Carl Lentz, Hillsong pastor and spiritual adviser to Justin Bieber, fired over 'moral failures'

Carl Lentz, a mega-church pastor and one-time spiritual adviser to singer Justin Bieber, was fired from Hillsong church in part due to "moral failures."

Brian Houston, the founder of Hillsong, announced the termination in an online statement Wednesday.

"This action was not taken lightly and was done in the best interests of everyone, including Pastor Carl," Houston wrote, thanking Lentz and his wife, Laura, for their work in the church.

"They have a heart for people and we are confident that after a time of rest and restoration, God will use Carl in another way outside of Hillsong church. In terminating his tenure, we in no way want to diminish the good work he did here," he said.

Lentz, 41, was the lead pastor of the New York location. According to Religion News Service, he became pastor in 2010 after launching the mega-church's first U.S. location with Houston's son, Joel.

Houston did not reveal what led to the firing, saying in his statement that the decision was made "following ongoing discussions in relation to leadership issues and breaches of trust, plus a recent revelation of moral failures."

Lentz and his wife have not publicly addressed the termination. Lentz did not immediately return calls to phone numbers listed for him.

The church is known for attracting a number of celebrity worshippers including Bieber, his wife Hailey, and Kylie and Kendall Jenner, according to a 2017 GQ article. Lentz also baptized Bieber in NBA player Tyson Chandler's bathtub.

Hillsong, which describes itself as a "contemporary Christian church," was founded in 1983 in Sydney, Australia, and has grown to include locations in more than 20 countries. Its locations in the U.S. include New York, New Jersey, California, Arizona, Georgia, Missouri, Nevada, Texas, Connecticut and Massachusetts.