William Graham Tullian Tchividjian (/ˈtʌliən tʃɪˈvɪdʒɪn/; born July 13, 1972)[1] is a pastor and author of more than a half dozen books about Christianity and current issues, including One Way Love and It is Finished (David C. Cook, 2013 and 2015).

William Graham Tullian Tchividjian, whose third given name is shortened from his namesake, the theologian of antiquity, Tertullian,[4] was born on July 13, 1972,[1] in Jacksonville, Florida.

[6] Tchividjian attended the Westminster Academy, an educational ministry of Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, for a time, but is described as having "dropped out during a period of rebellion - sinking into South Florida's 'pleasure-saturated culture' ... then [coming] to a personal faith in Jesus at the age of 21 and return[ing] to a Christian lifestyle.

[9][7] Tchividjian went on from that position to found and pastor New City in Coconut Creek - Margate, Florida, about 12 miles northwest of his earlier Westminster Academy school in Ft. Lauderdale,[4][9][10] ca.

[11] Tchividjian noted at the time that "the denominations [of the merging churches] are both theologically conservative and [they] have maintained a good working relationship over the years.

"[9] As described by Tchividjian and others to James D. Davis, Religion Editor of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel, the process to decide leadership that resulted in the merger of the two congregations was a year-long process managed by "Coral Ridge's 15-member Pulpit Nominating Committee" (Dan Westphal, chair), who evaluated 150-175 candidates nationally and internationally.

[12] Tchividjian brought with him a less formal worship style from New City, for instance, conducting services in a suit and tie rather than the vestments Kennedy had worn.

[citation needed] At one time drawing 7,000 worshipers, Kennedy's Coral Ridge "had been in decline" since the death of its famous first preacher in 2007; Tchividjian's presented vision, his relative youth (aged 36 at time of installation), and his association with the famous Graham family[13] and were seen by the church elders as a way to "revive... the aging congregation.

[11] In its description of the conflict, Bobby Ross Jr. of Christianity Today describes its outcome as "Tchividjian [having] survived an attempt… by… church members to remove him.

[15] On June 21, 2015, Tchividjian resigned as senior pastor of Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church after admitting to an extramarital affair.

[17] On August 11, the South Florida Presbytery of the PCA ruled him "unfit for Christian ministry" and deposed him from his call as teaching elder.

[11][18] On September 2, 2015 it was announced that Tchvidjian was hired to a non-leadership, non-pastoral staff position,[19][20] as Director of Ministry Development at Willow Creek Church (PCA) in Winter Springs, Florida.

[3][25] Tchividjian was among those who founded LIBERATE,[8] a resource ministry that held an annual conference, and published music, books and a radio program.

[41][42] Glorious Ruin: How Suffering Sets You Free (2012) was also a finalist in the non-fiction category for the 2013 Christian Book Awards from the ECPA.