Introduction to the Case
A federal judge has ruled against Gateway Church and Robert Morris, saying a lawsuit against them regarding the church’s use of tithing money can move forward.
Chief District Judge Amos Mazzant III denied on Wednesday requests from Gateway and Morris, the church’s founder, to dismiss the lawsuit, which was filed by former Gateway members. The judge, with the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas, also approved the ex-members’ request to add new former church members to the lawsuit.
Background of the Lawsuit
In the lawsuit, filed last October, former members of Gateway said they wanted their tithing money back. The lawsuit alleged that the church did not donate its tithing money to foreign missionary work as it had publicly promised. The lawsuit said Morris had given tithers a “money back” guarantee.
“We’re pleased that the court acknowledged the credibility of my clients’ claims, and the degree of damage done by Gateway’s leadership — not only financially but morally and ethically,” Micah Dortch, attorney for the plaintiffs, said Thursday. “We look forward to continuing to pursue these claims and hold a bright light on the actions of those responsible.”
Details of the Allegations
The former members’ lawsuit alleged that Gateway and Morris promised the congregation that at least 15% of all tithes, or donations made to the church by congregants, would be used for foreign missionary work. The lawsuit cited an unnamed person it described as a former public accountant at the church, and alleged that that person discovered “financial irregularities” in the church’s spending toward global missions.
The lawsuit said that when Gateway hired the accountant, the church’s annual revenue was “in the $100 million range and rose to about $120 million by 2014.” Fifteen percent of that amount would be $15 million to $18 million. The lawsuit does not say how much of Gateway’s total revenue came from tithes.
Response from the Church
A Gateway spokesperson declined to comment Thursday due to the ongoing litigation. An attorney for Morris did not immediately respond to a Thursday request for comment. Morris served as Gateway’s senior pastor until June 2024, when he resigned after an Oklahoma woman publicly accused him of sexually abusing her as a child in the 1980s.
In March, Morris was indicted on five counts of lewd or indecent acts to a child in Oklahoma. He made an initial court appearance in Osage County court in early May. He faces up to 20 years in prison for each of the five charges, according to the Oklahoma attorney general’s office. His arraignment is set for Oct. 2.
Current Status of the Church
Since Morris’ exit, Gateway has faced declining membership and giving and a reckoning over its culture. The church announced in June that it was laying off staff members due to “a significant drop” in tithes, or regular donations from members. It has also been sued by Cindy Clemishire, the Oklahoma woman who accused Morris of abusing her as a child. She alleged in a June lawsuit that Gateway and Morris defamed her.
Gateway’s new senior pastor, Daniel Floyd, took the helm of the church in August.
Conclusion
The lawsuit against Gateway Church and Robert Morris is a significant development in the ongoing saga surrounding the church’s use of tithing money. The court’s decision to allow the lawsuit to move forward is a major victory for the plaintiffs, who allege that the church and Morris engaged in misrepresentation, fraud, and breach of contract. As the case continues to unfold, it will be important to monitor the developments and see how the church and its leadership respond to the allegations.
FAQs
Q: What is the lawsuit against Gateway Church and Robert Morris about?
A: The lawsuit alleges that the church and Morris did not use tithing money as promised, and that they engaged in misrepresentation, fraud, and breach of contract to induce church members to donate money.
Q: How much money is at issue in the lawsuit?
A: The lawsuit alleges that at least 15% of all tithes, or donations made to the church by congregants, should have been used for foreign missionary work. This would be $15 million to $18 million based on the church’s annual revenue.
Q: What is the current status of the church?
A: Since Morris’ exit, Gateway has faced declining membership and giving and a reckoning over its culture. The church has laid off staff members and has been sued by Cindy Clemishire, the Oklahoma woman who accused Morris of abusing her as a child.
Q: What is the next step in the case?
A: The court will allow discovery to proceed in the case, which means Gateway
