Billy Graham’s grandson steps down from Florida megachurch after admitting an affair

Sarah Pulliam Bailey, columnist for the The Washington Post, reports this unbelievably sad news:

Billy Graham and his grandson Tullian Tchividjian

Billy Graham and his grandson Tullian Tchividjian

Billy Graham’s grandson Tullian Tchividjian has resigned from his pulpit at Coral Ridge Presbyterian, a high-profile church in South Florida, after admitting he had an affair. He released the following statement to The Washington Post:

“I resigned from my position at Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church today due to ongoing marital issues. As many of you know, I returned from a trip a few months back and discovered that my wife was having an affair. Heartbroken and devastated, I informed our church leadership and requested a sabbatical to focus exclusively on my marriage and family. As her affair continued, we separated. Sadly and embarrassingly, I subsequently sought comfort in a friend and developed an inappropriate relationship myself. Last week I was approached by our church leaders and they asked me about my own affair. I admitted to it and it was decided that the best course of action would be for me to resign. Both my wife and I are heartbroken over our actions and we ask you to pray for us and our family that God would give us the grace we need to weather this heart wrenching storm. We are amazingly grateful for the team of men and women who are committed to walking this difficult path with us. Please pray for the healing of deep wounds and we kindly ask that you respect our privacy.”

Tchividjian, 42, has been married to his wife, Kim, since 1994 and they have three children. Kim Tchividjian sent the following message to The Post Monday morning:

“The statement reflected my husband’s opinions but not my own. Please respect the privacy of my family at this time, thank you. I do thank everyone for the outpouring of love for my family as well during this difficult time and we appreciate all the prayers and support we are receiving.”

Rob Pacienza, executive pastor of Coral Ridge, provided the following statement from the church:

“Several days ago, Pastor Tullian admitted to moral failure, acknowledging his actions disqualify him from continuing to serve as senior pastor or preach from the pulpit, and resigned — effective immediately. We are saddened by this news, but are working with and assisting Pastor Tullian and his family to help them through this difficult time, and asking people to join us in praying that God will bring restoration through this process and healing to all involved.”

Many have considered Tchividjian (pronounced cha-vi-jin) a rising star in evangelicalism, especially in Reformed circles. He is the fourth Florida megachurch pastor to resign after having affairs, including the son of megachurch pastor Joel Hunter.

In 2009, Tchividjian succeeded the late James Kennedy as senior pastor of Coral Ridge. Kennedy was one of the architects of the Religious Right, a movement of evangelicals who became intertwined in more conservative politics. However, Tchividjian decided to preach less about politics, unlike his uncle Franklin Graham, founder of Samaritan’s Purse.

As he stepped into Coral Ridge’s pulpit, Tchividjian made a point of moving past the old Religious Right and not being a cultural warrior. Billy Graham, 96, was one of the most influential religious leaders of the 20th century and an adviser to many U.S. presidents. Tchividjian’s mother is Billy Graham’s oldest child.

Here’s what Tchividjian posted on Twitter after his Sunday announcement.   Continue reading

 

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3 Responses to Billy Graham’s grandson steps down from Florida megachurch after admitting an affair

  1. Stephen June 22, 2015 at 3:07 pm #

    Hopefully, this will stop him from spreading this nonsense:

    https://twitter.com/PastorTullian/statuses/496661752650924032

    among other man-made heresies and doctrines he’s been pushing.

  2. Brent Hardy June 22, 2015 at 4:28 pm #

    I never did took dr Grahams advice

  3. lyn June 22, 2015 at 9:20 pm #

    Well said Stephen.

    I notice there was no mention of repentance, it seems he found it necessary to note his wife’s affair, as if that were a reason to go and do likewise. This sin needs to be addressed according to the bible, – ‘But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat. For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do not ye judge them that are within? But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person’. – 1 Cor. 5

    My prayer is for God to show mercy, and grant repentance. If Tullian belongs to Christ, he will be brought to repentance and brokenness over his adultery; and his wife as well. That would include more than stating he’s heartbroken over his actions – prayerfully he has confessed his adulterous sin before the Lord. It is God who we sin against and it is God we must go before and not him-haw around with our words.
    May God mend what these two have broken; our God is merciful indeed.

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