Gateway Church Pastor Elders Ask to Step Down Temporarily

Following allegations of sexual abuse, Gateway Church officials have advised James Morris, son of former lead pastor Robert Morris, and three elders to take a leave of absence.

On Friday, Gateway Church posted a statement on social media announcing that the megachurch had hired the law firm Haynes & Boone, LLP “to conduct an independent and comprehensive investigation into recent events,” citing Robert Morris’ resignation.

Gateway Church founder and former lead pastor Robert Morris resigned June 18 after admitting to sexually abusing a 12-year-old girl. Cindy Clemishire, now in her 50s, told the religious blog The Wartburg Watch that Morris molested her over a four-year period in Oklahoma and Texas.

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According to the statement, the law firm is recommending that all elders with potential conflicts of interest temporarily resign from serving on the church board. This includes all elders with conflicting relationships who served on the Gateway Church board from 2005 to 2007, the statement said.

In 2005, Clemishire confronted Robert Morris with a civil lawsuit, and his lawyer responded that it was Clemishire’s fault, The Wartburg Watch reported. After demanding $50,000, Morris and his lawyer said they would give $25,000 if he signed a non-disclosure agreement, which Clemishire refused, according to the report.

The church’s newly appointed senior pastor, James Morris, volunteered to step down at the company’s recommendation to demonstrate a “truly independent and impartial investigation,” the statement said. He was to take up his position in the church in 2025.

The megachurch added that the leave does not mean any of the elders had knowledge of the sexual abuse and that James Morris was unaware of the “facts surrounding this situation.”

Four days after Clemishire made the sexual abuse allegations, Robert Morris admitted that there had been “touching” and “kissing” between him and the “young lady” but no sexual intercourse.

“The elders wish to do everything possible to conduct the investigation impartially and in accordance with best practices,” church officials said.

The three elders who were asked to step down were Kevin Grove, Steve Dulin and Gayland Lawshe, according to the statement. They served as elders from 2005 to 2007.

According to the Gateway Church website, Grove serves as the worldwide executive pastor and Lawshe is the network pastor.

The statement said the elders and James Morris “will continue their important work as valued employees.”