Tullian Tchividjian Warning: You are not logged in. Your IP address will be publicly visible if you make any edits. If you log in or create an account, your edits will be attributed to your username, along with other benefits.Anti-spam check. Do not fill this in! ==Career== {{expand section | brief, sourced description of the history and role of the title subject at the New City, and better descriptions of activities between 2009 and 2015 (at Coral Ridge), and between 2015 and 2021 (after Willow Creek) | small = no|date=November 2021}} ===New City Presbyterian (Coconut Creek) and earlier=== Before founding New City Presbyterian Church in Coconut Creek, Florida, an [[Evangelical Presbyterian Church (United States)|Evangelical Presbyterian Church]] congregation, Tchividjian spent "a short two-year stint at a Cedar Springs Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee".<ref name = CNWrelease>{{cite journal |author1=Devin, Nicole |author2=Rohman, Jane | date = March 16, 2009 | title = Tullian Tchividjian Formally Accepts Call to Serve: Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church and New City Church Agree to Merger | website = ChristianNewsWire.com | location = Washington, DC | format = press release | url = http://www.christiannewswire.com/news/772099744.html | access-date = December 11, 2016 | quote = [Quote:] After an exhaustive due diligence process and with the overwhelming support of church members and governing boards, Tullian Tchividjian, 36, has accepted the call to serve as senior pastor at South Florida's Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church. In doing so, the church of 650 people which Tchividjian founded 5 ½ years ago just outside of Ft. Lauderdale, Florida will merge with the 2,200-member Coral Ridge church founded in 1960. }}{{better source needed|date=December 2016}}</ref><ref name=GC /> Tchividjian went on from that position to found and pastor New City in [[Coconut Creek, Florida|Coconut Creek]] - [[Margate, Florida]], about 12 miles northwest of his earlier Westminster Academy school in Ft. Lauderdale,<ref name=DavisSFSS090130/><ref name = CNWrelease/><ref name = CRPChistory>{{cite web | author = CRPC Staff | date = 2009 | title = History: April 12, 2009, May 10, 2009 | url=http://www.crpc.org/history | location = Fort Lauderdale, FL | publisher = Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church (CRPC) | work = CRPC.org | access-date=9 December 2016 | quote = [Quote:] April 12, 2009 (Easter Sunday) - Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church and New City Presbyterian Church, then meeting in neighboring Coconut Creek, FL., officially merge together. Rev. W. Tullian Tchividjian, the grandson of Dr. Billy Graham and then senior pastor of New City, is called by the congregation and Session of Coral Ridge to serve as the second senior pastor in the church's 50 year history. / May 10, 2009 - Rev. Tchividjian is officially installed as senior pastor of Coral Ridge. Dr. Os Guinness delivers the installation address. }}</ref> ''ca.'' 2003.<ref name = CNWrelease/> The church has been described as "a young church plant."<ref name = MorganCT150822/> As of 2009, New City Presbyterian had a congregation of ca. 650 persons.<ref name = CNWrelease/> ===Coral Ridge Presbyterian (Fort Lauderdale)=== ====Merger and installation==== In 2009, a merger between the larger and widely known [[Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church]] in Fort Lauderdale, Florida and Tchividjian's New City Presbyterian was negotiated.<ref name = MorganCT150822/> Tchividjian noted at the time that "the denominations [of the merging churches] are both theologically conservative and [they] have maintained a good working relationship over the years."<ref name = CNWrelease/> As described by Tchividjian and others to James D. Davis, Religion Editor of the ''South Florida Sun-Sentinel'', the process to decide leadership that resulted in the merger of the two congregations was a year-long process managed by "Coral Ridge's 15-member Pulpit Nominating Committee" (Dan Westphal, chair), who evaluated 150-175 candidates nationally and internationally.<ref name=DavisSFSS090130/> Coral Ridge is described as having approached Tchividjian three times during the process, beginning in May 2008, and his having stipulated the necessity of a church merger for him to consider that pastorate at Coral Ridge; the final discussion between Tchividjian and Coral Ridge began "just before Christmas [2008]."<ref name=DavisSFSS090130/> Westphal announced the committee's selection of Tchividjian, pending congregational approval, to [[Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church|Coral Ridge]] congregants in a Sunday morning service on January 18, 2009, to "[g]asps, then applause" (as described by Davis of the ''Sun-Sentinel'').<ref name=DavisSFSS090130/> The merger of the two congregations was official on Easter Sunday, April 12, 2009.<ref name = CRPChistory/> Tchividjian was approved, with his installation on May 10, 2009 as senior pastor of Coral Ridge, formally succeeding its late founding pastor, [[D. James Kennedy]];<ref name=DavisSFSS090130/> the installation address was delivered by [[Evangelical Christian]] writer and social critic, [[Os Guinness]],<ref name = CRPChistory/> and more than 5,000 are reported to have attended the installation worship service.<ref name=YoungTCP090413>{{cite journal | author = Young, Eric | date=April 13, 2009 | title = Coral Ridge Church Installs Tchividjian as New Senior Pastor | journal =[[The Christian Post]] | url= http://www.christianpost.com/article/20090413/coral-ridge-church-installs-tchividjian-as-new-senior-pastor/ |access-date= August 25, 2010}}</ref> <!--REMOVED UNTIL SUPPORTED: Although he is as conservative as Kennedy theologically,{{citation needed|date=July 2015}}-->Tchividjian brought with him a less formal worship style from New City, for instance, conducting services in a suit and tie rather than the [[vestments]] Kennedy had worn.{{citation needed|date=July 2015}} ====Challenge==== At one time drawing 7,000 worshipers, Kennedy's Coral Ridge "had been in decline" since the death of its famous first preacher in 2007; Tchividjian's presented vision, his relative youth (aged 36 at time of installation), and his association with the famous Graham family<ref>The following source speaks of his "famous name," which we believe is apparent in referring to his being a grandson of [[Billy Graham]]. See "Early life and education," above.</ref> and were seen by the [[church elder]]s as a way to "revive... the aging congregation."<ref name = MorganCT150822/> At the time of Tchividjian's installation, Coral Ridge was described as having a weekly attendance at 1,800,<ref name=DavisSFSS090130/> from a membership of 2,200 persons.<ref name = CNWrelease/> The combined weekly attendance of the merged congregations was anticipated to be on the order of 2,450 persons.<ref>This estimate is drawn from reports and the church news release at the time, specifically, from Coral Ridge being described as having a weekly attendance at 1,800 (see Davis, ''South Florida Sun-Sentinel,'' January 30, 2009), and New City's description as having 650 (see Devin & Rohman, ''ChristianNewsWire.com,'' March 16, 2009).</ref> However, the response of the church to the difference in pastoral styles, and "Tchividjian's rejection of culture war politics" led to "chaos" in the church, and Tchividjian's recall was sought by a group led by Kennedy's daughter, Jennifer, within 6 months of his installation.<ref name = MorganCT150822/> In its description of the conflict, Bobby Ross Jr. of ''Christianity Today'' describes its outcome as "Tchividjian [having] survived an attempt… by… church members to remove him.<ref name = RossTchividjianCY090924>{{cite journal |author=Ross, Bobby Jr |author2=Tchividjian, Tullian | date = September 24, 2009 | title=Tullian Tchividjian: Allow Your Critics to Teach You | journal = [[Christianity Today]] | format = interview | url = http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2009/septemberweb-only/138-41.0.html | access-date = December 7, 2016 | quote = [Quote:] The new pastor of Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church talks about the effort to remove him from the pulpit. }}</ref> Tchividjian was retained by a majority of the congregation in September 2009.{{citation needed|date=December 2016}}<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.crpc.org/publications/crpc_pastorvote_092009.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=2009-10-06 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716202539/http://www.crpc.org/publications/crpc_pastorvote_092009.pdf |archive-date=2011-07-16 }}</ref><!-- REMOVED AS UNSOURCED: ", stating officially that "attendance had doubled in the past year, that 300 new members had been added since Tchividjian was installed, and that 192 people are registered for the next new members class, making it the largest new-members class in the church's 50-year history". FULL DEAD CITATION HERE: {{cite web|title=Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church Gives Its Pastor Overwhelming Vote of Confidence (news release)|date=September 20, 2009|publisher=Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church | url = http://www.crpc.org/publications/crpc_pastorvote_092009.pdf | access-date=October 6, 2009}}--> and the individuals bringing the removal action were described as being banned from the church.<ref name = MorganCT150822/> ====Congregation size==== At its peak, under Kennedy, as many as 7,000 worshipers attended Coral Ridge, although this number had declined between Kennedy's death in 2007, and 2009.<ref name = CNWrelease/><ref name = MorganCT150822/> In a Press Release from both churches just prior to the merger, Coral Ridge was described as having 2,200 members (with weekly attendance at 1,800<ref name=DavisSFSS090130/>), and New City as being "a church of 650 people."<ref name = CNWrelease/> More than 5000 were said to be in attendance on the Sunday of Tchividjian's installation as the church's new senior pastor in spring of 2009.<ref name=YoungTCP090413/> In September 2009 Coral Ridge was described by ''Christianity Today'' as having "2500-member[s]".<ref name = RossTchividjianCY090924/> ====Resignation==== On June 21, 2015, Tchividjian resigned as senior pastor of Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church after admitting to an [[adulterous|extramarital]] affair.<ref>{{cite news | author = Bailey, Sarah Pulliam | date = June 21, 2015 | url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/acts-of-faith/wp/2015/06/21/billy-grahams-grandson-steps-down-from-florida-megachurch-after-admitting-an-affair/|title=Billy Graham's Grandson Steps Down From Florida Megachurch After Admitting an Affair|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] | access-date=July 19, 2015}}</ref> On August 11, the South Florida Presbytery of the [[Presbyterian Church in America|PCA]] ruled him "unfit for Christian ministry" and deposed him from his call as teaching elder.<ref name = MorganCT150822>{{cite news|last1=Morgan|first1=Timothy C.|title=Tullian Tchividjian Files for Divorce|url=http://www.christianitytoday.com/gleanings/2015/august/tullian-tchividjian-files-for-divorce.html | access-date=August 30, 2015|work=[[Christianity Today]]|date=August 22, 2015}}</ref><ref>As described by Timothy Morgan of ''Christianity Today,'' The PCA's Book of Church Order requires that a Christian minister must display an extended period of "eminently exemplary, humble and edifying life and testimony" before he can be in ministry. See Morgan, ''Christianity Today,'' August 22, 2015, op. cit.</ref> ===Willow Creek (Winter Springs)=== On September 2, 2015 it was announced that Tchvidjian was hired to a non-leadership, non-pastoral staff position,<ref name = BlairCP150903>{{cite news|last1=Blair|first1=Leonardo|title=Willow Creek [Winter Springs, Florida] Church Says No Rules Were Broken in Hiring Tullian Tchividjian | date = September 3, 2015 | url=http://www.christianpost.com/news/willow-creek-church-says-no-rules-were-broken-in-hiring-tullian-tchividjian-144456/ | access-date=December 7, 2016 | work=[[Christian Post]] | quote = [Quote:] The position offered to Tullian is a non-ordained, support position. Recognizing his deposition from office, it does not involve any functions unique to the office of elder in general or teaching elder in particular. }}</ref><ref name = LeeCT160316/> as Director of Ministry Development at Willow Creek Church (PCA) in [[Winter Springs, Florida]].<ref>{{cite news|last1=Blair|first1=Leonardo|title=Too Soon? Billy Graham's Grandson Tullian Tchividjian Lands New Job at Willow Creek Church | date = September 2, 2015 | url=http://www.christianpost.com/news/too-soon-billy-grahams-grandson-tullian-tchividjian-lands-new-job-at-willow-creek-church-144352/|access-date=September 2, 2015|work=[[Christian Post]]}}</ref> Tchvidjian was fired from the position at Willow Creek on March 16, 2016, following the disclosure of a second extramarital affair, one predating his earlier admitted affair,<ref>For the actual source texts summarized for this sentence, see the quote appearing in the Lee Morgan citation, ''Christianity Today,'' March 21, 2016, and in the Leonardo Blair citation, ''Christian Post,'' March 17, 2016.</ref> one that had also occurred during his previous position in pastoral leadership at Coral Ridge.<ref name = LeeCT160321>{{cite news | last1=Lee | first1=Morgan | date = March 21, 2016 | title=Tullian Tchividjian Confesses Second Affair Concealed by Two Coral Ridge Elders | url=http://www.christianitytoday.com/gleanings/2016/march/tullian-tchividjian-confesses-second-affair-coral-ridge.html | access-date=April 27, 2016|work=[[Christianity Today]] | quote = [Quote:] When Tchividjian stepped down in June 2015 as lead pastor of Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church in Fort Lauderdale, he explained that he 'developed an inappropriate relationship' with a 'friend' after learning that his wife was having her own affair. His wife disputed his account, writing that his statement 'reflected my husband's opinions but not my own,' but did not offer details. / On March 13, Tchividjian confessed to a prior extramarital affair from 2014, Coral Ridge confirmed to CT. Later in 2014, one of Tchividjian's friends informed two of Coral Ridge's then elders of the affair (one elder left the church prior to this month's revelations).}}</ref><ref name = BlairCP160317>{{cite news|last1=Blair|first1=Leonardo|title=Willow Creek [Winter Springs, Florida] Fires Tullian Tchvidjian After He Confesses to Another Affair | date = March 17, 2016 | url=http://www.christianpost.com/news/tullian-tchvidjian-billy-graham-willow-creek-church-confesses-to-another-affair-159420/page1.html|access-date=April 27, 2016|work=[[Christian Post]] | quote = [Quote:] Willow Creek Church in Winter Springs, Florida, confirmed Thursday that they have fired Tullian Tchvidjian, 43, grandson of evangelical icon Billy Graham, after he revealed a previously unconfessed affair he had with another woman. / "When we heard the disclosures he made just a few days ago, the session acted within hours to end his employment at the church," Willow Creek's Senior Pastor Kevin Labby told The Christian Post in an interview Thursday morning. / "The disclosures that he made involved the fact that he had a previously unconfessed inappropriate relationship with another woman… / In a statement to ''[[The Washington Post]]'' last June, Tchividjian said he began his previously confessed affair after he discovered [his wife] was cheating on him… / His recent confession, according to Labby, contradicts that narrative. The Willow Creek senior pastor indicates that Tchividjian's newly confessed affair occurred prior to discovering [his wife's] infidelity. / When asked what prompted Tchividjian's confession, Labby said new rumors, which he is not at liberty to discuss, had come to light. }}</ref> ===The Sanctuary (Jupiter)=== In 2019, Tullian Tchividjian announced formation of ''The Sanctuary'', an independent church, meeting in Jupiter, Florida.<ref name=":0" /><ref>[https://thesanctuaryjupiter.com/who-we-are Sanctuary website, ''Who We Are'', retrieved 2024-02-29]</ref> Summary: Please note that all contributions to Christianpedia may be edited, altered, or removed by other contributors. If you do not want your writing to be edited mercilessly, then do not submit it here. You are also promising us that you wrote this yourself, or copied it from a public domain or similar free resource (see Christianpedia:Copyrights for details). Do not submit copyrighted work without permission! 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