The church had informed Roley that an internal investigation was set to begin, and that prompted Roley to resign. Cundall said he does not know what the focus of the inquiry would have been.

For more than two decades Scott Roley was a fixture at Christ Community Church, leading the congregation’s mission programs before being named senior pastor in late 2007.

But earlier this month, for reasons neither side would make clear, Roley handed in his resignation while on an extended leave of absence.

“It’s actually a retirement,” Roley said. “I’m changing my call. I don’t know anything else to tell you.”

Roley has worked for years connecting Williamson County’s poorest, and often minority populations with better opportunities. He is a staunch advocate for Franklin’s Hard Bargain neighborhood, of which he is a resident, and helps lead ongoing redevelopment efforts there. Roley said he intends to commit himself further to these projects and is launching a new nonprofit that would connect the county’s affluent residents with its impoverished.

“I have connections in both worlds,” Roley said.

Roley also has several Christian music recordings and said he expects to begin playing and touring again in early 2012.

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