The Carey Nieuwhof Leadership Podcast CNLP 793 | Carl Lentz On Preaching While Having Sex Outside Marriage, How the Pressure of Church Growth Got To Him, And Warning Signs for Other Church Leaders
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Mar 24, 2026 
Carl Lentz, former Hillsong NYC pastor known for leading a high-profile church and candidly confronting his moral failure. He talks about preaching while living a secret affair, the crushing pressure of rapid church growth, how rehab uncovered addiction and trauma, warning signs for leaders, and lessons on rebuilding trust and healthy leadership.
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Small Truth Omissions Become Major Lies
- Early truth omission becomes a highway to larger deception in ministry.
- Carl traces it to habitually answering “I’m fine” which enabled hiding deeper issues until they exploded.
Make Accountability Radical And Honest
- Accountability is worthless without brutal honesty; don’t treat performance as accountability.
- Carl warns pastor-speak can hide problems, so disclose real struggles beyond attendance and habits.
Collapse Moment After Exposure
- Carl describes the emotional aftermath when his sexual sin and deception were exposed.
- He recounts suicidal ideation, deep shame, and feeling like his life and platform ended overnight.