The Senior Pastor of Cross Point Church in Nashville has resigned.
Sunday morning, Pastor Pete Wilson announced he was stepping down as he addressed the congregation.
According to Wilson, he felt the move was best for the church. He said, “Leaders who lead on empty don’t lead well. For some time, I’ve been leading on empty.”
Wilson also asked the church for prayers and said, “I’m tired. And I’m broken and I just need some rest. I love you all.”
Further details on Wilson’s resignation were not given.
Wilson’s full statement can be read below:
“We have a community here at Cross Point where everyone’s welcome because nobody’s perfect and we really believe that anything’s possible. We believe that. And it’s been my priority, what I’ve been focused on for the past 14 years: creating a community like that. In the meantime, I haven’t prioritized some other things that were equally as important. Leaders who lead on empty don’t lead well. For some time, I’ve been leading on empty.
I think the best thing for Cross Point is for me to step aside. And so I’m resigning as the pastor of Cross Point. I can’t thank you all enough for trusting me, for allowing me to be a part of your lives. You’ve trusted me in some very intimate moments—from the loss of loved ones to your weddings to praying with you for healing or for your marriage or for the child you long for—so thank you for allowing me to be a part of those journeys with you.
And now, more than ever before—I really need your prayers and I need your support. We’ve said that this is a church where it’s okay to not be okay, and I’m not okay. I’m tired. And I’m broken and I just need some rest. I love you all; I love the vision of this church more today than I ever have. I believe in the elders of this church, I believe in the leaders of this church. I believe they have a good handle on this situation moving forward. I trust them. I love them deeply.
I believe the best days of this church are ahead, and I believe that more today than I ever have. I believe God has a really, really important role for this church to play in our world. So, do good. Be kind. Take risks. More than anything else that we’ve hoped and prayed for here, it’s that the unloved would feel loved.
That’s what I love most about this church—that you love people well. I just want to thank you so much for allowing me to be a part of your family and to be a part of your journey.”
Pastor Wilson was the founding pastor of Cross Point Church in Nashville. According to Cross Point’s website, he and his wife, Brandi, began the church in 2003. It has since grown to reach more than 7,000 people each week at five locations.
Sunday, the Board of Elders at the church released the following statement:
"Pastor Pete's resignation was 100% his decision. In fact, we tried to talk him out of it as we told him to take as much time as he needed. But he was ready to get rest and start a new season. We will forever be tied with Pastor Pete - Pete, his wife and kids are family! Pete even indicated he would always be available to help us answer any questions - we plan to take him up on his offer! Pete has the support of the elders and church leadership. We love him, we will miss him and we trust his heart and decision. We can’t wait to watch all that God has in store for Pastor Pete."
