The founder of global megachurch Hillsong, Brian Houston, has resigned after an internal investigation found he behaved inappropriately towards two women.

The acting head of the church, Pastor Phil Dooley, made the announcement at an emergency all-staff meeting on Wednesday and said Hillsong will launch an “independent review” of its governance structure.

Dooley revealed that an investigation into two incidents involving Brian Houston found he had breached the church’s moral code of conduct for pastors and engaged in conduct of “serious concern”.

The first incident involved 800 staff members, involved “inappropriate text messages” sent to a female staffer in 2013.

Brian Houston in January stepped down as the director of all Hillsong boards to defend a criminal charge that he concealed his father’s child sexual abuse.