Why Did Pastor Chris Hodges Step Down from Church of the Highlands?

From the very beginning, Church of the Highlands has been both celebrated and criticized. Some traditional churches accused it of "sheep stealing," saying it drew members away with its high-energy worship, complete with professional praise bands and diverse, dynamic services. Others questioned its doctrine, pointing out that Pastor Chris Hodges' preaching style leaned heavily on relatable life lessons, Louisiana charm, and folksy humor rather than deep theological discourse.

Yet, despite the controversy, the church flourished. What started as a vision quickly transformed into a multi-campus powerhouse, with a $16 million headquarters on Grants Mill Road in Irondale. As it grew, it began renting school auditoriums to host services, launching new locations, and streaming live sermons to thousands of people across Alabama. By early 2020, Church of the Highlands was drawing over 50,000 attendees each week.

Its rapid success caught the attention of pastors and church leaders across the country, many eager to understand the secret behind such unprecedented growth. This demand led to the creation of Highlands College, a training program designed to equip the next generation of ministry leaders.

Even when in-person services were suspended in 2020 due to the pandemic, the church didn’t miss a beat. Thanks to its strong online infrastructure and high-quality livestream production, the transition to virtual worship was seamless. And with many members already giving their tithes digitally, financial stability remained intact, allowing the church to continue serving its community without disruption.

Now, as Pastor Chris Hodges steps down, questions naturally arise about the future of Church of the Highlands. While the details surrounding his departure continue to unfold, one thing is clear—the church has left a lasting mark on modern worship and ministry.