Sam Allberry, pastor and author, has resigned from Emmanuel Church following news of a same-sex relationship in 2022. Church Elders concluded that "Sam’s conduct constituted a serious breach of trust and a failure to walk in a manner...



Pastor, author, and apologist Sam Allberry has been disqualified from ministry after elders in his church, Immanuel Nashville, announced that he had previously been involved in an inappropriate relationship with another man.

In a statement from Immanuel Church, the elders shared that they learned about Allberry’s same-sex relationship in 2024, two years after that relationship began, Protestia reported.

“The relationship concluded prior to Sam being called as a pastor in 2023,” the statement reads. “Being made aware, the elders immediately began a thorough investigation.”

At the time, however, the elders did not believe that the relationship rose to the level of disqualification before changing course in January 2026 after they received “new information about this relationship that was not disclosed previously.”

“This initiated a reopening of the investigation, the findings of which led the Elders to conclude that, while the relationship did not go as far as it could have, Sam’s conduct constituted a serious breach of trust and a failure to walk in a manner worthy of the gospel. The Elders are unanimous in their decision that Sam is currently disqualified from gospel ministry. Sam agrees with this decision and has resigned from Immanuel Church,” the statement continued.

Despite his resignation, the elders added that Allberry has been “repentant, humble, and cooperative” with them as well as “outside counsel. The statement concluded with the elders stating that they will continue to support Allberry with the hope to “restore him in a spirit of gentleness” to full fellowship in the church (Galatians 6:1).”

Allberry, who grew up in England, converted to Christianity at the age of 18. He has been open about his struggle with same-sex attraction after first being made aware of it when he was 15 years old.

As reported by Church Leaders, he served as an associate pastor in Immanuel Nashville alongside lead pastor T.J. Tims and assistant pastors Barnabas Piper, Vince Greenwald and Tony Shepherd. Additionally, Russell Moore, Ray Ortlund and Gavin Ortlund are listed on the church’s website as leaders in residence.

Allberry has authored multiple books, including “Is God Anti-Gay?,” “What God Has to Say About Our Bodies,” and “Biblical Manhood” and has also written for The Gospel Coalition (TGC), Desiring God, and Living Out.

In addition to the church’s statement, TGC released a separate statement regarding the matter and announced that Allberry also resigned as a fellow of the Keller Center for Cultural Apologetics.

“TGC was informed yesterday by Sam Allberry about ‘an inappropriate relationship with another man a few years ago’ and that an announcement would be made today at Immanuel Church regarding his resignation as a pastor,” the board’s statement said. “He then also resigned as a fellow of The Keller Center for Cultural Apologetics.”

TGC also announced that it has removed all of Allberry’s content from its website and social media channels.

“We are heartbroken over this news, and we continue to pray for Sam, Immanuel Church, and everyone affected,” the statement concluded.

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