Church of England 'Sex Cult': The Nine O'Clock Service Scandal

The Rise of the Nine O'Clock Service

• 💡 The Nine O'Clock Service (NOS) began in Sheffield as an exciting, innovative movement within the Church of England, attracting young people with its rave-like atmosphere, music, and ambient beats.
• 🎯 Initially seen as a model for evangelism by figures like the Archbishop of Canterbury, NOS aimed to draw young people back into churches.
• 🚀 The service quickly grew, moving from a traditional church to a larger venue called the Rotunda, becoming a significant presence in Sheffield's music scene.

Charismatic Leadership and Fast-Tracked Ordination

• 🔑 Chris Brain, the ordained priest and founder of NOS, was a charismatic leader who dictated the movement's direction.
• 📈 Despite concerns from his tutor about his readiness and inappropriate behavior, Brain's ordination was fast-tracked by the Church of England.
• 🎭 Brain developed messianic tendencies, famously insisting on wearing robes from the film 'The Mission' for his ordination, raising questions about funding and his growing sense of self-importance.

Exploitation and Control Within NOS

• ⚠️ Evidence presented in court revealed a sinister side to NOS, with women testifying about being coerced into sexual acts under the guise of 'empowerment' and 'sexual freedom'.
• 🏠 A 'homebased team,' composed mostly of young women, was responsible for Chris Brain's household, often wearing revealing attire and following strict, unusual instructions.
• ⛓️ Many members felt psychologically controlled by Brain, fearing ostracization if they questioned his actions or tried to leave, leading to a sense of exploitation and loss of control over their lives.

The Church's Handling of the Scandal

• 📉 Despite early concerns raised by members and clergy, the Church of England largely dismissed complaints, opting to handle matters internally rather than through formal investigation.
• 🚫 Survivors report being told not to speak to the press or police, with their concerns being swept under the carpet, leading to deep resentment and a loss of faith for many.
• 🏛️ The Church's response, characterized by protecting the institution over victims, is seen as a repeated failure, especially in light of other scandals involving figures like Peter Ball and John Smyth.

Legal Ramifications and Aftermath

• ⚖️ Decades after NOS collapsed, Chris Brain was found guilty of 17 charges of indecent assault, though cleared of others.
• 💔 The scandal has caused significant damage to the Church of England's reputation, occurring at a time when it was already dealing with multiple sexual abuse allegations and cover-ups.
• 🤝 Following the trial, an independent safeguarding review was announced, and the current bishop of Sheffield apologized for the church's past failings and the appalling abuse of power that occurred.