Hillsong pastor who baptised Justin Bieber is sacked by the mega-church

A senior pastor at celebrity-loved mega-church Hillsong has been sensationally sacked over alleged ‘breaches of trust’ and ‘moral failures’ – six years after he baptized close friend Justin Bieber.  

Carl Lentz, 41, who co-founded the New York City branch of the Australian church back in 2010, was fired by the organization’s leader Brian Houston, Hillsong confirmed in a statement issued on Wednesday.   

‘This action has been taken following ongoing discussions in relation to leadership issues and breaches of trust, plus a recent revelation of moral failures,’ Mr Houston revealed, however he claimed that it would ‘not be appropriate’ to share more details of Lentz’s alleged offences. 

Mr Houston added that this course of action was ‘not taken lightly and was done in the best interests of everyone, including Pastor Carl’. 

Carl Lentz, a pastor at celebrity-loved mega-church Hillsong, has been fire by its founder - six years after he baptized close friend Justin Bieber (seen together in 2017)

Carl Lentz, a pastor at celebrity-loved mega-church Hillsong, has been fire by its founder – six years after he baptized close friend Justin Bieber (seen together in 2017) 

The 41-year-old, who is pictured with his Australian wife Laura, has been accused of 'breaches of trust' and 'moral failures' in a statement issued by the church

The 41-year-old, who is pictured with his Australian wife Laura, has been accused of ‘breaches of trust’ and ‘moral failures’ in a statement issued by the church  

Lentz is understood to have first met Bieber back in 2008, when the popstar was just 14 years old, and the two formed a close friendship, with Lentz serving as a mentor for the singer

Lentz is understood to have first met Bieber back in 2008, when the popstar was just 14 years old, and the two formed a close friendship, with Lentz serving as a mentor for the singer

Lentz, who was born in Virginia Beach first began working with Hillsong in Australia after relocating there from Los Angeles, where he spent time studying at The King’s College and Seminary. 

The father-of-three rose quickly within Hillsong’s ranks and formed a close friendship with Houston and his son Joel while training at the church’s International Leadership College in Sydney, where he met his wife, Laura. 

In 2010, he moved back to the US in order to co-found the New York City chapter of Hillsong, which soon amassed a major celebrity following, with Lentz preaching to the likes of Bieber, Selena Gomez, Hailey Bieber, and several NBA stars including Carmelo Anthony, David Lee, Kevin Durant, and Jeremy Lin.

However it was Lentz’s close relationship with Bieber, now 26, that gained him the most notoriety, particularly after it was revealed that the popstar had been baptized by the pastor in 2014. 

Speaking to the GQ in 2015, Lentz – who first met the popstar in 2008, when the singer was just 14 – recalled the moment Bieber got down on his knees, ‘ravaged by loss’ and sobbed, telling the pastor: ‘I want to know Jesus’. 

According to the magazine account, the baptism finished with Bieber ‘wet and sobbing against Pastor Carl’s chest… born anew’.  

It played a central role in transforming Bieber’s image from a partying ladies’ man to a clean-cut Christian devotee. His wife, Hailey Bieber, is also a believer, and the two are frequently spotted in church together.

In 2017, it was reported by People that Lentz had been enlisted by Bieber and his ex-girlfriend Gomez to offer them spiritual guidance and counselling about their relationship after they briefly rekindled their romance.  

Bieber and Lentz were inseparable during a trip to Australia in 2017, where they were spotted brunching together at swanky Sydney restaurants while the pop star was on tour

Bieber and Lentz were inseparable during a trip to Australia in 2017, where they were spotted brunching together at swanky Sydney restaurants while the pop star was on tour

Now a father-of-three, Lentz described their relationship in the past as 'regular friends who talk all the time'. Pictured with rapper Lil Wayne

Now a father-of-three, Lentz described their relationship in the past as ‘regular friends who talk all the time’. Pictured with rapper Lil Wayne

Hillsong founder Brian Houston (pictured) said it 'would not be appropriate' to provide details on the events which led to the church's decision

Hillsong founder Brian Houston (pictured) said it ‘would not be appropriate’ to provide details on the events which led to the church’s decision

Lentz’s celebrity connections and close friendship with Bieber have helped him to become something of a star in his own right, skyrocketing him to prominence on Instagram, where he boasts more than 679,000 followers. 

His sudden sacking therefore sparked a flurry of speculation on social media, with many calling for Hillsong to reveal more information about Lentz’s alleged offences – while others suggested that the pastor may have been fired over his open support of the Black Lives Matter movement, although these rumors have not been confirmed. 

Lentz caused controversy in September when he publicly declared his support for BLM on the official Hillsong NYC Facebook page, writing in a statement: ‘At THIS church, we are not saying “all lives matter” right now because this is a logical assumption that most reasonable people agree with.

‘All lives are not at risk right now. We ARE saying BLACK LIVES MATTER. Because, right now, black lives apparently are worth LESS on our streets. It’s “our fight” not “their fight.”‘

Despite Hillsong founder Houston’s refusal to reveal more details about Lentz’s firing, some Twitter users have pointed the finger at the pastor’s support of BLM, noting that his opinions may well have been at odds with others within the church. 

‘Carl Lentz from Hillsong has been open and transparent about his beliefs and values regarding BLM,’ one person wrote. ‘I’m convinced his termination was due to his conflict with protecting black lives. This is why black people turn away from church (and God).’ 

Lentz documented the moment Bieber got down on his knees, 'ravaged by loss' and sobbed: 'I want to know Jesus'. Pictured with Lentz's son

Lentz documented the moment Bieber got down on his knees, ‘ravaged by loss’ and sobbed: ‘I want to know Jesus’. Pictured with Lentz’s son

Bieber's wife, Hailey Baldwin, is also a believer, and are frequently spotted in church together

Bieber’s wife, Hailey Baldwin, is also a believer, and are frequently spotted in church together

Another added: ‘Hugely suspicious because Carl Lentz has always very HEAVILY supported the BLM movement, even when I used to see him preach when I was a teen. He’s also always been quite anti-right wing (he’s been vocal in the past about past elections), so curious as to what’s happening here.’ 

In his official statement, Houston paid tribute to Lentz and his wife, noting that they have ‘served faithfully and sacrificially’. 

‘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,’ the statement continued. 

‘In terminating his tenure, we in no way want to diminish the good work he did here.

‘It would not be appropriate for us to go into detail about the events that led to this decision. Our focus at this time is to honor God and pastorally care for our East Coast church community as well as the Lentz family.

‘…While I have no doubt that this is the right course of action, I must mention Bobbie’s and my personal sadness, as we have known Laura her entire life and Carl for well over 20 years.’

Statement from Hillsong founder Brian Houston

Today Hillsong Church East Coast advised 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, including Pastor Carl.

We thank Pastors Carl and Laura for the way they have served faithfully and sacrificially since the start of Hillsong NYC and for contributing so significantly 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. In terminating his tenure, we in no way want to diminish the good work he did here.

This action has been taken following ongoing discussions in relation to leadership issues and breaches of trust, plus a recent revelation of moral failures.

It would not be appropriate for us to go into detail about the events that led to this decision. Our focus at this time is to honor God and pastorally care for our East Coast church community as well as the Lentz family.

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

Hillsong East Coast services and all of our ministries will proceed as usual, and we will continue to be a place of hope, love and faith through the powerful and transforming message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. This is a message our nation and the world need to hear more than ever during a time of such instability and uncertainty.

I appreciate the great team of people who serve here, and as we embark on the process of selecting new leadership, we are praying that God would bring about an exciting new season for our church and this region.

Hillsong Church will not be making further public comments on this matter.

source: dailymail.co.uk