City on a Hill pastor prayed with Andrew Thorburn in hours before resignation

City on a Hill’s pastor has revealed he prayed with Andrew Thorburn before he resigned from Essendon and lamented living in a time where you can be “cancelled” for your faith.

Former CEO of the Essendon football club Andrew Thorburn prayed with the controversial City on a Hill pastor in the hours before he publicly resigned from the role.

Mr Thorburn welcomed Senior Pastor Guy Mason to his Melbourne home on Tuesday to say prayers before releasing a statement declaring he had quit the job of chief executive following public backlash.

Mr Mason addressed hundreds of churchgoers at two morning sermons on Sunday about the “media firestorm”, saying he was “saddened” by the week that was.

“I was at his home with him (Thorburn) and with members of his family, with much sorrow and sadness as he shared and sent out his letter of resignation,” Mr Mason told churchgoers at Hoyts theatre in Melbourne Central on Sunday.

“When I was with Andrew on Tuesday, just before he released his statement, we took time to pray together.

“As we were praying, I was reminded of the words of Jesus from Matthew 5.”

Mr Mason then read that passage from the Bible to the church, which featured the line: “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

Mr Thorburn quit his job at Windy Hill after the Herald Sun revealed he was chairman of the church.

Andrew Thorburn stood down a day after being appointed Essendon CEO.

Mr Mason told churchgoers he felt “sadness and sorrow” about the turn of events.

“There are a lot of different emotions I have experienced,” he said.

“I’ve known Andrew (Thorburn) for many years now.

“He has been a great friend. He is a man of wisdom, warmth, incredibly wise, generous. He is a man of integrity.

“I think it’s sad to put someone in a position where they are asked to choose between their faith and their job.

“I’m saddened we are living in a time where you can be cancelled because of your faith. To be cancelled because of your faith, (this) is a dangerous idea.

“I’m thankful for Andrew and for his courage and conviction.”

Mr Mason said it had been an eventful week.

“A journalist found some quotes from a few sermons … we were front page news,” he said.

“The quotes in question were from a sermon from myself on the topic of pro-life.

“The other was from Andrew Judd on the topic of homosexuality.

“These quotes made for some great headlines and the Premier decided to double down in a live press conference.”

The church’s views on abortion and homophobia were listed on their website saying: “Nobody should feel pressured into having an abortion. Our calling is to support a choice for life whenever possible, not to judge. We support, love and welcome all women, no matter what choices they make.”

City on a Hill pastor Guy Mason speaks with Andrew Thorburn. Picture: YouTube

Mr Mason joked to churchgoers, saying the condemnation from Premier Daniel Andrews was a career highlight.

“That one is going straight to the poolroom,” Mr Mason said.

“The words of the Premier ignited a media firestorm.”

The senior pastor said he wasn’t offended about the comments, but rather “disappointed”.

“The Premier of our state has a right to express his views and his opinions, but I don’t think his words were particularly helpful or wise,” he said.

“We need leaders who can model true diversity, leaders who can understand and to work for social harmony.

“I long that diversity (won’t) just be a catchphrase but something together we pursue.”

Mr Mason apologised for a reference made in 2013 about the Holocaust, which was quietly removed from the church’s website.

The comment said: “Whereas today we look back at concentration camps, future generations will look back with sadness at the legal murder of hundreds of thousands (sic) human beings every day through medicine in the name of freedom.”

Mr Mason addressed the comment to churchgoers on Sunday.

“The particular reference to the Holocaust was unhelpful,” he said.

“I didn’t intend it to be inflammatory, I was wrong. I am sorry.

“Ten years on I would use different words.

“The essence of that particular message is that Jesus is for life. As believers we hold to the view that all life is sacred, that Jesus is the author of life, he is for life and that life begins at conception.”

He said his church would continue to engage with “big issues”.