Cross Timbers Church lead pastor resigns due to ‘inappropriate’ actions, elders say

Cross Timbers Church Lead Pastor Josiah Anthony resigned from his position due to “inappropriate” actions, the North Texas church’s board of elders said in an email to members.

A screenshot of the email was posted Tuesday on X by watchdog blog Watchkeep.

In the email, the elders wrote that, within the past month, the board became aware of “events” and “circumstances” surrounding Anthony that occurred over the past few years.

Although the email does not specify the “events,” the elders said Anthony had recently been struggling with his emotional and mental health. His condition, “has been very painful for him and those around him,” the email says.

In that time, Anthony was not transparent with elders about inappropriate actions that were hurtful to church staff and members, according to the email.

“Once all of this came to light over the last few weeks, it became evident Josiah could not continue to serve as our Lead Pastor,” the email reads. “Josiah agreed with this decision, and has resigned, and we accepted that resignation.”

The elders reassured church members in the email that, as far as they know, Anthony’s resignation is not connected to any illegal activity, physical or sexual interactions, or inappropriate behavior with children.

Church staff initially announced Anthony’s resignation during a weekend service. Cross Timbers is in Argyle, in Denton County.

Anthony’s resignation comes after several other North Texas church leaders recently resigned or temporarily stepped down from their positions, including Gateway Church’s lead pastor and founder Robert Morris.

Morris resigned in June, just days after he admitted he sexually abused a 12-year-old girl in the 1980s in Oklahoma and Texas. Morris was 21 when he first abused Cindy Clemishire, who is now in her 50s, Clemishire has said.. The abuse went on for four years, Clemishire told the church watchdog blog The Wartburg Watch.