Namely, out of the 2,000 megachurches with at least 100,000 members, Gateway Church from Southlake, Texas is the one that has caught so many people’s attention recently, but why exactly? Well, first of all, for those who don’t know yet, it was founded in 2000 by Pastor Robert Morris, who made it grow very quickly. Though, Morris resigned in June 2024, under charges of sexually abusing a minor in the 1980s, you know? So yes, all these incidents, apart from the other leadership and financial issues have increased curiosity in the church, and that is precisely what we will be talking about today.
So, Why’s There Is This Lawsuit?
In October 2024 we heard some members from Gateway Church had filed a class-action lawsuit, did you hear about that too? Well, the lawsuit was about the allegations that the church had given false information to its members regarding the utilization of their donations, like tithes for instance, you know? And just so you know, Tithing is when the members give a portion of their income to the church, normally 10%. According to the lawsuit, under the leadership of Robert Morris, the church implied that a portion of these tithes would be allocated to global missions and Jewish ministries, though, it is fair to say at this point that members however are doubtful that this promise was kept.
What Are The Key Allegations Against Gateway Church?
Well, it is the allegation that the church, Gateway allegedly made adjustments to their payment structure which consisted of a large percentage of the tithes that were supposed to be used for the dissemination of Christianity and the supporting of Jewish missions. Though, it was also pointed out that a former CPA of the church confirmed that only $3 million out of the annual $100 million revenue from Gateway was actually allocated to them in a tiny proportion that was promised, you know?
Second, the case represents a challenge to the money-back guarantee given by the church on tithes. Like, Robert Morris had made it clear that anyone who was unhappy with the use of their tithe could refund it after a year. This promise was quite often a point of focus in the sermons. Nevertheless, as per the lawsuit, the church disregarded or rejected such members who tried to cash out. So, that’s pretty much the story or behind the scenes, and why things have gotten to this level.
Gateway Church’s Response
Though, it is true that Gateway Church has been very vocal in its accusations, we can say that for sure. Like, it says there is no better way to convey how it has always kept financial management free from all types of unwanted information than through the financial reports that have been made by independent auditors since 2005. These reports state that global ministry programs received between 17% and 24% of total earnings each year, which is more than the amount committed (15%). Also, the church is supported by the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability (ECFA), which acts as a middleman, reviewing the church’s financial dealings and other activities.
