Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

left-of-center2012

(34,195 posts)
Sun Jan 23, 2022, 11:46 PM Jan 2022

Megachurch in Shambles Over Pastor's Alleged Affair

A Tennessee megachurch pastor is on "sabbatical" after being caught on video having an alleged extramarital affair with an employee of the congregation. Last month, the video showed Pastor Tavner Smith of Venue Church in Chattanooga kissing the woman in a restaurant, prompting at least eight staff members to resign.

In addition to the video, a group of church volunteers who visited Smith's home in November found him alone with the woman — "she in a towel, he in his boxers," the Daily Beast reports. Smith and the woman reportedly claimed they took off their clothes after getting food on them while making hot dogs and chili. But, as the volunteer put it, “I don’t think none of us was that dumb.”

“If she dropped chili on her clothes, why are you in your boxers?” she recalled thinking.
“Was y’all like, throwing chili at each other?”

The volunteer who witnessed the chili incident said “I look back and I’m like, ‘I don’t think I was in a Godly place.’”

Smith still has not publicly admitted the affair, despite announcing his sabbatical earlier this month. His wife accused him of adultery in their ongoing divorce case, and requested that the female employee not be permitted around their three children. The female employee's husband has also filed for divorce.

https://www.rawstory.com/tavner-smith/

12 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Megachurch in Shambles Over Pastor's Alleged Affair (Original Post) left-of-center2012 Jan 2022 OP
why do people in believe in these idiots Skittles Jan 2022 #1
I wonder if they were in shambles Diamond_Dog Jan 2022 #2
Not at all. As you may recall, they christened that a "mulligan" PSPS Jan 2022 #12
Good. LastDemocratInSC Jan 2022 #3
She was in a towel and he was in his boxers left-of-center2012 Jan 2022 #4
If she was, she was faking as much as the preacher does on Sundays... RockRaven Jan 2022 #8
"I'm going to be taking some time to fill up," he says peppertree Jan 2022 #5
Like the Catholic church and pederast priests, it's not even news anymore. keithbvadu2 Jan 2022 #6
"Sabbatical" huh?... Even when these cynical grifters get caught dead to rights, they try to RockRaven Jan 2022 #7
You love cilla4progress Jan 2022 #9
More comments NJCher Jan 2022 #10
"mulligan" PSPS Jan 2022 #11

left-of-center2012

(34,195 posts)
4. She was in a towel and he was in his boxers
Sun Jan 23, 2022, 11:55 PM
Jan 2022

Maybe they were having a religious experience.

Was she overheard shouting "Oh God ! Oh God !"

peppertree

(21,661 posts)
5. "I'm going to be taking some time to fill up," he says
Sun Jan 23, 2022, 11:57 PM
Jan 2022

By which he means: "I'm-a gonna move the church's money into my offshore accounts so fast, it'll give new meaning to the term 'huge sucking sound'."

keithbvadu2

(36,895 posts)
6. Like the Catholic church and pederast priests, it's not even news anymore.
Sun Jan 23, 2022, 11:59 PM
Jan 2022

Like the Catholic church and pederast priests, it's not even news anymore.

Just more details.

RockRaven

(14,991 posts)
7. "Sabbatical" huh?... Even when these cynical grifters get caught dead to rights, they try to
Mon Jan 24, 2022, 12:01 AM
Jan 2022

keep the scam going... Jeebus.

Latest Discussions»Region Forums»Tennessee»Megachurch in Shambles Ov...