GREENVILLE, S.C. (AP) – Leaders of a South Carolina megachurch say its founder has been ousted as senior pastor over issues including alcohol use.

The Greenville News reports (http://goo.gl/2Uth7r ) that another one of the church’s pastors, Shane Duffey, announced at a Sunday service that NewSpring Church had removed the Rev. Perry Noble on July 1.

Duffey said the removal came after the church’s board had confronted Noble multiple times about his use of alcohol.

In a statement read during the service Noble confirmed that he overused alcohol. He didn’t immediately respond to an email Sunday seeking further comment.

The newspaper reports that 30,000 people attend services each week at 17 NewSpring locations around the state.

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Information from: The Greenville News, http://www.greenvillenews.com