Jewish reformed pastor Steve Schlissel dead at 72

Influential pastor Steve Schlissel died on Sunday, Jan. 5 after decades of leading Messiah's Congregation in Brooklyn. Schlissel died suddenly and unexpectedly after falling down a staircase, according to a statement from Messiah’s Congregation Deacon Craig Brann. No further details on this death were publicly released. Messiah’s describes itself as a reformed church serving Christ.

Schlissel, who came from a Jewish background, began his ministry in the early 1980s and became known for his writings and his gospel outreach to Jewish communities. He authored and contributed to several books including Hal Lindsey & the Restoration of the Jews, The Standard Bearer, and The Federal Vision. He also became known as an influential figure of the controversial Federal Vision theological movement in the early 2000s, also known as Auburn Avenue Theology.

Outside of his ministry, Schlissel served on the advisory board for a local nonprofit group, Covenant Ballet Theatre, according to the school’s founder, Marla Hirokawa. Schlissel is survived by his wife, Jeanne, and their children Rebeccah, Jedidiah, Sarah, Leah, Anna, and Esther. The pastor’s life was celebrated at a wake last week before his Thursday funeral.