Long, who grew New Birth from a congregation of a few hundred into a mega church of 25,000 in suburban Atlanta, is in serious retreat mode after a reported 30 men have contacted legal bloodhound B.J. Bernstein to file suit against Long for sexual improprieties. It is being reported from three separate sources, including BlackVoices.com, that Long will resign as pastor of New Birth during his address to his anxious and shocked congregation on Sunday, Sept. 26.
Since the story swept across the country earlier this week, suspicious pictures of Long wearing tight muscle shirts and spandex have been leaked in cyberspace. Observers have openly wondered why Long would send such photos of himself posing in a bathroom to his “spiritual sons”.
Initially, Long was going to speak to Roland Martin on “The Tom Joyner Morning Show” to deny the inflammatory allegations leveled by his first two accusers. But when a third came out the night before the scheduled interview, he was counseled not to speak with the media.
Compounding the embarrassment is the appearance of blatant hypocrisy. Minister Long engaged in very public campaigns against gay rights and homosexual marriage as far back as 2004. –terry shropshire
