Justin Bieber shuts down reports he is studying to become a minister

Justin Bieber has denied reports he is studying to become a minister.

‘IM NOT STUDYING TO BE A MINISTER OR ANYTHING EVEN CLOSE TO THAT. HAVE NO DESIRE FOR THAT THIS IS FAKE NEWS,’ Justin, 26, posted to his Instagram Stories on Monday morning.

The post comes just days after a report from OK! Magazine alleged Justin had taken interest in seeking a leadership role at Hillsong Church, following the controversial exit of pastor/former mentor Carl Lentz.

‘Fake news’: Justin Bieber has denied reports he is studying to become a minister

 Shutting it down: Bieber said he had ‘no desire’ for such a role 

In follow-up posts, Justin clarified his relationship with Hillsong Church.  

‘AND BTW HILLSONG IS NOT MY CHURCH..’ The pop star continued in a separate post. ‘FOR CLARITY I AM PART OF CHURCHOME.’  

‘Church is not a place,’ Justin continued. ‘We are the church. We don’t need a building to connect with god. God is with us wherever we are.’

Justin, whose wedding to Hailey Bieber was officiated by Churchome’s Judah Smith, has previously credited Hillsong for pulling him out of his most ‘dark’ times. 

Clarifying: Bieber clarified his relationship with Hillsong in a separate post 

‘We are the church’: Bieber shared an uplifting message about his faith 

Lentz was fired from Hillsong for what the church called ‘leadership issues and breaches of trust, plus a recent revelation of moral failures’ in November. 

Even as early as 2018, there were reports that Justin and Carl had cut ties after Bieber’s failed romantic reconciliation with fellow Hillsong-er and on/off ex Selena Gomez months prior, a reunion which Lentz was reportedly integral in.

Shortly after Bieber began dating now-wife Hailey and by September 2018, the pair were married in a quickie ceremony at an NYC courthouse.

Straying from the flock: Lentz exited the church after what founder Brian Houston described as ‘leadership issues and breaches of trust, plus a recent revelation of moral failures.’ He’s seen in 2017 above

Estranged: Bieber’s relationship with Lentz was close and very public, even calling the pastor ‘second father’ at one point according to sources. They’re seen in 2017 above

And while Lentz was a guest at their official church-sanctioned South Carolina nuptials the year later, Bieber seemed to have moved on from their relationship, choosing new spiritual guide, Judah Smith of Churchome,
to officiate.

And after this November’s revelations about Lentz’s behaviour, he and wife Hailey made their break official on a digital level – offering the ultimate blow after both stars unfollowed the disgraced pastor on Instagram.

Earlier this month Lentz entered an outpatient facility for treatment for ‘depression, anxiety, and pastoral burnout,’ according to source with People magazine.  

No longer on top: While Lentz was a guest at the Bieber’s official church-sanctioned South Carolina nuptials the year later, Justin chose new spiritual guide, Judah Smith of Churchome to officiate (above

‘He wants to be better for his family and is dedicated to doing the work,’ the source told the outlet. ‘His family is supporting him and hopes their privacy will be respected on this journey.’

The source noted that Lentz harbors ‘has no ill will towards the church and recognizes that they needed to take some course of action to address his missteps.’

In November Hillsong founder Brian Houston went public with his former colleague’s departure, sharing a statement saying Lentz had broke ties with the church amid ‘ongoing discussions in relation to leadership issues and breaches of trust, plus a recent revelation of moral failures.’

‘They have a heart for people and we are confident that after a time of rest and restoration, God will use Carl in another way outside of Hillsong church,’ he said in the statement. ‘In terminating his tenure, we in no way want to diminish the good work he did here.’

Unholy behavior: Earlier this month Lentz entered an outpatient facility for treatment for ‘depression, anxiety, and pastoral burnout,’ according to source with People magazine. He was accused of cheating on his wife Lauren (above in 2016) as well as other ‘moral failures’