Pastor Nathan Peternel of Life Church is stepping aside from leadership and entering a “restorative process” after his denomination, the AOG, chastised him after revelations that he filmed dozens of sex tapes with his wife went public.
He shared in an email with congregants:
Over the past several months, concerns were raised that led to a formal inquiry and investigation by the Assemblies of God Indiana District Leadership.
After a careful and thorough review, the District Executive Presbytery concluded that certain personal behaviors related to my use and retention of private digital content involving my spouse fell short of the standards expected of a credentialed minister and were determined to be unbecoming of ministerial leadership.
With grace and a heart toward restoration, I have been invited to enter a structured restorative process. Beginning March 1, I will step into that process under the guidance of the Indiana District Leadership.
Peternel, who is also battling allegations of grilling a minor with very personal and inappropriate questions during a pre-marital counselling session, notes that he expects to only be out of commission for a season before resuming duties.
The outcome moving forward is this: In the short term, I will focus fully on this season of restoration. In the long term, the plan is for me to remain the Lead Pastor of Life Church as I walk through and complete the restorative process.
Chrissy and I are approaching this season with humility and expectancy. When this restorative process is complete, I look forward to returning with renewed vision and a refreshed heart to continue leading Life Church forward as we pursue our mission and the vision of reaching beyond what we currently see.
Late last year, Peternel’s son Jonathan was arrested for possessing violent “torture” child pornography and was recently sentenced to six years in prison.
While searching his devices, however, investigators discovered more than 50 videos of Nathan and his wife naked or having sex.
This revelation caused a furor in the church, with members questioning how the videos got there, clamoring for answers and causing tension in the church. Church leadership repeatedly told congregants to stop talking about it, but in the face of mounting interest and speculation, Peternel finally addressed his church during a private closed-door meeting, explaining:
“There are a lot of accusations circulating and being circulated, and some of them are blatantly false, some of them are twisted, and some of them are without context. But in the midst of all those things, there’s a reality that I need to own, and I need to address.
Within the covenant of our marriage, my wife and I created private, intimate photos and videos. Although those files were password-protected, they were hacked. And they were hacked from a device without our consent, without our knowledge, and that was done by our son, who was high at the time.”
He later added:
“Though what occurs within marriage is not sinful, some may see that as unwise and reflecting poor choices on our part. And we hear you and we understand.”
