Billy Graham’s Grandson Tullian Tchividjian Fired by Willow Creek After Confessing Another Affair

Christian News Network’s Heather Clark has the story:

Photo credit: Twitter

Photo credit: Twitter

Just over six months after hiring him as the Director of Ministry Development following his resignation as lead pastor of Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church upon admission of an affair, Florida’s Willow Creek Church has fired Tullian Tchividjian, the grandson of Billy Graham, as he has now confessed to a second inappropriate relationship.

As previously reported, Tchividjian, 43, the son of Virginia Graham, took over the pulpit of Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church in 2009 following the passing of founder D. James Kennedy. However, the selection divided the congregation, as some approved and others disapproved of his leadership. Several months after he accepted the job, Kennedy’s daughter and others began calling for his removal.

When a vote was taken over the matter and it was decided to keep Tchividjian as pastor, some left the church and started their own congregation.

As an author, Tchividjian wrote against what he saw as “spiritual performancism” and legalism in the Church, outlining his beliefs in the hyper-grace book “One Way Love: Inexhaustible Grace for an Exhausted World.”

“The Gospel of Jesus Christ announces that because Jesus won for you, you’re free to lose; because Jesus was strong for you, you’re free to be weak; because Jesus was extraordinary, you’re free to be ordinary; because Jesus succeeded for you, you’re free to fail,” he wrote.

Tchividjian announced in June that he had resigned as senior pastor of Coral Ridge after admitting to leadership that he had inappropriately become close to another woman after he discovered that his wife had been having an affair.

“I resigned from my position at Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church today due to ongoing marital issues,” he wrote in a statement. “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,” Tchividjian continued. “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.” Continue reading

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2 Responses to Billy Graham’s Grandson Tullian Tchividjian Fired by Willow Creek After Confessing Another Affair

  1. lyn March 18, 2016 at 9:30 am #

    Is he truly broken over his sins? He confessed because, as the article stated “. “I can’t really comment on what motivated him to not come out with that, but one thing that led him to come out with the confession was the knowledge that there were rumors swirling in Florida where he was previously ministering.” He knew eventually the truth would surface, your sins will find you out. That is not brokenness over sin, it is worldy repentance, sorrow for getting caught, and NOT sorrow for offending our merciful, thrice holy God (2 Cor. 7:10). Repentance is worked in us by God (2 Timothy 2:25) and not by fear of getting caught. I recall the brokenness of David after his adultery…

    Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness; according to the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions.
    Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.
    For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me.
    Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done that which is evil in thy sight: that thou mayest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest.
    Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.
    Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom.
    Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
    Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice.
    Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities.
    Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.
    Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.
    Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation: and uphold me with a free spirit.
    Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee.
    Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, thou God of my salvation; and my tongue shall sing aloud of thy righteousness.
    O Lord, open thou my lips; and my mouth shall shew forth thy praise.
    For thou delightest not in sacrifice; else would I give it: thou hast no pleasure in burnt offering.
    The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.
    Do good in thy good pleasure unto Zion: build thou the walls of Jerusalem.
    Then shalt thou delight in the sacrifices of righteousness, in burnt offering and whole burnt offering: then shall they offer bullocks upon thine altar.

    Tullian is in need of God’s mercy, may the Lord see fit to save him. ‘Ye must be born again’.

  2. KP March 18, 2016 at 9:31 am #

    That’s very sad to hear. I pray with all this talk about caring for him (as the church should) that we should be caring for his wife (or soon to be ex wife) too. It is troublesome that in his first confession he pointed out that his affair was due to finding out his wife was having one. Basically he threw her under the bus to make his sin not look so bad. I’m glad for both their sakes God has brought this into the light and pray true repentance and absolution for them.

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