Pastor Steps Down From Powder Springs Church

The congregation of the 7,000-member Trinity Chapel in Powder Springs learned Sunday that founding pastor Jim Bolin had stepped down from his position because of “inappropriate sexual behavior.”

Justin Harley, Trinity Chapel’s elder of counseling, later revised the church’s statement to officially include the phrase “inappropriate consensual sexual conduct with an adult woman” to explain Bolin’s departure.

(PDF: Read the statement from Trinity Chapel)

During the emotional 90-minute service, church officials said Bolin would go through a two-year “restoration process,” which includes counseling, through the Church of God. Bolin did not attend the service.

Bolin, 56, will be inactive in the ministry during that period, said Justin Harley, Trinity Chapel’s director of counseling.

Bolin’s 32-year-old son, Jason Bolin, raised in the church his parents started in an Austell Road storefront 25 years ago with five families, will take over as head pastor, assisted by his wife Sarah Bolin. He had been on the church staff the last 10 years, most recently as executive pastor.

The announcement was made from the pulpit by Donald M. Walker, the state administrative bishop for the Church of God. Walker called the day “rueful and sobering” and often choked up and dabbed his eyes. He began by reading a letter to the congregation from Jim Bolin.

Bolin opened the letter by saying “I have sinned against God” and that takes “full responsibility and blame” for the circumstances that have rocked the church during the last week. He provided no other details.

“Today you see what a wrong choice has caused,” Bolin wrote. “Please learn from this.”
Bolin also said that “the road to restitution is long,” adding, “I’m not finished yet.”

The more than 2,000 people in attendance for the first of two morning services often gave standing ovations to Walker and Jason Bolin when they asked forgiveness for their founding pastor, and called on the church to unite and move forward.

“I think the church will be stronger than ever,” said Teri Burns of Powder Springs, a member for six years. “Jim Bolin was my hero. But he is also human and I forgive him. It’s been a tough week, but it’s over. There’s a new week ahead.”

[By DREW JUBERA - The Atlanta Journal-Constitution]