Shakeup at Gateway Church continues, Pastor Robert Morris' son latest to step down
SOUTHLAKE, Texas -- The son of Gateway Church's founding pastor stepped down on Thursday – just seven weeks after his father resigned over allegations that he sexually assaulted a young girl decades ago.
Pastor James Morris was the designated successor for his father, Pastor Robert Morris. Before fully stepping down, the younger Morris had been asked by church elders in late June to take a temporary leave of absence as an outside legal team investigated the sexual abuse accusations against his father.
James Morris' wife, Bridgette, also resigned from her role with the megachurch, Gateway staff members were told on Thursday.
Pastor Robert Morris' accuser, Cindy Clemishire, revealed in June that the elder Morris sexually abused her starting in 1982 when she was 12 years old. The pastor admitted to "inappropriate sexual behavior" with Clemishire and resigned from Gateway.
Based in Southlake, near Fort Worth, Gateway Church is one of the biggest evangelical Christian churches in the country, boasting several locations throughout North Texas.
"Earlier this week, the (church) elders met with Pastors James and Bridgette and they collectively made the decision that Pastors James and Bridgette would both step down from their current positions and from leading Gateway Church in the future," the church said Thursday in a statement.
Leaders of the megachurch said they sought the "advice of many well-respected pastors and ministry leaders" before coming to the decision.
"We as elders affirm and believe that God has placed a desire in both Pastors James and Bridgette's hearts to serve as senior pastors of a church at some point in the future," the church said. "We love Pastors James and Bridgette and their children. We deeply care about them and sincerely thank them for investing their lives here at Gateway Church. They have faithfully and honorably served our congregation and this community through all the years that they have been part of Gateway Church."
The church announced that Pastor Max Lucado, a best-selling author and former teaching pastor at Oak Hills Church in San Antonio, will become a teaching pastor at Gateway.
Pastor Joakim Lundqvist from Sweden, a frequent speaker at the church, will be taking on a more pastoral role with the staff.
In a statement on social media late Thursday, the church said the independent investigation into what happened is continuing.
"The elder board does have a few important updates they will be sharing during services this weekend," the church said.