Churches should be the purest, safest, most sacrosanct spaces for adults and children alike, with the pastors of these institutions the most trusted, revered and upstanding of citizens.
After all, these individuals and houses of God carry with them the righteous responsibility of morally teaching, guiding and helping strengthen the theological tissues connecting human beings with the Almighty.
These duties are paramount, both requiring and breeding a deep amount of trust. This is why any claims of mistreatment, scandal and horror unfolding at the hands of preachers and inside the bowels of certain churches have such a visceral and emotional response.
Such infractions have an unparalleled spiritual element that cuts unimaginably deep, holding the power to shake people’s faith, repel new adherents and turn parishioners away from a relationship with the church — or even God.
Meanwhile, the direct victims are sometimes left with a lifetime of hurt, confusion and emotional turmoil.
The latest scandal involving Robert Morris, founder of Gateway Church in Southlake, Texas, has rocked both secular and Christian media. Mr. Morris, who is accused of molesting a 12-year-old girl decades ago when he was in his 20s, has resigned from his pastoral position.
Hear the story on “Higher Ground”:
In any context, such circumstances and the associated fallout would create chaos, but in the case of Gateway, the impact is even more immense due to the church’s size and scope.
The popular house of worship is one of America’s largest, boasting an estimated 100,000 parishioners across its numerous campuses. Plus, Mr. Morris is a well-known author and commentator, further complicating the matter.
Gateway parishioners were left with deep bewilderment and searing questions after Mr. Morris’ departure: How in the world do they make sense of the unthinkable? How can a man whom they trusted be accused of something so horrific — and why were the details apparently concealed for so many years?
These concerns were encapsulated by one longtime parishioner who recently told the Fort Worth Report, “I’m all for redemption, but you can’t have someone that’s a child pedophile be a leader in the church, period. That’s just uncalled for. It’s a complete nightmare.”
A nightmare indeed — one with a violent current of shockwaves that won’t let up.
Pastor Joakim Lundqvist, the guest preacher at Gateway on June 23 — the first week after Mr. Morris resigned — addressed these very issues, speaking to the beleaguered audience about how to move forward amid incomprehensible circumstances. It was a fitting message for such a time as this.
“When the unthinkable happens, stay close to Jesus,” Mr Lundqvist told those gathered. “Some people run away from Him when the unthinkable happens. Run to Him.”
“Coming to Jesus might not give you all the answers for all the questions that you have, but you know what? Answers will rarely heal our hearts. But the presence of Jesus will.”
Mr. Lundqvist’s message about “staying close to Jesus” also encouraged parishioners to cling to family, church and community. But it’s the first point about God that is truly central to the chaos surrounding Mr. Morris — or any other religious scandal for that matter.
Tragic and dreadful allegations like these tend to expose a dire danger unfolding in the hearts of too many Christians today: the human penchant for elevating people into the place of God.
Too often, pastors are given a unique status that leads us to subconsciously promote them to a level that, when left unchecked, can lead to faith in them rather than God himself. At the very least, pastors’ words can become gospel, as the actual Gospel becomes secondary.
Don’t get me wrong. Pastors are tasked with teaching the Bible and leading the flock, but this must be done in truth, goodness, morality and transparency. Church dynamics can quickly become problematic when theologies get muddied or when alleged abuse enters the picture.
Some institutions have historically opted for concealment and protection of leaders and past sins or crimes over truth — and that toxic dynamic can be a spiritual liquidator. In the case of Gateway, it’s not clear what unfolded, if these dynamics were at play, and who, if anyone, knew the allegations, but these questions only seem to be multiplying.
Meanwhile, it’s understandable why those watching might be disenchanted, angry and turned off, pondering how a supposed man of God could be potentially guilty of such things. Beyond that, the claim that some knew of molestation claims and allowed a person to remain in church leadership can reasonably erode trust in leaders.
But we must also remember that humans will sin, fail and fall short. Thus, they cannot be the focus of our adherence and reverence. Sadly, situations like the Morris saga will rock our faith, especially if it’s not truly rooted in the eternal.
Moments like these are opportunities to assess where we’re putting our hope and trust so we can cement a vertical faith dependent on transcendent truth and not human whims. Are we clinging to God or man? That’s the question Christians must consistently ask and answer.
Beyond the spiritual dynamics, these situations also expose a need within churches and institutions to have safety measures in place to not only prevent but to promptly expose and deal with such scenarios.
The church should be the safest of spaces, and we must take steps to ensure victims are heard, abuse is prevented, and truth triumphs over all else.
• Billy Hallowell is a digital TV host and interviewer for Faithwire and CBN News and the co-host of CBN’s “Quick Start Podcast.” Mr. Hallowell is the author of four books.
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