Steve Viars, the pastor of a multi-site megachurch in Indiana and a leader in the biblical counseling movement, has resigned due to circumstances with his marriage.
In a statement posted to its website, Viars’ church, Faith Church in Lafayette, stated, “The pastors and deacons of Faith Church requested and accepted the resignation of our leader of 37 years, Pastor Steve Viars, on 10/17/2024. His marriage condition does not meet the biblical qualifications for being an elder.”
“Please pray for the Viars family and Faith Church during this time of transition,” the statement added.
Viars and Faith Church are well-known leaders in the Biblical counseling movement. Viars led the biblical counseling ministry at Faith Church and also at Faith Biblical Counseling, according to his bio on another ministry’s website.
Viars is a founding board member at the Biblical Counseling Coalition and a board member for the Association of Certified Biblical Counselors, the oldest and largest biblical counseling organization in the world.
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He also serves on the boards for two other ministries of Faith Church, Vision of Hope, and the Faith Community Development Corporation, according to Cru’s Family Life Ministry.
He is no longer listed on the leadership page for any of these organizations’ websites, except for Faith Community Development Corporation.
Faith Church was made aware of Viars’ marital issues in September, according to a church email obtained by MinistryWatch.
On October 18, church leaders sent out an email informing congregants that they had been investigating Viars’ marriage for the prior month.
“These investigations have revealed a story that is sad on many different levels and has led our deacons and pastors to determine that Steve Viars is no longer qualified to serve as a pastor of Faith Church,” the email reportedly said.
It continued, “This has been a difficult situation and certainly is not the outcome we would have desired. The pastors and deacons have requested Steve Viars’ resignation, and Steve has agreed to resign. This is effective immediately.”
Church leaders elaborated some on the announcement during the following Sunday’s service on Oct. 20, according to MinistryWatch.
“Five weeks ago today, Kris Viars sent every pastor and deacon an email informing us that she left the home with [their son] Andrew to an undisclosed location and requested help confronting Steve for his unloving treatment toward her. To our knowledge, there was no physical violence or sexual immorality,” church leaders reportedly said.
The leaders said they are still discussing who will serve as interim senior pastor following Viars’ departure.
Church leaders also read Viars’ resignation letter aloud to congregants.
“Pastors are held to high standards and rightly so,” Viars reportedly wrote. “I do not believe my current family situation meets those biblical standards and I therefore am tendering my resignation as your senior pastor.”
Viars added that his resignation does not involve a “moral issue, but my failures and challenges are serious enough that it is best that I work on them apart from the rigors and requirements of pastoral ministry.”
He asked for prayers for his family and him. Viars and his wife were married in 1982 and have three children and several grandchildren, according to Cru’s Family Life Ministry.
Faith Church has not published sermon videos on its website, YouTube page, or Facebook page since Oct. 13.
John Harris, a representative for the church, told The Roys Report (TRR) that the recent sermon videos should be published soon. However, Harris said the portion of the sermon regarding Viars was not recorded.
Viars started leading Faith Church as senior pastor in 1996 after succeeding William Goode, another leader in the Biblical counseling movement, according to the church’s website. Goode established Faith Biblical Counseling Ministries and its conference, which now draws nearly 2,000 annual participants.
An independent Baptist church, Faith Church has grown to offer numerous ministries, including a Christian school, seminary, senior living community, and a gym and fitness center.
Liz Lykins is a correspondent covering religion news for The Roys Report, WORLD Magazine, and other publications.
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20 Responses
A chocolate covered something, but it ain’t good to eat, yet this man worked the people and grew a multi-site church like a network marketing guru. Once again we see that the simple concept of sanctification was lost on this one, but he made a lot of dough.
I moved to Lafayette from Chicago searching for a church that stayed true to Gods word. All fall short of Gods glory. We don’t become perfect upon salvation and we each have our own relationship with Christ. Every sermon by Viars I looked forward to, bc I knew it would hold up when I tested what was said. All of his years serving the lord are not taken away because he fell as we all do. My church addressed the situation exactly how the Bible says to and now we as believers must address it the same way and do our part with prayer and mercy.
Another woman suffering quietly for DECADES with an entitled Christian man. “Biblical” Counseling?!? They don’t know the real Jesus.
I find it interesting that you would say “They” Could you elaborate on this? I agree that one could assume Kris, Pastor Viars’ wife, has innocently suffered in this particular situation (not knowing the full story), yet I am inclined to ask how you came to the conclusion that this suffering has been endured for “DECADES” as well as take a stab at Biblical Counseling?
Decades is the correct quantifier. It wasn’t until she began working with some well-trainined biblical counselors who were able to help her develop the courage to see the truth of what she has been experieincing all of these years and become brave enough to give voice to the truth. Not at all uncommon for those subjected to serial domestic oppression.
Viars has been a leader in an organization with a strong history of spiritual bullying that goes back to its beginnings. Not everyone in the organization nor most in the broader biblical counseling world are bullies, but enough are that this is sadly more common that people may think.
His statement is not at all one that shows remourse or repentance for what he has subjected his family – especially Kris – to for so long. There is more to this story that needs to come out, for sure.
@Pastor Warren Lamb, you speak as though this is very personal on your behalf. As a trained counselor wouldn’t it be wrong to not seek to understand both sides of the story. Proverbs 18:13???
And the allegation that OUR organization practices spiritual bullying is simply uncalled for. With tens of thousands of individuals worldwide continuing to serve the Lord with wisdom and discernment from the training that same organization practices speaks volumes. To bring about an attack on not only Viars but also the organization he worked within for decades rather than prayerful responses that show love and compassion for a hurting congregation by definition is bullying.
Pastor Lamb, is the organization that you describe Association of Certified Biblical Counselors? Or Independent Baptist churches? The latter is known for abusive practices.
We can understand the concern expressed here, and it’s understandable that this situation brings up strong emotions, especially around the topic of abuse. As a member of this family, we feel it’s important to clarify some misconceptions.
The reality within our family is not one of his abuse or oppression, but of manipulation and misrepresentations by others that have unfortunately led to dangerous rumors. To those of us who know our dad closely, the story that has circulated publicly is one-sided and does not reflect the relationship dynamics within our family. He has not been abusive towards anyone in our family, and we want to respectfully assure you that a true picture of our family’s life is different from what’s been shared.
Our hearts are breaking that complete strangers are speaking publicly as if they know our family better than we do. We ask that you consider another perspective.
Karis and Bethany…thank you for posting. The gossip and rumors that run rampant in message boards, “Christian” message boards, is sickening. I wish you and your family all the best.
Yes, tragically they know the book but not Jesus. See John 15:1-10. Jesus’ last sermon before being crucified. We can do nothing without Jesus. John 15:5. As wonderful and important as our Bible is, we have the awesome privilege of learning to see Jesus, hear Jesus, love Jesus, live Jesus. Upon salvation He lives in us, fully. Jesus, not the Bible, is the Way, the Truth, the Life. He is THE ONE whom the Scriptures describe.
“Viars added that his resignation does not involve a ‘moral issue'”
One of these days maybe treating his wife and children well will be considered a moral issue for a Christian leader. Good grief.
You’re correct – it IS a moral issue because it is s gross violation of God’s design for Chrsitians in general and Christian marriages more specifically. The only thing God speaks against more than oppression – and espcailly interpersonal oppression – in Scripture is idolatry. It is a BIG moral issue to God.
The Viars daughters have clarified the situation and for anyone to make assumptions without the full story is what Jesus called “judging.” Besides which making false accusations breaks the 9th Commandment. Whatever happened is in God’s hands, not yours.
“One of these days maybe treating his wife and children well will be considered a moral issue for a Christian leader. Good grief.”
Yes, it certainly makes you wonder about this person’s understanding of morality. Of course how you treat others – family, neighbors, employees, store clerks, waiters – is a moral issue.
I wonder if he thinks sexual activity is the only subject of “morality.” Would he think theft is a “moral issue”? Bearing false witness? Coveting?
Viars added that his resignation does not involve a “moral issue, but my failures and challenges are serious enough that it is best that I work on them apart from the rigors and requirements of pastoral ministry.”
Poppycock. How in the world and heaven above is a pastor’s marital challenge so serious that it causes his forced resignation from ministry and yet it does not involve a “moral issue?” What is his definition of morality?
In my opinion, immorality by a pastor extends beyond having an affair or some sexual escapades outside of marriage. This is especially so when a pastor holds themselves out to be an expert on counselling. Isn’t it immoral for a pastor to exhibit uncontrolled outbursts of anger, physical or emotional abuse, bullying traits, or substance abuse? I think so.
We can understand the concern expressed here in these comments, and it’s understandable that this situation brings up strong emotions, especially around the topic of abuse. As members of this family, we feel it’s important to clarify some misconceptions.
The reality within our family is not one of his abuse or oppression, but of manipulation and misrepresentations by others that have unfortunately led to dangerous rumors. To those of us who know our dad closely, the story that has circulated publicly is one-sided and does not reflect the relationship dynamics within our family. He has not been abusive towards anyone in our family, and we want to respectfully assure you that a true picture of our family’s life is different from what’s been shared.
Our hearts are breaking that complete strangers are speaking publicly as if they know our family better than we do. We ask that you consider another perspective.
Karis and Bethany…thank you for posting. The gossip and rumors that run rampant in message boards, “Christian” message boards, is sickening. I wish you and your family all the best.
Karis and Bethany,
Know there are many people who know your father and have benefitted greatly from the ministry at Faith that are praying for he and your family. I was not at the church but regularly engaged with people there and even met your mom once. It was apparent the way he lead others to care about the people around there, to the point of leading the church to build community centers rather than large auditoriums, ministering to those at risk. I remember hearing him say he love God and his Word but knows he won’t get to heaven and Jesus is wearing a “I’m with Steve Viars shirt,” meaning he knew he was not God but a servant of him. May God bless your entire family through this and use even this for your family’s good, God’s glory, and be a testimony that others can get help.
Wow, lots of opinions in the comment section, lots of accusations, but not a lot of facts or truth. I think it’s wise to refrain from rendering verdicts when you don’t know enough to do so.
Praying for your family Bethany & Kari’s!