Overview of Actions and Support

Updated February 21, 2025

Introduction

Below you will find an overview of the support that Vineyard USA has provided to reporting victims, the Duluth Vineyard, the Gatlins, and the broader Vineyard community. We also acknowledge that our response to this situation has not been without its shortcomings - you will find those noted as well in the section titled VUSA Leadership Failures and Mistakes This is not an exhaustive list, nor does it adequately meet the needs of every person impacted.

Extending support to an individual or group does not invalidate or minimize the impact and experiences of others. Supporting the unique challenges faced by one party does not imply a disregard for the needs of another. We must ultimately instead trust the generous provision of God himself to meet the needs of all in love and do our best to cooperate with his Spirit to direct our resources in a manner that demonstrates the heart of Jesus.

Additionally, a more detailed timeline is available to interested parties (name and email required to access) entrusting that the motivation to review the information serves the health and healing of the victims, the Duluth Vineyard, and the Vineyard movement. This timeline also includes a tab with Vineyard USA’s perspective on some specific line items of Vineyard Duluth’s Timeline.

As Vineyard USA strives to embody the radical grace of Jesus Christ, we encounter a profound and often agonizing tension. To let go of the tension, while tempting, is to lose sight of the transforming power of the gospel. Instead, what is required is that we:

Uphold the dignity and safety of every individual: This demands that we believe survivors of abuse, offering unwavering compassion and resources for healing while advocating for justice. We must create a culture where victims feel heard, valued, and empowered.

Extend the transformative power of the Gospel: Even to those who have caused harm, we require accountability demonstrated by repentance, offering a pathway to repair. We believe in the redemptive power of the cross, knowing that even the most broken among us can find healing and reconciliation.

This tension is further complicated by the unique needs of:

The Duluth Vineyard: Navigating the impact of trauma requires practical support and pastoral care. We must provide our churches with the needed support and equip them with the resources and training to effectively address abuse within their community.
The Vineyard movement: We are responsible for providing strong leadership and transparent communication, addressing any systemic issues of abuse and power dynamics within our family of churches. This includes fostering a culture of accountability and transparency at all levels while modeling the forbearance and patience required of mature leaders.

Vineyard USA Overview of Actions and Support

Vineyard USA updated the original webpage and detailed timeline on Feb 21, 2025. Corrections are noted as such on the detailed timeline.

To Reporters and Reporting Victims

Vineyard USA acknowledges the immense pain and harm experienced by those who served under Michael and Brenda Gatlin’s leadership, as well as the profound impact of Jackson Gatlin’s crimes. We recognize that these abuses have caused lasting damage and trauma for individuals, families, and communities affected by them. As part of the critical structural work that was mandated out of the ReOrg process, the Vineyard USA National Leadership Team prioritized addressing systemic failures in handling allegations of abuse. These efforts reflect a deep commitment to reform, ensuring that a comprehensive, trauma-informed system for responding to abuse is at the very foundation of our organizational framework moving forward. The Detailed Timeline notes events and correspondence that occurred prior to November 22, 2022.

February 25, 2014 – A Formal Concern / Complaint To The Vineyard USA Board Regarding Michael Gatlin was submitted to select members of the Executive Team.
November 22, 2022 – Vineyard USA launched an Institutional Assessment conducted by Guidepost Solutions. The results of this assessment were published on June 30, 2023.
December 14, 2022 – Vineyard USA was made aware of allegations of sexual misconduct against Jackson Gatlin. Ongoing communication requested clarity regarding the scope of the allegations, based on available information. To our knowledge, to date, no victims of Jackson Gatlin’s sexual abuse contacted Vineyard USA or the confidential reporting hotline.
February 13, 2023 – John Kliewer (Associate Pastor for Duluth Vineyard) provided Robb Morgan (Managing Director for Vineyard USA) with documentation related to a 2019 non-criminal Complaint against Jackson Gatlin. The documentation included email communication between Jenna Stepp, and Michael and Brenda Gatlin on March 20, 2019, and June 26, 2019, The Duluth Vineyard discovered that these allegations had not been brought to the attention of the Church Council at Duluth Vineyard. An additional review from Vineyard USA revealed a second Senior Pastor brought his concerns related to these allegations directly to Brenda Gatlin. Those concerns were dismissed by Brenda Gatlin. Vineyard USA encouraged all parties to participate in the 2023 GRACE investigation related to this situation.
March 16, 2023 – A 24/7 confidential reporting hotline was established with Guidepost Solutions, allowing Vineyard USA church attendees and staff to report any concerns or allegations of sexual misconduct or pastoral abuse.
March 16-20, 2023 – An individual reporting misconduct circulated an email and attachments to select Vineyard USA staff, which were redirected to Robb Morgan, Managing Director of Vineyard USA. These emails and documents were related to A Formal Concern / Complaint To The Vineyard USA Board Regarding Michael Gatlin, originally submitted on February 25, 2014, to select members of the Executive Team. The reporter did not initially distribute the Formal Concern to Jay Pathak and two others serving 1-year “junior” terms as Executive Team members. Robb Morgan responded to the individual reporter and directed them to GRACE and Guidepost Solutions to establish a record of the communication. As disclosed in the Limited Scope investigation noted below, Vineyard USA leadership failed to act on allegations submitted in 2014. Vineyard USA has offered a sincere apology to the reporting victim in writing on February 19, 2024, and verbally on October 30, 2024.
Investigations & Reports – Vineyard USA contracted Guidepost Solutions to conduct two separate investigations with the resulting reports: 1) A limited-scope report into the response of Vineyard USA to the 2014 allegations submitted to the former Executive Team of Vineyard USA, and 2) a comprehensive investigation into the allegations of leadership misconduct of Michael and Brenda Gatlin.
Guidepost Solutions Confidential Reporting Hotline – Since the allegations against Jackson Gatlin were made public, seven separate reports have been submitted to our confidential reporting hotline connected to the Duluth Vineyard. These confidential reports relate exclusively to the leadership misconduct of Michael and Brenda Gatlin. If requested by the individual reporters, Vineyard USA has engaged each reporter to hear their story. As appropriate, reporters were encouraged by Guidepost Solutions or Vineyard USA to participate in the Guidepost Solutions investigation. On May 31, Vineyard USA issued a public apology to reporting victims and encouraged them to participate in the Guidepost investigation. The final report from Guidepost Solutions was made available on October 25, 2024.
Vitalization Wellness Trauma-Informed Counseling Services – Starting in May 2024, Vineyard USA has made available and paid for trauma-informed counseling services to reporters in this and other issues of leadership abuse or misconduct. A number of current and former staff of the Duluth Vineyard have been referred to these services.

In Support of the Duluth Vineyard

Vineyard USA remains committed to supporting the Duluth Vineyard through this challenging time. We have and will continue to offer practical counsel, pastoral care, resources, and guidance as they navigate this difficult situation. Our goal from the earliest engagement has been to walk alongside the Duluth Vineyard community, offering support and encouragement as they seek healing and restoration.

Ongoing Engagement – Since December 14, 2022, Vineyard USA personnel have spent hundreds of hours in direct and indirect support of the Duluth Vineyard. This work has primarily been supported by John Elmer, Robb Morgan, and Nicole Dill. A detailed timeline of engagement is available for review.

February 2, 2023 – Vineyard USA sent an update to Duluth Vineyard Special Committee and John Kliewer related to decisions made by Vineyard USA in view of information that came to light during the in-person visit in January 2023. Other employment matters are noted in the sections below.

In-Person Visits – Vineyard USA visited Duluth Vineyard at their request in January 2023, March 2023, and May 2023. In-person meetings occurred at the MW North Regional conference in 2023. In December 2023, communication was paused at the request of the Duluth Vineyard. Communication restarted in March 2024 and included an in-person meeting in July 2024 at the National Conference in Cincinnati. Vineyard USA is scheduled to visit Duluth Vineyard in March 2025.

Financial Support – Vineyard USA contracted and paid for The Leaders Journey to provide consultation and coaching for the Duluth Vineyard. Senior Leadership Team members John Kliewer, Becca Eastvold (appointed to SLT 2023), and Steph Bremer (appointed to SLT 2023) have all received coaching sessions. The Special Committee and Church Council have received consultation services. The broader leadership team of Duluth Vineyard has received in-person training as well.
Investigative Processes – Vineyard USA communicated its complete cooperation with every investigation that would shed light on such a tragic situation. Every employee of Vineyard USA was directed to participate in any inquiry. To our knowledge, to date, no Vineyard USA staff were requested to be interviewed by GRACE or the Duluth Police Department.
Administration of Church Discipline – Following the in-person visit in May 2023, Duluth Vineyard and Vineyard USA agreed to cooperate in the administration of the Church Discipline plan developed by the Duluth Vineyard. This stated cooperation continued until December 2023 when a revised Church Discipline Plan was made public without discussion or distribution to those who had been given responsibility to administer the plan.
Calls for Increased Transparency – Starting in February 2023, Vineyard USA advocated for complete transparency of all communications from all parties. Most directly communicated on July 3, 2023, Vineyard USA cautioned against the selective updates posted on the Duluth Vineyard website. In the email, Robb Morgan stated, “From the onset, Vineyard USA has suggested that ALL correspondence be made public to ensure transparency for and from all parties involved. The timeline, supporting documentation, and editorializing is noticeably selective. Your opening statement and commitment to transparency requires a reconsideration of what has been made available and, as importantly, what has not.”

Management, Oversight, and Support Provided to Michael & Brenda Gatlin

Vineyard USA worked to manage relationships with the Gatlins amidst a complex and fluid situation. Following the public announcement of allegations against Jackson Gatlin on January 29, 2023, additional allegations of leadership abuse against Michael and Brenda Gatlin surfaced. These new allegations required Vineyard USA to hold the tensions of prioritizing the safety and well-being of those who had been harmed and supporting the needs and decisions of the Duluth Vineyard leadership, while simultaneously maintaining a relationship with the Gatlins in pursuit of accountability. Vineyard USA held the position, with the initial cooperation of the Duluth Vineyard, that maintaining a relationship with the Gatlins had the greatest likelihood of facilitating the desired accountability.

December 14, 2022 – January 29, 2023 – In support of Duluth Vineyard leadership, Vineyard USA provided a usable Authority Matrix to clarify principled decision-making responsibilities while Michael Gatlin was still the Senior Pastor of the Duluth Vineyard and Brenda Gatlin was the Vice President of the Duluth Vineyard. The matrix would allow for Michael Gatlin to provide input while clarifying that he should have no decision-making authority related to the Special Committee and the investigation into allegations against Jackson Gatlin. Vineyard USA’s understanding of this counsel is further discussed below.
January 13, 2023 – Robb Morgan follow-up email to Brenda Gatlin regarding her attempt to exert influence over the Senior Leadership Team at Duluth Vineyard.
January 29, 2023 – On January 29, 2023, the Duluth Vineyard Special Committee told the Duluth Vineyard Leadership Team about the Initial Report, the Special Committee, and the independent GRACE investigation. The statement approved by the Special Committee and read by Michael Gatlin acknowledged his ongoing leadership as the Senior Pastor of the Duluth Vineyard stating, “As this situation unfolds, I want to assure you that I’m not leading in this process, and at the same time, I am still serving as the senior pastor of the Duluth Vineyard Church. I am incredibly thankful that I do not bear this responsibility alone. The staff, leadership, and ministry teams who serve alongside us are sensitive and capable leaders we can trust.”
February 1, 2023 – The Vineyard USA Board of Trustees voted to suspend Michael and Brenda Gatlin from their respective roles with Vineyard USA.
February 1, 2023 – Vineyard USA sends Leave of Absence notice to Brenda Gatlin
February 10, 2023 – Vineyard USA sends Notice of Suspension to Brenda Gatlin
February 11, 2023 – Vineyard USA sends Stipulation of Suspension to Brenda Gatlin
February 21, 2023 – John Kliewer acknowledges that, due to the pace of ongoing developments. Vineyard USA may not have all the available information.
February 21, 2023– Vineyard USA receives resignation from Michael Gatlin from his role as Trustee of Vineyard USA and Vineyard Worship respectively.
February 24, 2023 – Vineyard USA receives Letter of Resignation from Brenda Gatlin from her role as Super Regional Leader.
March 17, 2023 – Vineyard USA provides Separation Agreements to Michael and Brenda Gatlin respectively.
March 25, 2023 – Separation Agreements signed by Michael and Brenda Gatlin respectively
- Details regarding the Employment Separation Agreement (SA)
  - Brenda Gatlin was provided a 3-month severance package as part of the Separation Agreement. Michael Gatlin was provided a 6-month, half-time severance package commensurate with his compensation as the Director of Multiply Vineyard and his service as a Trustee.
    - The severance offered by Vineyard USA was fully disclosed to the Duluth Vineyard prior to distribution.
  - Non-Disparagement Clause – a non-disparagement clause was included in the Separation Agreement. NOTE – This clause is a standard part of a separation agreement and was specifically highlighted in correspondence from Vineyard USA to the Duluth Vineyard to attend to their concerns that Michael and Brenda Gatlin were speaking poorly about the leadership decisions being made by the Duluth Vineyard Special Committee and staff.
  - Non-Disclosure Agreement – a standard Non-Disclosure Agreement was REMOVED from the Separation Agreement at the direction of Vineyard USA. NOTE – The current management of Vineyard USA has never requested any employee or leader to sign an NDA. This is part of our commitment to complete transparency and accountability.
- Ongoing Accountability – Vineyard USA has documented numerous emails to Michael and Brenda Galtin on its detailed timeline. Many of those are outlined in this March 25, 2024 correspondence from Vineyard USA notifying the Gatlins of Vineyard USA’s requirement that they discontinue fellowship.

Vineyard USA Leadership Failures and Mistakes

Vineyard USA acknowledges that despite the efforts listed above and expanded upon below and in the detailed timeline, mistakes and missteps have occurred. We take full responsibility and deeply regret the harm caused by our actions and inactions. These stem from a combination of issues including leadership failures, inadequate structures for reporting, insufficient attention to the voices of those harmed, limitations in available information, and an undefined hybrid ecclesiology.

Vineyard USA remains committed to learning from these experiences, taking responsibility for our actions and doing better. This includes a thorough and transparent review of our past, identifying areas for improvement, and implementing necessary changes to ensure that such situations are handled with greater care and effectiveness in the future.

The list below specifically addresses allegations of misconduct made against Michael, Brenda, and Jackson Gatlin. It is important to note that no allegations of sexual crimes or the awareness thereof have been made against Vineyard USA. Some of those mistakes and missteps include:

2014 Formal Concerns – Vineyard USA leadership failed to act on information that deserved a sincere review which may have resulted in an independent investigation. Accountability for inaction is understandable and warranted. Vineyard USA has offered a sincere apology to the reporting victim in writing on February 19, 2024, and verbally on October 30, 2024. Vineyard USA has implemented a confidential reporting mechanism.
2019 Complaint – A 2019 Complaint was discovered by Duluth Vineyard in February 2023 and sent to Robb Morgan, Managing Director of Vineyard USA for awareness. HLI was a local church ministry supervised by Duluth Vineyard. Nepotism exceptions approved by the Church Council of Duluth Vineyard permitted Jackson Gatlin to be supervised by Brenda Gatlin. At the time of the complaint, Vineyard USA was providing national coordination and coaching but did not provide management oversight to local HLI ministries. Additionally, at the time of the complaint, Vineyard USA did not have a mechanism for reporting abuse nor a standardized process by which the complaint and accompanying pastoral concerns would be addressed. If available, these processes may have resulted in the allegations of misconduct receiving an appropriate review and independent investigation. Accountability for inaction is understandable and warranted. Vineyard USA has implemented a confidential reporting mechanism.
Authority Matrix – The initial counsel provided by Vineyard USA to the Duluth Vineyard Special Committee was informed by their decision to retain Michael Gatlin as Senior Pastor. With the information now available, Vineyard USA acknowledges that it could have better served the Duluth Vineyard by more explicitly defining the Special Committee’s decision-making authority and responsibilities, regardless of Michael Gatlin’s leadership role. Criticism of the chosen course of action is understandable and even warranted.
Separation Agreement – In light of allegations that surfaced and information that became available after January 29, 2023, Vineyard USA recognizes that a different approach could have been applied considering the Separation Agreement that may have resulted in the desired accountability and expected participation of the Gatlins. Criticism of the chosen course of action is understandable and even warranted.
Church Discipline administered by Vineyard USA – Vineyard USA was cautioned that this arrangement may result in practical challenges, relational confusion, and misunderstandings. While attempting to hold the tension in cooperation with the Duluth Vineyard, Mile High Vineyard, and the Gatlins, this arrangement strained relationships and brought confusion, without producing the desired accountability and expected participation. Mile High Vineyard demonstrated cooperation with Vineyard USA in pursuing the intended outcomes, despite the challenges and complexities of the situation. Criticism of the chosen course of action is understandable and even warranted.
January 2025 Webpage Update – Vineyard USA did not provide adequate time for reporting victims to review the webpage update and offer input. Vineyard USA has apologized for our mistake, acknowledged the added hurt caused by our actions, and has recommitted to providing adequate time for reporters to review future updates.

Church Discipline and the Administration of Church Discipline

In March 2023, Robb Morgan encouraged the Duluth Vineyard to develop a formal Church Discipline Plan for Michael and Brenda Gatlin, as well as Jackson Gatlin. To that point, Duluth Vineyard had related to the Gatlins exclusively as an employer. Following the Gatlins’ resignations, the rationale for ongoing discipline had yet to be established through appropriate Church Discipline proceedings.

April – May 2023 – Correspondence with DV Special Committee from April 17 to May 2, 2023 encouraging the Duluth Vineyard to initiate a formal Church Discipline Plan.
May 2023 – During the in-person visit in May 2023, Vineyard USA explained how a formal Church Discipline process would allow Vineyard USA to further support the desired accountability for the Gatlins. Duluth Vineyard and Vineyard USA agreed to administer Church Discipline cooperatively.
Spring of 2023 – Gatlins relocate to Arvada, CO where their daughter, son-in-law, and grandchildren live. The Gatlins begin attending the Mile High Vineyard without prior consultation with or approval from Vineyard USA, the Duluth Vineyard, or the Mile High Vineyard.
May 15, 2023 – On May 15, 2023, the Special Committee placed Michael and Brenda Gatlin under church discipline and laid out the start of a path for reconciliation and restoration.
June 4, 2023 – Per the request from Duluth Vineyard, Vineyard USA provided feedback on the proposed Church Discipline Plan. The feedback is exclusively in support of the outlined plan with suggested additions.
May 15, 2023 through December 14, 2023 – John Elmer, VUSA Super Regional Leader, helps to administer the Church Discipline Plan. This includes a phone conversation with John Kliewer related to permitted activities of the Gatlins at the Mile High Vineyard to ensure compliance.
December 14, 2023 – the Duluth Vineyard Special Committee sent an updated church discipline letter to Michael and Brenda Gatlin. This update was published to the Duluth website without communication with Vineyard USA or Mile High Vineyard although the commitment of cooperative administration remained in place. Vineyard USA communicated its support of Church Discipline while outlining challenges in our ecclesiastical structure upon which the Church Discipline Plan presumes.
March 25, 2024 – Vineyard USA communicated to Michael and Brenda Gatlin that, due to ongoing non-compliance with the Church Discipline Plan and clearly communicated expectations that they would participate in the investigative processes, they were no longer permitted to attend a Vineyard church.

Vineyard USA Transparency & Communication

Vineyard USA has consistently demonstrated a commitment to transparency in this and other crisis situations. Transparency within an organization requires that there are clear lines of communication and accountability. This means that specific individuals, such as supervisors, managers, or those with designated roles, should have access to the information they need to perform their duties effectively. This approach to information sharing ensures both the necessary openness for effective operations and the appropriate level of confidentiality. Vineyard USA has worked hard to share all information with the Board of Trustees, National Leadership Team, Duluth Vineyard, Guidepost Solutions, and GRACE. Vineyard USA has consistently shared relevant updates with the Leadership Council and timely updates with all Vineyard pastors. And now, as possible, we are increasing public communication with this detailed timeline available to interested parties (name and email required to access).

December 14, 2022 – Ongoing – To the best of our ability, the Duluth Vineyard has been provided with any and all information requested or discovered by Vineyard USA as information has become available. This includes but is not limited to our internal and external emails and documentation, investigative reports, text threads, etc. Any future requests for information will be honored.
February 2, 2023 – Vineyard USA notifies Vineyard Leadership Council (Regional Leaders (RLs), Area Leaders (ALs), Association Leaders) of Gatlin suspensions.
February 24, 2023 – Vineyard USA notifies Vineyard Leadership Council (RLs, ALs, Association Leaders) of Michael Gatlin’s resignation from the Duluth Vineyard.
February 26, 2023 – Vineyard USA sends Duluth Vineyard a video update for review and input.
February 27, 2023 – Vineyard USA notifies Michael & Brenda Gatlin of webpage release.
February 27, 2023 – Vineyard USA notifies Leadership Council of Gatlin resignations.
March 10, 2023 – In light of being asked to not disclose certain documents and/or the information contained therein, Vineyard USA communicates concerns re: various areas including transparency.

- “VUSA CONCERNS – Vineyard USA has concerns related to the following areas that it would be happy to share at the request of the Special Committee. Areas: Agency of various entities involved; potential complicity as more information comes to light; transparency of communications ongoing.”

July 3, 2023 – Vineyard USA communicates its concerns with the Duluth Vineyard Special Committee following its first Timeline updates. From that correspondence, Robb Morgan stated:

- “By not sharing ALL correspondence from ALL parties an editorialized narrative is being formed at the discretion of the Special Committee. From the onset, Vineyard USA has suggested that ALL correspondence be made public to ensure transparency for and from all parties involved. The timeline, supporting documentation, and editorializing is noticeably selective. Your opening statement and commitment to transparency requires a reconsideration of what has been made available and as importantly what has not.”

October 3, 2023 – Vineyard USA notifies Leadership Council of Jackson Gatlin’s arrest and criminal charges.
November 22, 2023 – Vineyard USA notifies Leadership Council of the updated statement on VUSA webpage.
January 26, 2024 – Vineyard USA notifies the Duluth Vineyard and the Vineyard USA Leadership Council of the updated statement on VUSA webpage.

Financial Resources

Organizational priorities and budgets are more than just financial plans; they are moral documents that reflect an organization’s values and ethical commitments. The decisions made about where to allocate resources directly impact the lives of individuals and communities.

Guidepost Solutions – Institutional Assessment; 24/7 Confidential Reporting Hotline; Limited Scope Investigation in VUSA Response to 2014 Allegations; Guidepost Solutions Investigation into Allegations of Leadership Misconduct.
Quiet Waters – Counseling Intensive for Michael and Brenda Gatlin
The Leaders Journey – Contracted Support for Duluth Vineyard
Vitalization Wellness Trauma-Informed Counseling Services – Vineyard USA has retained Vitalization Wellness to provide Trauma-Informed Counseling services for those who utilize the Confidential Reporting Hotline and are in need of additional support.

Whenever people are harmed, simply stating that ‘efforts were made’ is insufficient. It is our hope that the efforts outlined above reflect a genuine commitment to working together with survivors, the Duluth Vineyard, and the broader Vineyard community to work toward needed healing, restore trust where needed, establish greater structures of accountability and care so that in the future we are able to respond with greater competency and compassion. May the Lord lead us and have mercy on us.