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Carl Lentz

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For the German lawyer and politician, see Carl Otto Lenz.

Carl Lentz
Born
Stephen Carl Lentz

(1978-11-06) November 6, 1978 (age 45)
Williamsburg, Virginia,[1] US
EducationNorth Carolina State University (1998–2000)
Hillsong International Leadership College
Spouse
Laura Lentz
​
(m. 2003)​
Children3
ReligionChristian
Offices held
Former Lead Pastor of Hillsong Church, New York City

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]

Early life and education

Carl Lentz was born in Williamsburg, Virginia.[1] From 1998 to 2000, he attended North Carolina State University and was a walk-on basketball player on the school's men's basketball team.[4][5][6] He studied at Hillsong International Leadership College in Sydney, Australia. It was during his studies, at the age of 20, that he and Joel Houston, Hillsong founder Brian Houston's son, had the idea to plant a campus of Hillsong Church in New York City.[7]

Ministry

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]

Lentz baptized Justin Bieber, was present at the baptism of Kevin Durant, and has befriended various other well-known people.[10][11][12]

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]

Scandals

Affair and dismissal

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 allegations

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 works

  • Own the Moment (Simon & Schuster, 2017) ISBN 1501177001

References

  1. ^ a b c "Virginia Department of Health; Richmond, Virginia; Virginia, Births, 1864-2015". Ancestry.com. Retrieved December 29, 2022.
  2. ^ "Inside Hillsong, the Church of Choice for Justin Bieber and Kevin Durant". GQ. December 17, 2015. Retrieved November 2, 2022.
  3. ^ 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.
  4. ^ "Carl Lentz College Stats".
  5. ^ "Carl Lentz – 1998–99 – Men's Basketball".
  6. ^ "Carl Lentz – 1999-00 – Men's Basketball".
  7. ^ Katherine T. Phan, christianpost.com, Interview: Pastor Carl Lentz on Hillsong New York City, US, February 17, 2011
  8. ^ cbsnews.com, Fresh approach to faith draws thousands in NYC, US, December 25, 2014
  9. ^ "Hallowed Be Thy Hypepriest: The Pastors Who Dress Like Justin Bieber". GQ. August 7, 2017. Retrieved November 1, 2022.
  10. ^ Taffy Brodesser-Akner, gq.com, Inside Hillsong, the Church of Choice for Justin Bieber and Kevin Durant, US, December 17, 2015
  11. ^ "Hillsong Church: All the Celebrities Who've Attended". PEOPLE.com. Retrieved January 31, 2020.
  12. ^ "Beyond $1,000 sneakers: Carl Lentz, hype priests and the cult of celebrity". Religion News Service. February 16, 2021. Retrieved November 1, 2022.
  13. ^ "Handling the Word of Truth "Men who must be silenced"". Archived from the original on January 17, 2019. Retrieved January 16, 2019.
  14. ^ "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.
  15. ^ "Hillsong pastor Carl Lentz says New York's new abortion law is 'demonic'". christiantoday.com. January 30, 2019. Retrieved January 31, 2020.
  16. ^ "Oprah Interviews Hillsong Pastor about Justin Bieber's Baptism | SCENES". October 28, 2016. Retrieved November 1, 2022.
  17. ^ 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.
  18. ^ "Ousted Hillsong pastor Carl Lentz takes Oklahoma church job". The Independent. March 30, 2023. Retrieved June 20, 2024.
  19. ^ 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.
  20. ^ "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.
  21. ^ 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.
  22. ^ Gardner, Abby (November 11, 2020). "Hillsong Church Pastor Carl Lentz's Wife, Laura, Was Also Reportedly Fired". Glamour. Retrieved November 11, 2020.
  23. ^ Carl Lentz and the Trouble at Hillsong Vanity Fair, ALEX FRENCH and DAN ADLER, FEBRUARY 11, 2021
  24. ^ a b Kimes, Leona (May 31, 2021). "Writing My Voice Back". Medium. Retrieved June 1, 2021.
  25. ^ "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.
  26. ^ 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.
  27. ^ "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.
  28. ^ 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.
  29. ^ 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.
  • "Carl Lentz". Hillsong East Coast Lead Pastor. Archived from the original on October 27, 2020.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
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