Bishop Long To Take Time Off For Family

December 4, 2011 2:23 PM

Filed under

Bishop Eddie Long is taking a brief leave from New Birth Missionary Baptist Church to concentrate on his family. Long made the announcement this morning before the congregation, many of whom have followed him from the time the church only had 300 members to see it transformed into one of the largest church congregations in Atlanta.

Church leadership is being very careful to use words that do not point to a resignation by Long. This statement was released by a church spokesman:

Rumors that Bishop Eddie L. Long has stepped down as senior pastor of New Birth Missionary Baptist Church are completely false. As Bishop Long stated in his earlier comments, “Vanessa and I are working together in seeking God’s will in our current circumstances.” As any loving and committed husband would do, Bishop Long will take some time to focus on his family but he will continue to be the senior pastor of New Birth. Bishop Long and Vanessa Long are asking for privacy and sensitivity to their family, without the need for any further public comments at this time.”

Bishop Long told the congregation he is still their spiritual leader. “I’m still your pastor. You’ll still receive my direction,” Long said Sunday. “You’ve given me some weeks to take care of some family business.”

Long’s wife, Vanessa, filed for divorce late Thursday afternoon. Friday morning, via a statement sent by the church’s spokesman, she had apparently changed her mind but by the end of the day on Friday announced the divorce was on.

Long told the congregation several times during his Sunday sermon that he loved his wife and she loves him.

Long, with two of his two children standing by his side, reaffirmed he had no plans to resign, adding he had not “stepped down” but instead “stepped up.”

Membership at New Birth has declined since September 2010 when allegations surfaced from four former young male church members that Bishop Long used his role as spiritual advisor and “father figure” to lure them into sexual relationships through trips, cars and expensive gifts.

Read more about the story here.

For More Bishop Eddie Long Stories

Eddie Long Accuser To The Ryan Cameron Show: “I Ain’t Nobody’s Lady!”

Jamal Parris Arrested In Miami

Bernice King Leaves New Birth

Settlement Reached In Bishop Eddie Long Case

Rob Redding On Bishop Eddie Long

Frank Ski As Allegations Surface

Terri Everhart

As I’m sitting here listening to some of the horrible comments that are being made against my Bishop, it really bothers me to know how people would truly kick you down when you are going through things as if they’re so perfect. This situation is really not so different from the Michael Jackson’s scandal other than the fact Michael was actually accused of little boys and Bishop was accused of young men old enough to know better as well. Both men denied the allegations and they both settled the cases with monetary settlements. As for Kenny, you still don’t know the full truth, so for you to keep trying to make him guitly is foolish. Wanda, you are so hypocritical because, it’s funny when you had a good repore with Bishop it was all smiles (such a phony). Also, please be mindful you are really not operating like a married person either conducting all of those ponographic venues like you’re single, GOD is watching you as well.
http://v103.radio.com/2011/12/05/poll-why-do-you-think-bishop-eddie-long-and-herman-cain-have-walked-away/ [POLL] Why Do YOU Think Bishop Eddie Long And Herman Cain Have Walked Away?

[...] both of have left the door open for a return – as Long is “[taking] some time to focus on his family” (not stepping down as senior pastor of New Birth Missionary Baptist Church, it maintains); and Cain [...]