Update: On November 3, a day after I originally published this post, Steve Wood announced his “previously planned retirement” from St. Andrews as rector. He also announced that he is taking a leave of absence from his roles as Archbishop of the ACNA and Bishop of the Diocese of the Carolinas while the investigation into his activities proceeds. I’m still smelling a lot of spin here. However, his leave of absence and departure from St. Andrews – regardless of how he may be euphemizing it as “retirement” – is still a victory for the church and for those most deeply affected by this scandal. Ruch should have taken this step long ago.
November 2, 2025 – Last weekend the Washington Post published explosive allegations regarding abuse of power and other misconduct in the ACNA by its head, Archbishop Steve Wood, and Bishop Stewart Ruch, head of the Diocese of the Upper Midwest. Even if they are found “not guilty” of the charges against them, they should resign now.
The verdict in Stewart Ruch’s trial is expected in December; Steve Wood’s case will presumably go to trial. Yet, a “not guilty” verdict in an ecclesiastical trial is not the same thing as a “clean bill of health” or proof that there was no wrongdoing. Regardless of their guilt or innocence regarding specific charges, Steve Wood and Stewart Ruch seem to have made serious mistakes that are still hurting people and damaging the church’s reputation. The best thing they can do right now, for the good of those they have wounded and for the church they serve, is to resign and put her in better hands.
The Allegations: A Microcosm of National Dysfunction
This month, I’d planned to highlight Trump’s abuse of power and the corresponding rise of fascist ideology in the US.
I axed those plans after the Post articles, but my topic here is still abuse of power; only now, the theater is the church, not our country. For me, this conflict hits very close to home. I grew up in Steve Woods’ church, St. Andrews Mt. Pleasant. I’ve actually written about some of my experiences there here. My family left in the late 1990s, well before Steve Wood arrived, but we still know people who worship there. It hurts to know that this church, which was so important to my spiritual formation, is now led by someone who – according to formal charges supported by at least 10 Anglican priests and parishioners – allegedly “bullied and disparaged” church employees, plagiarized sermons, and often bragged about having (sex with) a certain woman at another church “anytime he wanted.” Not to mention his alleged attempted kiss of Claire Buxton and potential misuse of funds, as reported by the Post.
In the wake of these allegations, Steve Wood has not demonstrated much humility. Shortly after the news broke, he issued a statement to the St. Andrews congregation that seemed self-absorbed and intended more to rehabilitate his image than care for his parishioners. He began his letter not by addressing the serious matters at hand but by gushing over a wedding he’d just attended with his wife. While his parishioners were probably reeling, Steve Wood was walking on air, waxing sentimental over wedding festivities that he enjoyed surrounded by “old and trusted friends.”
If I were still at St. Andrews, that’s not the tone I’d be wanting to hear from my rector right now.
In addition to being totally out-of-touch, Steve Wood’s opening words in that letter also feel manipulative. They seem like a desperate attempt to garner sympathy and cultivate a wholesome image in the face of the very unwholesome picture that is emerging, even as he denies all claims related to Buxton.
I hope parishioners at St. Andrews can see through any BS here.
They need to brace themselves for more allegations.
Steve Wood and Stewart Ruch: “Out-of-control men”
The fact that Steve Wood and Stewart Ruch still occupy their lofty positions indicates their poor judgment – and the church’s hypocrisy. As ACNAtoo advocate Abbi Nye points out, why is there more moral accountability in the secular/corporate world than there is in Christ’s church? We see it all the time: CEOs get booted out for doing bad things or resign in the face of serious allegations. The company conducts an internal investigation, of course, but no onerous “trial” or protracted, bureaucratic process is needed to remove a problematic leader.
The ACNA needs to improve its discipline process for church leaders; it shouldn’t be so hard and take so long for the church to act on misconduct allegations, which swirled around Steve Wood for years unaddressed, even as concerns were raised. Likewise, the church’s investigation into Ruch’s alleged misconduct, including sexual abuse mishandling, went on for years, while more people were allegedly victimized. As Rev. Robert Sturdy bravely stated in the Post article: “We have out-of-control men with absolute power and leaders who refuse to hold them accountable.”
After reading a lot of “pastoral letters” to congregations since news of this crisis broke, I feel somewhat disheartened rather than inspired. When our bishops and rectors say things like, “please refrain from spreading rumors” and “trust the procedure in place to deal with the allegations,” it feels like they are discouraging people from forming (and sharing) their own opinions on what, in some cases, is substantial and credible evidence; and ignoring the painful reality that our processes need to be fixed. To protect innocent people as well as the church’s reputation. Until then, leaders like Steve Wood and Stewart Ruch will exploit ACNA’s governance gaps to stay in power as long as they can. Yet both men should resign. Whether they are declared “guilty” or “not guilty” in a church trial, the evidence overwhelmingly indicates that, at minimum, they are not the leaders we need and deserve.
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