
8. Kris Sauter

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