A Summer of Change: North Texas Churches in Turmoil
This summer has been marked by significant upheaval in several North Texas churches, with a wave of pastor resignations and firings that has left congregations grappling with uncertainty. Prominent figures in the Christian community have stepped down, often citing undisclosed "moral failures" as the reason for their departures. This article aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the events that have unfolded, shedding light on the implications for the affected churches and their communities.
June 9: Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship Church
On June 9, Tony Evans, the founding pastor of Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship Church in Dallas, announced his resignation, citing a "sin in his past." In a heartfelt statement to his congregation, Evans emphasized the importance of adhering to the Word of God as the ultimate standard of truth. He acknowledged that he had fallen short of this standard and felt compelled to apply the same biblical principles of repentance and restoration to himself that he had preached to others. The church declined to provide further comments, leaving many questions unanswered about the specifics of Evans’ situation.
June 14: Gateway Church in Southlake
Just days later, on June 14, Gateway Church, a major megachurch in Southlake, faced serious allegations against its founder, Robert Morris. A woman named Cindy Clemishire accused Morris of abusing her during her teenage years. Following the public revelation of these allegations, Morris resigned on June 18. In a statement to church staff, Gateway elders acknowledged that Morris had previously confessed to a moral failure from over 35 years ago, but the details surrounding the recent accusations have raised significant concerns within the congregation and beyond.
June 19: Lakeside Baptist Church in Granbury
The turmoil continued on June 19, when Lakeside Baptist Church in Granbury announced the arrest of its youth pastor, Luke Cunningham, who faced charges of sexually assaulting a child. The church acted swiftly, suspending Cunningham upon receiving allegations of inappropriate conduct and subsequently reporting their findings to authorities. In a statement, Lakeside expressed its commitment to reevaluating its processes for identifying potential predators and urged the Southern Baptist Convention to adopt a more aggressive stance against sexual abuse.
July 9: Stonebriar Community Church in Frisco
On July 9, Stonebriar Community Church in Frisco informed its congregation that Tony Cammarota, a pastor with over 17 years of service, had been removed due to a "moral failure." The church’s email to members did not specify the nature of the failure but urged congregants to refrain from speculation. This lack of clarity has left many in the community seeking answers about the circumstances surrounding Cammarota’s departure.
July 28: Cross Timbers Church in Argyle
The situation escalated further on July 28 when Cross Timbers Church in Argyle announced the resignation of its senior pastor, Josiah Anthony, due to "inappropriate and hurtful" behavior. Initially described as emotional affairs with female staff members, subsequent communications revealed that Anthony had also made inappropriate comments through text messages and social media. The church leadership expressed regret for the impact of Anthony’s actions on the women involved and committed to addressing the issue more thoroughly.
August 21: Gateway Church in Southlake (Again)
The turmoil at Gateway Church continued on August 21, when the church announced the removal of its executive pastor, Kemtal Glasgow, due to a moral issue that disqualified him from his role. The church emphasized that Glasgow’s departure was unrelated to Morris’ earlier resignation, but the repeated incidents have raised questions about the church’s leadership and accountability.
September 18: Lake Country Church in Saginaw
On September 17, Scott Crenshaw was confirmed to have been removed from his position as senior pastor at Lake Country Church in Saginaw. His lawyer stated that Crenshaw was discharged due to "extreme false rumors" and criticized the church for not conducting a proper investigation. This situation highlights the complexities and challenges faced by churches when dealing with allegations and the potential for reputational damage.
September 19: Trinity Bible Church in Dallas
Finally, on September 19, Trinity Bible Church in Dallas announced the removal of its lead pastor, who was involved in an "inappropriate relationship" with a woman. The church’s statement indicated that the pastor had come forward about the relationship, but details remained scarce. The church emphasized the universal nature of sin, reminding congregants of the need for grace and forgiveness.
The Broader Implications
The wave of resignations and firings in North Texas churches this summer has raised critical questions about accountability, transparency, and the moral standards upheld by church leaders. As congregations navigate the fallout from these events, the impact on their communities will likely be profound. The need for open dialogue, healing, and a renewed commitment to ethical leadership has never been more pressing.
As these stories continue to unfold, the faith community in North Texas must grapple with the complexities of human fallibility and the importance of maintaining integrity within their spiritual leadership.