NEW YORK (RNS) — In an email reportedly sent by Hillsong founding pastor, Brian Houston, to church staff and members of Hillsong East Coast on Wednesday afternoon (Nov 4), Houston announced the termination of Carl Lentz, the lead pastor for Hillsong NYC.
The email, which was obtained by RNS, cited the reason for termination as "leadership issues and breaches of trust, plus a recent revelation of moral failures."
"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," Houston wrote.
"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," Houston continued.
Lentz, 41, was one of a number of pastors GQ Magazine has described as "hypepriests" who lead churches frequented by celebrities. Friends and congregants include Justin Bieber and his wife Hailey Baldwin Bieber, as well as the Jenner sisters.