A top American pastor, John McKinzie, has resigned over “sexual sin and moral failure,” The Christian Post has reported.
MicKinzie, the lead pastor of the multi-campus Hope Fellowship Church, Frisco, Texas, quit his position months after he fired one of the megachurch’s student pastors for “inappropriate contact with a minor.”
The church’s elder said in an email sent to members and shared with the newspaper that McKinzie confessed the sins during a meeting with its leadership on Sunday 14, September. They did not, however, provide details regarding the sin, even though they were strong enough to permanently disqualify him from the leadership of the church.
“John McKinzie resigned from his role as our Lead Pastor. … The Board has accepted his resignation,” the email said.
The elders clarified that no member of staff was aware of the pastor’s moral failure before he confessed. They noted that they were heartbroken at the news because they had been blessed by McKinzie’s ministry.
“As a church, our hearts are broken, and we are devastated. Many of us have been deeply blessed by John’s ministry, teaching, and friendship. We grieve not only the sin itself but also the pain and disappointment this brings to our church family and community,” the elders said.
Although they did not explain how long pastor was involved in the sexual sin and moral failure prior, in a Q&A shared along with the statement, the elders said his behaviour was “consensual.”
“We recognize that this phrase may feel vague. Out of respect for the privacy of those involved, we will not share specific details. We can say that John admitted to sexual sin and to a pattern of consensual behavior that made him unfit to continue in his role as pastor,” the elders stated in a response to a question about the meaning of “moral failure.”
They also said that McKinzie’s family is “deeply grieved” and urged members to pray for them while respecting their privacy.
The embattled pastor has been in full-time ministry for over 30 years. He sacked Jerry Nickerson, a student pastor with the ministry, in January for “inappropriate contact with a minor.” The offence was reportedly committed 10 years ago.