Soul Survivor: Andy Croft resigns from Watford church over 'failures'

Rev. Andy Croft has decided to leave Soul Survivor Watford, despite The Bishop of St Albans being told he could return to ministry following a safeguarding probe into former pastor Mike Pilavachi.

Mr Croft had been suspended from the Greycaine Road church during the investigation, which found that concerns against Mr Pilavachi over an abuse of power relating to his ministry were substantiated, in September.

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In a statement yesterday (November 23), Mr Croft apologised “for any way in which my actions have contributed to the pain others have experienced”.

He said: “Along with many others, I have been profoundly shocked and saddened by the damage caused by Mike’s abuse over decades.

“I first joined Soul Survivor as an intern in 2004 when I was 18. After leaving university I later joined the staff in 2008 and became joint Senior Pastor in 2016.

“The stories of victims that have now emerged and the work of the National Safeguarding Team have changed my perspective on much of what I have experienced from a young age. I need to acknowledge now that I myself have also been deeply impacted by aspects of Mike’s abusive behaviour.”

Rev Canon Mike Pilavachi (Image: Soul Survivor)

He added: “In recent months my own failures relating to professional safeguarding practice have become apparent to me.

“The investigation found that my safeguarding practice fell short on three occasions. I have had to confront the reality that errors in my judgement may have allowed others to experience pain. This has troubled me deeply.

“As someone in leadership, it feels like a profound failure on my part, for which I sincerely apologise.”

The pastor shared that, of the three complaints against him, two did not reach the threshold for a disciplinary complaint to be made and the third was a disciplinary complaint but was dismissed.

However, he said that he was “committed to learning from my mistakes” and has undergone further safeguarding training.

An independent assessment concluded that he does not present a safeguarding risk and he apparently intends to return to ministry “in due course”, but feels it is right to step away from Soul Survivor.

Rev. Jon Stevens will continue as the interim leader at the church.