Megachurch pastor Perry Noble has been fired from his position as head pastor of NewSpring Church after the church’s board of directors accused him of alcohol abuse.
A statement from the church’s board said: "Perry's posture towards his marriage, increased reliance on alcohol and other behaviors, were of continual concern. Due to this, the Executive Pastors confronted Perry and went through the steps of dealing with sin in the church as outlined in Matthew 18. Because Perry chose not to properly address these ongoing issues and didn't take the necessary steps toward correcting them, he is no longer qualified, as outlined in 1 Timothy 3 and the church's bylaws, to continue as a pastor at NewSpring Church."
Noble himself admitted that he was struggling with alcohol: "What we've seen the Lord do over the past 16 years has been a modern day miracle. However, in my obsession to do everything possible to reach 100,000 [members] and beyond – it has come at a personal cost in my own life and created a strain on my marriage."
"I never had a problem drinking alcohol socially," he continued, "but in the past year or so I have allowed myself to slide into, in my opinion, the overuse of alcohol."
According to ChristianToday.com, the church’s statement went on to say that the church will continue to support Noble and his family during this time, and will “pray for their healing.”
Noble founded NewSpring church in Anderson, South Carolina 16 years ago. The church now has 30,000 members and has campuses in 17 South Carolina cities.
The Christian Post reports that Clayton King, the leader of Crossroads Worldwide ministry, will serve as NewSpring’s interim pastor.
Publication date: July 11, 2016