Sam Allberry Resigns After 'Inappropriate Relationship' with Man, Shaking Evangelical Celibacy Movement

Key facts

• Sam Allberry resigned as associate pastor of Immanuel Nashville on May 3, 2024, after admitting an 'inappropriate relationship' with an adult man.
• The relationship began in 2022, and Allberry was 'repentant, humble, and cooperative' with elders and outside counsel.
• Allberry also resigned as a fellow of the Keller Center for Cultural Apologetics, and The Gospel Coalition removed all his content from its platforms.
• He is ordained in the Anglican Church in North America (ACNA), which has suspended him (inhibition) pending further disciplinary action.
• Allberry had been a leading voice for celibacy among same-sex attracted Christians, authoring books like 'Is God anti-gay?' and '7 myths about singleness.'
• He previously criticized pastor Andy Stanley for being too lenient on LGBTQ+ issues, a stance that now draws accusations of hypocrisy.
• Georgia pastor Mike Stone called the episode a 'predictable train wreck,' while Bishop Clark Lowenfield expressed broken-heartedness and commitment to restoration.

A Sudden Fall from Grace

Sam Allberry, a globally recognized evangelical pastor and author who championed celibacy for same-sex attracted Christians, resigned from Immanuel Nashville church on May 3 after confessing to an 'inappropriate relationship' with an adult man that began in 2022. The announcement, made during a Sunday service, sent shockwaves through conservative Christian circles, where Allberry had been a leading voice on sexuality and singleness. The elders of Immanuel Nashville stated that Allberry had been 'repentant, humble, and cooperative' throughout the inquiry, which involved outside counsel. They affirmed that he remains a member of the church and that both he and the other party will receive counseling. Allberry agreed to the statement before its release.

Resignations and Institutional Fallout

Hours after his church resignation, Allberry also stepped down as a fellow of the Keller Center for Cultural Apologetics, a think tank named after the late Rev. Tim Keller that focuses on pressing issues facing the church. The Gospel Coalition, which oversees the center, announced it was removing all of Allberry's content from its website and other channels, citing policy and procedures. The Gospel Coalition's board expressed heartbreak over the news and deferred its statement until the church membership had been informed. Allberry's departure from these influential institutions marks a dramatic reversal for a figure who had been a prominent apologist for traditional Christian sexual ethics.

A Divided Evangelical Response

The fallout has reignited a broader debate within evangelicalism about Christians who identify as same-sex attracted and choose celibacy. Allberry, who had been one of the most vocal proponents of this lifestyle, regularly spoke on podcasts and at seminars about his choice of singleness as an act of holiness. His books, including 'Is God anti-gay?' and '7 myths about singleness,' were widely read. Critics were quick to point out the apparent hypocrisy. In 2023, Allberry wrote a column for Christianity Today criticizing Atlanta-area pastor Andy Stanley for hosting a conference for parents of LGBTQ+ children, arguing that North Point Community Church was 'implicated' in tolerating sexual sin. Now, some conservative leaders are turning that same judgment on Immanuel Nashville.

Condemnation from Hardline Conservatives

Georgia pastor Mike Stone, a leader of a conservative faction within the Southern Baptist Convention, called the episode 'a sad, predictable train wreck' and 'the latest confirmation that the leaders and ministers aligned with this congregation do not possess a Biblical view of sexual sin.' His comments reflect a growing sentiment among hardliners that Immanuel Nashville's approach to sexuality is too lenient. Bishop Clark WP Lowenfield of the ACNA Diocese of the Western Gulf Coast, which ordained Allberry, announced that Allberry has been suspended—a disciplinary action termed 'inhibition'—while diocesan leadership evaluates whether further action is warranted. Lowenfield stated, 'We are broken-hearted for and with our brother in Christ, Sam, and we are committed to see him through a Godly season of repentance, reconciliation, and restoration.'

The Celibacy Debate and Its Stakes

Allberry's case highlights the precarious position of same-sex attracted Christians in conservative denominations that require celibacy. For years, Allberry was held up as a model of faithfulness, demonstrating that one could experience same-sex attraction while remaining obedient to traditional teachings. His fall now fuels arguments from both sides: progressives who say the celibacy mandate is unsustainable, and hardliners who claim that any deviation proves the movement's inherent weakness. Immanuel Nashville, a nondenominational congregation with ties to several nationally known evangelical voices, now faces scrutiny over its handling of the situation. The elders' decision to keep Allberry as a member and provide counseling has been criticized by some as too lenient, while others commend their pastoral approach.

What Comes Next

Allberry has not publicly commented since his resignation. The ACNA's disciplinary process could lead to further sanctions, including possible defrocking. Meanwhile, The Gospel Coalition's removal of his content suggests a complete institutional break. The broader evangelical community watches closely. For those who championed Allberry as a symbol of celibate faithfulness, his resignation is a profound disappointment. For critics, it is a vindication of their warnings. The story is far from over, as the church, the denomination, and the movement grapple with the implications of a leader who preached one thing but lived another.

The bottom line

• Sam Allberry resigned from Immanuel Nashville and the Keller Center after confessing to an 'inappropriate relationship' with a man, contradicting his public advocacy for celibacy.
• The relationship began in 2022; Allberry was cooperative with church elders and outside counsel, and remains a member of Immanuel Nashville.
• The Gospel Coalition removed all of Allberry's content from its platforms, and the ACNA suspended him pending further discipline.
• Allberry had previously criticized other evangelical leaders for being too lenient on LGBTQ+ issues, a stance now used against him.
• The case intensifies the debate within evangelicalism over the viability of celibacy requirements for same-sex attracted Christians.
• Hardline conservatives, like pastor Mike Stone, see the episode as evidence of systemic failure, while others call for a restorative approach.