Bishop Eddie Long takes leave from New Birth, will continue as senior pastor

[Joseph Gill]

By Christian Boone and Melissa Ruggieri

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

 

Bishop Eddie Long is taking a brief leave from the church he transformed into one of the nation's biggest and most influential, telling congregants at New Birth Missionary Baptist Church Sunday he was going to use the time to heal his family.

"I'm still your pastor. You'll still receive my direction," Long said Sunday. "You've given me some weeks to take care of some family business."

Long's wife, Vanessa, filed for divorce late Thursday afternoon. She said Friday morning, via a statement prepared by the church's spokesman, that she had changed her mind but by day's end announced the divorce was on.

"Rumors that Bishop Eddie L. Long has stepped down as senior pastor of New Birth Missionary Baptist Church are completely false," according to a statement from the church. "As Bishop Long stated in his earlier comments, ‘Vanessa and I are working together in seeking God's will in our current circumstances.' As any loving and committed husband would do, Bishop Long will take some time to focus on his family but he will continue to be the senior pastor of New Birth."

In remarks released Friday evening, Long said his love for his wife of 21 years is "deep and unwavering. It remains our sincere desire to continue working together in seeking God’s will in these circumstances."

Long, during Sunday's service, reaffirmed he had no plans to resign, adding he had not "stepped down" but instead "stepped up."

One longtime New Birth observer said the bishop had little choice.

"It's pretty clear from the payouts in the case, declining membership and divorce proceedings that something is wrong," said Anthea Butler, an associate professor of religious studies at the University of Pennsylvania. "Clearly it has shaken things up."

Congregants interviewed after Sunday's 11 a.m. service said they remain supportive of Long.

"What he does in his personal time, he does," said Adrian Jackson, a New Birth member for 21 years. "As long as he's in there preaching, that's what matters to me."

Kevin Reddick, a church member since 1994, said Long is simply following the Bible's instructions.

"I think it's wise to take time off because Scripture tells us that ministry starts at the home," Reddick told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

"We love Bishop Long and we're certainly supportive of our family, our spiritual family and we are praying for him and we are praying for those who are in connection with Bishop Long and the Kingdom of God," Dr. Cathryn Lafayette, a church member of more than 11 years told Channel 2 Action News.

But protesters picketing outside New Birth Sunday morning said Long should have gone further.

"We don't want him to take a few weeks off ... we want a permanent absence," said demonstrator Isaac Richmond. "Bishop Long has a serious moral character flaw."

"I think that he just needs to repent and to change his wicked ways," protester Maxine Thomas told Channel 2 Action News.

Long was sued in September 2010 lawsuit by former New Birth members Anthony Flagg, Spencer LeGrande, Jamal Parris and Maurice Robinson, who alleged the bishop used his influence, trips, gifts and jobs to coerce them into sexual relationships.

The suit was settled in May after months of mediation.

Long was appointed New Birth's pastor in 1987 when the church had only 300 members. By its 10th anniversary New Birth reported a membership of roughly 18,000, peaking at 25,000. Attendance has declined in the year since the sexual coercion lawsuit was filed.

[Kathy Boyd]

We're yet praying for you Bishop Long!  We're praying for healing, and help from the Lord.  God is the righteous Judge, and the merciful Savoir.  So, whatever happened His love is eternal...

Our heart, and love is with you and your family at this time; as well as the family of those who are involved.  May God heal you all...

 

Love, Kathy Boyd

[Mrs. Denise Jones]

MAY GOD HEAL OUR CHURCHES AND NATION.  I have a quesiton....when a person falls short and sin against Gods will, and they TRULY repent....why do they continue to want to take the high road and not humble themselves and GIVE AWAY all they have?  Meaning the prestige of being top dog, head honcho, the leader, the head, the ruler and/or Pastor?  What makes them continue to want to thrive in the position in which they have failed at being above reproach?  None are humble enough to say take it...I rather have God than a position.  That they rather be the humble parishioner, Christ likeness, not like the Pharohs, men of valor and honor, prestige?  There are NO humble men of God, who are in the likeness of the ones they profess to be like.  What do you think Jesus would have done?  God forbid we equate that type of behavior to our saviour.  If Jesus died for our sins, and sin was nailed on the cross and the spirit of the Lord CAN'T dwell in sin....who is LYING?  These are questions...not finger pointing, but just asking a question.  I am so darn confused with the people of God today.  We say we love each other, but allow death to come upon one another, because we wont speak truth.  But Christ say if you LOVE me you will keep my commandments if you don't you are of your father the devil.  Again I ask, who is lying?  I love Pastor Long, but why do he feel it is necessary for him to continue to be a PASTOR...actually he calls himself a BISHOP and everybody is ignoring what God say and leaning toward MANs way.  The word of God say a bishop is above reproach and should rule his house well.  Why do we keep excepting MANs way and not Gods way.  This is just a frustrated QUESTION, I am so sick of these STRANGERS polluting Gods sanctuary and I know if I am what do you think God is saying...well the word say HELL is the home of sinners.  Lord have mercy on us.  I pray that Bro. Long will humble himself and EXALT the Lord instead.  I pray for deliverance for the CHURCHES from their itchy EARS...just liking and adhearing to what man say instead of what God say.  God has ALREADY judged us through His word, so I am not judging, I am just so sick of so called people of God saying God forgives, but where in the bible have you ever saw Jesus go back to someone after he told them go and sin no more?  I can go on an on with MY words, but Gods word is plain, He tells us what we ought not do and if we do them what happens.  People say the are born again and God live on the inside...how do God live on the inside of you if you are sinning?????  Who is a liar????  If the word of God say He can't dwell in sin.  Pride is sin...so is God living on the inside when we have pride????  Who is lying, please help with this frustrated question.  WHO IS THE LIER?

 

In Love Sister Denise

[Kathy Boyd]

Hi Sister Denise,

I hear your heart Sis, and you are right in that we as believers should live what we preach.  But, there are a few things going on in this situation with our Brother, (Bishop Long).  (1).  What he says he did not do, (2).  What the young men said he did do, and (3).  What the Church thinks he did, or did not do.  And really there are only 3 factors, (1). What Bishop did or did not do, (2). What the young men say that he did, and (3).  What the Lord knows that truly did happen.  So, really as the Church, (and I believe in living right also), since we DON'T know what happened, we can't really say.  Sure, if Bishop is guilty in this, what you are saying holds some truth.  But, only he, those young men, and God really know the truth.  If he did it; God help him and them; and if he didn't do it God help us, (as the Church, for things we are saying about him).  So, since we really don't know, we hold out a hand of mercy, to both him and those young men.  And pray that the Lord helps and heals them all...

 

Kathy

[Mrs. Denise Jones]

Thanks Sister Boyd for hearing my heart.  But I do know the word say do not have the appearance of evil.  Also the word say For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?  This is my frustration and why it is such a concern, humble yourself and then God will exalt you in due time.  Man wants position, he stated he is still their pastor.

 

In love Sister Denise

[Joseph Gill]

If Bishop Long did not abuse his position with those young men when they were in the New Birth youth ministry, then he should never have settled the lawsuit. It would be malfeasance to pay four lying opportunists millions of dollars from the New Birth coffers.

[Mrs. Denise Jones]

I agree.