Francis Chan, once the leader of one of California’s fastest-growing churches, is opening up about what led him to leave it all behind for a quieter, smaller path.

In a recent podcast interview, Chan explained why he walked away from megachurch leadership in favor of a house church network, citing misgivings about church culture and a calling toward deeper biblical alignment, the Christian Post reported.

Chan founded Cornerstone Community Church in Simi Valley, California, in 1994. Over the next 16 years, the church grew significantly, drawing thousands of attendees each week. But in 2010, Chan made the unexpected choice to step away from the pulpit.

Spiritual unease sparked major changes

By 2011, Chan had launched a new venture called We Are Church, a network of house churches designed to function more like the early Christian communities described in the Bible. The move was prompted not by a scandal or personal crisis, but by years of spiritual questioning. He began reconsidering his role, asking hard questions about his impact and the faith of his congregation.

During a recent appearance on Christian rapper Lecrae’s podcast, "Deep End with Lecrae," Chan admitted he was unsettled by the idea that his church might have had more attendees than a church led by Jesus or the Apostle Paul. This realization stirred a deep concern about whether large-scale ministry was truly aligned with the gospel.

He recalled a moment with his wife when he reflected, “I feel like if the Apostle Paul or Jesus had a church in Simi Valley, mine would be bigger, and that is bothering me.” This planted a seed of discomfort that eventually grew into conviction.

Wrestling with authenticity in ministry

As he studied scripture, Chan said he became more aware of what he felt was missing. He struggled with the gap between biblical expectations of community and spiritual activity, and what he saw happening in his congregation. “We're playing church,” he said, referencing the thousands of attendees who weren’t visibly using spiritual gifts as described in the early New Testament church.

Chan recognized that among the thousands in his congregation, he seldom saw signs of active spiritual gifts such as healing or prophecy. “There are 5,000 people with some sort of gift, and I don’t know any of these gifts, and they’re not being used in the church,” he told the podcast audience.

This growing disconnect led him to reevaluate whether his ministry was helping or hindering his congregation’s spiritual depth. He recalled feeling that he might be causing “more problems than helping the church,” which solidified his decision to leave the megachurch model behind.

Building a new kind of church

Chan’s house church initiative aimed to restore what he believed were central elements of the faith—community, spiritual gifts, and accountability. Though inspired by the Chinese house church movement, which thrives under persecution, he admits he may have been optimistic about how quickly such a model would gain traction in the U.S.

“There was some idealism in my head,” he said, referencing the belief that millions would quickly adopt this model. While that vision hasn't been fully realized, Chan said he now experiences peace, something he lacked before.

He described the new gatherings as highly relational and spiritually vibrant. “It may not look as successful... but I feel peace about it,” Chan said, reflecting on smaller groups built around mutual love and the use of individual gifts.

Still drawn to large crowds, but at peace

Despite his current contentment, the 57-year-old acknowledged he sometimes feels the pull to return to leading large congregations. He said his natural gifting as a teacher makes that format easier in some ways.

“I’m not going to lie; there are days when I think, ‘Gosh, I really am more gifted to be in front of a crowd and just teach,’” he admitted. But for now, he continues on the house church path, believing it better reflects where church ministry is headed.

Chan also noted growing difficulties that his peers in megachurch leadership are experiencing. “It is getting harder and harder for these guys with the big churches,” he said, adding that many of his friends in such roles are miserable due to the pressures involved.

Letting go of popularity for spiritual growth

Chan emphasized that he no longer seeks the fame or financial rewards that can come with large-scale ministry. “I can let go of the numbers, I can let go of the fame, the money, everything else,” he said. His primary pursuit now is faithfulness to what he believes God wants from the Church.

He summed it up by saying that in his approach today, “I want to please you.” That focus, rather than platform size, is guiding his decisions as he continues to shepherd people through smaller settings.

Though his future may still involve some form of public teaching, Chan voiced confidence that the direction he has chosen reflects both his calling and a hopeful blueprint for the Church’s future.