Pastor Carl Lentz fired following leadership issues and extra-marital affair
Hillsong global head pastor Brian Houston has announced that an investigation will be launched at his New York church, following the recent actions of Hillsong NYC Pastor Carl Lentz, who was fired for “leadership issues, breaches of trust, plus a recent revelation of moral failures.”
“We are launching an independent investigation into the inner workings of Hillsong NYC/ East Coast. We need a solid foundation for a fresh start and new beginning. The best is yet to come,” the global head pastor tweeted on Thursday.
His remarks came after it was revealed last week that Pastor Carl Lentz fired for “moral failures” and “leadership issues.” Lentz, from Virginia, later admitted on Instagram that he had cheated on his wife, Laura.
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“I was unfaithful in my marriage, the most important relationship in my life and held accountable for that. This failure is on me, and me alone and I take full responsibility for my actions. I now begin a journey of rebuilding trust with my wife, Laura and my children and taking real time to work on and heal my own life and seek out the help that I need. I am deeply sorry…” part of Lentz post on Instagram reads.
Pastor Brian Houston in a mail to the NYC congregants said the church’s decision to let Carl Lentz go is in the best interest of everyone including Lentz.
“I know this will come as a shock to you, but please know that this action was not taken lightly and was done in the best interests of everyone, including Pastor Carl.”
“Please understand that it would not be appropriate for us to go into detail about the events that led to this decision. However you can be assured that this decision was made in order to honor God and pastorally care for you, our East Coast family, Pastor Carl and his family.”
Lentz took charge of the Hillsong Campuses all around the US East Coast and was known for his contacts with celebrities such as Justin Bieber, Kylie Jenner and Selena Gomez.
A 34-year-old designer, identified as Ranin, claimed to be the woman with whom Lentz had an affair. Ranin, a Muslim and an Egyptian of Palestinian descent, claimed that their relationship lasted for only five months after they broke up last week. She said Lentz had approached her earlier this year at Domino’s Park in Brooklyn and she was unaware that he was a well-known pastor. She also said that he did not tell her he was married until much later in the relationship.
Christian Headlines reported that Lentz’s wife, Laura had found out about the extra marital affair through text messages on Lentz’s computer at the Hillsong offices, with several of his co-workers there.
Lentz met his wife, who was a family friend of the Houstons’, in Australia when he attended Hillsong’s training program, Hillsong College. It is not known if she will remain in her position at Hillsong NYC as of the moment.
Boz Tchividjian, an ex-prosecutor and founder of GRACE, an organization that works in partnership with churches to look into abuse said the body had in 2017 tried to address sexual misconduct at the NYC Hillsong but were told that they “were spreading gossip.”
Houston established Hillsong alongside his wife, Bobbie, in the suburbs of Sydney, Australia, in 1983. The church is popular for their worship group, the global ministry has branches in major cities on five continents.
