In these Last Days, we must be especially aware of temptations.
5 notable Texas pastors who were removed or resigned over immoral behavior
Over the past year, the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex has witnessed a wave of pastor resignations and removals, many tied to allegations of abuse, sexual misconduct or moral failures.
Since June 2024, more than a dozen pastors in North Texas alone have either resigned or been removed from their position, an alarming trend in a region with over 10,000 religious organizations and churches, and where 63% of residents identify as Christian (down from 78% in 2014).
At least one of the scandals prompted the passage of Texas Senate Bill 835, also known as “Trey’s Law,” which was signed by Gov. Greg Abbott on June 21, 2024, banning nondisclosure agreements to silence sexual abuse survivors.
Here are five of the most notable pastoral resignations or removals in Texas.
1. Steve Lawson - Trinity Bible Church, Dallas
A Texas pastor known for his fiery preaching and frequent appearances alongside renowned pastor, the-late John MacArthur, Steve Lawson, was removed from ministry in September 2024 after an alleged "inappropriate relationship" with an unidentified woman.
The 73-year-old lead preacher at Trinity Bible Church of Dallas and president of OnePassion Ministries, Lawson informed the church's elders about the relationship, according to a statement released by the church.
In March, Lawson, a prominent advocate of Reformed theology, spoke out for the first time about the scandal that removed him from ministry.
In a now-deleted X post, Lawson wrote: “I have sinned grievously against the Lord, against my wife, my family, and against countless numbers of you by having a sinful relationship with a woman not my wife. I am deeply broken that I have betrayed and deceived my wife, devastated my children, brought shame to the name of Christ, reproach upon His church, and harm to many ministries.”
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2. Robert Morris - Gateway Church, Southlake
Robert Morris, the founder of the multi-campus Gateway Church, resigned in June 2024 amid an allegation that he sexually abused now 55-year-old Cindy Clemishire for nearly five years in the 1980s, beginning when she was 12.
Morris, who founded Gateway Church in 2000, was subsequently indicted on five counts of lewd or indecent acts with a child by a multi-county grand jury in Oklahoma in connection with that case in March.
“When I was in my early twenties, I was involved in inappropriate sexual behavior with a young lady in a home where I was staying. It was kissing and petting and not intercourse, but it was wrong,” Morris said in a statement.
In March, Nic Lesmeister, Gateway Church's executive pastor of global outreach, reiterated in an address that Morris no longer has any formal ties to the church.
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3. Tony Evans - Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship Church, Dallas
After nearly five decades of leading the 11,000-member Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship Church in Dallas, Pastor Tony Evans revealed in June 2024 that he had fallen short of biblical standards a number of years prior, and his failure was serious enough to warrant stepping away from his ministry.
Evans, 75, did not reveal the nature of the sin but was quick to point out that he had not violated any civil or criminal laws.
"The foundation of our ministry has always been our commitment to the Word of God as the absolute supreme standard of truth to which we are to conform our lives. When we fall short of that standard due to sin, we are required to repent and restore our relationship with God," Evans said in his confession.
Evans resumed preaching in August with an appearance at the FAMiLY Leadership Summit hosted by The FAMiLY Leader in Iowa, led by President and CEO Bob Vander Plaats.
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4. John Fiedler - Highland Park United Methodist Church, Dallas
A former executive minister at one of the region’s most prominent churches initially stepped down last October due to medical reasons before he was arrested for solicitation of prostitution.
John Fiedler, 72, cited an “undiagnosed medical condition” upon resigning from Highland Park United Methodist Church in October 2024. He was later diagnosed with dementia and turned himself in to the authorities that same month.
Fiedler served in a pastoral role at HPUMC from 2013 until his retirement on Dec. 31, 2024. Church records show Fiedler joined the megachurch in 2013, where he preached at the 11 a.m. sanctuary service until he was chosen to direct the Mark Craig Leadership Network to train servant leaders.
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5. John McKinzie - Hope Fellowship, Frisco
John McKinzie, the lead pastor of the multi-campus Hope Fellowship in North Texas, who had earlier announced the firing of one of the megachurch’s student pastors for “inappropriate contact with a minor,” resigned earlier this month after confessing to his own “sexual sin and moral failure.”
In an email sent to members and shared with The Christian Post, the church’s elders said McKinzie confessed his sins during a meeting with church leadership on Sunday.
While the email did not disclose any details regarding McKinzie’s “sexual sin and moral failure,” the church’s leaders explained that the confession was strong enough to permanently disqualify the married father of four from leadership at the church.
“As a church, our hearts are broken and we are devastated. Many of us have been deeply blessed by John’s ministry, teaching, and friendship. We grieve not only the sin itself but also the pain and disappointment this brings to our church family and community,” the elders wrote.
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