After raising many questions on social media about a potential return to ministry, with a mixed reaction from many, Carl Lentz has announced he is not returning to a ministry position, but is instead starting a podcast.
“No, I’m not back” the Instagram video announcement read. “That guy is gone.”
The podcast entitled “Lights On with Carl Lentz” is scheduled to premiere on June 4, and will be available on all streaming platforms.
Since his very public fall from grace at the Hillsong New York campus, Lentz has been involved in a documentary “The Secrets of Hillsong” and joined Michael Todd’s Transformation Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma, as a strategist in an advisory role only.
Both Carl and his wife Laura had been relatively quiet on social media since the news of his inappropriate relationships became public, until now.
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“My choices, and the road toward recovery taught me how helpful it is to have people share vulnerably the impact of their bad choices, the pain they caused and the pain they suffered that led them to make those choices, and what they’ve discovered can be helpful and healing,” read Lentz’s post alongside the video announcement.
“My hope is that in sharing those things from my story and asking others to share theirs, it will be helpful, hopeful and healing. I’m thankful for where we are today. To be confident of the future, content in the present and healed enough to speak to the past is miraculous. If we can make it, anybody can…thank you for all the love and support!” the post ends.
Among the many voices encouraging Lentz down this new path in life was his old mentor, Brian Houston, founder and former senior pastor at Hillsong:
“Good on you Carl. Looking forward to it. B.” Houston wrote in response to the news.
Regardless of whether people believe Lentz has faithfully repented and entered into the forgiveness, grace, love and mercy of the Lord, his calling has never gone away, as is evident in Paul’s writings in Romans 11:29, “For the gifts and calling of God are irrevocable.”
Pray that in this new season Lentz stays on the straight and narrow, does not get blinded by the lights of celebrity and fame, but instead grows the kingdom of God to those still living outside of it.
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James Lasher is Staff Writer for Charisma Media.
