Is Gateway Church at a crossroads? The prominent Texas megachurch is actively seeking a new spiritual leader to steer its future, navigating the aftermath of a tumultuous period marked by scandal and leadership transitions.
Gateway Church in Southlake, Texas, finds itself in a period of significant transition as it continues its search for a permanent executive pastor. This follows the departure of its founder, Robert Morris, amidst disturbing allegations of child sex abuse. The church, aiming for stability and renewed leadership, is relying on interim teaching pastors Max Lucado and Joakim Lundqvist to guide the congregation during this challenging time. In a statement released to WFAA on Tuesday, Gateway Church officials affirmed, Gateway Church is actively searching for a new pastor.
| Category | Information |
|---|---|
| Name | Gateway Church |
| Location | Southlake, Texas |
| Type | Megachurch |
| Current Status | Searching for a new Executive Pastor |
| Interim Teaching Pastors | Max Lucado, Joakim Lundqvist |
| Former Senior Pastor | Robert Morris (resigned) |
| Reason for Departure | Allegations of child sex abuse |
| Additional Information | Gateway Church Official Website |
The need for new leadership arose after a series of events that shook the foundation of the church. Nearly six months have passed since Gateway Church began grappling with the fallout from the Robert Morris scandal. Since then, the elders have been diligently working to find a suitable senior pastor. The search has proven to be more protracted than initially anticipated. Consequently, Max Lucado and Joakim Lundqvist have agreed to extend their service as interim pastors to provide continuity and spiritual guidance.
Adding to the complexity of the situation, Lucado clarified his role via a Facebook post. He stated that his involvement with Gateway is solely in an interim teaching capacity, scheduled to continue through the end of 2024. He emphasized that he will not hold any leadership or administrative responsibilities within the church. This clear delineation of roles underscores the church's efforts to restructure and redefine its leadership framework.
The timeline of events leading to the current situation includes significant changes in the church's leadership structure. Eight months prior to the present, new elders were appointed following the resignation of Gateway Churchs senior and founding pastor, Robert Morris, in June 2024. Morris's resignation came after Cindy Clemishire accused him of molestation. Gateway Church has also expanded its leadership by adding four new elders.
The allegations against Robert Morris, brought forth by Cindy Clemishire, date back to the 1980s. Clemishire stated that the abuse began when she was 12 years old and Morris was in his 20s. Initially, church leaders defended Morris against these allegations. However, they later accepted his resignation. The church is currently conducting an internal investigation into the abuse allegations.
As Gateway Church navigates this period of transition, Max Lucado and Joakim Lundqvist are expected to continue serving as interim teaching pastors until June 2025. This extension provides the church with ample time to conduct a thorough search for the right candidate to fill the executive pastor role. Gateway Church may also consider adding more elders in the future, according to Tra Willbanks.
In February 2022, prior to the scandal, Morris had nominated his son, James Morris, to the churchs elders as his potential successor and the next senior pastor of Gateway Church. Fambro requested the staff to pray for Morriss family, including his son James Morris, who is the associate senior pastor. James had been scheduled to succeed his father upon his planned retirement the following year.
The churchs financial practices have also come under scrutiny. According to a lawsuit, Gateway should have been allocating a minimum of $15 million annually to global missions, given its annual revenue of approximately $100 million. These financial matters further complicate the churchs efforts to move forward and restore trust within its congregation and the wider community.
Adding to the changes, Gateway Church announced the firing of a pastor over an alleged "moral issue." This announcement was made by church elders in a video published on YouTube. The elders also provided an update to the Gateway congregation regarding the findings from the law firm Haynes and Boone, LLP, which was tasked with investigating the allegations.
In Dallas, four elders at Gateway Church were removed from their positions following the results of the law firms investigation into the sexual abuse allegations. Tra Willbanks shared a summary of these findings from the pulpit, providing transparency to the congregation regarding the steps being taken to address the issues.
Details regarding the initial allegations surfaced last June when Cindy Clemishire publicly accused Robert Morris of sexual abuse. She stated that the abuse began when she was 12 years old and Morris was in his early twenties. These allegations prompted a wave of reactions, ultimately leading to Morris's resignation.
Before an Oklahoma grand jury indicted Gateway Church founder Robert Morris on five felony counts of lewd or indecent acts to a child, the senior pastors resignation a year ago caused a stir. The situation is deeply concerning and underscores the severity of the allegations against Morris.
The role of pastor Abram Deprang, who serves as the youth and young adult pastor of Gateway Church in Southlake, Texas, remains unchanged. Individuals interested in learning more about and connecting with Pastor Abram can follow him on Instagram @abram_deprang. Gateway Church offers various ways to engage with its services, including attending live at Gateway Southlake, simulcasts at other campuses, and online streaming.
Cindy Clemishire has stated that Gateway Church senior pastor Robert Morris was 21 years old when he began molesting her. The abuse began when she was just 12 years old. This disturbing revelation has further intensified the scrutiny surrounding Morris and the churchs handling of the situation.
An article published on August 23, 2024, provided an update on the removal of another pastor from Gateway leadership. This reflects the ongoing efforts to address the issues and implement necessary changes within the church.
Government accountability reporter Emily Wolf contributed reporting to this article, highlighting the importance of transparency and accountability in addressing these sensitive matters.
In addition to the leadership changes and abuse allegations, Gateway Church has faced scrutiny regarding its financial practices. The lawsuit alleging that the church should have been allocating a minimum of $15 million annually to global missions raises questions about its stewardship of resources. This financial aspect adds another layer of complexity to the challenges facing Gateway Church.
Amidst these challenges, Gateway Church is actively seeking to rebuild trust and restore its reputation. The appointment of interim pastors, the addition of new elders, and the ongoing internal investigation demonstrate the churchs commitment to addressing the issues and moving forward in a responsible manner. The search for a permanent executive pastor is a crucial step in this process, as the church seeks a leader who can guide it through this period of transition and into a more stable future.
The ongoing situation at Gateway Church serves as a reminder of the importance of accountability, transparency, and responsible leadership within religious institutions. As the church continues its search for a new leader, it faces the challenge of not only finding a qualified candidate but also rebuilding trust and fostering a safe and supportive environment for its congregation.
The impact of these events extends beyond the walls of Gateway Church, affecting the wider community and raising broader questions about the handling of abuse allegations within religious organizations. As Gateway Church works to address these issues, its actions will be closely watched by those seeking to ensure accountability and justice for victims of abuse.
The situation at Gateway Church remains fluid, with new developments continuing to emerge. As the church moves forward, it will need to navigate these challenges with sensitivity, transparency, and a commitment to creating a culture of safety and accountability.
Updates to the Gateway congregation from the elders continue to be provided, ensuring that members are informed about the ongoing developments and the steps being taken to address the challenges facing the church. These updates underscore the importance of communication and transparency during this difficult time.
Thank you for your patience as we have deliberated, sought the Lord in prayer, and met with wise counsel regarding next steps for the church.
Lucado and Lundqvist initially planned to remain in those roles until the end of 2024.
However, the two pastors will continue to preach at Gateway well into the new year while the congregation searches for the right candidate to lead us as executive pastor, a Gateway spokesperson told the Fort Worth Report.
Megachurch pastor resigns after admitting 'sexual behavior' with 'young lady.' she was 12.
James Morris is set to begin his role as Gateway Churchs senior pastor in spring 2025.
Who served as Southlakes mayor from 2021 to 2024,
Gateway church may add more elders in the future, willbanks said.
In the meantime, the church will continue searching for its next senior pastor.
Max lucado and joakim lundqvist are expected to continue serving as interim teaching pastors until june 2025.
Government accountability reporter emily wolf contributed reporting to this article.
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