Embattled Bishop Eddie Long Taking Sabbatical After Wife Files for Divorce
- Posted on December 5, 2011 at 8:12am by
Billy Hallowell
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Bishop Eddie Long
LITHONIA, Ga. (AP) — Megachurch leader Bishop Eddie Long announced Sunday he’s taking time off to focus on his family after his wife filed for divorce.
Long’s spokesman, Art Franklin, said the New Birth Missionary Baptist Church leader told his congregation during church services that he will continue to serve as senior pastor at the church in Lithonia just outside Atlanta. But Long said he needs a sabbatical.
Franklin declined to say how long the pastor’s sabbatical from the church would be. He said Long and his family “are asking for privacy and sensitivity to their family.”
Long’s wife, Vanessa Long, filed a petition for divorce Thursday in DeKalb County Superior Court to end her 21-year marriage to the embattled minister. The church sent out a press release Friday morning saying Vanessa Long planned to withdraw her petition, but her attorney said later in the day that she had changed her mind.
In her petition, Vanessa Long indicated that the marriage is “irretrievably broken” and that there was “no hope of reconciliation of the parties.” She asked the court for temporary and permanent alimony, as well as attorneys’ fees and an equitable division of marital and non-marital property.
“Vanessa and I are working together in seeking God’s will in our current circumstances,” Eddie Long said in a written statement.
According to the divorce petition, the couple is “currently living in a bona fide state of separation.”
The split comes more than a year after allegations last year that Eddie Long used his lavish lifestyle and position of spiritual authority to lure four young men into sexual relationships. Eddie Long settled the cases but has never admitted to any wrongdoing.
Details of the settlements were not disclosed.
The allegations attracted national attention, took a toll on Long’s reputation and distracted from his international ministry.
The Longs were married March 10, 1990. The couple has three children together and has another child from Long’s previous marriage.
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Bronco II
Posted on December 5, 2011 at 7:57pmI never heard of him but I will keep him and his family in my prayers and leave the rest of the hypocrites pass their judgement I won’t GOD KNOWS HIS HEART and GOD IS THE JUDGE not us.And the HOLIER THEN THOUS SHAME ON YOU.
Report Post »temi227
Posted on December 5, 2011 at 11:09pm11: But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such a one no not to eat. <—- IS there something you don't get about that? We aren't to judge unbelievers, but Paul makes it VERY clear here that we are to judge believers. If you have a problem with that, then you have a problem with the WORD of GOD!
Report Post »In That Day
Posted on December 5, 2011 at 6:33pmFor 17 years I’ve studied the doctrines behind the problems of Eddie Long, Crystal Cathedral, TBN, et al. And their problems are legion. Interestingly, I found solutions: Mainly Christ-in-You.
See http://www.inthatdayteachings.com Basically, pastors must choose how to think! To wit:
Choose: Jar Jar Binks’ Kinks, or How God’s Mind Thinks!!
Like a coordinated man dancing with an off-beat lady,
So is God with nondom pastors of stunningly broad un-intelligence,
Pastors disbelieve they can ever, even once, be shady,
Preaching claptrap and rapture, all see where Christ-in-You went!
Christ-in-You is gone from you,
You pastors I’m speaking to, (Say au revoir: mind-of-gopher!)
Your sheep should ask, Where is He?
You keep your sheep un-imbued! (Don’t belay: Christ’s makeover!)
Repent, repent, oh pastors who are not angels,
But repenting, of so much of your abominable pride, will not be easy!
Repent, repent, oh pastors, from all your angles,
Weep! Wail! Howl! God says, All will be well. But now, be queasy!
But you, you nondom pastors say,
NOW let us build a vast building project!
But what if God, God Himself says,
Without insurance, sheep should object!
Christian book publishers, to protect their stakes,
Often, therefore, reasonably demand,
Insurance contracts if author, morality breaks,
And trips out of underwear get out of hand. ;)
(continued at http://www.inthatdayteachings.com)
Report Post »temi227
Posted on December 5, 2011 at 6:23pm1 Corinthians 5 ..
Report Post »9: I wrote unto you in an epistle not to company with fornicators:
10: Yet not entirely with the fornicators of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or with idolaters; for then must you needs go out of the world.
11: But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such a one no not to eat.
12: For what have I to do to judge them also that are outside? do not you judge them that are within?
13: But them that are outside God judges. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person.
His actions shame the Church of God.. and it shouldn’t be tolerated! That’s why so many unbelievers accuse the Church of being hypocrites because they TOLERATE this kind of mess!
LawrenceHill
Posted on December 5, 2011 at 3:37pmAnonymousT.,
Report Post »It’s a toupee. And a bad one at that…..
lslax0
Posted on December 5, 2011 at 2:33pmMuhdik takes another one down.
Report Post »alwayshappy
Posted on December 5, 2011 at 1:11pmWhile I don’t know all the facts. I think his wife has made the right decision. Bishop Eddie Long needs to reconsider exactly where he stands. Wife? Males? Whatever! He needs to take some time off and get his act together and perhaps call Herman Cain.
Report Post »neverending
Posted on December 5, 2011 at 12:00pmThis clown is an absolute disgrace, always has been and for anyone to even associate “Christian” with him needs to do some soul searching. What took him so long to step down? Seeing more and more of this sort of thing everyday and it is pretty disturbing.
Report Post »SouthernFlaGirl53
Posted on December 5, 2011 at 10:53amUnless you know t he entire story and background, you really are just speculating aren’t you?
Come on guys? Don’t you even listen at church yourself?
The ring? You don’t know, it could have been given to him, or it could have been from a
dead friend.
Not all is as it seems. You can‘t judge a book by it’s cover, remember that saying?
Pray for him, that God will solve this in love not hate.
Don’t be like the Occupy drones! Love and pray to God you don’t do the same or worse.
Report Post »Have mercy!
NoRoomForSocialismHere
Posted on December 5, 2011 at 11:55amPaul the Apostle said he could have more than us all but chose to remain poor that no man would stumble.
That’s as brief and to the point as it gets.
The modern church:
Teaches Prosperity Teaching
The Power of Positive Thinking
These are from the pit, Oprah likes it too
All of which is carnal or manmade, this includes this man and the likes of Joel Osteen
Report Post »NoRoomForSocialismHere
Posted on December 5, 2011 at 12:02pmThe handmade jacket, special design of his personal kingdom oh and the ring, how many cars and airplanes did you say…
I do not wonder why God is stepping back from America
Report Post »NoRoomForSocialismHere
Posted on December 5, 2011 at 12:06pmNO, flaggirl, we judge the body in an effort to save from Gods judgement.
If he is not of God we are to step back and move on out, “Come out from among them”
Report Post »Eblaze44
Posted on December 5, 2011 at 3:33pmI‘m so glad that everyone has walked in the Bishop’s shoes to make judgements. It truly matters not to me, I don’t have to answer for other peoples sins and transgressions – mine are bad enough. But sooner or later – all of the Christian “mega-church” leaders fall. Perhaps the only man in recent history that remained true to himself and family with Billy Graham. Seldom if ever did he refer to himself or take the title of “reverend” much less that of a bishop or anything else. I think he is the one man that was more interested in the people and their hearts walking the aisles than their pocket books.
Report Post »JLGunner
Posted on December 5, 2011 at 10:24amTranslation: This woman is cleaning you out. Permanent alimony?!?!? Typical woman. Divorce two men and never have to work again in her life.I wonder what is his reported annual income? Church is expensive.
Report Post »NoRoomForSocialismHere
Posted on December 5, 2011 at 11:59amA preachers wife puts as much energy in as he does.
First off its the congregatins money and they dont know that, they think they built this railroad them dang selves
God will have his say in this if the people are defrauded in anyway you bet
Report Post »JLGunner
Posted on December 5, 2011 at 12:39pmwell, while we wait for God to speak up, this woman will be taking the congregations money while she seeks out another man that has a nice income.
Report Post »Eblaze44
Posted on December 5, 2011 at 3:35pmShe may get personal forever alimoney – but if the man has no church and no pay – she gets squat. You cannot squeeze blood from a turnip (I like that metaphor)
Report Post »stogieguy7
Posted on December 5, 2011 at 9:51amWho is this? Why is this important? I’ve never, ever, heard of this guy and I tend to be pretty well informed.
Report Post »Stoic one
Posted on December 5, 2011 at 10:04amsounds like jesse look alike / act alike
Report Post »barber2
Posted on December 5, 2011 at 9:41amJust surprised this dude didn’t enter politics….
Report Post »Anti_Spock
Posted on December 5, 2011 at 9:49amNice resume. hocked Obama didn’t make him his chief spiritual advisor.
Report Post »barber2
Posted on December 5, 2011 at 10:33amANTI : Wonder what Obama is doing with his religious life. He sure likes to keep it hidden. Maybe because most of the elitist Lefties think church goers are ignorant crackers ! And we know that Cardboard Cutout Obama always “ votes present ” in his endless campaign political lifestyle ( when he isn’t traveling and seeking the approval of his BF International Lefties ! )
Report Post »normbal
Posted on December 5, 2011 at 9:31amI’m confused. Eddie who? Is this guy a pastor or a football coach?
Report Post »stockpicker
Posted on December 5, 2011 at 9:17amAnother purveyor of the false arminian gospel bites the dust.
Report Post »JAYBECONSERVATIVE
Posted on December 5, 2011 at 9:10amHe who hath no sin may cast the first stone. quit hating on him and pray for him and his family. Christians attack their wounded instead of praying for them and healing them. I’ve never been fond of him and watched very few of his sermons. But he still needs prayer and help, Not more attacks. What if your life were played out on the big tv screen of heaven? What would you not want people to see?
Report Post »normbal
Posted on December 5, 2011 at 9:37amUm, my bible says the punishment for this crime is death. It’s pretty clear. I’d be happy to throw the first stone, or hook him up to an IV, whatever.
Report Post »Gonzo
Posted on December 5, 2011 at 9:55amNormbal
Report Post »The second covenant supersedes the first.
eyestoseeearstohear
Posted on December 5, 2011 at 9:04amHOW COULD his wife stay with him?
The BEST thing SHE can do for him is to LEAVE, PRAY FOR HIM &
GET HIM PHYSCOLOGICAL HELP.
The BEST thing HE can do is ASK FOR GOD’S FORGIVENESS, FORGIVENESS
FROM THOSE BOYS, THE CHURCH, FAMILY AND ACCEPT PHYSCOLOGICAL HELP.
These Pulpit-Pimps need to understand the severity of their actions.
When you’re on the WRONG SIDE OF GOD – this is what you get!
It’s NOT mandatory for Preachers to be dirt poor – BUT – it’s not difficult to see what
is MORE IMPORTANT to them when the Preachers are DIAMONDED OUT-
BLING-BLINGED – PLANES, BOATS, CARS, SELF-INVOLVED, CLOTHES, HOUSES,
PREY ON THE PEOPLE AND DON’T TEACH OR LIVE “ THE WORD”.
“Where a man’s Treasures are, so is his Heart”.
And, how people follow after “a man” confessing to be a MAN OF GOD, who
preaches 5 minutes of God’s Word and 45 MINUTES of SHOUTING & SHOW,
says a LOT about WHAT THE MEMBERS ARE THEY FOR, TOO!
Most go to be PREACHED AT and NOT TAUGHT, because “being taught”
PUTS A DEMAND ON BOTH THE PREACHER & MEMBERS,
requiring THEM TO DO SOMETHING, like PUT GOD’S WORD INTO ACTION.
It’s disgraceful AND sinful to follow after A MAN and not God.
Report Post »Anonymous T. Irrelevant
Posted on December 5, 2011 at 8:58amIs that a black, curly hair net on his head or a black man’s “comb-over?”
Report Post »TEARS FOR AMERICA
Posted on December 5, 2011 at 8:48amEddie Long should leave the pulpit, period. And what is even sadder is that this congregation is hanging on to him and this is supposedly a Christian church. Why? Christians should forgive but Bishop Long should also respect the Christ he has supposedly preached, humble himself and after years of redemptive service then maybe step back in the pulpit in the future if he is truly repentant.
Report Post »@leftfighter
Posted on December 5, 2011 at 9:21amI agree, but sadly, this isn’t what happens in the real world.
The Pastor of my church resigned about 12 years ago over having an affair with his secretary. He “resigned his pulpit,” then ended up just across town at another pulpit and on TV as a local televangelist. The incident almost tore the church leadership apart, because some of the leadership argued that if he was forced out, tithes would be reduced. Others thought those pastors should resign because that would have essentially given the church over to corruption and turning a blind eye to sin for money.
I’m all for forgiving the man, but when something like this happens, a Pastor should resign his pulpit, and stay resigned. If this guy resigns his pulpit and my experience holds true, he’ll just resurface elsewhere.
Report Post »THE TRUTH SHALL MAKE YOU FREE
Posted on December 5, 2011 at 8:47amYou SHALL know them by their fruits! When you stay in a church that has a hireling in the pulpit you have nothing but a social club. I would never stat in a church with a filthy Pastor besides ic he cant keephis marriage together how is he going to help your marrige?
Report Post »jjohnson_n_oklahoma
Posted on December 5, 2011 at 9:36amAMEN!! You hit the nail right on the head. Too many churches have nothing more than hirelings, and not truly God Called men of faith. My family decided to leave our church yesterday, because of the same problems that so many churches are having. Our church is dying, for the pastor is more concerned with “big” money, and no longer preaches the truth. God help those that misuse their positions!
Report Post »,
minorityconservative2
Posted on December 5, 2011 at 8:36amHe has been divorced so how can he be a pastor anyway? The Bible says a divorced person cannot be a pastor.
Report Post »THE TRUTH SHALL MAKE YOU FREE
Posted on December 5, 2011 at 8:42amActually scriptually, You do have the right to put away your spouse if they commit adultery on you but YOU DO NOT have the right to get remarried. The only eay you are allowed to remarry in that swife physituation is if your spouse PHYSICALLY dies…And THAT IS THE WORD OF GOD PERIOD!
Report Post »Bronco II
Posted on December 5, 2011 at 8:04pmBetter go back and read the scriptures again GOD GAVE ISRAEL A DECREE OF DIVORCE. GOD does address divorce and what to do about it and you don’t become a second class citizen because of it.STOP YOUR WORDS AND INTERPRETATIONS OF WHAT GOD REALLY SAID. That is what happens when people CHERRY PICK to suit their own way of thinking.GOD SAYS DO NOT ADD OR TAKE FROM HIS WORD and make it traditions of men.RIGHTLY DIVIDE THE TRUTH. WHO,WHAT,WHEN,WHERE. That is why GOD SAID STUDY HIS WORD LINE ON LINE AND PRECEPT ON PRECEPT.
Report Post »THE TRUTH SHALL MAKE YOU FREE
Posted on December 6, 2011 at 1:18amOut of your own mouth you modern day scribe “ God gave ISREAL writing of divorce” That obviously wasnt you or the gentiles now was it? JESUS SAID HIMSELF “ ANYMAN THAT DIVORCETH HIS WIFE AND MARRIETH ANOTHER COMMITEH ADULTERY” now explain it away or deny it but it will still be the truth after you try too.
Report Post »shammo
Posted on December 5, 2011 at 8:30amHe should have called his buddy Barney to see what to do.
Report Post »The Bove
Posted on December 5, 2011 at 8:29amIt is tragic that these “Christian” leaders can justify taking peoples hard earned money to live like this. Surely, the Lord meant people like this when he said he would say “I never knew you.”He is one of hundreds of Preachers hurting the cause of Christ, while lining their pockets-Yeah, I’m talking about you Benny Hinn, TBN etc. People need help and real leadership not a “hundredfold scam”. Breaks my heart. Maranatha Lord.
Report Post »barber2
Posted on December 5, 2011 at 9:46amThese megabuck entertainer/ preachers live very differently than the early apostles….
Report Post »neverending
Posted on December 5, 2011 at 12:03pmYou got that right. They are no different then most politicians – do and say anything to line their pockets. And yes TBN is at the head of the pack.
Report Post »Detroit paperboy
Posted on December 5, 2011 at 8:29amYuk
Report Post »SurhanSurhan
Posted on December 5, 2011 at 8:22amAnother great example of Christian love (for boys)!
Report Post »Anonymous T. Irrelevant
Posted on December 5, 2011 at 8:48amThat kind of “love” has nothing to do with Christianity.
Report Post »Detroit paperboy
Posted on December 5, 2011 at 9:06amWasnt it Allah that liked the little boys ? Or was that Chris Matthews ?
Report Post »SurhanSurhan
Posted on December 5, 2011 at 9:19am@ ANONYMOUS T. IRRELEVANT- It shows up more in Christianity than any other religion on the face of the planet.
Report Post »barber2
Posted on December 5, 2011 at 9:45amMy but you sound so authoritative and judgmental. Guess you are one of those stone casters who are without sin. Or maybe you are just one who likes to throw the first stone…
Report Post »hi
Posted on December 5, 2011 at 8:22ambeware of false prophets.
Report Post »sawbuck
Posted on December 5, 2011 at 8:21amMy first thought on this story, looking at that rock on his finger is “vanity”
Report Post »And my second is “sins of the flesh”.