Pastor & Church Sued Over Grooming & “Counseling” Adult Women For Sex

A lawsuit was recently filed in the Delaware County Court of Common Pleas by Charles Boyk Law Offices on behalf of two women and one spouse against former Vineyard Church of Delaware County pastor Daniel Meyer, Vineyard Church of Delaware County, Vineyard
USA, and Gospel of Wholeness, LLC. According to the Complaint, Meyer allegedly used his position as a pastor, spiritual advisor, and counselor to cultivate relationships with vulnerable women and engage in years of sexual exploitation under the guise of pastoral counseling.

Boyk Law Attorney Angela Hartford was interviewed by the Columbus area media regarding the lawsuit. She told a reporter from WSYX ABC 6 News, “The defendant has had this counselor role with the church for over a decade, so we don’t believe it is an isolated incident.”

The lawsuit alleges that Meyer identified women experiencing emotional vulnerability, invited them into counseling relationships, and developed dependency-based “father-daughter” dynamics that ultimately led to sexual misconduct. Plaintiffs further allege that the
abuse continued for years and was facilitated by the trust and authority associated with Meyer’s role as a pastor.

“Trauma responses are definitely complex,” said Hartford. “I think for each of them, it took a long time to fully process what had actually happened and to recognize what the abuse was in reality.”

From a legal perspective, the case raises important questions regarding institutional oversight. The Complaint alleges that Vineyard USA and its local affiliates failed to implement adequate safeguards,
supervision, and accountability measures despite prior reports of clergy misconduct within Vineyard-affiliated churches. Plaintiffs contend that the organizations knew or should have known of risks associated with pastoral counseling relationships and failed to take reasonable
steps to protect vulnerable congregants.

Cases involving religious institutions present unique legal challenges because they require courts to balance respect for religious organizations with the fundamental duty to protect individuals from foreseeable harm. The lawsuit highlights an increasingly important area of civil litigation: whether institutions can be held accountable when individuals entrusted with authority allegedly misuse their positions to cause harm.

As the case proceeds, it may offer important guidance on organizational responsibility, risk management, and the safeguards necessary to protect vulnerable individuals seeking counseling, support, and guidance from trusted leaders.

Attorney Angela Hartford says, “What our clients would like to see really is accountability, acknowledgment by the church and the national organization that runs it, as well as accountability for the individual himself, and hopefully change, so this doesn’t happen again in the
future.”

Seeking the Truth: Why Speaking Up Matters

While the legal process will determine the facts, cases like this often reveal a difficult reality: victims of grooming and abuse frequently remain silent for years. Fear, shame, confusion, and the power dynamics involved can make it incredibly difficult to come forward.

For many survivors, learning that someone else has shared a similar experience can be the first step toward seeking help or speaking out.
That is why Boyk Law is encouraging anyone with information related to these allegations, Vineyard Church of Delaware County, Gospel of Wholeness, LLC, or Daniel Meyer to come forward. Even information that may seem minor could help provide a clearer understanding of what occurred and whether others may have been affected.

A recent news article published by Delaware Source provides additional background on the allegations and ongoing litigation: www.delawaresource.com/2026/06/03/ two-women-sue-former-vineyard-church-pastor-overalleged-grooming-sexual-abuse/

If you have information that may be relevant, or if you believe you may have had a similar experience, contact Charles Boyk Law Offices at (419) 241-1395. All inquiries will be handled with sensitivity and confidentiality. Sometimes the most important step toward accountability begins with a single conversation.