Gateway Church, a prominent megachurch in Southlake, Texas, is facing a new legal challenge after four members filed a class action lawsuit alleging misuse of tithe money.
The lawsuit, filed by Katherine and Garry Leach, along with Mark and Terri Browder, claims that Gateway Church, under the leadership of disgraced founder Robert Morris and other top leaders, failed to honor promises of transparency and accountability regarding church funds. Specifically, the members allege the church did not allocate 15% of tithes to global missions and Jewish ministry partners, as previously stated.
The lawsuit accuses Gateway Church leaders, including Morris, former executive pastor Tom Lane, and current executive global pastor Kevin Grove, of fraud, misrepresentation and breach of contract. The plaintiffs argue that despite assurances from Morris that dissatisfied members could receive a refund of their tithes, these promises were not upheld. The legal filing states, “This lawsuit is about transparency, brought by members whose concern is not money in their pockets but rather biblical stewardship.”
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The case also highlights concerns about Gateway’s Global Ministries fund, which the church claimed would receive 15% of tithe dollars. However, the plaintiffs allege that Gateway failed to prove these funds were distributed as promised, and attempts to seek transparency were “rebuffed by Gateway elders.”
In response to the allegations, Gateway Church spokesman Lawrence Swicegood declined to comment on the specifics of the lawsuit, citing the ongoing litigation. He emphasized the church’s commitment to ethical financial practices, saying, “Funds donated to our church are sacred, and it is important that we hold ourselves to the highest biblical standards of ethics and integrity.”
As reported by The Christian Post, “The church members contend that despite repeated promises from Morris and other leaders that congregants would get a refund of their tithes if they weren’t happy with the results of their donations, Gateway Church leaders refused to honor that promise.”
This lawsuit comes at a difficult time for Gateway Church, which already was dealing with the fallout from Morris’ resignation in June. Morris stepped down after it came to light he had been sexually abusing a child in the 1980s, Cindy Clemishire, who was 12 years old at the time the abuse began, adding to the church’s mounting challenges.
As the legal battle unfolds, lift up the community of Gateway Church in prayer. Pray for healing and clarity for the church as their community faces another painful situation, and that the Lord’s will be done in all things.
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James Lasher is staff writer for Charisma Media.
