Newsboys frontman Michael Tait steps down 

The story of Michael Tait, a fixture in the Christian music sphere over the last three and a half decades, continues to spiral. Tait came on the scene in the late 80s as part of the DC Talk trio before launching a solo career and, in 2009, becoming the frontman for the Newsboys. In January of this year, Tait abruptly stepped away from the Newsboys, stirring up a wave of rumors and confusion. 

What has unfolded since then has exposed a saga of sinful and predatory patterns in Tait’s life, leaving behind a trail of victims and a tarnished legacy.

Azariah Southworth, an ex-evangelical content creator, promoted unsourced rumors about Tait’s sexuality in January on his large TikTok platform. Tait resigned from the Newsboys the next day. Soon after, Southworth broadcasted more bold claims that Tait was not only gay but also a sexual predator. A detailed account of Southworth’s statements can be found here.

These rumors were not met with much concern in Christian circles, and for many, they were quickly forgotten or never heard. Then on June 4, The Roys Report published a meticulously detailed exposé that substantiated Southworth’s prior claims. The report specifically sheds light on three young men who were sexually assaulted by Tait between the years 2004 and 2012. Alcohol and drugs were common factors in these incidents and in Tait’s lifestyle, generally.

Tait and the Newsboys respond

The day after the report was released, the Newsboys released a statement indicating their surprise and devastation: “We are horrified, heartbroken, and angry at this report, and in many ways, we feel as if we and our families have been deceived for the last fifteen years.” The statement goes on to mention that Tait had confessed to living a double life upon his departure, but the extent of  Tait’s deception had remained hidden.

On June 10, Tait released a confession on his social media, effectively confirming the truth of the allegations, stating, “For some two decades I used and abused cocaine, consumed far too much alcohol, and, at times, touched men in an unwanted sensual way. I am ashamed of my life choices and actions, and make no excuses for them. I will simply call it what God calls it–sin.”

In the lengthy statement, Tait goes on to share that he sought out treatment, accepts all consequences for his actions, and is actively pursuing the Lord in repentance. 

Tait included a well-known, but critical reminder about the plague of sin that affects us all: “Sin is a terrible thing, taking us where we don’t want to go; keeping us longer than we want to stay; and costing us more than we want to pay.” He then clarified his intent to remain away from the spotlight as he works toward restoration and healing.

Fallout and restoration

Tait’s platform and influence within the Christian music world gave him sufficient cover for his behavior for quite some time, which is an alarming revelation. Bands like the Newsboys are in many ways the outward representation of Christian culture to the rest of the world. The long-term effects of Tait’s double life, as well as other recent departures from the Christian music scene, are yet to be fully realized.

What does restoration look like after a scandal like this? Stories like that of Manasseh (2 Chron. 33) or Nebuchadnezzar (Dan. 1-4) remind us that God can bring about complete restoration in anyone, but the outward extent of that restoration may be circumstantial. 

In this case, restoration should not include Tait returning to a lead role for a Christian band. It is a spiritual restoration anchored in overcoming sin and seeking forgiveness.

Perhaps the most plain fact in human history is that sin is destructive, and its consequences almost never remain isolated to the person who commits the sinful act. Tait’s life has proven to be an extreme example of this, but each of us, when we make a conscious decision to sin, also chooses to face the consequences that come with it. Yet so many are unprepared when the consequence rears its ugly head. 

Many try to run, while others embrace the sin and call it righteous. Tait does not need to be commended for doing what Christians are called to do when they sin (confess and repent), but it is noteworthy that rather than running away or “deconstructing,” he chose to bear responsibility. If genuine, that choice gives hope that God can bring a measure of redemption to his life, even if he never regains all that he’s lost.

Tait is not alone

Repentance is the act that follows confession. It is the effort of doing whatever it takes to leave that sin in the past and pursue Jesus instead. All Christians are called to confess sin, reckon with its consequences, and repent prudently. These steps are essential in the restoration process.

Finally, let’s not let this story be just another piece in the church gossip mill. Rather, we should each take away critical reminders for our individual faith journey and turn the story over to the Lord in prayer. 

Pray for the victims and their healing. Pray for Tait and his journey of restoration. Pray that stories like this one will cease to exist any longer. Pray a prayer of thanksgiving that we serve a loving and merciful God who takes brokenness and makes it whole again, and is able to forgive the worst of what we have done.

And then pray that God would forgive you of any unconfessed sin in your own life as well. Your platform may not be as large as Tait’s, but your sin can still devastate those close to you if left unchecked. 

So don’t wait any longer. Stop and pray right now that the Holy Spirit will shine a light on any sin that lingers in the dark recesses of your life. Then, confess that sin to God. 1 John 1:9 says that “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

While that forgiveness won’t always make the consequences go away, you can know that they will only get worse with every moment you delay.

Don’t wait. Walk in repentance today.