Pastor, Author Albert Tate Placed on Leave by Church Board
Board cites “inappropriate text messages and questionable comments”
Albert Tate, a multi-tasking pastor, author, ministry leader and church planter is on leave from Fellowship Church, the congregation he founded in Monrovia, Calif. in 2011, after the church’s board reviewed “inappropriate text messages and questionable comments” he made.
The church’s board made the announcement Sept. 24, saying, “our Senior Pastor Albert Tate, will be taking a leave of absence. This decision follows an initial review by the board and outside experts concerning inappropriate text messages and questionable comments he has made.”
The statement did not say how long Tate would be on leave as he begins “a period of reflection, spiritual guidance, and restoration” or what process would be used to see how Tate has experienced the “grace, accountability, and the redemptive power of Christ.” His leave was first reported by The Roys Report, and later by ChurchLeaders.
Tate has been busy and is an in-demand speaker and leader. His Amazon author page says he is a teaching pastor at Willow Creek Church; he serves on the Board of Trustees at Azusa Pacific University, and the Advisory Council of the Fuller Youth Institute; he is a board member of Stadia Church Planting Network and the Global Leadership Network; he is CEO of The Greatest Story, Inc., Discipling Out Racism, and the Preaching Masterclass; he is the president of Harambee Ministries; and he hosts the Albert Tate Podcast and Good News Today.
“The Board and senior staff are committed to supporting Albert and his family through this season where we are all seeking clarity and the right steps forward,” said board chairman George Saleh. Mark Labberton, former president of Fuller Seminary, is also a member of the church’s board.
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ChurchLeaders.com reported that Tate said he had experienced “struggles” while speaking at a Global Leadership Summit this year sponsored by Global Leadership Network.
“The year really has been rough,” he said. “Some personal struggles, organizational struggles, challenges with navigating family and trying to find balance and priorities…If I’m honest, I’ve had a really hard year for about three years.”
He told fellow church leaders “to lead where you are, regardless of if that’s from a bad place, from a struggling place, from a discouraged place. Lead where you are.”
The board’s statement said it had conducted an initial review of Tate’s text messages and comments and sought help from outside experts, but did not name them.
Main photo: Albert Tate / Video screenshot
