Michael A. Chandler

Pennsylvania Mennonite minister sexually abused congregant, resigned

In 1999, Michael Chandler (b. 1951) was found guilty of sexual abusing a female congregant by Atlantic Coast Mennonite Conference. Chandler then resigned his position as pastor at Community Mennonite Church of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, where he had led since 1997.

In 2014, Chandler was announced as the new executive director of Conestoga Valley Christian Community Services, Lancaster, Pennsylvania. A local newspaper reported, “After a pastorate brought him to Pennsylvania about 18 years ago, [Chandler] decided to undergo a career change. ‘I worked in mental health as a service director overseeing six programs for Keystone Mental Health.'”

In 2018, Chandler was arrested in Lancaster County and charged with four misdemeanor counts related to drunk driving, including driving under the influence of alcohol with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of .16+, more than twice the legal limit. In 2020, Chandler pleaded guilty to recklessly endangering another person, and the court sentenced him to two years of probation.