Stephen Carl Lentz (born November 6, 1978[1]) is an American former celebrity pastor who was also a spiritual advisor to celebrities such as Justin Bieber.[2] He was the lead pastor of Hillsong NYC until November 4, 2020, when he was fired by Hillsong Global Pastor Brian Houston for "leadership issues and breaches of trust, plus a recent revelation of moral failures."[3]
In 2010, Lentz co-founded Hillsong NYC in New York City.[8] His appearance, particularly his tattoos, hair style, clothing, and footwear, started a radically different trend amongst younger pastors.[9]
On October 30, 2017, while on The View, Lentz was asked if he believed abortion was a sin; he did not answer the question directly, instead saying that "the cultural, religious norm right now is that if you and I disagree, we're done. I don't believe that's the case."[13] Eight days later, Lentz released a statement via Twitter saying "I do believe abortion is sinful."[14] In January 2019, he called the passage of the Reproductive Health Act in the State of New York, which allows abortion after 24 weeks when a fetus is unviable or the pregnancy poses a risk to the mother's health, "evil, shameful and demonic".[15]
Lentz appeared on Oprah's SuperSoul Sunday, which caused some to question Lentz's theology, since he said one could have a relationship with God outside of Jesus.[16][17]
Lentz was hired on staff for a non-pastoral position at Transformation Church in Oklahoma in March 2023.[18]
Scandalsedit
Affair and dismissaledit
On November 4, 2020, Brian Houston, Global Senior Pastor of Hillsong announced through a church newsletter that he had fired Lentz. The reason for Lentz's removal was cited as "leadership issues and breaches of trust, plus a recent revelation of moral failures."[19][20] Lentz acknowledged that he had engaged in an adulterous affair.[21] His wife's employment with the church was also terminated despite her own conduct not being an issue.[22][23]
Further allegationsedit
On May 31, 2021, Leona Kimes, wife of Hillsong Boston pastor Josh Kimes, accused Lentz of "manipulation, control, bullying, abuse of power, and sexual abuse" toward her.[24][25][26] Kimes worked as the Lentz family nanny and alleges that the assaults happened from 2011 to 2017.[24] On the 2023 FX documentary The Secrets of Hillsong, Lentz admitted to an Adderall addiction and to having an extramarital affair with Leona Kimes.[27][28][29]
Published worksedit
Own the Moment (Simon & Schuster, 2017) ISBN 1501177001
Referencesedit
^ abc"Virginia Department of Health; Richmond, Virginia; Virginia, Births, 1864-2015". Ancestry.com. Retrieved December 29, 2022.
^"Inside Hillsong, the Church of Choice for Justin Bieber and Kevin Durant". GQ. December 17, 2015. Retrieved November 2, 2022.
^Graham, Ruth (December 5, 2020). "The Rise and Fall of Carl Lentz, the Celebrity Pastor of Hillsong Church". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved April 3, 2022.
^Katherine T. Phan, christianpost.com, Interview: Pastor Carl Lentz on Hillsong New York City, US, February 17, 2011
^cbsnews.com, Fresh approach to faith draws thousands in NYC, US, December 25, 2014
^"Hallowed Be Thy Hypepriest: The Pastors Who Dress Like Justin Bieber". GQ. August 7, 2017. Retrieved November 1, 2022.
^Taffy Brodesser-Akner, gq.com, Inside Hillsong, the Church of Choice for Justin Bieber and Kevin Durant, US, December 17, 2015
^"Hillsong Church: All the Celebrities Who've Attended". PEOPLE.com. Retrieved January 31, 2020.
^"Beyond $1,000 sneakers: Carl Lentz, hype priests and the cult of celebrity". Religion News Service. February 16, 2021. Retrieved November 1, 2022.
^"Handling the Word of Truth "Men who must be silenced"". Archived from the original on January 17, 2019. Retrieved January 16, 2019.
^"Carl Lentz Speaks to Relevant About His Abortion Conversation on The View". RelevantMagazine.com. Archived from the original on July 1, 2018. Retrieved February 23, 2018.
^"Hillsong pastor Carl Lentz says New York's new abortion law is 'demonic'". christiantoday.com. January 30, 2019. Retrieved January 31, 2020.
^"Oprah Interviews Hillsong Pastor about Justin Bieber's Baptism | SCENES". October 28, 2016. Retrieved November 1, 2022.
^Ong, Czarina (October 30, 2016). "Evangelical Leader Asks Pastor Carl Lentz to Clarify His Interview With Oprah Winfrey". www.christiantoday.com. Retrieved November 1, 2022.
^Beck, Andrew [@AndrewBeckNYC] (November 4, 2020). "Carl Lentz has been fired by Hillsong for "a recent revelation of moral failures" writes Brian Houston in an email to church members. https://t.co/Q653Qd4YvB" (Tweet). Retrieved January 12, 2021 – via Twitter.
^"Carl Lentz, pastor of Hillsong East Coast and Justin Bieber, terminated for 'moral failures' says church". Religion News Service. November 4, 2020. Retrieved November 5, 2020.
^Goldstein, Joelle; McNeil, Liz (November 20, 2020). "Ex-Hillsong Pastor Carl Lentz and Wife 'Continue to Work Through' Effects of Affair, Says Friend". PEOPLE.com.
^Gardner, Abby (November 11, 2020). "Hillsong Church Pastor Carl Lentz's Wife, Laura, Was Also Reportedly Fired". Glamour. Retrieved November 11, 2020.
^Carl Lentz and the Trouble at Hillsong Vanity Fair, ALEX FRENCH and DAN ADLER,
FEBRUARY 11, 2021
^ abKimes, Leona (May 31, 2021). "Writing My Voice Back". Medium. Retrieved June 1, 2021.
^"Exclusive: Sex abuse allegations by Carl Lentz's former nanny put spotlight on Hillsong culture". Religion News Service. May 31, 2021. Retrieved June 1, 2021.
^Martin, Stephanie (May 16, 2023). "'I Shoved Carl and Hit Him'—Laura Lentz Recounts Finding Her Husband With the Nanny". ChurchLeaders. Retrieved May 20, 2023.
^"Stars like Justin Bieber helped make Hillsong church a household name. When its 'celebrity pastor' Carl Lentz fell from grace, it did too". Yahoo Entertainment. May 15, 2023. Retrieved May 16, 2023.
^Martin, Stephanie (May 16, 2023). "'I Shoved Carl and Hit Him'—Laura Lentz Recounts Finding Her Husband With the Nanny". ChurchLeaders. Retrieved May 20, 2023.
^Wright, Tracy (May 15, 2023). "Disgraced celebrity pastor Carl Lentz cheated with family nanny; Hillsong Church documentary details scandal". Fox News. Retrieved May 16, 2023.
External linksedit
"Carl Lentz". Hillsong East Coast Lead Pastor. Archived from the original on October 27, 2020.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)