(Chattanooga Times Free Press) A week before Christmas, several staff members at Venue Church in Chattanooga quit over concerns about the conduct of the megachurch’s lead pastor, Tavner Smith, according to church members and others informed of the departures.
Eight employees quit last week after confronting Smith about rumors he was having an affair with a longtime employee, according to two former employees and four volunteers or members connected to the church for between three and eight years. On Friday afternoon, staff and volunteers met with Smith in a series of meetings to discuss the allegations after a video surfaced showing Smith allegedly kissing a woman in North Georgia, according to two long-time volunteers who participated in a meeting.
A spokesperson for Venue Church told the Times Free Press the organization would not offer comment until after the severance process for staff was complete.