Key Takeaways:
- Public ministry requires accountability and integrity.
- Celebrity culture in the church can be dangerous.
- Restoration takes time, and not all fallen leaders should return to ministry.
- Churches must prioritize discipleship over personality-driven leadership.
- Christians should learn from past failures to build a healthier church culture.
Senior Pastor of Sound of Heaven Church
Carl Lentz Speaks Out After Scandal
Carl Lentz, the former Hillsong NYC pastor once known for his celebrity connections and dynamic preaching, has officially shut down speculation about a return to ministry. In a recent interview, Lentz made it clear—he doesn’t miss church leadership and has no plans to start another church.
For many, his downfall in 2020 was a wake-up call about the dangers of unchecked power, moral compromise, and the celebrity-driven culture that has seeped into modern Christianity. Now, after years away from the pulpit, Lentz is speaking openly about his past, his failures, and why he’s taking a different path.
But what does his story teach us? Beyond the headlines, this situation raises critical questions about leadership, accountability, and the future of the modern church. In this article, we’ll examine Lentz’s journey, the controversy that led to his exit, his recent comments, and the lessons every Christian should take to heart.
Who Is Carl Lentz? A Brief Background
Carl Lentz rose to fame as the lead pastor of Hillsong NYC, a church that became a magnet for celebrities, influencers, and young Christians looking for a modern, relatable faith experience. With his charismatic preaching style, trendy fashion, and close relationships with stars like Justin Bieber, Lentz became one of the most recognizable faces in contemporary Christianity.
His approach to ministry emphasized inclusivity, passion, and cultural relevance, making Hillsong NYC one of the most influential churches in America. Under his leadership, the congregation grew rapidly, attracting thousands of attendees and significant media attention. Many saw him as the future of church leadership—until everything came crashing down.
In 2020, Lentz was fired from Hillsong due to what the church called “leadership issues and breaches of trust, plus a recent revelation of moral failures.” What was once a thriving ministry quickly turned into a public scandal, shaking the faith of many who had admired him.
Now, after years out of the spotlight, Lentz is finally speaking about what happened, his personal journey since leaving ministry, and why he believes his time as a pastor is over.
The Scandal That Changed Everything
In November 2020, Carl Lentz’s tenure at Hillsong NYC came to a sudden and dramatic end. Hillsong leadership cited “leadership issues and breaches of trust, plus a recent revelation of moral failures” as the reason for his termination. Shortly after, Lentz admitted to an extramarital affair, which shattered his reputation and left the church community in shock.
What followed was a public fallout that extended beyond Lentz himself. Hillsong Church faced increased scrutiny over its leadership structure, accountability, and the broader culture within the megachurch movement. Reports emerged about deeper systemic issues within Hillsong, leading to further resignations and controversies.
For Lentz, the consequences were severe. He disappeared from public ministry, choosing to focus on his family and personal healing. Over the past four years, he has kept a low profile, working regular jobs and consulting behind the scenes. While some speculated that he would eventually return to the pulpit, his recent comments make it clear—he’s not interested in leading a church again.
This scandal serves as yet another reminder of the dangers of unchecked leadership in the church. It raises critical questions about accountability, transparency, and how Christian communities handle moral failures among their leaders.
Carl Lentz Breaks His Silence: What He’s Saying Now
After years of staying out of the spotlight, Carl Lentz recently spoke out in an interview on The RELEVANT Podcast, addressing his past failures and shutting down speculation about a return to church leadership. His message was clear—he has no interest in stepping back into ministry.
“I don’t miss doing church. I can’t imagine us doing a church at all,” Lentz stated. He acknowledged his past mistakes, admitting that while much of Hillsong NYC’s ministry was impactful, his leadership failures played a major role in its downfall.
Lentz also emphasized that his focus has been on personal growth and repairing broken relationships. “I didn’t get there overnight, so it’s not going to get healed overnight,” he explained, signaling that he is in no rush to restore his public image.
As for the idea of planting a new church? He dismissed it entirely. “If God shows up and an angel drops on my doorstep and knocks with blueprints, I’m still going to say, bring another angel.”
Instead of ministry, Lentz has spent the past few years working regular jobs, consulting public speakers, and enjoying a life away from the pressures of church leadership. He admitted that while he once thrived in the fast-paced world of megachurch ministry, he has no desire to return to it.
For those hoping for a redemption story that ends with him back on stage, Lentz made it clear: “If people are waiting for me to come back and do a church, you’re going to be waiting a long time.”
What This Means for Modern Christianity
Carl Lentz’s story is more than just another church scandal—it reflects deeper issues within modern Christianity. His rise and fall highlight the dangers of celebrity-driven ministry, the need for accountability in church leadership, and the challenges of restoring trust after moral failure.
One of the biggest takeaways from Lentz’s statements is how exhausting and overwhelming megachurch leadership can be. He admitted that he doesn’t miss the “headaches” of ministry, which raises an important question: Has the modern church become too focused on performance and branding rather than discipleship and spiritual growth?
His fall also reignites the debate over restoration and leadership. Can a pastor return to ministry after public failure? Should they? While some argue that God’s grace allows for second chances, others believe that certain moral failures disqualify leaders from ever holding pastoral authority again. Lentz himself seems to have landed on the latter, recognizing that his mistakes carry long-term consequences.
In my opinion, this is the problem. We put people on platforms that are reserved for God. Carl is a human that makes mistakes. He has done so much good and also has made a ton of mistakes. I agree that his mistakes carry long-term consequences but no mistake is greater than the grace of God. I personally am cheering Carl Lentz on. Not to return to the stage per se, but to see him thriving as a man of God who is an incredible husband to his wife Laura and a great father to his children. Honoring God with the way he leads and loves his family.
Beyond Lentz as an individual, his story points to a larger pattern of accountability failures in megachurch culture. Hillsong’s issues didn’t start or end with Lentz—his firing was just one event in a series of scandals that exposed weaknesses in the church’s leadership structures. This should challenge Christians to think critically about the culture we create in our churches. Are we holding leaders accountable? Are we elevating pastors to celebrity status rather than focusing on biblical leadership?
Lentz’s decision to step away from church leadership may be the right one for him personally, but his story leaves the rest of us with critical lessons about power, integrity, and the future of the church.
Lessons for Christians: How to Avoid the Same Pitfalls
Carl Lentz’s story is not just about one man’s downfall—it’s a warning to the entire church. While his mistakes were personal, they reveal deeper issues within modern Christianity that need to be addressed. Here are some key lessons we can learn to avoid similar pitfalls in the future:
1. Avoid the Celebrity Pastor Culture
Lentz’s rise to fame was fueled by a culture that often elevates pastors to near-celebrity status. When leaders become more famous for their style, connections, or social media presence than for their biblical teaching, problems arise. The focus should always be on Christ, not charisma.
2. Prioritize Accountability in Leadership
Unchecked power leads to moral failures. Every pastor and leader must have accountability structures in place—mentors, elders, or leadership teams who are not afraid to correct, rebuke, and guide them. Churches should foster a culture where transparency is valued over reputation management.
3. Character Matters More Than Influence
It’s easy to be captivated by a leader’s preaching ability, but true leadership is about character, humility, and faithfulness. The Bible is clear that leaders must be “above reproach” (1 Timothy 3:2). Churches must ensure that the private life of a leader aligns with their public ministry.
4. Guard Against Burnout and Ministry Fatigue
Lentz admitted that the demands of church leadership were overwhelming. Many pastors experience burnout because they are expected to be everything to everyone. Church leaders need to establish healthy boundaries, delegate responsibilities, and prioritize their own spiritual and emotional well-being.
5. The Church Must Focus on Discipleship, Not Just Growth
A fast-growing church is not necessarily a healthy church. Hillsong NYC attracted thousands, but was the foundation strong? The primary goal of the church should be making disciples, not just filling seats. True spiritual maturity comes from deep, biblical teaching and genuine community, not just engaging services.
By learning from these mistakes, the church can build stronger, healthier communities that are not dependent on one charismatic leader but are grounded in Christ-centered faith and accountability.
Moving Forward with Wisdom and Discernment
Carl Lentz’s story is a reminder that no leader is above accountability and that unchecked power in ministry can lead to devastating consequences. His public fall was painful—not just for him, but for his family, his church, and those who looked up to him. Yet, in the midst of failure, he made a decision that many don’t: he chose to do the right thing after getting caught. Instead of chasing a comeback or trying to rebuild his platform, he prioritized what truly matters—his family, healing, and personal growth.
That choice should be recognized and supported, not dismissed. Christianity has long struggled with how it treats fallen leaders, too often choosing to crucify them daily instead of walking with them toward restoration. Yes, there must be accountability, but there must also be grace—the same grace that Jesus extended to the broken, the outcasts, and even those who denied Him.
Lentz’s ministry impacted thousands of lives for Jesus, and while his mistakes were serious, they do not erase the good that God did through him. His story should challenge us to rethink how we, as the body of Christ, respond when one of our own falls. Are we offering redemption, encouragement, and a path forward? Or are we joining the world in tearing them down?
The church must do better. We are called to restore, not reject; to uplift, not condemn. If we truly believe in the power of God’s grace, we must be a people who reflect it—even when it’s hard, even when it’s messy. Lentz may never return to pastoral leadership, but his journey is far from over, and God is not done with him.
It’s time for the church to be known not for how we cancel the fallen, but for how we restore the broken—because that’s exactly what Jesus does for us all.
A Prayer for Carl Lentz, His Family, and Those Struggling with Failure
Heavenly Father,
We come before You today with hearts full of grace and compassion, lifting up Carl Lentz, his family, and anyone who may be struggling with the weight of failure, brokenness, or shame. Lord, You are a God of redemption, restoration, and new beginnings. No mistake is beyond Your mercy, no fall beyond Your love.
We pray for Carl, that You continue to guide him on this journey of healing. Strengthen his heart, renew his spirit, and let him find his identity not in past mistakes, but in Your unshakable grace. Protect his mind from guilt and condemnation, and remind him that You are a God who rebuilds what is broken. Let him be a testimony to the power of true repentance, and may his life continue to glorify You, even in a different capacity than before.
Lord, we ask for a covering over his wife and children. This journey has not only impacted him but also those closest to him. Bring them peace, healing, and unity as they walk forward together. Let their home be filled with Your presence, and may their love for one another grow stronger through every trial. Help them rebuild trust, strengthen their bond, and find joy in the new chapter You are writing for them.
Father, we also pray for all those who are battling similar struggles—those caught in sin, those burdened by shame, and those who feel like they have lost everything. Remind them that You are the God who lifts the fallen, the Shepherd who leaves the ninety-nine to bring the one back home. Let them find hope in Your Word, comfort in Your presence, and the courage to take the next step toward healing.
Help us, as the body of Christ, to respond to failures—not with judgment, but with love. Teach us to restore rather than reject, to embrace rather than exile. Let the church be a place of healing, where broken people can find hope again.
Lord, we thank You that no failure is final in Your hands. We trust that You are working all things for good, even when we can’t see it. May Your grace be the loudest voice in the lives of those who need it most today.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
About Johnny Ova
Apostle Johnny Ova is a multifaceted leader, serving as the lead Pastor of Sound of Heaven Church for over a decade. Alongside his beloved wife Rachel, with whom he shares a marriage of 14 years, they have been the proud parents of LJ, Zoe, Massimo, Lucy, and Eden. Before his ministry journey, Johnny embarked on a distinguished career as a professional wrestler for 15 years, showcasing his strength and charisma on stages worldwide. Drawing from his diverse experiences, Johnny has passionately traveled the globe, imparting practical wisdom on understanding and applying the Bible to everyday life. With a fervent commitment to theological discourse, he has fearlessly engaged in debates on pivotal topics within Christianity, ranging from the nuances of eschatology to the intricacies of the creation account and the profound nature of Jesus’ validity and deity. Revered as a sought-after leader and speaker, Johnny’s dynamic presence and unwavering dedication continue to inspire and impact countless lives.
