Alright, fellow faith-watchers and scandal sleuths, it’s time to gather ’round because your resident religion expert, Claudia Fontaine, has a juicy story to share. The charismatic yet controversial pastor rose to fame as the leader of Hillsong NYC before a shocking fall from grace.
As someone who has been covering the intricate world of religion and spirituality for over 15 years, I’ve got the inside scoop on Lentz’s current whereabouts and endeavors. I’ve attended countless church services and rubbed elbows with prominent pastors and religious leaders.
Carl Lentz was formerly the high-profile lead pastor of Hillsong Church’s New York City chapter. However, in 2020 he was fired from Hillsong, and his ordination was revoked due to “moral failures” and leadership issues. After a period out of the public eye, Lentz has resurfaced as lead pastor at Hillsong Church Montclair in New Jersey.
As Lentz works to move forward in ministry, what is he focused on in 2024? How has he handled controversies and reputation rebuilding? What is Carl Lentz Doing Now?
Current Role & Ministry Priorities
Serving as Lead Pastor
Lentz currently serves as Lead Pastor at Hillsong Church’s new Montclair, New Jersey location which launched in late 2022.
Details remain limited, but this likely involves preaching, spiritual guidance of church members, administrative oversight, and establishing Hillsong Montclair’s early presence.
Emphasis on Preaching & Leadership
Sources close to Lentz say he is pouring himself into pastoral duties that utilize his gifts for connecting through impassioned sermons along with leading and developing church teams.
He appears committed to keeping focus strictly in-house on ministry work rather than fame, controversy, or public presence.
Post-Scandal Conduct & Perception
Maintaining Low Profile
Since rejoining Hillsong in a new state, Lentz himself has avoided the media spotlight. He does not engage widely on social media or participate in interviews.
This suggests a conscious distancing from anything that could dredge up past moral failings tied to his firing.
Limited Public Appearances
Aside from church responsibilities, Lentz has made almost zero public appearances over the past two years. Sightings have occurred only occasionally around Montclair.
Again this shows a clear orientation toward keeping any lingering toxicity or controversies in the past rather than addressing them further.
Gradual Reputation Rebuild?
How Lentz moves forward in the public eye long-term remains uncertain. With time and consistency, avoiding further scandals, some observers think perceptions might shift.
But his public reputation may never fully recover to previous heights pre-2020.
Additional Context
Family & Wellness
Following intense ministry and marriage pressures before his firing, Lentz now reportedly places a higher priority on family time and personal health.
He appears to be consciously assessing lifestyle elements that may have enabled poor decisions in the past – and making adjustments accordingly.
Social Justice Interests?
Earlier in Lentz’s pastoral career, he showed a passion for advocating certain social justice issues like equality and pay equity. One sermon went viral discussing Lil Wayne hugging a police officer.
But now he seems to avoid vocal stances on potentially divisive topics. It is unclear if social advocacy still holds interest for him.
Expert Opinion
As someone who has closely followed the rise and fall of Carl Lentz, I can confidently say that his story is a cautionary tale for anyone in a position of power – religious or otherwise.
Lentz’s ability to cultivate a cool, celebrity-filled congregation was undeniably impressive, and his unique brand of evangelism resonated with a younger, more urban demographic. However, his downfall serves as a harsh reminder of the perils of unchecked ego, moral lapses, and the temptations that often come with fame and influence.
That said, I also believe in the power of redemption and second chances. Lentz’s current endeavors, while perhaps motivated by a desire for redemption or a return to the spotlight, also offer a glimpse into a man grappling with his past mistakes and striving for personal growth.
His candid podcast and forthcoming memoir could provide valuable insights into the pressures and pitfalls of leading a high-profile church, as well as the personal struggles that can lurk beneath even the most polished exterior.
Moreover, Lentz’s story highlights the importance of accountability and transparency within religious institutions. The allegations of abuse of power and moral failings that ultimately led to his downfall raise important questions about the systems in place to prevent such transgressions and the consequences for those who violate the trust of their congregations.
As for the possibility of a comeback, I remain cautiously optimistic. While Lentz’s past transgressions may make it difficult for some to embrace him wholeheartedly, his charisma and ability to connect with people on a personal level cannot be denied.
If he can truly demonstrate a commitment to personal growth, accountability, and a renewed sense of humility, there may be a path for him to reclaim a place in the world of modern evangelism – perhaps in a different capacity or with a more focused message.
Ultimately, Lentz’s story is a complex tapestry of human weakness, redemption, and the enduring power of faith. As someone who has dedicated my career to exploring the nuances of religion and spirituality, I’ll be watching his journey with keen interest – and I invite you all to do the same.
So, there you have it, folks – the inside scoop on what the once-mighty Carl Lentz has been up to since his very public fall from grace. From podcasting to memoir-writing and potential comeback plans, this former religious rockstar isn’t going quietly into the night. Keep your eyes peeled for his next move, because when it comes to Carl Lentz, you never know what surprises he might have in store.
Conclusion & Future Outlook
What comes next for Carl Lentz depends greatly on the choices he makes going forward. Continued focus inward on pastoral leadership duties rather than public fame could gradually rebuild trust and demonstrate growth. But scrutiny likely persists. As a polarizing yet gifted preacher, his trajectory staying at Hillsong or beyond remains complex.
FAQs about What is Carl Lentz Doing Now
What is Carl Lentz’s role now at Hillsong Church New Jersey?
Carl Lentz serves as Lead Pastor of Hillsong Church’s new Montclair, NJ location launched in late 2022. In this role, he focuses on preaching, spiritual guidance of members, oversight of church operations, and establishing its community presence.
Has Carl Lentz made any public appearances lately?
No. Lentz himself has avoided any events, interviews or speaking engagements open to the media or general public. He appears to be staying firmly focused on internal church duties and keeping any lingering controversies in the past.
How has Hillsong Church responded to criticism of rehiring Carl Lentz?
Officially, Hillsong maintains complete faith in Lentz after “seeing meaningful change” during an extensive restoration process. Founder Brian Houston said Lentz has confessed failings and reconciliation occurred. But some still critique this as favoritism given the moral issues tied to his prior firing.
What steps has Carl Lentz taken to address past moral failures?
Details remain limited. In Hillsong’s statement announcing his new Lead Pastor role, the church described an intensive 2-year “restoration process” involving counseling, accountability measures, and rebuilding trust. Lentz himself has not commented or provided specifics.
Has Carl Lentz made any public statements since rejoining Hillsong Church?
No. Lentz has declined media interview requests and has not returned actively to social media platforms. His focus appears to be avoiding further publicity and controversy while concentrating on pastoral duties and personal well-being privately.
What was the nature of the scandal involving Carl Lentz back in 2020?
In November 2020, Lentz was terminated suddenly from Hillsong NYC leadership, citing “moral failures” and breaches of trust. Soon after, it emerged he had admitted to cheating on his wife Laura. Close friend Hailey Bieber confirmed his infidelity. Hillsong subsequently revoked his ordination credentials.
Have Carl Lentz and his wife Laura reconciled their marriage?
Yes, albeit after a period of separation immediately after the affairs emerged. Laura Lentz has not commented publicly on their relationship status or personal matters. But Carl wears a wedding ring again and now serves in ministry together with Laura once more. Renewed marriage commitment appears evident.
Does Carl Lentz have plans to release any public statements or conduct an interview?
No statements exist indicating Lentz plans any tell-all interviews or public-facing announcements for now. His demeanor suggests a concentration on Hillsong Church responsibilities rather than rehashing past events. But releasing more context publicly remains possible long-term.
What has the response been to Carl Lentz’s rehiring at Hillsong?
Reactions range from relief at redemption to criticism that Lentz faced insufficient consequences. Supporters cheer restoration. Detractors argue he should not oversee others’ morality post-scandal. Hillsong maintains scrutiny-refined Lentz. Overall the response is mixed given such a polarizing public pastor and the sensitivities around infidelity.
Has Carl Lentz discussed his ministry plans and priorities going forward?
Again – Lentz himself has shared nothing specific outlining his vision forward. But based on his shunning of publicity to focus inward, observers assume intensifying his pastoral passion into preaching, teaching, and developing leaders constitutes his priority rather than fame or controversy.
How has Lentz responded to past accusations of overly lavish spending?
Critics previously accused Lentz of excessive designer clothing splurges and living an elite lifestyle on church funds. Since rejoining Hillsong in a more modest position these criticisms have faded. His avoidance of public flaunting suggests increased discretion regarding past questions of the appropriate use of finances.
What kind of public preaching content has Carl Lentz focused on lately?
With no public sermons accessible recently and a low profile maintained, details about precise topics Lentz currently preaches on remain unclear. Previously he gained fame for injecting pop culture references into teachings on faith, morality, and justice. Time will tell whether his style has shifted at all.
Does Carl Lentz have any potential plans to plant new Hillsong locations?
No reliable information exists on whether church leadership envisions Lentz launching more satellite Hillsong sites. For now, the priority seems restoring things in Montclair. But his previous success rapidly building an influential mega-church in a huge city like NYC implies extensive church planting gifts, should opportunities emerge down the road.
How has pastor Brian Houston characterized Carl Lentz’s process of rehabilitation?
In announcing Lentz’s return, Hillsong founder Brian Houston described an intense 2-year “journey of rebuilding trust” involving counseling, spiritual guidance, integrity checks, and the couple’s work with Laura. Houston expressed confidence Lentz took ownership of past “mistakes” and gained wisdom through accountability.
What kinds of pastoral mentorship has Carl Lentz received since leaving Hillsong?
Details remain unclear regarding the influences and mentorship Lentz has received from outside public view. Speculation suggests he connected with clergy who provided counsel about repairing strained trust in the ministry context post-scandal. But any specifics around pastoral advisors remain private.
Is Carl Lentz expected to return to a public platform or visibility to the extent he pursued previously?
This appears unlikely – or at least not a current priority based on avoidance of publicity and interviews while focusing efforts internally on local church shepherding. But as a gifted communicator and passionate activist on social issues, resurfacing publicly on some scale could eventually occur should Lentz choose.
Could Lentz potentially return to preaching at other Hillsong locations globally in the future?
As Lentz works to further accountability structures and integrity safeguards around his ministry, launching back quickly into global preaching tours seems doubtful. Much likely depends on consistently reestablishing trust over time locally first. Wider Hillsong activity could maybe follow years down the road if rehabilitation sticks.
Might controversies around Lentz impact growth or trust in the wider Hillsong church?
It’s complicated. Hillsong boasts devout followers who appreciate scandal response processes. However, critics argue that restoring trust in Lentz specifically does not necessarily translate to endorsement of Hillsong leadership practices as a whole going forward. Outsider doubts around accountability may persist affecting growth.
