The Rev. John Bishop is stepping down as senior pastor at Vancouver’s Living Hope Church for moral indiscretions as he enters a restoration plan put in place by church leaders. Bishop said he plans to seek alcohol abuse treatment and might also receive marriage counseling.

The church along Andresen Road — nicknamed the “Kmart church” because it occupies a former Kmart building — hosts more than 3,000 people every week.

Specifics about Bishop’s departure will be worked out by the church and outside counsel, said Executive Pastor Duane Warren. The church recently found out about the indiscretions, he added.

“We’re taking this very seriously,” Warren said. “We’re trying to move forward.”

‘Desperately sorry’

The 52-year-old who’s led the church for 19 years, said he’s “desperately sorry,” not just to his family and congregation, but also to the county. He plans to enter a treatment facility for alcohol abuse after Thanksgiving and also wants to attend marriage counseling. He’s been married to his wife, Michelle, for nearly 32 years, and they started the church together.

“I hurt a lot of people, and I want to make myself better,” Bishop said. “The church is struggling right now because people are mad.”