Son of former Gateway Church pastor steps down 1 month after father’s resignation
The son of former Gateway Church pastor Robert Morris has stepped down from his associate pastor role at the church.
James Morris’ resignation comes a little more than a month after his father resigned amid allegations of sexual abuse. In a statement Thursday, church leaders confirmed that James Morris and his wife Bridgette Morris would be stepping down from their roles at the Southlake megachurch, Star-Telegram media WFAA-TV reported.
According to the statement obtained by WFAA, church elders met with James Morris and his wife, who also served as a pastor, and they made the decision “collectively.” James Morris had been set to take the position of senior pastor in 2025.
“We love Pastors James and Bridgette and their children — we deeply care about them and sincerely thank them for investing their lives here at Gateway Church,” the statement said. “They have faithfully and honorably served our congregation and this community through all the years that they have been part of Gateway Church.”
Church leaders also said in a social media post Thursday that worshipers are encouraged to attend services this weekend for “important updates” from the board of elders.
Following Robert Morris’ admission that he sexually abused a girl in the 1980s, Gateway Church hired the law firm Haynes & Boone LLP to conduct an independent investigation.
James Morris volunteered to temporarily step down from the board of elders at that time on the recommendation of the law firm to demonstrate a “truly independent and unbiased inquiry,” church leaders said in a June 28 statement. Three other elders who served on the board between 2005 and 2007 also took a temporary leave of absence.
“Pastor James Morris is a man of integrity, and he has clearly stated that he had no knowledge of the true facts of this situation,” the statement said.
Robert Morris, who founded Gateway Church in 2000, resigned from his position as lead pastor on June 18. Cindy Clemishire, who is now in her 50s, told the religious watchdog blog The Wartburg Watch in June that Morris abused her for four years in Oklahoma and Texas beginning when she was 12 and Morris was 21.
Clemishire confronted Robert Morris with her intention to file a civil lawsuit in 2005, and his attorney responded by saying it was Clemishire’s fault. After she asked for $50,000 to reimburse her for counseling, Morris and his attorney said they would provide $25,000 if she signed a non-disclosure agreement, which Clemishire refused, according to The Wartburg Watch.
North Texas leaders including former Southlake mayor John Huffman, urged Robert Morris to resign after Clemishire’s allegations came to light last month.
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