Gateway Church Elders Speak, I respond.

Statement of the Gateway Elders on the exit of Pastor Robert Morris

Dear Gateway Church family,

The Board of Elders wants to reach out to you personally to address the recent events in our church and to provide you with an update.

This is an unthinkable and painful time in our church. Our church congregation is hurt and shaken, and we know that you have many important questions. We want to answer as many of your questions as we can at this point, and we ask that you continue to extend us grace as we navigate through the most challenging time in Gateway’s history.

The details that have recently come to light are deeply disturbing. We continue to pray that God will bring peace, comfort, and healing to everyone who has been affected. We know you are grieving just as we are. We know that so many of you have been impacted and affected. We are here for you, we are praying for you, and we love you.

The Board of Elders has taken a series of steps that we want to update you on.

First, the Board of Elders called a special meeting and accepted the resignation of our senior pastor Robert Morris this past week. Gateway Church is committed to protecting people—first and foremost children and the most vulnerable. Abuse simply cannot be tolerated. We believe that God created every man and woman equally in His image, and that every single person should be treated with respect and honor.  God has called us to be known by our love for one another.

Second, the Board of Elders has retained the law firm Haynes and Boone, LLP to conduct a thorough and independent inquiry so that the facts can be understood. Even though this abuse occurred many years before Gateway was established, the Elders are committed to finding the truth and holding people accountable. Regrettably, prior to Friday, June 14, the current Elders did not have all the facts. The Board of Elders is deeply committed to walking in integrity and finding the truth. Having this inquiry done by an independent and unbiased outside law firm is best practice. This review has begun, and the Board of Elders pledges its full cooperation.

We are truly heartbroken by what has come to light over the past few days, and we again express our deep sympathy to the victim and her family. We understand many are hurting, and we are so very sorry. It is our heartfelt prayer that, in time, healing for all those affected can occur. We also know that the past few days have been extremely difficult for many of you and that there is deep hurt and pain being experienced. We know processing and healing are going to take time. Through it all, please know that we deeply love the Gateway congregation, and our desire is to grieve with you and walk through this season with you.

We are grateful for how God has used Gateway to minister to so many people over the decades. Countless people have seen marriages restored, hearts healed, and discipleship occur. We are humbled by what God has done through our church members and staff. While we are deeply saddened by this situation, we are committed to help bring healing and restoration to everyone affected. We have a long legacy of providing ministry and hope for so many. It is our prayer and belief that this legacy will continue in even greater ways in the days to come.  Our heart remains the same: to see people saved, healed, set free, discipled, equipped, empowered, and serving. We remain steadfast with this mission and vision, set our eyes on Jesus, and walk forward in faithfulness.

The Elders have asked Joakim Lundqvist to preach this weekend at Gateway. Pastor Joakim is a respected global leader, and he will be preaching to our church family and offering us an important message for this unthinkable time. In the next few weeks, we will have other guest leaders minister to our congregation. We are grateful to the global faith community which has shown us so much support during this painful time.

Please be praying for those affected, including Cindy Clemishire, her family, the Morris family, Gateway members, staff, and others. Pray that God will heal the brokenhearted, as He promises to do in Psalm 147:3. Be comforted by God’s promise that He will never leave us nor forsake us. Keep loving God and His people. Remember that God brings beauty from ashes. He loves Gateway Church and He will get us through. He is the God of redemption and restoration.

We know God is on His throne—even when it seems all around us is shaking. He is our firm foundation, and we are standing firmly on that foundation in the days and weeks to come. We know that He loves and cares for every one of you, and we as Elders love and care for you as well. Our hope in the Lord remains steadfast, and we encourage you to continue looking to Him as the Source of hope and strength.

May God bless and comfort our church family during this time.

Gateway Church Board of Elders
June 21, 2024

My Response

To The Elders of Gateway Church

If the news were to get out how in his past he committed adultery and even had the husband of the woman killed, the elders of his church would force the author of at least 73 of the Psalms, the man God identifies as “a man after His own heart,” out of the church. [Acts 13:22]

From the line of David came a baby in a manger in Bethlehem who would be known as the world’s Savior.

Should the psalms King David composed be torn from the Bible? What would you do with his family line? Do you have another Savior in mind?

Robert Morris was not the first well-known church leader to be accused of sins for which he asked for and received divine forgiveness.

How do you reconcile your unforgiveness for Robert Morris with your appeal for sinners to confess their sins and be saved? Why should anyone who confesses his or her sins be confident of your acceptance of such people?

I quote Pastor Robert Morris from a sermon he preached in April 2023: “The unpardonable sin is not a sexual sin. It’s not drinking or gambling. It’s a sin you commit with your mouth.“

I suggest you follow Biblical history, forgive Robert Morris, and restore his position at Gateway Church. Are we not assigned the mission of restoring God’s people?

Galatians 6:1 states, “Brothers, if a man is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore such a one in the spirit of meekness, watching yourselves, lest you also be tempted.”

John White
Rockwall, Texas