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Tullian Tchvidjian's infidelity started two years ago, was covered up?

Tullian Tchividjian, preaching at Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church on March 13, 2011 | Wikimedia Commons/User:DashHouse

Tullian Tchvidjian was relieved of his position as Director of Ministry Development at the Willow Creek Church after he revealed that he had an affair with a woman not his wife.

"The disclosures that he made involved the fact that he had a previously unconfessed inappropriate relationship with another woman. He didn't share specifics with us," said Kevin Labby, the Senior Pastor at Willow Creek, during an interview with The Christian Post.

Previously, Tchvidjian, the grandson of evangelist Billy Graham, was a senior pastor at the Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church but resigned in June last year after he admitted to committing adultery. He told The Washington Post that, after he discovered that his then-wife Kim was having an affair, he found comfort in the company of a female friend that led to the extra-marital relationship.

He was then hired by the Willow Creek Church in September.

However, the recent disclosed affair reportedly happened before he discovered of his ex-wife's unfaithfulness.

A source told The Christian Post that around two years ago, Tchvidjian admitted to having an affair with a married woman, but at least two elders at Coral Ridge who knew of the relationship allegedly advised Tchvidjian not to tell his wife right away.

"One can only wonder whethere the second situation could have been averted if the first situation had not been covered up," said the source.

Tchvidjian reportedly continues to attend services at Willow Creek. Matthew Dubocq, chairman of the minister and church relations committee of the South Florida Presbytery, said that they are praying for his restoration.

"We strive that there is restoration and we hope and pray that God's grace and his mercy will be with Tullian," he said.

Tchvidjian, meanwhile, told The Christian Post in an email: "The process of repentance is progressive and painful. It involves ongoing confession, not just of what's going on in my life at the present but what's happened in my life in the past. ... I am so sorry for how my sinful and selfish choices have hurt so many, especially my family. I kindly ask you to pray that God would bring real healing across the board."