Matt Chandler returns to Village Church pulpit after sending Instagram DMs to ... trends now
The lead pastor of a Texas mega-church returned to the pulpit Sunday to rapturous applause just three months after he was suspended from the role after exchanging Instagram DMs with a woman who was not his wife.
Matt Chandler, 48, made his triumphant homecoming to the Village Church, a Southern Baptist congregation located just outside of Dallas, and told his congregation: 'I'm sorry, I failed you,' adding that he felt as if he had 'fallen short of the glory of God.'
In August, Chandler said he was temporarily stepping down after church leaders found his conversations with another married woman to be 'unguarded' but not "sexual."' Chandler has three children with his wife, Lauren. She is a deacon at the church.
At the time, the pastor told congregants that an investigation was underway within the church after a woman had approached him with concerns about his direct messaging 'on Instagram with a friend of hers.' He said at the time: 'I fell short.'
Church elders informed members that Chandler would be returning in an email last week. According to that message, he had spent time away from the stage praying and reflecting on what he had done.
Matt Chandler, 48, made his triumphant return to the Village Church, a Southern Baptist congregation located just outside of Dallas, and told his congregation: 'I'm sorry, I failed you'
Chandler's return to services was announced to congregants in an email sent out by church elders last week, the homecoming coincides with Chandler's 20th anniversary as lead pastor
At one point in the sermon, Chandler was joined on stage by his wife, Lauren, and their three children
Chandler, pictured here with his wife, Lauren, said Sunday: 'If my foolishness created any additional weight or hardship for you, then please forgive me'
At one point during his sermon, Chandler was joined on stage by his fellow pastors to share a prayer
Chandler said Sunday: 'If my foolishness created any additional weight or hardship for you, then please forgive me.'
He also said: 'It is my understanding that I have fallen short of the glory of God and he has met me with grace. It is my understanding that I am inconsistent and I do have spots that are hypocritical, and there are parts of me I don’t even understand.'
Chandler continued: 'To humble ourselves before a living God gives us a shot at peace. I’ve got a part of this I’ve got to own. It might just be one percent, but that’s my one percent. Forgive me. Now we’ve got a shot at reconciliation.'
Speaking about Christmas, Chandler said that the true purpose of the holiday is for believers to find reconciliation with God and admit to their sins.
The pastor did not elaborate any further on the specific details regarding his suspension.
Chandler said he plans to be the lead pastor a the Village Church for 'the next 20 years'
PICTURED: Chandler's family. The pastor married his wife in 1999 and the pair share three children
At one point in the
