Tullian Tchividjian Resigns from Florida Megachurch after Admitting to Affair

Carrie Dedrick | Updated: Jun 22, 2015

Tullian Tchividjian Resigns from Florida Megachurch after Admitting to Affair

Popular megachurch pastor Tullian Tchividjian has stepped down from his position as senior pastor of Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church after admitting to an extramarital affair. Tchividjian is the grandson of renowned evangelist Billy Graham and the nephew of Franklin Graham. 

The Washington Post reports Tchividjian had held his position at Coral Ridge, a high-profile church in south Florida, since 2009. 

Tchividjian announced his resignation in the following statement: 

“I resigned from my position at Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church today due to ongoing marital issues. As many of you know, I returned from a trip a few months back and discovered that my wife was having an affair. Heartbroken and devastated, I informed our church leadership and requested a sabbatical to focus exclusively on my marriage and family. As her affair continued, we separated. Sadly and embarrassingly, I subsequently sought comfort in a friend and developed an inappropriate relationship myself. Last week I was approached by our church leaders and they asked me about my own affair. I admitted to it and it was decided that the best course of action would be for me to resign. Both my wife and I are heartbroken over our actions and we ask you to pray for us and our family that God would give us the grace we need to weather this heart wrenching storm. We are amazingly grateful for the team of men and women who are committed to walking this difficult path with us. Please pray for the healing of deep wounds and we kindly ask that you respect our privacy.”

Tchividjian’s wife, Kim, said that the statement only reflected her husband’s views. 

Coral Ridge executive pastor Rob Pacienza said:

“Several days ago, Pastor Tullian admitted to moral failure, acknowledging his actions disqualify him from continuing to serve as senior pastor or preach from the pulpit, and resigned – effective immediately. We are saddened by this news, but are working with and assisting Pastor Tullian and his family to help them through this difficult time, and asking people to join us in praying that God will bring restoration through this process and healing to all involved.”

Coral Ridge hosts about 1,900 attendees on a given Sunday, according to the Hartford Institute for Religion Research. It reaches millions through podcasts. 

Publication date: June 22, 2015



Tullian Tchividjian Resigns from Florida Megachurch after Admitting to Affair