Pastor Bill Hybels, one of the country’s most influential mega-church pastors, has resigned  allegations of misconduct.

During a “family meeting” on Tuesday night, Hybels told the church .”It has been extremely painful for us to see this controversy continue to be a distraction that is hindering our Elders and church staff,”

According to the Chicago Tribune, claims have come into view that the community church’s pastor, Hybels engaged in improper behaviour with the women at Willow Creek Community Church. Hybels has over and over again rebuffed the allegations.

He has however resigned six months earlier than scheduled. Hybels said “Going forward, I feel the need to humbly look deep inside myself and determine what God wants to teach me. I intend to continue surrounding myself with wise counselors and trusted friends and to ask them to speak honestly into my life so that I can learn every single lesson I need to learn from all of this. I have complete peace about this decision and will not rush this process. Your prayers would be much appreciated during this upcoming season of reflection.”

As he apologised to the church, he fought back the tears. “I apologize to you, my church, for a response that was defensive instead of one that invited conversation and learning,” he said.

Hybels has agreed that he placed himself “in situations that would have been far wiser to avoid,” but he still claims his innocence.

In his public statement Hybel finishes off by saying, “The local church is the hope of the world,”  “If you are wondering if I am going anywhere, after a season of reflection, I intend to rejoin all of you here in the Willow congregation. Willow will always be my home church.”

Executive Pastor Heather Larson will now take on the responsibility of being chief executive of the church.