Venue Church pastor apologizes for 'inappropriate relationship' with employee, returns after sabbatical

Venue Church pastor Tavner Smith returned to the pulpit Sunday with a tear-filled message of apology after a month-long sabbatical during which his actions and the culture created in his church were publicly scrutinized.

"I'm sorry that I've put you through any embarrassment, heartache or confusion," Smith told the church. "I've wounded people. I've caused devastation that I know I can't ever take back. As your leader and your pastor, I've come to you to publicly acknowledge my mistakes and truly ask for forgiveness."

Smith told his church he was in an inappropriate relationship and there was no excuse for his behavior or the pain he caused. He said he takes full responsibility for the consequences of his actions.

Rumors that Smith was having an affair with a church employee go back years, causing groups of staff to leave the megachurch on Lee Highway in Chattanooga. In late 2021, a video surfaced of Smith at a North Georgia restaurant allegedly kissing the employee. Smith was in divorce proceedings with his now ex-wife at the time.

Staff at the church confronted Smith about the video and the alleged affair in mid-December. On Dec. 17, after learning Smith would not step aside from his position as pastor, nearly all Venue staff quit.

(READ MORE: Former members question culture of Venue Church, a Chattanooga megachurch in crisis)

Hours later, Smith held a meeting with more than 100 church volunteers to address the situation. During that meeting - the audio of which was obtained by the Times Free Press - Smith said he kissed the employee but was not "sexually involved" with her, and at the time was only married to his then-wife "on paper." Smith also told volunteers he spent church money on counseling, vehicles and vacations for people connected to the church without notifying church staff.

On Jan. 5, Smith announced on Instagram he would be on sabbatical until February. His presence on the Venue Church stage Feb. 6 was his first public appearance since the controversy boiled over in December.

"The Lord has transformed me over these last couple months, or these last couple years, in massive ways," Smith said on Sunday. "When I looked back, I don't even recognize many of the parts of who I was and who I became. In the last month specifically the Lord has taken me on a painful journey of realizing and repenting of the role I've played in the hurt that I've caused you and this church."

(READ MORE: Venue Church closes North Georgia campus as Chattanooga megachurch controversy continues)

Questions remain about the leadership of Venue and who is providing oversight to the church. Ron Phillips Sr., pastor emeritus of Abba's House, resigned from the advisory board of Venue on Feb. 4. Smith had previously said the church struggled to find anyone to serve on the board after board members quit over the alleged affair.

Contact Wyatt Massey at wmassey@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6249. Follow him on Twitter @news4mass.