Hey Covenant Groupies,
Kevin and I pray that your Christmas was peaceful, fun-filled, reflective and blessed. We spent some wonderful, restful and well deserved time with our family.
During the time we were having such an amazing time another family that we admire much was suffering. Pastor Paul Sheppherd of Abundant Life Christian Fellowship "fell from grace" when it was revealed that he had an extra marital affair, we were told." Immediately, Kevin and I had to confirm. Sadly, we did and it was true.
Read what has been reported below and please pray for him, his wife, his family and his congregation.
MOUNTIAN VIEW, CA-- Pastor Paul Sheppard, senior pastor of the large Bay Area Church, Abundant Life Christian Fellowship, abruptly resigned this past weekend. Sheppard who is widely credited for growing the church from 300 members to well over 6,000 resigned due to a "moral crisis" in statement read to the congregation on Sunday.
According to sources who were in attendance at the church on Sunday, an associate pastor stood up for the morning announcments and read a letter from Pastor Paul Sheppard to the church. In the letter, Sheppard admitted having an extra marital affair. In addition, he asked forgiveness from his wife, Meredith, and from the members of Abundant Life Christian Fellowship. According to church members that The Church Report spoke with, all were shocked and saddened by the news.
Paul Sheppard had been the senior pastor of Abundant Life Christian church since 1989.Sheppard is also a board member of the National Religious Broadcasters and has served as a speaker at many large Christian conferences across the country including Promise Keepers, Family Life and others, according to his website.
Interim pastor, Wayne Jackson, released a statement, saying, "It is with great sadness that we announced this past weekend (December 19-20) the resignation of Pastor Paul Sheppard from our church. Pastor Paul had been the Senior Pastor of Abundant Life for the past 20 years, and his ministry touched countless lives. We honor God for Pastor Paul’s service and the good fruit borne of his ministry, even as we regret the circumstances of his resignation. Please join us in keeping Pastor Paul, Sister Meredith, and their family in prayer."
2 comments:
I love Pastor Paul's Ministry and it broke my heart to hear that he and his family are going through this pain I am praying for them. God has a plan and even we can't frustrate God, He will forgive and restore!
I hate the pharse "fell from Grace". God's grace is more than enough to heal the hurt in this families lives. I am a pastors child and my father also had an affair and it is because of God's Grace that my parents are still together and my Dad is pastoring again. Pastor Paul and his family can get through this crisis.
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