Another pastor falls to this problem of sexual purity! This issue has no boundaries and those that think they are immune are in denial of the problem. What is much worse is the church’s stance on “moral failures” by their pastors. Bob should have been in the safest place possible to admit his problem without fear of condemnation or losing his position, instead he has to “resign” from his duties because he is disqualified from leading the church. It is no wonder these pastors hide their sexual purity issues until it blows up in everyone’s face. Perhaps if he had a safe place to go for this issue (and the Church SHOULD be the safest place) he could have done something about this years ago. If anything, he should have stepped to the side, received the help he needed, and when healthy enough, come back to his position. It almost seems like he was “thrown out on the street” by the church that should be there to support him. Take what you like and leave the rest.
Sarah Pulliam Bailey
(RNS) Florida megachurch pastor Bob Coy has resigned from his 20,000-member Calvary Chapel Fort Lauderdale congregation over a “moral failing.”
A statement on the church’s website reported the news: ”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.”
A call to Coy on Sunday (April 6) was not returned. But it appears extramarital affairs may have been one reason.
Coy’s church is listed by Outreach magazine as the 14th largest church in the U.S., and one of the fastest growing. The church’s assets are around $135 million, according to the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability. It is the second-largest megachurch in Florida, according to the Hartford Institute for Religion Research.
Active Word, a media ministry that distributed Coy’s Bible teachings on radio, television and digital media outlets, has also been suspended, according to a statement from the church’s board. His programs were included on Trinity Broadcasting Network, a network that hosts several televangelists.
“We have confirmed that Coy has admitted to at least two affairs in the past year alone and has had a long standing ‘problem with pornography,’” wrote blogger Michael Newnham. Newnham also wrote that Coy was taken off the board membership page for the Calvary Chapel Association, a ministry started by the late pastor Chuck Smith.
Calvary Chapel Fort Lauderdale spokesman Mike Miller said Monday the church was not commenting beyond its statement.
“We’re not going to speculate on the blogs right now,” he said.
The church has 10 campuses around Florida and has hosted numerous evangelical speakers, including evangelist Billy Graham, author and speaker Joni Eareckson Tada and actor Kirk Cameron.
