Churches respond to prominent members' actions: Alabama governor expelled, Lakewood senior worship leader on indefinite leave

Rebekah Mason has resigned from her post as the senior policy adviser to Gov. Robert Bentley of Alabama. Her announcement came a week after an an audio recording was released in which the governor could be heard making suggestive comments to her.

"My only plans are to focus my full attention on my precious children and my husband who I love dearly," Mason's statement said, as quoted by the Montgomery Advertiser. "They are the most important people in my life. Thank you for your prayers for our family."

In the wake of the scandal, the First Baptist Church of Tuscaloosa announced that both Bentley and Mason are no longer part of their congregation.

Gil McKee, a senior pastor at the church, told the Christian News Network, "While church discipline is a church family matter, both Governor Robert Bentley and Mrs. Rebekah Mason are no longer members of First Baptist Church Tuscaloosa."

Spencer Collier, the former secretary of the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, accused the two of having an affair and that state funds were being used for it. Bentley responded to the allegations by admitting to making inappropriate remarks but he denied having had a physical relationship with the senior staffer. He also denied any misuse of state funds for or to hide the alleged affair.

"I made a mistake," Bentley said in a statement, quoted by Christian Today. "I have apologized many times to my family. I have apologized to the family of Mrs. Mason. I would now like to apologize to the people of Alabama. I ask them to forgive me."

Meanwhile, in Texas, the senior worship leader of Pastor Joel Osteen's Lakewood church has also been embroiled in marital woes. After announcing in February that he and his wife were divorced, Grammy-award winning artist Israel Houghton was reportedly spotted kissing another woman. The church had announced his status in Lakewood.

"We can confirm that Israel is on indefinite leave, but it is important to clarify that we still consider Israel to be a part of the Lakewood family and that his employment has not been terminated," the statement said, as quoted by Christian News Network.