The megachurch is in turmoil.
Rev. John F. Fiedler, the former pastor of Highland Park United Methodist Church (HPUMC) in Dallas, Texas, retired in December 2024 following an arrest for solicitation of prostitution. Fiedler, 72, had served the church for over a decade, initially preaching at the 11 a.m. service before transitioning to lead the Mark Craig Leadership Network, a program designed to train leaders for both religious and public-sector roles. The program emphasized skills like preaching, pastoral care, church administration, and worship planning.
Fiedler’s arrest occurred on October 2, 2024, during a police sting at Massage Ease, a Carrollton, Texas, business that had been linked to previous prostitution-related offenses under new ownership. The new owner had a history of promoting prostitution in Oklahoma, which led authorities to investigate the business. Fiedler, who is married with three adult children, was taken into custody on a warrant for solicitation of prostitution. He surrendered to police on October 31 and was released on bond after being diagnosed with dementia and having no criminal record.
Church representatives did not immediately respond to inquiries regarding Fiedler’s arrest. The last time Fiedler was seen publicly at HPUMC was on October 6, 2024, shortly before his retirement. In a video published in June 2024, Fiedler praised his wife as an essential partner in his ministry. Fiedler’s leadership role at HPUMC had focused on empowering church members and other leaders to integrate faith into their professional lives through the Leadership Network program.
This incident comes as Fiedler’s time at the church ended following his arrest, and it has brought attention to both the circumstances surrounding his resignation and his long tenure at the church. Despite the controversy, Fiedler’s efforts in church leadership and ministry training had been well-regarded.