Todd Wagner is temporarily stepping down from his role as senior pastor of the Dallas, Texas, church he founded more than 20 years ago.
The reason for his sabbatical is the sin of pride.
“For the first time in 20 years,” he said from the pulpit Sunday, “I’m stepping back from what I usually do so I can do the hard work of hard work. So don’t be looking for some scandal. Don’t even think this is scandalous.”
“What is scandalous,” the preacher continued, “is when a Christian plays with, overlooks or welcomes sin, respectable or not.”
Wagner went on to thank the close friends who have held him accountable in recent months.
“I would call what I’ve heard my friends describing and telling me pride,” he said. “That’s the sin. And it’s really interesting, because, you know, I don’t think of myself—or I fool myself into thinking I’m not a prideful person, because I never look in the mirror and clap.”
The pastor noted he has been discussing the issue with church elders since June. The group reached a decision regarding Wagner’s temporary leave Sept. 6.
He must increase I must decrease. John 3:30 #simpleasthat
— Todd Wagner (@wordsfromwags) September 6, 2020
Click here to read the rest of this story from our content partners at Faithwire.