Sam Allberry Resigns After Church Disqualification Due to Past Conduct

Resignation of Sam Allberry from Immanuel Church Nashville After Leadership Decision

Immanuel Church Nashville has seen the resignation of Sam Allberry, a prominent advocate for celibacy among Christians identifying as same-sex attracted. His departure comes after church elders determined he was “disqualified from gospel ministry” following an “inappropriate relationship with an adult man” in 2022.

Allberry, who joined the church in 2023, was found to have engaged in the relationship prior to his appointment. The church leadership, which includes figures such as Russell Moore and Ray Ortlund, initially did not consider the incident disqualifying. However, their stance shifted with new information surfacing in 2024, as reported by Protestia.

A statement from the church highlighted the gravity of Allberry’s actions, noting they “constituted a serious breach of trust and a failure to walk in a manner worthy of the gospel.” The unanimous decision by the elders led to Allberry’s agreement to resign.

Throughout the process, he was described as “repentant, humble, and cooperative” by the church. In addition to leaving his pastoral role, Allberry also stepped down from his position at the Keller Center for Cultural Apologetics.

The Gospel Coalition decided to remove Allberry’s articles, citing its policies and procedures, while expressing their sorrow and prayers for all involved. Conversely, Living Out, an organization co-founded by Allberry, chose to retain his contributions, acknowledging their continuing value and asking for prayers for those affected.

Allberry has been a leading proponent of the belief that same-sex attraction is not inherently sinful if not acted upon. His book, Is God Anti-Gay?, remains influential in evangelical circles.

Michael Clary, a church pastor and writer, expressed the hope that the situation would spark wider discussions within the Church. He criticized the prevailing approach to same-sex attraction, calling it a significant and harmful force in modern evangelicalism. Clary urged for the dismantling of what he termed a “godless enterprise.”