City Life Church in Wichita, Kansas, has removed Lead Pastor Andy Adkison from its leadership without explanation, sparking growing speculation and confusion among congregants and community members.

According to The Christian Post, Adkison’s sudden absence from the church’s public life and the lack of official comment have led to online discussion about a possible disqualification from ministry, though no such claim has been confirmed by church officials.

Andy Adkison was appointed lead pastor of City Life Church in April 2021 following a unanimous vote of support from the church elders. At the time, his selection was welcomed warmly, and he stepped into the role as a married father of three sons. His leadership tenure began nearly a decade after the church’s founding in 2011 and five years after it merged with First Baptist Church.

City Life Church is part of the Harbor Network, an organization focused on supporting local church leaders with resources such as coaching, financial assistance, and training. The church has described its mission as demonstrating and declaring "the goodness of Jesus from the heart of Wichita to the world." Since joining the congregation, Adkison had regularly led weekly messages and represented the church to its members and the community.

However, as of late summer 2025, Adkison’s presence at City Life Church appears to have ended with little fanfare. His last appearance preaching was during the church’s July 20 YouTube broadcast. The following week, on July 27, he was notably absent both from the pulpit and any acknowledgement by those leading the service.

Sudden Transition Marked by Silence

On July 27, Brett Wiley, the church's elder and Pastor of Discipleship, delivered the message during the service. During the sermon and throughout the service, Wiley made no mention of Adkison or his absence. Watching members were left to draw their own conclusions, as the leadership did not provide any updates on the pastor's status.

At the end of the July 27 service, Wiley requested that those not fully engaged with the church step out before a members-only discussion began. “If you're not a part, if you're not all the way in with us, either a member or maybe you've been attending for a long time, we'd invite you to go ahead and leave, and we'll see you next week,” Wiley said, signaling that sensitive issues would be discussed afterward.

He added that the children’s ministry would continue throughout the meeting, advising parents to use discretion. “As for the member meeting, we will be discussing some sensitive information. So, we are continuing the kids' ministry through that time... If you're a member or you're staying for the meeting, or if you have kids in the room, we'd ask you to be wise as parents,” he said.

Online Speculation in the Absence of Clarity

Following the meeting, rumors began circulating online that Adkison may have disqualified himself from ministry. These reports have not been substantiated, and City Life Church has declined to comment on the matter despite multiple inquiries from outlets such as The Christian Post.

The church has since scrubbed all references to Adkison from its leadership page on its website. With no official statement and no replacement formally named, the congregation and wider community remain in the dark regarding both his departure and the future leadership plan for the church.

City Life Church’s leadership has opted for silence, despite repeated questions. The lack of transparency has drawn criticism from some observers and raised concerns about how the situation is being managed internally within the church community.

Leadership Decisions Leave Lingering Questions

The Harbor Network, with which City Life is affiliated, encourages gospel-centered leadership and community care, but has not issued any public comment relating to the pastor's removal or the church’s handling of the situation. There is also no publicly available information on whether the Network is involved in advising the church during this transition.

Despite the leadership shake-up, City Life Church has continued its usual weekly gatherings and activities. The church’s mission statement remains visible online, affirming its commitment to helping individuals "increasingly know and follow Jesus, connect with others in authentic relationships, and engage in the mission of making disciples."

For now, questions remain unanswered. Members and observers alike are left to wonder what led to Adkison's quiet exit and how City Life Church will move forward without one of its key leaders in place just over four years after his arrival.