More in the saga of the church gone astray…..
Hillsong megachurch’s freshly resigned founder Brian Houston would like congregants to know he has “no intention of retiring,” he informed congregants in an apology email reportedly sent from his Hillsong email address.
“As hollow as it may sound, I believe I am the person and pastor you believed me to be,” Houston, 68, wrote in a seemingly less repentant than self-pitying apology message sent out internally Wednesday. The 68-year-old most recently resigned this month from the church he and his wife Bobbie co-founded in 1983.
Although the shockwaves of Houston’s alleged missteps are only beginning to be felt by the multinational church — which has seen multiple pastors resign following Houston — it would seem Houston has already forgiven himself.
“Imperfect and flawed, but genuinely passionate about God, people, calling and life. I am determined that my mistakes will not define me,” the email continued, before referencing the ongoing court trial which he credited as the reason for his first resignation in January. “Bobbie and I are unified and we are believing together that this year will be a year of respite and restoration to our souls, as I continue to prepare to fight for my innocence in the legal proceedings ahead of me.” ….
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Carl Lentz, the ousted pastor of Hillsong New York City, has landed on staff at Transformation Church, a predominantly Black, nondenominational megachurch in Tulsa, Oklahoma, that is led by pastor, author and popular YouTuber Michael Todd.
Transformation, a juggernaut in a town replete with megachurches, has confirmed that Lentz, who was fired from Hillsong in 2020 when an extramarital affair came to light, has joined its staff.
“We gladly welcome Carl Lentz to our Transformation Church staff, helping TC with strategy as we continue to move forward in our vast vision,” Tammy McQuarters, the church’s executive pastor of operations, told Religion News Service in an email Monday (March 27)….
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