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Former Florida megachurch pastor files for divorce

On Behalf of | Sep 3, 2015 | Divorce

It’s not often that a divorce leads to job loss, let alone the end of a career. However, the former pastor of a Florida megachurch is facing serious career consequences after filing for divorce and confessing to infidelity.

Tullian Tchividjian, whose grandfather is Reverend Billy Graham, was the Coral Ridge Presbyterian’s senior pastor. However, his days at the Fort Lauderdale church seem to be over. He resigned from his post in June, citing “ongoing marital issues.” The Presbyterian Church of America took away his pastoral credentials in August after he admitted to infidelity.

Tchividjian says that he returned from a trip to find that his wife of 20-plus years was cheating on him. He says that he was “[h]eartbroken and devastated” by the news, and asked for a sabbatical from the church “to focus exclusively on my marriage.” The couple has three children.

Apparently his focus wandered. Tchividjian said that after he and his wife separated and her affair continued, “Sadly and embarrassingly, I subsequently sought comfort in a friend and developed an inappropriate relationship myself.”

Tchividjian petitioned for divorce last month in Broward County. Under Florida law, at least one spouse must state that the marriage is “irretrievably broken” for a divorce to be granted.

Despite the impact of his marital problems on Tchividjian’s pastoral career, both the church and the PCA have expressed support for him and his family. The church’s executive pastor said that church leaders are saddened and disappointed by the revelations, but are “working with and assisting Pastor Tullian and his family to help them through this difficult time.” Meanwhile, the PCA’s South Florida Presbytery says that it is “committed to continuing to offer him pastoral care.”

Spiritual support and guidance is, for many Floridians, a necessity to getting through difficult times such as divorce. However, other types of professional guidance, including perhaps first and foremost experienced legal guidance, are all important as well.

Source: The Christian Post, “Tullian Tchividjian Files for Divorce Following Extramarital Affair, Resigns From Church,” Michael Gryboski, Aug. 26, 2015

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