The pastor of an evangelical, multi-site megachurch in the Chicago suburbs has been placed on leave due to reported “use of alcohol on church premises while performing duties” and alleged “concealment” of his wrongdoing.
On Jan. 3, the executive council of Chapelstreet Church—an influential megachurch with four locations in the western suburbs—announced to members via email that Lead Pastor Jeff Frazier had been placed on a leave of absence.
Sean Glore, chairman of Chapelstreet’s Executive Council, stated the church’s action is intended “to address issues that are preventing (Frazier) from performing his duties . . . These issues include the possession and use of alcohol on church premises while performing duties, the willful concealment of the wrongdoing, and his denials when confronted.”
Glore also stated that Brian Coffey, pastor of leadership and development at Chapelstreet, would assume Frazier’s duties, as Interim Lead Pastor. Coffey had served as lead pastor of Chapelstreet for over 20 years, before transitioning into a mentoring and training role in 2016.
“This is heavy and even shocking news to everyone who is part of the Chapelstreet family,” stated Coffey in the announcement. “We’re a big family—over 5,200 of us gathered to celebrate Christ’s birth on Christmas Eve. This news is painful for every single one of us in some way.”
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Glore and Coffey were featured in a video reading the announcement, which had been posted on the church website. However, on Monday afternoon, hours after El Informe Roys (TRR) reached out to a church staff member for comment, the webpage and video were removed. (An archived page remains available online.)
TRR asked the church why the webpage and video were taken down but did not receive a response.
‘Process of healing and restoration’ underway
In the statement on Jan. 3, Glore also announced a “process of healing and restoration” for Frazier had been initiated by the church leadership team.
“We cannot predict the length of time this process will take, nor can we know the outcome,” Glore stated. But, he noted, “If successful, (it) will lead to positive outcomes for (Frazier) and our entire church body.”
According to its website and bylaws, Chapelstreet, formerly the First Baptist Church of Geneva, is led by both the pastors and the congregation.
Church members vote on the annual budget and some key decisions, while “day-to-day leadership of the staff and operations is the responsibility of the Lead Pastor,” the church website estados. Members also elect candidates to the executive council, a board comprised of nine non-staff members and four church staff that focuses on “outward mission (and) strategic leadership.”
Coffey noted in his statement that he had “served together” with Frazier for 25 years in ministry. “We have a chance to demonstrate what truth and grace look like in real life,” wrote Coffey. “. . . Right now, as (Frazier) begins a journey of healing, he needs us to be his church.”
Speaking as their longtime pastor, Coffey urged congregants to pray for the minister and his family. “Caring includes holding Jeff accountable, which our leadership will do,” stated Coffey, adding that he expects the process to be redemptive.
But Coffey added a strong admonition. “Here are a couple of things we DON’T DO: We don’t gossip. We don’t speculate. And we don’t listen to or encourage those who do.”
Chapelstreet Church is affiliated with Converge Worldwide, a historic evangelical denomination, formerly known as the Baptist General Conference.
TRR reached out to a regional leader of the denomination, but he declined to comment.
In the past, Coffey and Frazier have spoken together publicly about the church’s leadership transition in 2016 as a model for other congregations.
En un entrevista de podcast in 2021, Coffey shared about how the church had grown under his leadership, which he said Frazier was equipped to take to the next level.
“I was really good at taking a small, traditional Baptist church that didn’t have a sign out front when I got here, (to) one with multiple campuses,” Coffey said. “This next phase—more complex, more energy, more vision, more things we haven’t done before—that was Jeff.”
Periodista independiente Josh Shepherd escribe sobre fe, cultura y políticas públicas para varios medios outlets. He and his family live in the Washington, D.C. area.
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17 Respuestas
Pastor Coffey also said that one of the things Chapelstreet Church does not do is “shoot its wounded.”
A good reminder for those interested in not only “reporting the truth” but also “restoring the church.” Perhaps Chapelstreet can be an example of “grace and truth.”
So I pray.
This reminds us that on one is exempt from the problem of alcohol abuse. People often use booze to self-medicate. There is no quick cure for this ailment. You cannot pray this away.
Noticeable that “success” seems to be multiple campuses, scale, etc. and no mention of lives changed.
The reason churches are large are because people want to go there. Lives are being changed, otherwise people would not want to go there. Every church has problems because it is full of people.
James says we ALL stumble in many ways. Let’s show mercy and grace. He who is without sin, let him throw the first stone. Your comment is rather harsh and critical. Lord have mercy on you.
That’s exactly what I noticed. I’m not going to comment on the pastor’s struggles, instead it’s the megachurch system itself that bothers me. It looks and sounds a lot more like a corporation instead of what’s described in the book of Acts.
I do not rejoice at this news. I pray for him and his family. I also appreciate the transparency and not hiding his removal under adrenal fatigue or burnout. I’m sure it’s not perfect behind their is more to this story but I pray this is done with not just the pastors best interest in mind but also the sheep
It is probable that the pastor is an alcoholic. I hope that he will receive substance abuse assistance and intervention during this time and going forward.
The leadership of Chapel Street is to be commended for the manner in which they are handling this issue. The fact that the pastor MAY be dealing with an issue related to alcohol does not disqualify him from future ministry. Neither does it rise to the level of other stories often shared on this website. While it certainly MAY be serious, Tim Keller reminded us often the consequences of our sins are often different. All sin is sin in the eyes of God but the consequences are not the same. Pastor Jeff is an excellent leader, committed to Biblical truth and, unlike other megachurch pastors with whom I am personally acquainted, is humble and a great model for collaborative leadership in the life of the church. BTW, does anyone recall another servant by the name of Max Lucado? Hmm…..
Praying for Jeff, the leadership, and the people of Chapelstreet in this difficult season. Join me!
Praying for Chapelstreet. I have family there and though the label “Mega Church” could be applied in some ways, it’s perhaps not entirely accurate. Though large in number, it’s a ministry that has decided against the large-building church model (canceled plans for one in fact) with one figurehead pastor and instead has intentionally built multiple smaller local locations with their own pastors. At the same time they’ve taken the benefit of the assets of a large church and created programs that conduct ALOT of direct community service.
The charges against the pastor seem rather vague (could cover anything from rampant alcoholism to having a bottle in the desk drawer) but here’s hoping they can conduct accountability and restoration while maintaining transparency.
At which point, they’ve become a denomination and/or diocese in all but name, calling their parishes “franchises”, their mother church anything but “cathedral”, and its Head Pastor anything but “bishop”.
I figure there’s an optimum size for a church, probably tied into the human troop-size limit of 100-150. More than that and people become tithing units instead of people. So splitting a large number into a number of connected smaller churches does make sense. Only why use the above terminology? It’s become a diocese or denomination presided over by a bishop (which in my church is more administrative than in the field).
I pray for his healing and restoration. What restoration means in this case is up to the leadership of the church, which from this article seems to be on the right path.
I will highlight though that this is another example of a massive church measuring success in numbers and programs and not mentioned is spiritual growth and formation. It is true that is what people seem to want, that doesn’t make it good.
Can I hope that one day mega churches will be a thing of the past or will it just move to the next popular construct of church culture?
Drug and Alcohol abuse is major problem in the U.S.
In general if leadership is about Integrity, Honesty and Transparency, then the whole issue of denials and compromise would probably disqualify him.
Also, I am not certain if the denomination they are part of, thinks smoking weed and drinking is okay, as that would cloud the picture.
In general the Evangelical Industrial Complex typically works like this:
A. Buddies with Board Members:
– Rehab for 3 to 6 months
– Followed by slow reintroduction to Preaching Schedule
B. Not Buddies with Board Members:
– Dispatched in a couple months
I don’t judge the issue of the pastor and his problems, may he heal.
However I take issue with the following statement by Coffey a leader in the church “We don’t gossip, we don’t speculate, and we don’t listen to or encourage those who do”
That is gaslighting.
A vague statement was originally put out saying something along the lines of use of alcohol on church premises and the concealment thereof.
(Was it wine for communion? Was it locked away?) Is it a sin to ask?
When reporters asked genuine questions so that the matter could be clarified, no response was given by the church leadership and a video was taken down.
Totally untransparent. Gaslighting anyone who seeks the truth as gossipers or speculators.
If a leader’s compass isn’t working, their followers are castaways, because they have proven they do not know the way off of the island either.
True, he might not be a sexual deviant preying on women and children, but alcoholism is equally disqualifying. It is a bag full of unflattering manifestations.
“Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy
Spirit.” Ephesian 5:18
The notion that pastors should not be replaced is perplexing to me. Anyone incapable of successfully performing a task will be replaced. Why are pastors engaged in disqualifying activities the exception?
It is heartbreaking to see someone lose their way, disappoint others, or have their struggles publicly known. Prayer, yes. Continuation, no.
God has prepared many worthy servants, some waiting in the bush.
““I was really good at taking a small, traditional Baptist church that didn’t have a sign out front when I got here, (to) one with multiple campuses,” Coffey said. “This next phase—more complex, more energy, more vision, more things we haven’t done before—that was Jeff.”
This is spoken as if it’s a good thing, a biblical thing. I don’t see any support in scripture for it- it’s all greed and power. that’s why we see the mega church model fail time after time. this is not the way of Christ.
While I respect the publication of this information, I fail to understand why appropriate follow up has not yet been shared with readers. Both the pastor and the church are taking proactive steps in a manner that requires accountability while being open to the potential of complete restoration. If reporting on issues such as this is important to the broader church, then follow-up is important in the obtaining of truth. This church and pastor are modeling Biblical teachings when it comes to matters related to leadership and church discipline. A congregational meeting was held. The pastor is spoken with humility and vulnerability. An update would be appreciated.