Spoiled Fruit: Faith & Power

Full Interview: Doug Warburton

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 the ELCA Lutheran Church. In this episode, Pastor Doug offers valuable perspective from a tradition that’s been refining its systems of governance, accountability, and pastoral care for centuries. Together, John and Doug explore how institutional structure can be both protective and redemptive when it’s rooted in transparency, shared authority, and a deep respect for congregational voice. Doug also helps frame what healthy oversight looks like in contrast to the failures uncovered throughout Spoiled Fruit: Faith & Power, showing how lessons learned from long-standing denominations might guide newer movements toward maturity and integrity. Pastor Doug Warburton serves within the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) and brings decades of experience in congregational leadership, pastoral care, and denominational governance. His insight offers a grounded, practical contrast to the free-church structures explored throughout Spoiled Fruit: Faith & Power, highlighting what institutional wisdom can offer to movements still finding their way. ABOUT THE SERIES Spoiled Fruit: Faith & Power is an investigative series examining how good intentions within church movements can curdle into systems of power and silence. Season Two expands beyond the Vineyard to explore how these same dynamics appear across evangelicalism — and how faith communities can build healthier, more accountable futures. FOLLOW & SUPPORT Stay connected for updates on Season Two: * Website: spoiledfruitpodcast.com [http:] * Instagram: @spoiledfruitpodcast [http:] * X / Twitter: @spoiledfruitpod [http:] If you found this conversation meaningful, please rate, review, and share the episode — your support helps keep these stories alive and heard. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/spoiled-fruit-faith-and-power/exclusive-content [https://redcircle.com/spoiled-fruit-faith-and-power/exclusive-content] Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands [https://redcircle.com/brands] Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy [https://redcircle.com/privacy]

Full Interview: Brian Metzger

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 this candid and deeply personal conversation, Brian reflects on his years within the Vineyard Movement, what led him to speak out, and how his faith has evolved in the aftermath. Together, John and Brian discuss systemic leadership failures, accountability gaps, and the difficult balance between loyalty to a movement and loyalty to one’s convictions. Brian’s courage and clarity have made him a respected voice among those calling for reform, and this interview provides essential context for understanding how Vineyard USA’s internal culture allowed harm to persist unchecked. ABOUT THE GUEST Pastor Brian Metzger is a former Vineyard pastor and one of the most vocal advocates for transparency, justice, and reform within the movement. His willingness to speak publicly about systemic failures — and to stand with survivors — has made him a key voice in the broader conversation about accountability within modern evangelicalism. ABOUT THE SERIES Spoiled Fruit: Faith & Power investigates the rise, fall, and reckoning of the Vineyard Movement — and what its story reveals about evangelicalism as a whole. Season Two will expand the lens beyond the Vineyard, exploring how power, silence, and institutional loyalty shape movements across the broader church landscape. FOLLOW & SUPPORT Stay connected for updates on Season Two: * Website: spoiledfruitpodcast.com [http:] * Instagram: @spoiledfruitpodcast [http:] * X / Twitter: @spoiledfruitpod [http:] Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/spoiled-fruit-faith-and-power/exclusive-content [https://redcircle.com/spoiled-fruit-faith-and-power/exclusive-content] Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands [https://redcircle.com/brands] Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy [https://redcircle.com/privacy]

Full Interview: Melody Winderweedle

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 care. In the wake of a high-profile abuse scandal, Melody pushed for transparency, advocated for LGBTQ inclusion, and called out systems of control and exclusion. The response? Silence. Retaliation. And a door quietly closed behind her. Her story is not unique—but it is rarely told so publicly. This interview is part of a continuing effort to surface the voices that churches like to bury. We also contextualize this episode with recent developments at Duluth Vineyard—including internal concerns about new council appointments, allegations of spiritual coercion, power alignment, and a past relationship involving a minor. Despite public promises to be trauma-informed, the church’s actions suggest a troubling return to platforming loyalty over accountability. Meanwhile, when asked for comment, Vineyard USA National Director Jay Pathak declined to respond—deferring instead to regional leaders. Once again, responsibility is passed down rather than taken up. This is the first of two new interviews in this mini-series. The voices may have been pushed to the margins—but they are speaking louder than ever. Guest Bio: Melody Winderweedle is a current pastor and former Vineyard pastor. Known for her compassion, integrity, and spiritual leadership, Melody served faithfully until she was removed for supporting LGBTQ inclusion and speaking up about systemic issues within the church. She continues to advocate for safer, healthier expressions of Christian community. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/spoiled-fruit-faith-and-power/exclusive-content [https://redcircle.com/spoiled-fruit-faith-and-power/exclusive-content] Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands [https://redcircle.com/brands] Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy [https://redcircle.com/privacy]

BONUS: Q&A

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 — https://redcircle.com/spoiled-fruit-faith-and-power/exclusive-content [https://redcircle.com/spoiled-fruit-faith-and-power/exclusive-content] Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands [https://redcircle.com/brands] Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy [https://redcircle.com/privacy]

Full Interview: Ken Wilson

In this full-length interview, Spoiled Fruit sits down with Ken Wilson, founding pastor of Vineyard Church of Ann Arbor and one of the movement's earliest and most respected leaders. For decades, Ken was known as a thoughtful, compassionate voice within the Vineyard - until he did something few pastors dared to do: publicly express support for LGBTQ+ inclusion. Despite years of faithful service, Ken was quietly pushed out, his legacy downplayed, and the church he founded taken over by those unwilling to even speak his name. This is the first time Ken has publicly shared the full story of how his journey with the Vineyard ended - not because he left, but because he was no longer welcome. Ken Wilson is the founding pastor of Vineyard Ann Arbor and the author of A Letter to My Congregation, a landmark book in the conversation around faith and LGBTQ+ inclusion. Recently retired from the ministry, Ken continues to write, teach, and advocate for a more expansive and inclusive expression of Christian faith. Resources & Links: www.spoiledfruitpodcast.com Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/spoiled-fruit-faith-and-power/exclusive-content [https://redcircle.com/spoiled-fruit-faith-and-power/exclusive-content] Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands [https://redcircle.com/brands] Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy [https://redcircle.com/privacy]