Ralph Drollinger, the controversial chaplain who ministers to lawmakers and staff in the Capitol during the legislative year, will no longer lead the weekly Bible studies.
Drollinger, who founded Capitol Ministries more than a decade ago, will hand off ministering duties to Frank Erb. Drollinger, a former UCLA basketball player who stands 7-foot-2-inches, will focus on expanding the organization, which now leads Bible studies in 21 state capitals, to Washington, D.C., and overseas.
"To reach governmental leaders with the gospel is not an option for the mission of the church; conversely, it is the missing mandate in modern missions. To herald the gospel to every political leader every year everywhere is a matter of obedience to Scripture," he writes on his Web site.
Drollinger's tenure has been nothing if not controversial. Last year, he criticized a competing Christian fellowship group.
"Although they are pleasant men in their personal demeanor, their group is more than disgusting to our Lord and Savior," Drollinger wrote.
Current Senate leader Darrell Steinberg said at the time that Drollinger's comments were "intolerant," "troubling" and "deplorable."
Before that, Drollinger derided Catholicism as a "false religion" and was protested on the Senate floor after he said it was sinful for a female lawmaker to be away from her children while working in Sacramento.
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