Gateway Church faces turmoil after Robert Morris steps down amid abuse allegations
- Robert Morris faced serious allegations of sexual abuse that ultimately led to his resignation from Gateway Church.
- The church has announced the elimination of Saturday services in response to decreased attendance and financial struggles.
- These changes reflect ongoing turmoil within Gateway Church as it works to recover from the fallout of Morris' actions.
In the United States, Gateway Church, a major megachurch located in Texas, has undergone significant changes following the resignation of its founder, Robert Morris. Morris stepped down in June 2024 after being indicted in March on five counts relating to alleged lewd acts with a minor committed decades earlier. These allegations have surfaced amidst a legal battle between him and the church over deferred compensation, leading to increased scrutiny and concern within the church community regarding its leadership and direction. Following Morris' resignation, Gateway Church announced plans to cut Saturday services at most of its campuses, a decision made in light of decreased attendance and dwindling donations. The church, which had once attracted over 100,000 attendees, has acknowledged these financial issues, citing that tithing has not reflected attendance due to the scandal surrounding the church's former leader. The church has confirmed that it will be restructuring its staff, which could involve layoffs, as they navigate ongoing changes and challenges. The church's leadership emphasized their commitment to their congregation during this transition, stating that they aim to strengthen relationships within their community while hosting only Sunday services at the majority of their Dallas-Fort Worth campuses. However, this change has not been without resistance; tensions have escalated within the church due to the ongoing legal issues associated with Morris and concerns from congregants regarding the handling of the situation by church leaders. As the reality of these developments continues to unfold, the repercussions of Morris's alleged actions and the church’s management strategies will likely shape the future of Gateway Church. This megachurch, which built its reputation over 25 years under Morris's leadership, now faces the daunting task of rebuilding trust and maintaining its community presence amidst a backdrop of turmoil and public scrutiny.