Tavner Smith's Venue Church Files for Bankruptcy

Update. See more details here

Weeks after Venue Church ‘pastor’ Tavner Smith addressed rumors surrounding the foreclosure and sale of their property, the result of hemorrhaging members and money for nearly a year after he was exposed for carrying on an illicit affair with his worship leader/ personal assistant, the church has filed for bankruptcy in a desperate bid to fend off foreclosure of their building.

According to the Chattanooga Press:

The megachurch at 6401 Lee Highway, which was named one of the fastest growing churches in America by Outreach Magazine and LifeWay Research in 2015, filed a Chapter 11 petition in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Chattanooga on Tuesday to reorganize its finances under court protection. The bankruptcy filing will help stave off a foreclosure that was scheduled later this month on the nearly 47,000-square-foot building that houses the 7-year-old church.
In its bankruptcy filing, the church said its revenues dropped from more than $3.1 million in 2020 to just over $2 million last year and are on pace to be under $1 million this year.
Venue Church listed debts and other creditor claims of more than $3 million. But the church estimates its property is worth $4.5 million.

The church’s bankruptcy attorney states that the Venue Church “intends to pay off all of its creditors in full.”

Venue Church used to be among the fastest-growing churches in the nation, topping 1500 people spread across four services and two locations. Now, they’re lucky to get a few dozen people.

Most of the church staff quit last year after Smith and his paramour were spotted in a video kissing and were caught in a compromising situation involving a bowl of chili and some boxer briefs. After the news came out, Smith took a month or so off for personal reflection and healing and then was back in the saddle again.