Message from Pastor Aubrey

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

The following FAQ is offered to help Apostles Houston understand recent news within the Anglican Church in North America (ACNA) regarding the multiple allegations against Archbishop Steve Wood and his current inhibition. Our goal is to provide clarity about what has happened, how our Province and Diocese are responding, and how we—as followers of Jesus—might walk forward as the working of model of the new creation that God has made us to be.

Let us trust God completely, and pray for the integrity of everyone involved.

Yours respectfully in Christ,

The Reverend Dr. Aubrey D. Spears

Rector

Church of the Apostles

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What has happened?

October 23, 2025: The Washington Post reported that Archbishop Steve Wood, leader of the Anglican Church in North America (ACNA), has become the subject of a formal presentment—a canonical complaint alleging sexual misconduct and other violations of church canons.

Summary of Allegations

The presentment, filed October 20, 2025, centers on claims by Claire Buxton, a former children’s ministry director at St. Andrew’s Church in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, which is a parish in the Anglican Diocese of the Carolinas.
Buxton alleges that between 2021 and 2024, Wood made inappropriate comments and gestures toward her, culminating in an unwanted advance in April 2024, when he allegedly attempted to kiss her.
She also reports receiving about $3,500 in unsolicited payments from church funds over a 13-month period.
Additional accusations in the presentment include plagiarized sermons, bullying of staff, and misuse of church resources.
On November 7, 2025, The Washington Post reported that a second woman had come forward with allegations of sexual harassment, and the presentment was amended to include her affidavit and additional testimony from former colleagues.

Archbishop Wood has stated that he believes the allegations “lack merit” and has expressed trust in the ACNA’s canonical process.

2. What is the ACNA doing about it?

Upon receiving the presentment, our Province, the Anglican Church in North America (ACNA), initiated its disciplinary process, referring the case to a Board of Inquiry (BOI) to “determine whether there are reasonable grounds to put the accused to trial” (ACNA Canons IV.4). Click here for our Constitution and Canons.

November 4, 2025: The ACNA reported that Archbishop Wood took a voluntary, paid leave of absence from his roles as Archbishop and Bishop of the Carolinas. Bishop Ray Sutton, Dean of the Province, was appointed to oversee the Archbishop’s duties during the investigation. In order to maintain objectivity in the proceedings, Bishop Sutton formally recused himself from all matters pertaining to Archbishop Wood’s Board of Inquiry and any subsequent disciplinary process.

Bishop Sutton appointed Bishop Julian Dobbs, who is serving as Dean of Provincial Affairs, to form a three-member panel of bishops to represent Bishop Sutton in any action he may be required to take in the disciplinary process against Archbishop Wood. This newly formed panel will review and approve the composition of the Board of Inquiry (BOI) to ensure its impartiality, and receive its report.

Wood also announced his retirement as rector of St. Andrew’s, describing it as previously planned.

November 15, 2025: The College of Bishops met and received the resignation of Bishop Ray Sutton as Dean of the Province. In his statement, Bishop Sutton cited the unprecedented dynamics of the current moment and serious health issues as reasons for his resignation.

Following consultation and unanimous affirmation of the College of Bishops, Bishop Julian Dobbs was appointed as the new Dean of the Province on November 15, 2025.

You can learn more about Bishop Julian Dobbs here.

You can read more detail about these changes here.

November 16, 2025: Bishop Julian Dobbs, with the written consent of the five senior diocesan bishops of the College (seniority determined by date of admission to the College of Bishops), inhibited Archbishop Stephen Wood from the exercise of ordained ministry in the ACNA.

The inhibition document may be found here.

An inhibition is a suspension from ministry but does not determine guilt or innocence, nor does it pre-judge any allegation or any step that may follow. The canons provide for the imposition of an inhibition when it is determined to be in the best interests of the Church to do so.

As stipulated in the Constitution of the Anglican Diocese of the Carolinas, Bishop David Bryan, as Bishop Suffragan, is now assuming the duties of Acting Bishop of the Diocese of the Carolinas for the duration of this period.

The ACNA emphasized that Archbishop Wood is accountable to the same canonical standards and disciplinary process as any other leader accused of misconduct.

The ACNA stated that it remains committed to:

A rigorous, fair and transparent process under Title IV of the Constitution and Canons.
Ongoing Title IV reform to improve clarity and consistency in disciplinary matters.
A posture of truth, accountability, fairness and care for those affected.
Upholding best practices in safeguarding throughout the Church.

3. What happens now?

The BOI typically takes from a few weeks to 2–3 months to complete its work. If the BOI determines that there are reasonable grounds to put the accused to trial, the trial will be held by our Court for the Trial of a Bishop (ACNA Canons IV.5.2). Click here to see the Current Members of the Court for the Trial of a Bishop.

4. What does this mean for our Church and our Diocese?

(Note: Our diocese is the Anglican Diocese of the Carolinas. Click here for the Diocese webpage.)

We are grieved by these allegations and remain committed to cultivating safe, healthy and trustworthy communities. As the body of Christ, we are called to care for the vulnerable and to seek the well-being of all who worship in our churches. We strive to foster a healthy and nurturing environment in which every person can grow in relationship with Jesus Christ. We pray for truth to come to light, and for justice and healing for all involved. We commend the clergy, people, and ministries of the diocese to your prayers, asking the Lord to grant them His peace, His steadfast love, and His grace to endure in these difficult days.

With the inhibition of Archbishop Steve Wood, who is also the Bishop of our diocese, as stipulated in our diocesan Constitution and Canons (click here and here), Bishop David Bryan, as Bishop Suffragan, is now assuming the duties of Acting Bishop of the Diocese of the Carolinas for the duration of this period.

5. What actions have the ADOC Standing Committee taken?

(Note: The Standing Committee, comprised of six clergy and six laity, serves our diocese as our Leadership Council serves our local church. See the Canons of our diocese, click here, for more detail on this important committee.)

At their November 17 meeting, the Standing Committee voted to:

Send an updated and expanded request to the Board of Inquiry assessing the allegations against Archbishop Steve, asking that they hire a third-party investigative firm that has experience conducting trauma-informed assessments, is fully independent and not beholden to attorney-client privilege, and will maintain strict protections on confidentiality and alleged victim-identity.

Recommend the Governance Task Force hire an outside consultant to help review and give feedback to Title IV revisions

Encourage the College of Bishops to invite Rachael Denhollander to their January meeting to speak about organizational health as it relates to matters of reporting and responding to abuse allegations.

Our Standing Committee’s next meeting will be Monday, Dec. 1.

6. How should we respond as parishioners?

We invite parishioners to respond with:
– Compassion: Make room for those who are hurting or confused.
– Restraint: Avoid speculation or rumor; wait for the completion of the Church’s canonical process.
– Faith: Remember that our hope rests not in human leaders but in Jesus Christ.

If you wish to reference this news publicly, you might use language such as:

“After recent allegations involving abuse of power and unwanted sexual advances, including a second complaint of sexual harassment received last week Archbishop Steve Wood was inhibited on Sunday, November 16, 2025. We grieve this news and pray for truth, justice and healing for all involved. The Church has a God-given responsibility to nurture and protect His people, especially those who are most vulnerable and in need of protection.”

7. What if I or someone else in our community has experienced harm?

You are not alone.

If you or someone you know has experienced abuse, misconduct, or harm within a church setting:
– Call 911 or contact local law enforcement or child protective services if the situation involves current abuse or minors.
– After contacting authorities, report the incident through ADOC’s Reporting Portal (click here).

Our diocese (ADOC) is committed to ensuring that every person is safe, heard and cared for. You can also reach out to the rector (Senior Pastor), who can connect you with trauma-informed pastoral care, counseling or professional support.

8. How should we engage on social media?

Please approach online engagement with wisdom and discretion.

- Avoid speculation or commentary about the ongoing investigation.

- Focus posts on prayer, compassion and the gospel.

- Remember that real people who are hurting may see what we post; let us speak in ways that honor Christ.

9. How can we pray?

We invite all Apostles members to join in prayer for:
– Truth to be revealed in full.
– Healing for those who have been harmed or affected.
– Wisdom and courage for ACNA leaders as they shepherd through this process.
– Renewal of Christ’s Church in humility and repentance.

Join others across the Province who are fasting and praying on Fridays during this season.

10. Where can I report misconduct?

–ADOC’s Reporting Portal–

This document was adapted from the Anglican Diocese of the Carolinas.