What’s up guys, it’s Sussan Mourad with Clevver News, and just hours after famous
celebrity pastor Carl Lentz made headlines for being fired from his position at Hillsong
church, he issued a public statement that included a shocking confession.
In case you missed it, just yesterday, we reported that celebrity-known pastor Carl
Lentz of the Hillsong church group, was terminated from his position, effective immediately.
Over the years, many fans got to know Carl through his most notable clients, Selena Gomez
and Justin and Hailey Bieber, especially after baptizing Justin and confessing to GQ in 2015
that it was he who took Justin under his wing a year prior when he was on a downward spiral.
So it came as quite a shock to fans who had followed Carl for years, when founding pastor
of the church Brian Houston, issued an email to staff and members of the East Coast branch
on Wednesday, revealing that Carl was terminated, citing QUOTE “leadership issues and breaches
of trust, plus a recent revelation of moral failures.”
This posed the question among many confused fans to wonder what constituted as ‘moral
failures,’ which led to wild conspiracies ranging from the way Carl openly supports
BLM and the LGBTQ+ community to theories about Carl and a Justin/Hailey/Selena Gomez love
triangle.
Don’t worry, I’m not even going to entertain the love triangle thing, but basically some
fans are blaming Justin and Carl’s falling out on Justin’s final breakup with Selena
Gomez a year after reconciling in 2017.
Like I said, guys…
WILD.
But just hours after news broke about Carl’s firing, all the speculation can be put to
rest as he issued a public statement via Instagram taking accountability for all his ‘moral
failures.’
He shared a photo of his wife, Laura, and three children writing QUOTE, “When you
accept the calling of being a pastor, you must live in such a way that it honors the
mandate.
That it honors the church, and that it honors God.
When that does not happen, a change needs to be made and has been made in this case
to ensure that standard is upheld.”
Fans were then devastated to hear that Carl fully admitted he had been unfaithful to his
wife, which initially led to their family’s separation from the church.
He said QUOTE, “Over the years I did not do an adequate job of protecting my own spirit,
refilling my own soul and reaching out for the readily available help that is available.
When you lead out of an empty place, you make choices that have real and painful consequences.
I was unfaithful in my marriage, the most important relationship in my life and held
accountable for that.”
Carl went on to add that this failure is on him, and him alone, and vowed to strive to
mend his marriage, adding, “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.”
He also apologized to the many people who instilled trust in him, and said he prays
that they can forgive him and hopes that eventually he will be able to live a life where trust
is earned again.
To conclude his statement, Carl stated that although he is unsure of what this next chapter
will look like for his family, they will “walk into it together very hopeful and grateful
for the grace of God.”
Needless to say, fans are completely shook and have been expressing a wide range of emotions
from anger to denial to hope.
One user wrote, “Not Carl lentz cheated on his wife and he was the one who said to
Justin that marriage was the only way to be complete.”
Another user refuses to believe that Carl was fired for infidelity, writing, “I don’t
for a second believe Carl Lentz got fired for having an affair.
Pastors have literally engaged in abuse, covered up abuse by family members, committed other
CRIMES, and have been allowed to stay.
An affair sounds like a coverup.
That’s too easy.
Too neat.
I don’t buy it.”
But there were many people who genuinely hope that Carl and his family have what it takes
to pull through and rebuild their relationship.
One fan wrote, “So Pastor Carl Lentz was fired for cheating on his wife and honestly
that is the integrity and accountability I expect from churches.
We need to extend grace, of course, but not in the place of consequences.
I hope he overcomes this and does better by his family.”
And this person said, “Absolutely crushed and heartbroken over Carl Lentz man.
Anyone who knows me, knows how much he was a part of my faith journey and someone I admire
so much.
Praying for him and his family.”
So clearly what’s done is done, and we hope Carl and his family are able to work through
this.
To hear more about what Hillsong church had to say about Carl’s departure, click right
over here to watch another Clevver video.
Then be sure to let me know all your thoughts on Carl’s confession down here in the comments.
I’m your host Sussan Mourad, bye guys.