Following allegations of sexual abuse, Gateway Church officials are recommending former lead pastor Robert Morris’ son, James Morris, and three elders to take a leave of absence.
Gateway Church posted a statement on social media on Friday, announcing that the megachurch had hired the law firm Haynes & Boone, LLP to “conduct an independent and comprehensive investigation regarding the recent events,” citing the resignation of Robert Morris.
Founder and former lead pastor at Gateway Church, Robert Morris, resigned from his position on June 18 after admitting to sexually assaulting a 12-year-old. Cindy Clemishire, who is now in her 50s, told religious watchdog blog The Wartburg Watch that Morris abused her for four years in Oklahoma and Texas.
According to the statement, the law firm is recommending that all elders with a potential conflict of interest temporarily step down from the church’s board, including elders with a relationship conflict 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 by saying it was Clemishire’s fault, The Wartburg Watch reported. After asking for $50,000, Morris and his attorney said they would provide $25,000 if she 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 in accordance with the company’s recommendation to demonstrate a “truly independent and unbiased investigation,” the statement said. He was scheduled to take the church role in 2025.
The megachurch added that the leave does not mean an elder had knowledge of the sexual abuse and that James Morris was not aware of the “facts of this situation.”
Four days after Clemishire announced the sexual abuse, Robert Morris admitted that there had been “touching” and “kissing” between him and a “young ladym” but no sexual intercourse.
“These elders are committed to ensuring that everything possible is done to conduct the investigation impartially and in accordance with best practices,” church officials said.
The three elders asked to step down are Kevin Grove, Steve Dulin and Gayland Lawshe, the statement said. They served as elders from 2005 to 2007.
According to Gateway Church’s website, Grove is the executive global pastor and Lawshe is the network pastor.
The elders and James Morris will “continue their important work as valued associates,” the statement said.
