According to recent reports surrounding the controversy at Gateway Church in Southlake, Texas, three members of the church’s Board of Elders, including the son of Pastor Robert Morris, have taken a temporary leave of absence amid an ongoing investigation. The news follows accusations of sexual abuse that have come to light against Morris, the founder of the church.
The church gave a recent update to the congregation on June 28, informing the members of new developments. “Thank you for your grace, prayers, and support for all members of our Gateway Church family in recent days. The Gateway Board of Elders is committed to leading with integrity and humility as we navigate this difficult season together,” the statement began.
Gateway Church has employed the law firm Haynes and Boone to conduct an investigation to ensure impartiality. The firm recommended that all elders with potential conflicts of interest step down, particularly those involved in events that took place between 2005 and 2007.
“As we previously informed you, Gateway Church has appointed the outside law firm Haynes and Boone to conduct an independent and comprehensive inquiry related to the recent events. As Haynes and Boone begins their work, they have recommended that any Gateway Church Elder with a potential conflict of interest take a temporary leave of absence from the Board of Elders. This includes any Elder with a relational conflict and those Elders who were on the Board from 2005–2007. Haynes and Boone made this recommendation consistent with best practices for inquiries of this nature. A leave of absence in no way whatsoever assumes or implies that any Elder had any knowledge of the true facts related to this situation,” the statement to the congregation continued.
Furthermore, the legal group recommended that Pastor James Morris and the other three current Elders, Kevin Grove, Steve Dulin, and Gayland Lawshe, take a temporary leave of absence. According to the Christian Post, the elders were unaware of the incidents in question.
The church added, “In addition, Haynes and Boone has recommended that Pastor James Morris also take a temporary leave of absence from the Gateway Board of Elders. Pastor James Morris is Gateway’s newest Elder and was not an Elder between 2005–2007. Pastor James Morris is a man of integrity, and he has clearly stated that he had no knowledge of the true facts of this situation. However, because Pastor James Morris is related to Robert Morris, Haynes and Boone has recommended that Pastor James also take a temporary leave of absence from the Board of Elders and Pastor James has volunteered to do so to demonstrate his commitment to a truly independent and unbiased inquiry.”
For background, Robert Morris admitted to partaking in “inappropriate sexual behavior with a young lady” decades ago in the 1980s following allegations of sexual abuse toward Cindy Clemishire, who was 12 at the time when Morris was in his early 20s.
In 2005, Clemishire confronted Morris about the abuse, to which Morris accused her of attempting to blackmail him. Morris reportedly asked Clemishire to name a pay after she demanded accountability over the abuse that had occurred decades ago.
Clemishire claimed she wanted Morris to pay approximately $2 million for the abuse that had caused her significant mental trauma over the years. Allegedly, Morris never paid her the requested restitution. The founder of Gateway Church resigned earlier this month.
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