Popular Pastor Resigns after 'Moral Failure,' But Followers Still Want His Sermons
Calvary Chapel Fort Lauderdale explains why it took down Bob Coy's teachings on marriage.
Sarah Eekhoff Zylstra
[ posted 4/7/2014 04:36PM ]
Screenshot - iTunes
Bob Coy's podcast ranks No. 12 on iTunes Christianity.
Bob Coy, host of one of iTunes most-popular podcasts on Christianity
and known for his teaching on marriage, has resigned as longtime leader
of one of America's largest multisite churches after confessing to a
"moral failing."
One interesting trend among the widespread reactions: Followers want his past teachings put back online.
Coy, senior pastor at 18,500-member Calvary Chapel Fort Lauderdale
since he founded the Florida megachurch in 1985, said the failing
disqualified him from "continuing his leadership role at the church,"
according to a church statement released Sunday (full text below).
Religion News Service
broke the story, also noted by
Charisma and
CNN.
Coy, who authored the popular series
Building a Godly Marriage along with pastoring one of the
fastest growing churches in America,
also reached audiences through his Active Word Radio Podcast, which
ranks No. 12 on the iTunes chart for Christian podcasts, between
offerings from Joel Osteen and T. D. Jakes.
The Active Word media ministry has been suspended, according to the church. Coy's past
sermon series on marriage was taken offline and unavailable Monday, as were other media pages at the church's website.
Among the
hundreds of reactions on the church's website are requests from people who
still feel Coy's past teachings are beneficial. The church
explained the removal:
So why was the media content removed? Unfortunately, not everyone,
during circumstances like these comes to the website with a heart to
learn more about the Bible. We've discerned the need to take steps to
protect Pastor Bob from those who would seize upon this time to misuse
his content and use it negatively during this time in which he and his
family need time and space to heal.
Unfortunately, we have already witnessed the malicious use of Pastor
Bob's images and vicious rumors on-line that can only run contrary to
our hope for restoration. With that in mind, we have taken the
precaution to suspend access to his teaching content for now.
Please be patient with us as we seek God's wisdom and guidance on how
to best restore the content that we know He has used and can continue to
use to make disciples.
Coy will be focusing his attention on God and his family, according to
his church's statement. "The governing board of the church is providing
counselors and ministers who will help guide him through the process of
full repentance, cleansing and restoration," said the church.
Coy joins three other Florida megachurch pastors who
recently resigned, in those cases after acknowledging extramarital affairs. One pastor, Isaac Hunter of Summit Church, later
died by suicide.
While experts say churches can heal after
adultery scandals and pastors can be restored to ministry, the process has obstacles that
aren't easy to navigate.
The time it takes to work through the healing process can be its own
point of contention: witness Benny Hinn's brother Sam, who raised
eyebrows after returning to the pulpit just eight months after
admitting to a four-year extramarital affair.
CT previously reported that the vast majority of National Association of Evangelical (NAE) board members say pastors
can be restored to church roles after marital infidelity. The highest-profile case study:
Ted Haggard, former NAE president and New Life Church pastor. The latest example:
Jim Bolin of Trinity Chapel Church of God in Georgia.
In addition, CT has discussed how churches
can recover after a pastor commits
adultery, as well as on
accountability groups for Christian leaders in Washington, D.C., where the well-being of one's marriage often
impacts voters' decisions. CT also has examined whether or not wives
should stand by their unfaithful husbands.
Here's the full church
statement, issued Sunday:
On April 3, 2014, Bob Coy resigned as Senior Pastor of Calvary Chapel
Fort Lauderdale, effective immediately, after confessing to a moral
failing in his life which disqualifies him from continuing his
leadership role at the church he has led since its founding in 1985. The
media ministry of the Active Word that distributes his Bible teachings
through radio, television, and digital media has also been suspended.
Pastor Bob will be focusing his full attention on his personal
relationship with God and with his family. The governing board of the
church is providing counselors and ministers who will help guide him
through the process of full repentance, cleansing and restoration.
Trusting in God's providence, protection, provision and direction, the
staff of Calvary Chapel Fort Lauderdale will continue our mission to
"make disciples," through regular services at all campuses and through a
myriad of other ministries the church has established over the years. A
team of assistant pastors already on staff will maintain their usual
rotating schedule as teaching pastors for all services.
Enter the world of two of Nigeria's budding artistes and entertainment
When people speaks well of u, know dat u are not of God. And He cannot defend u.By: M. I. SHIOR 
