The church didn’t specify how many staff members would be laid off.
SOUTHLAKE, Texas — Gateway Church confirmed Wednesday it’s laying off staff amid the child sexual abuse allegation against its founder and former pastor Robert Morris and a drop in donations.
The Southlake megachurch confirmed the layoffs in an email to members of the church, but didn’t specify how many people would be laid off or when they would be laid off.
“Over the last year, tithing has not mirrored attendance, given the ongoing issues related to the Church’s former pastor, and that has led to a significant drop in giving levels,” the email, attributed to the church’s elders, said. “Given our current financial reality, we are assessing our budget and strategizing the best way to continue intentionally moving forward and building a sustainable foundation for Gateway’s next season of ministry. During this evaluation process, it has become clear that restructuring our staffing is necessary, requiring the tough but necessary step of staff reduction.”
The church elders added in their letter that the layoffs are “not a reflection of the faithfulness, talent, or impact of those affected.”
“Every staff member has contributed in meaningful ways to God’s work through this church, and we are heartbroken that this will mean difficult transitions for some of the beloved individuals who have faithfully served on staff at Gateway Church,” the letter continued.
The church had previously announced plans to cut staff in November after reporting tithes, or voluntary donations from church members, had dropped 30-40%. That same month, multiple church elders were removed following a four-month internal investigation into the sexual abuse allegations against Morris.
Cindy Clemishire last year accused Morris of sexually abusing her in Oklahoma in the 1980s, starting when she was 12 and he was 22, working as a traveling evangelist.
Morris admitted to “inappropriate sexual behavior” days after Clemishire’s accusations became public in June 2024 and resigned as pastor of the Gateway Church in Southlake last summer.
Morris was then indicted in March in Oklahoma on five counts of lewd or indecent acts with a child in connection with the allegations.
Last month, Robert Morris sued Gateway Church, arguing the church owes him more than $1 million in deferred compensation and additional retirement benefits estimated at $600,000 to $800,000 and that several church elders knew about Morris’ alleged sexual encounters with an underage girl.
Then, last week, Clemishire filed a defamation lawsuit against Morris, his wife, and church leadership, claiming they knowingly spread false statements to cover up the alleged abuse and protect the church’s public image.