Carl Lentz Has A Vulnerable Conversation with His Kids.. | Lights On 

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As a pastor’s kid, this pod broke my heart. God, mature your church past condemnation to see everyone like you do.

The oldest daughter is so impressive!!! She’s so introspective and thoughtful. I was really charmed by her this episode.

The ripple effect of human error is palpable. These young people are living through feelings of abandonment that no child should experience. The courage to speak their truth is a beautiful thing to witness. ❤

As a former member of Hillsong NYC when Pastor Carl was the pastor, I always wondered about how the children were. I’m so glad to hear from them and see the growth. I wasn’t close to their family, but my natural instinct was to pray for their children, so hearing that they didn’t have the support they needed was disheartening. People are by your side when you’re soaring high, but you really know your true supporters when you experience tough tines.

The moment Roman (especially at his age) put his hand out to his sister to comfort her, says SO much about the love and respect this family has for one another. 💗

as a pastor’s wife and mom to 2 little ones, it reaffirms my stance to always make my children a priority over the congregation i love our church and support my husband by making sure his family is not crumbling when he gets home making family a priority while in ministry is a non negociable THANK YOU to all of you for your vulnerability and openness

Carl, I admire how you have taken complete ownership for your past indiscretion and you've never made any excuses. Your children seem to be well adjusted emotionally, highly articulate for such a young age. I appreciate the way you let them be completely honest with their raw emotions and you allow them to speak from their hearts. Thank the Lord for new beginnings. His grace is sufficient.

Absolutely BLOWN AWAY by the emotional/spiritual maturity & wisdom in these beautiful children!!!! Praying for you guys, to Him be the glory!!!

I felt bad for Ava 😢 i can't imagine the sadness of seeing the people who considered friends turn their backs. God bless you princess.

It must be a vulnerable and humbling position to let your kids share about family life at home. I’ve heard the quote “your kids are your real resume” Carl and Laura truly gave their kids the mic in this episode and all 3 beamed with so much wisdom, maturity, and honesty. I would love to have this kind of connection and deep conversations with my kids one day.

Mannnnnnnnn! These kids had me crying!!! What BEAUTIFUL BLESSED SMART ARTICULATE VULNERABILE AND HONEST HUMAN BEINGS THERE ARE!!!! I’m blown away that kids this young can express themselves so perfectly ❤❤❤❤

The way the little bro comforts his crying sister by rubbing her arm made me cry. (27:10) What an incredible bunch of kids. Wow

These videos are perhaps the realest and most wholesome and hope giving thing on the internet rn. Thank you for humbly displaying your lives to the goodness and grace of God

This conversation is like a water to thirsty soul .... Pure, vulnerable, and humbling.

This is how beautiful God can restore anyone. Such a beautiful family.

His daughters reciting his altar call got me 🤣 great episode love this family!

Glad these 3 kids acknowledged their mother’s strength and pure love for her family

I’m not someone to ever comment on videos I watch on RU-vid, but I wanted to say Thank you Letz family for opening your heart and be so vulnerable in a platform that can still be evil and judgmental but you still decided to put yourself out there to help people. I was your Son’s age when my Dad was unfaithful to my Mom and he had a child as result of that infidelity. After a lot of work and healing my Dad is also an example of God’s Grace and his life has being transformed, my parents are still happily married and going stronger than ever. Now, I am 35 years old women and I wish there was someone at that time to walk with me thru my pain, or even videos like this listening to brave kids like yours that have gone thru similar situations that would’ve encouraged me and helped me with my healing process. Proud of your kids to shared their heart and show their feelings as is not easy. ❤ I pray that this channel will be a platform that will help a lot of families, a channel that glorifies God and a perfect example of God’s Grace because I believe in it , is real and I’ve seen it in my own family. ❤

This is hands down one of, if not the, most impactful podcast episodes for families I have ever listened to. So grateful for the Lentz family for doing this. And in full transparency, I say this as a Christian that used to be a big time Carl Lentz detractor, to say the least. I just say that to let you all know that you’re using the platform God gave you to literally change hearts and minds… keep up the great work, God Bless!

This is so beautiful! This family went through hell but they came out of the fire and are so close! Beautiful to watch!

I love how every time the kids explained their thoughts and feelings, you told them it was beautiful. You didn’t argue or get defensive. It gave the kids the opportunity to truly share. Love love love this episode!🩵

I’m 28. I’m a PK. I love my Dad, he’s hard working and loving and will suffer for the benefit of the congregation. But I was never his priority. The congregation was. Our relationship has improved over the last few years. But he didn’t come to many important moments for me…. This one hit me

When the little brother grabbed his sister to support her, wow that was everything for me ❤❤💪🏽💪🏽💪🏽

As someone who is a pastor in training, this entire series is so refreshing to listen to and witness. Thank you to the Lentz family for this! ❤

These kids are so well mannered and well-spoken . Very respectful and centered . I love how they spoke about their own relationship with God besides the church. Good job, parents 👌🙏

I'm so proud of this family, truly. They are living epistles of healing and redemption. This is the gospel story.

Due to church scandals, wrong church doctrine and a devastating diagnose health issue I found out at the age of 12 , I became an atheist when I was almost 13 years old.. I was a notorious hard-core atheist who did a 180 and became a follower and believer in Jesus. . I have been praying for the Lentz kids after I heard the news. Laura ,Carl and your family : you are amazing and may God do exceedingly beyond what we can think or imagine.

Nothing is ever wasted. God is a restorer of all things. Love this for ya’ll ! ❤

It is so powerful to see the kid's points of view. They need a voice in this as well. I love how well they can articulate their feelings. They endured just as much. What the devil meant for evil, God turned for Good. Praying for wholeness and full restoration for this family. Gloryyyy to God.

This was the most beautiful video I’ve seen in a long time about Redemption and Restoration. Praying for continued healing for this family 🙏🏾

Such grace and maturity in all of these kids. It’s beautiful to see how they’ve grown as a family despite everything.

My dad was a Pentecostal pastor that fell because of infidelity, he fathered a child out of wedlock. My parents split and in his absence, a Sunday school teacher took advantage of me and I was repeatedly molested. By the time I was 10, I was severely scarred. Emotionally, physically and spiritually. I spoke out and was called a liar. As a result my mother was asked to leave the church. We were shunned. My siblings and I are still trying to navigate life with pain, shame and mistrust. To most people the church is a place of refuge and healing, to us, it’s the source of our trauma and pain. I wish my 12 year old self had the opportunity to find healing. Thanks for doing this.

One thing worse than adultery is leaving a broken friend in his rejection from the world... You don't leave a friend. Friendship is holy.

God has such a plan for this beautiful family. The power of forgiveness and restoration. The gift of wisdom in the kids is amazing. May God get all the glory amen

Poor babies 💔💔💔, so sorry you had to go through that. The adults have failed you!!! Sending positive energy to the entire Lentz family ❤

It's beautiful to see young people talk about a personal relationship with Jesus outside of the institution. We need more young people like this who desire the Lord's presence and not just another program. The Lentz children are so anointed, authentic, and set apart! Praise God for how He is using this family's story for His glory!🙏

Wow Carl, let’s go! What he said about telling Laura, “what she thinks she needs to know” instead of telling her the truth and how that is a form of lying and manipulation….. preach! I also have to give props to Laura for staying and fighting for her marriage. I truly hope they live happily ever after. You go girl! ❤

I lost my wife to cancer after 22 years of marriage. She was the closest thing to perfect. She was my best friend, confidant and the only person I could've counted to have my back no matter what. This song really brings tears to my eyes and made me ask the same question" What is love, if it's not guaranteed? What is love if she's not here with me?' Now I realize that love and life are just beautiful vacations that need to be enjoyed as they're never guaranteed to last forever. I won't forget the last thing she said to me before losing consciousness " Don't allow yourself to be distracted from living your life. The only things you're guaranteed to take away from this life are your last meal and the memories.

This teared me up. Sometimes church could be the thing that hurts and drives people away from Jesus. It's amazing that these kids got closer to Jesus through this experience.

I feel these podcasts will help others who have walked or are walking in similar circumstances. Thanks to everyone for being open and honest.

The son...so practical. Does not need the hype. love it.

I have watched all 3 episodes of your podcast and it makes me fall more in love with Jesus and His redeeming grace. He doesn’t waste any of our sufferings. He picks up the broken pieces of our messy lives when we give it to Him and He makes something so beautiful. The latter Glory will be so much greater than the former. So proud of your family. Thank you for your transparency. Blessings!

There is so much Gold in these podcasts. Every leader and pastor should be watching this. Thank you so much for your openness and vulnerability.

The most beautiful family🤍! I am in awe at the emotional and spiritual intelligence your children carry. They are so well spoken. It never matters who messes up in the family bc it’s ultimately up to everyone to pick up the pieces. Not to say someone isn’t to blame or there’s no accountability to be taken but to make it work.. it takes EVERYONE to put in work and save the family. I speak from experience. Congrats to all of you for putting in the work! I wish you nothing but the best.

God bless you Carl & family!!! God bless you and keep you my brother!!!! No judgement or condemnation from me, only mercy and grave Brother!!!!

This the 3rd episode that I am watching and I have to say, I have never watched something so candid and honest in the American podcast/ tv atmosphere ! Congratulations !! May God bless this family abundantly

Family is everything! God bless this family always.

I hope people that see this, see the destruction that happens to our kids when we fall. It breaks my heart and I pray that you all continue to heal. Let your story be a true testament to how God can restore.

First 2 episodes are ❤‍🔥... never waited for a premiere before but here I am. Bless you and your whole family Carl!

i soooooo enjoyed your children omg…so mature ..such wisdom..the way i cried and sobbed with them❤❤❤ Im so proud of them and they dont even know me…but wow wow wow..in all their transparency and truth, soo heartfelt

I’m so happy they’re okay. God is so good and faithful.

God bless these children, heal them from the “church hurt” ❤️🙏🏾❤️

I'm ABSOLUTELY AMAZED SEEING HOW GOD CAN TAKE A mess & TURN IT INTO BEAUTY,YA'LLS STORY IS SO SO INSPIRING & ENCOURAGING!!! I'LL KEEP ALL OF YOU IN MY PRAYERS❤THANKFUL & GRATEFUL GOD LEAD ME TO THIS VIDEO🫶🎉❤

I learned so much from your children in this podcast!! Give them a big THANK YOU for their honesty, openness, and vulnerability!! God is using all of you in big ways 🙏 🙌

wow! this is potentially the most needed space and conversation in the Christian and cultural discourse! thank you so much to the Lentz family! Your uncalculated honesty and transperency breathes out so much of the hope of the new way of life Jesus is inviting us all into if we're willing.

I really hope that a lot of kids watch this. These kids set a great standard for healthy family relationships and life in general. Carl and Laura might have done a good job in parenting, but they are really blessed with these kids.

Thank you for showing us how the whole family can be healed through painful events ! I enjoyed listening to the side of Pastors Lentz children

Y’all are INCREDIBLE! You girls & Roman are so brave and courageous to be so real and raw about your church hurt! You guys are going to offer so much healing to others through using your mess as your message. Your family is going to be so much farther reaching than you were at Hillsong because now you have fermented you are pouring wine not juice! God can use anything. He does not waste a hurt! I applaud you all! Won’t He do it!!! ♥️ What a legacy the Lentz family will leave because they did the hard crap! God is so good and people really suck sometimes BUT GOD!

I commented earlier, but just wanted to highlight this conversation is going to help so many people. The children’s insight on the impact of social media alone is gold. A lot of parents don’t understand why their children struggle with certain things because they don’t realize how much of an impression social media makes on this generation. This needs to be heard by teenage parents everywhere!

When she talked about the people and their relationship and abandonment they felt, reminds me of divorce and with that grief of having to lay to rest those relationships. It’s so hard to hear and see as a parent. Thank God for His love.

I was super dubious when I first started listening to B Side but ohh my word how you have opened my eyes and encouraged my faith. Praying for you all ❤️

Im proud of you guys and your kid’s maturity that got them at this point of life. I don’t know any of you personally but I feel like I love you all because of the honesty and level of life and this chapter for all of you. Keep doing what your doing, bless you all

You have amazing children. You've done something great with them. Praying for you and your family that God's love and grace surround you all the days of your life.

Absolutely need them on every episode. They also need their own show. With immediate effect

My heart breaks for yall kids. It is a lesson for us adults to support people that are down. We don't usually think that way. It's a lesson for me personally now not to discard someone just because they fell. We all fall at some point. This is life, it is not guaranteed that you will always be squeaky clean. We need to humble ourselves. 🙏

i love how open and close you guys are as a family. my heart broke when they started tearing up explaining their feelings towards the people who abandoned them:( lovely kids

Your children are beautifully children of our Father's in Heaven. The way your daughter talked about their personal relationships bring hope to me about my boys. The way they spoke of having to do it on their own was refreshingly honest.

I’ve been there with fake church people.. I served the “church” with my whole heart for years, and when I was not okay mentally or emotionally. When I fell the only one who picked me up where my siblings, 3 real friends, but mostly Jesus. Then he sent me to a church that wasn’t under a religious spirit and I slowly reconnected to community

This is powerful, being able to give the children a voice

Big SHOUTOUT to the kids y’all strength shine so bright ☀️✝️🤗

I've never even heard of this story, but I definitely just watched the whole episode. This family is goals. Your kids are so smart and articulate and know themselves better than I do in my 40s. I'm so glad your family is still together.

The maturity of these kids is mind blowing!!! So awesome!! What amazing kids!! Be proud!!!

Praying for the Lentz family. Thank you for sharing your journey. Carl remain humble.

I respect this family sooo much for their transparency and honesty and continued growth. ❤

I can empathize with these kids even as a 45 year old woman. While I never went through the things they did publicly, I was a music pastor’s kid and we got dropped like this quite often. Anytime we went to another church my dad was villionized. People would not speak to us and neither would their kids who were my fiends. I often would feel this way like we’re just kids. Why would you treat us this way. We didn’t do anything.

I can't be grateful enough for this... I am encouraged... I am sorry for what you kids have had to go through and to be honest, if the tables were turned, many of us would act in the same judgemental and condemning way but you guys doing this is helping us see how to handle stuff like this better in the Church and the best gift you have is this stronger bond forged in vulnerability.

Wow this is really beautiful interview made me cry a few times. Carl helped me so much in my early christian walk. I was heart broken when the insta post came out in 2020. these kids are so wise I loved when Roman said we are a healthy family and not dysfunctional. That is a testament to all the hard work that you guys put in to keep the family together. Lots of families are not together or together yet dysfunctional because they don’t put in the work. Carl I know you messed up but you are a good leader and father.

What a beautiful conversation! So much insight and healing and I'm here for it. Would definitely love more conversations featuring your children. Thank you all so much for sharing and God bless you all❤

This is an excellent discussion. When I look at you guys, you are the epitome of forgiveness and fight for the family! God bless each of you!

Wow...what an incredible conversation. First off - Carl, God has redeemed you! I love how God takes what most people would never forgive and abandon and instead He is making your life such a beautiful testimony! And yes, your wife is incredible! I am proud of both of you and how you handled this! And your kids are amazing too! I love that you are so open and honest and have conversations with them and allow them to be real. That was my goal with my own kids who are not as old as yours are. I hope we have the kind of relationship with our kids as you do with yours. I appreciate this honesty and it's a blessing. This whole thing is much harder than we could ever understand, and so I get that. But I love how God has redeemed this and brought you and your family even closer. I was a pastor's kid, so I found myself agreeing with a lot of what they said too! I'm truly proud of you all! What was meant to destroy you and what the Enemy meant for evil, God has transformed into an incredible testimony. God is so good! I pray for God's goodness on you all as you continue in this chapter of your lives!

Beautiful family! Clinging to God and allowing the holy spirit to take over. God's love knows no boundaries!

The way God has worked and touched your family is inspiring and glorious. This is the gospel, this is what Jesus does. Praying for y’all from Mexico. Lots of love guys

Thank you for showing the other side of impact (the children) when leaders choose to deal with conflict with out love AND wisdom.

Thank you for giving us the gift of your vulnerability

This was amazing to hear the kids to tell how they felt, I am sure they have help a lot of families with kids, this was so enjoyable and enlightening. Healing is the best medicine we can all have and not be ashamed to talk about our problems, so thank you for being so open and honest it has been well received. Stay blessed and happy all of you.

These kids are wise beyond their years. Carl and Laura definitely raised them right. Another great show , God is good. 👍🏻

I have to say I came across this video not sure what to expect from it! And I was blown away by how genuine you all were as a family sitting down having a conversation about how they went through and how they felt by friends they thought were genuine to having them leave and also what people were saying on the social media. I dont know you guys at all. Could I be the first to apologise cause I know I made a comment made purely based on a judgement on what Carl did to his family. we all full short and we all have things we are dealing with before GOd some people may go through their sinful parts in private others in the spotlight. I am a former Pastors kid so do understand where all this can come from and how hard it is to feel like my Dad doesn't have time for me apart from his need to look after the flock of the church etc. I also really love the way your kids Carl, talked about what they love about you now and how you are around the house. Its like you have had the lights turned on, you are awake. you aren't running on adrenaline, you are intentional about making your wife and family number one and everything under that. I am so glad to hear that there is a church family you belong to now. I also really love the fact that you are in a church that is so much more Holy Spirit lead then presentation or scripted lead. Praise God for the right people around you, thank you to God that he is intentional about redemption, healing, restoring, bringing hope. I was very blessed from listening to you all chat together, I would lo hear more of you'll again! God Bless you!

I loved this. It was beautiful. Carl, I truly loved your podcast today. I can't believe I listened to the whole broadcast. This is what life is about, going through the storm and coming through it. I pray more people hear and learn. God bless you and your family.

Sometimes we have to go through a refining experience to get stronger. It's sad that the kids had to experience this so young though, in front of everyone. Hoping they find joy and peace through this journey. Such a great conversation, Ava and Charlie's self- awareness is incredible. Roman is so sweet and well-mannered.

These children are amazing!!! Overflowing with wisdom. Wow!! Love this

Amazing Kids! Amazing Wife! Carl DID fall into grace. ❤

I love this… This entire series that you guys are doing is honestly so beautiful as it’s not just showcasing your family, but highlighting an issue I’ve had with Christianity and the Word “restoration”… I truly believe this is what the word means, it doesn’t mean that the person who sinned needs to be back in ministry

Raw, pure & unedited emotions. Koinotherapy in action. Healing through fellowshipping together and speaking the truth in love in the presence of the Holy Spirit, our Comforter. Thank you for sharing. We are so PROUD of all of you turning to the ONLY true Helper, Savior, Healer and Shephard, our Lord Jesus Christ and the Holy Bible (Ps 119:9-11).

This is powerful!!! So many tears! So thankful for what the Lord has done in your family!! Hallelujah!! Praise God!!! Thank you for sharing. Heaven is rejoicing ❤❤❤

Bless you and your beautiful children. God has a great future set infront of them and you!

RESTORATION - beautiful family, praying for all the best your way 🤙🏼

Wow! You’re children are so incredibly insightful, honest, courageous and are full of wisdom. I’m so sorry what you’ve all been through. I appreciate the courage you all have to be open and honest so that others learn from you all and feel less alone.

This family is a true story of redemption in Jesus.

I think as a parent this shows me how careful I have to be in choosing my friends. These friends/folks were obviously not grounded believers in Christ. It is probably safe to say, they also were hiding secret sin. Hopefully as these children grow, they can extend that grace to these folks/cowards who may never experience the restoration they have. It is sad that adults may never experience the forgiveness and grace that these kids have walked through. Thank you for sharing. As a pastor’s wife of 18 yrs, mother of 7, this has been so encouraging. We are broken people, serving a faithful God. This is my take away from all 3 podcasts. I’ve been telling everyone about them. My friend has been listening to the first one with a lost coworker and it has opened so many Gospel conversations. This can only be the product of Jesus’ love and sacrifice. Thank you!