Who is Pastor Matt Chandler?

PASTOR and author Matt Chandler gained an audience for being a lead figure in his church.

Using his experience as a noteworthy evangelist, Pastor Chandler also has a list of publishing credits to his name.

In 2012, Pastor Matt Chandler released his first book titled The Explicit GospelCredit: Instagram

Born on June 20, 1974, Matt Chandler is a well-recognized church leader from Seattle, Washington.

Before he earned a following in Texas, his father's military career saw their family move between Washington, Michigan, and California.

Chandler's first position with the church was as a youth pastor at a small Baptist church in La Marque, Texas.

While attending Hardin–Simmons University, the future pastor continued to lead religious services and sermons.

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Upon assuming the position, the religious leader told desiringGod: "I'm excited about planting churches that love Jesus and the scriptures, churches that engage the communities around them with the gospel.

"I've been a part of the network for almost seven years now, and we've planted several churches out of The Village through Acts 29.

"To give more of my life and breath to see that kind of exponential growth in the Kingdom seemed like a no-brainer as we worked through the organizational needs of the network."

He added: "The biggest issues facing us now are organizational issues.

On July 31, 1999, Chandler married his wife of several years, LaurenCredit: Instagram

"We need to empower, and pass out power, to guys in the network who can help shepherd other men who desire and feel called by God to preach, pastor, and lead His bride."

Why did Pastor Matt Chandler step down as lead pastor?

On August 29, 2022, Pastor Matt Chandler revealed that he is stepping down indefinitely from his responsibilities at The Village Church.

His announcement came upon the revelation that he supposedly had inappropriate social media exchanges with a married woman from the church's congregation.

That Sunday, he told the assembly: "We cannot be a church where anyone is above the Scriptures and above the high heavenly call into Christ Jesus.

"The Word of God holds me to a certain standard. And I fell short.

"The concerns were really about frequency and familiarity."

The religious leader shared: "We believe in brother-sister relationships here and yet, there was a frequency that moved past that and there was a familiarity that played itself out in coarse and foolish joking.

"It’s unbefitting to someone in my position. If I’m honest, I’m just really embarrassed.

"I feel stupid. Feel dumb. Feel like I’m embarrassing my wife and kids. Putting a ton of pressure on our staff."

Following Chandler's declaration, Acts 29 also disclosed that they temporarily relieved him of his obligations to the network.

In a statement, they told their followers that the network's executive director Brian Howard is stepping forward to take over in Chandler's absence.

"TVC elders concluded that though Matt was not involved in a romantic relationship with this woman, in this messaging he failed to live up to the standard of conduct expected of a church elder," the organization said.

"Acts 29 prioritizes personal integrity and holds our leaders to a high standard of conduct.

"We hope that Matt can use this time away from speaking to focus on the process that TVC elders have laid out for him."

Is Pastor Matt Chandler back?

The pastor, who stepped down from his position in the church in late August, was reinstated as the lead pastor of the church on December 4, 2022.

An email from the Church's elders reads: "Matt has completed everything asked of him with submissiveness, steadfastness, and humility, and we have received positive feedback from all involved,"

"We have been encouraged by his posture throughout, and we remain so."