Highpoint Church members frustrated after meeting
Highpoint Church’s leadership met with members Tuesday evening in the aftermath of founding Pastor Chris Conlee’s resignation, and accounts say those attending left with “anger, resentment and hurt.”
The closed meeting at the megachurch’s East Memphis campus followed by two days Conlee’s tearful farewell Sunday. The departure of Conlee, who founded the nondenominational church in 2002, became public in a letter to members last week. The letter said church trustees and Conlee agreed to go in different directions.
Conlee leaves in the aftermath of a tumultuous six months for the church following revelations of a 20-year-old sexual assault case involving former teaching pastor Andy Savage, who resigned earlier.
Most members have been reluctant to speak publicly about Conlee’s departure and other controversy at their church, but social media postings speak to the unrest and concern among members.
Member Steven Russell tweeted Tuesday evening, after the meeting, that a tough road lay ahead for members.
“Just out after the (Highpoint) family meeting,” Russell said. “Had what I expected after the loss of both pastors. Anger. Resentment. Hurt.” Russell added: “People are still processing what is happening. The road ahead is going to be tough. But I know this. Love still works & the best is yet to come.”
Russell added in a later tweet that healing takes time:
“Final (Highpoint) thought for the night,” Russell said. “As a church family, there are a LOT of feelings right now. All of them are okay. Healing is never immediate. It takes time. Each feeling ... is a part of that.”
Contacted Wednesday, Russell said he had nothing to add.
“I think all of my thoughts are out on Twitter .... ” Russell said.
Another person leaving the meeting, identified only as @MemTigFan on Twitter, said there were “not a lot, if any, answers” for Highpoint members.
Jim Pritchard, the church’s administrator, did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment on Tuesday’s meeting or the search for a new pastor.
Conlee, during his farewell remarks to church members Sunday, did not address his reasons for leaving or mention the Savage controversy. Instead, he said the work of the church he founded would continue.
“What we did here is real,” Conlee said. “And my heart, for every single one of you, is to never let this transition negate 16 years of fruit, more fruit and much fruit in your life, in the life of your family, in the life of your friends, in your belief in the local church. You will know a tree by its fruit, and Highpoint Church is a good tree that bears good fruit.”
Jules Woodsonsaid in January that Savage took her to a wooded area and sexually assaulted her 20 years ago when she was a 17-year-old and he was her youth pastor at a suburban Houston, Texas, church.
Highpoint initially defended Savage, with Conlee saying leadership knew about the incident when they hired Savage. However, following an independent investigation into Savage’s Highpoint ministry in the aftermath of the revelation, Savage stepped down in March.
The findings of the investigation have not been released.