Tullian Tchividjian has left Willow Creek, half LIBERATE board resigns

Tullian Tchividjian has left his position at Willow Creek Church.Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church

Tullian Tchividjian, the grandson of Billy Graham who was deposed from ministry at Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church after he and his wife both admitted extra-marital affairs, has now left his position on the staff of Willow Creek Presbyterian.

The move was reported by blogger Warren Throckmorton, who was told by Willow Creek's pastor Kevin Labby that today was Tchividjian's last day on the staff.

Tchividjian joined Willow Creek in September 2015 not long after his departure from Coral Ridge, amid criticism that it was too soon for him to return to a high-profile ministry position.

His LIBERATE ministry, whose mission is described as "to connect God's inexhaustible grace to an exhausted world through books, conferences, television, radio, social media, and a variety of other mediums", was relaunched last month, though he remained on sabbatical from its board. A board statement said then of his restoration progress: "The process is going remarkably well, and we are very encouraged by his honesty, humility, repentance, and commitment to healing.

However, Labby has stepped down from the board, as have four other board members – a majority of the original nine.

The relaunch of LIBERATE was itself controversial, attracting a Facebook post on its website, since removed, from the woman with whom he had an affair.