World News – UA – Hillsong east coast pastor Carl Lentz fired for ‘moral failure’, Church announces

In an emailed letter from Brian Houston, the founding pastor of Hillsong Church, to members and staff at Hillsong East Coast in New York on Wednesday, Houston announced that Carl Lentz had been dismissed from his duties as senior pastor

In the email obtained by CBN News, Houston indicated that the reason for Lentz’s dismissal was « leadership issues and breach of trust, as well as a recent revelation of moral failures »

« I know this will shock you, but please know that this action was not taken lightly and was done in the best interests of everyone, including Pastor Carl, » Houston wrote. This step was taken in the wake of ongoing discussions of leadership issues and breaches of trust, as well as a recent revelation of moral failures. « 

« Please understand that it would not be appropriate for us to detail the events leading up to this decision However, you can be assured that this decision was made for the purpose of honoring God and pastorally caring for you , our East Coast family, Pastor Carl, and his family, ”said Houston

Carl Lentz was fired by Hillsong for « a recent revelation of moral failures, » wrote Brian Houston in an email to church members imageTwittercom / Q653Qd4YvB

Lentz, 41, and Houston’s son Joel founded Hillsong East Coast Church in Manhattan, New York in 2010, according to Religion News Service. The church is part of Hillsong’s worldwide network of churches whose the seat is in Australia Even though he was relatively unknown before he became the head of the church in New York, Lentz gained the attention of mainstream media for his hipster dress, tattooed arms and famous members including Justin Bieber

As CBN News reported, Bieber was first baptized by Lentz in 2014 In an interview with Oprah Winfrey, preacher Hillsong recalled the hubbub surrounding the young artist, hyperbolically saying he was being followed by « a million paparazzi »

Having trouble finding a private location, Lentz called one of his friends, NBA player Tyson Chandler, around 3 a.m., asking if they could use his pool. The pool was not available, Lentz told Winfrey, but the 7-foot-tall Chandler offered his oversized tub, where Bieber was ultimately named

The original Hillsong Church was founded by Pastors Brian and Bobbie Houston in 1983 near Sydney, Australia In addition to having churches in 28 countries around the world, the church is known for its music of worship and its conferences

CBN News reached out to Hillsong for comment on Wednesday evening and received the following statement from Brian Houston:

« Today Hillsong Church East Coast informed our congregation that we have terminated the employment of Pastor Carl Lentz This action was not taken lightly and was done in the best interests of everyone. world, including Pastor Carl

We thank Pastors Carl and Laura for the way they have served faithfully and sacrificially since the beginning of Hillsong NYC and for their significant contribution to the countless lives that have been transformed for Jesus Christ through this ministry. They have a heart for people and we are confident that after a time of rest and restoration, God will use Carl in another way outside of Hillsong Church. By terminating his mandate, we do not want in any way to diminish the good work he has done here

This action was taken in the wake of ongoing discussions about leadership issues and breaches of trust, as well as a recent revelation of moral failures

It would not be appropriate for us to go into the details of the events leading up to this decision. Our goal at this time is to honor God and pastorally care for our Church community on the East Coast as well as the family Slow

While I have no doubts that this is the right course of action, I must mention Bobbie and my personal sadness, as we have known Laura all her life and Carl for over 20 years.

Hillsong’s services on the East Coast and all of our ministries will run as usual, and we will continue to be a place of hope, love and faith through the powerful and transformative message of the gospel of Jesus Christ It is a message that our nation and the world must hear more than ever in a time of instability and uncertainty

I appreciate the great team of people who serve here, and as we embark on the process of selecting new leaders, we pray that God will bring an exciting new season to our church and this region. »

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Carl Lentz, Hillsong Church UK, Justin Bieber, Brian Houston, Pastor, Laura Lentz