Carl Lentz Reflects on Preaching Amid Personal Struggles

Former Hillsong East Coast pastor Carl Lentz shared the challenges he faced while preaching while grappling with personal sin. Lentz originally established Hillsong East Coast and had been a prominent pastor there until he was let go in 2020 when his affair became public. Now, in 2023, he has reemerged, taking on a staff role at Mike Todd’s Transforming Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

During a recent interview on the “Jesus People Podcast” with host Ryan Miller, Lentz recounted a moment when the worship team had to perform for 20 minutes, saying, “I thought I couldn’t do this.” He described the heavy burden he felt, saying, “Anyone who is guilty and thinking of getting away with something has suffering that no one knows.” He went on to emphasize that “no one gets away with doing nothing. Just because you haven’t been caught doesn’t mean you haven’t paid a price.”

Lentz reflected on a specific day, noting how he felt compelled to preach despite his internal struggles. “I was aware of my faults, but thankfully, God uses broken people,” he noted, though he admitted uncertainty about how long he could continue this way. He maintained that even amid his failings, God still worked in and through his ministry.

He recalled times when the turmoil inside him made preaching nearly impossible, yet expressed gratitude that God has continued to use his experiences for good. “It’s not over until you say it’s over,” he shared, emphasizing a core belief in redemption. He underscored the importance of resilience, suggesting that to dismiss someone due to past mistakes misses the essence of hope and recovery.

Lentz concluded with a message about staying committed to his faith amid life’s ups and downs, stating, “The consistent trajectory of my life has always been yes. It never changes.”