The Rise and Fall of Bob Coy: A Shocking Account of a Pastor’s Disgrace

Bob Coy was a charismatic preacher who rose to fame in the 1980s and 90s for his dynamic preaching style and leadership of the Calvary Chapel megachurch in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. He built the church from scratch and grew it into a congregation of over 20,000 followers. Coy was also a well-known author and radio personality.

However, in April 2014, Coy resigned from his position as pastor, citing “a moral failing.” Soon after, it became apparent that Coy had been involved in extramarital affairs with multiple women in his congregation.

This scandal rocked the church and the evangelical community at large, causing many to question the nature of religious leadership and the cult of personality that surrounds charismatic preachers. In this article, we will take a closer look at the rise and fall of Bob Coy and explore the various factors that contributed to his downfall.

Early Life and Career

Bob Coy was born in Michigan in 1955, the son of a non-religious father and a Jewish mother. He grew up in Las Vegas and became involved in drugs and alcohol as a teenager. In the mid-1970s, he had a religious conversion and began attending Calvary Chapel in Costa Mesa, California.

Coy became a member of Calvary Chapel’s ministry staff and eventually moved to Las Vegas to start his own church. In 1985, he founded Calvary Chapel Fort Lauderdale, which soon became one of the largest churches in the country.

Expansion and Success

Under Coy’s leadership, Calvary Chapel Fort Lauderdale grew rapidly, with thousands of people attending services each week. Coy’s charisma and ability to connect with his congregation made him a beloved figure, and he became a sought-after speaker and author.

In 2013, Coy’s book “After God’s Own Heart: Becoming a David of Discipline” was published, further cementing his reputation as a spiritual leader and authority on Christian living.

The Scandal

In early 2014, Coy resigned from his position as pastor, citing “a moral failing.” It soon became apparent that Coy had been involved in extramarital affairs with multiple women in his congregation.

This news shocked the Calvary Chapel community and the wider evangelical world, as Coy had been seen as a moral authority and role model. Many of his followers felt betrayed and hurt, and the church struggled to come to terms with the revelations.

The Aftermath

In the wake of Coy’s resignation, Calvary Chapel Fort Lauderdale struggled to find its footing. Many members left the church, and attendance declined significantly. The church eventually appointed a new pastor, but it was never able to regain the same level of influence and prominence that it had enjoyed under Coy’s leadership.

Coy himself largely disappeared from public view, although there were some reports that he had started attending a church in Tennessee. He has never publicly addressed the scandal or offered an explanation for his actions.

Cult of Personality

One of the factors that contributed to Coy’s rise and fall was the cult of personality that surrounds many charismatic preachers. Coy had a magnetic presence and was able to connect with his congregation in a powerful way, but this also made him vulnerable to the pitfalls of ego and pride.

The scandal surrounding his affairs was a reminder of the dangers of putting too much faith in a single person, and many have suggested that church leaders need to focus more on building strong, transparent systems of accountability to prevent similar abuses of power in the future.

Sex Scandals in the Evangelical Community

Bob Coy was far from the only evangelical leader to be rocked by a sex scandal. In recent years, many other high-profile pastors have been accused of sexual misconduct, from Bill Hybels of Willow Creek Community Church to Mark Driscoll of Mars Hill Church.

These scandals have caused many to question the evangelical community’s approach to leadership, and some have called for greater accountability and transparency in church governance.

Lessons Learned

The rise and fall of Bob Coy offers a number of important lessons for the evangelical community and beyond. It highlights the dangers of placing too much trust in a single individual, and the importance of building strong systems of accountability and oversight.

It also shows the need for transparency and honesty in leadership, and the importance of humility and self-examination. Ultimately, Coy’s downfall serves as a cautionary tale for anyone in a position of religious or spiritual authority.

Conclusion

The rise and fall of Bob Coy was a shocking and painful episode in the history of the evangelical community. It exposed the dangers of the cult of personality that often surrounds charismatic preachers, and prompted important discussions about accountability, transparency, and leadership in the church.

While the scandal was devastating for Coy and his followers, it also serves as a reminder of the need for honesty, humility, and self-examination in all areas of life.

FAQs

1. What was Bob Coy famous for?
Bob Coy was a charismatic preacher who rose to fame for his dynamic preaching style and leadership of the Calvary Chapel megachurch in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. He also authored books and was a radio personality.

2. Why did Bob Coy resign?
In April 2014, Coy resigned from his position as pastor, citing “a moral failing.” It was soon revealed that he had been involved in multiple extramarital affairs with women in his congregation.

3. What was the impact of the scandal on the church?
The scandal had a significant impact on the church, with many members leaving and attendance declining sharply. The church appointed a new pastor, but was never able to regain the same level of influence it had under Coy’s leadership.

4. How do sex scandals affect the evangelical community?
Sex scandals involving high-profile pastors have caused many to question the community’s approach to leadership and governance. Some have called for greater accountability and transparency to prevent similar abuses of power in the future.

5. What lessons can we learn from Bob Coy’s downfall?
The scandal surrounding Bob Coy offers a number of important lessons, including the dangers of placing too much trust in a single individual, the need for accountability and transparency in leadership, and the importance of humility and self-examination.