{Update 3/13/25} (2/2) Robert Morris Appears Alongside Former Friends to Fight a Civil Lawsuit Which Asks Him to Put His Money Where His Mouth Is. DoThey Want Permission to Lie in the Pulpit?

Posted on by March 13, 2025avatar

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“I’m not upset that you lied to me, I’m upset that from now on I can’t believe you.” ― Friedrich Nietzsche

Written before I heard about the criminal charges.

Update:

It looks like I missed this yesterday, given all the emails I received regarding Robert Morris. Here is the kind and lawyerly reply that overlooks what I said “appears to imply.”…It is unfortunate that this statement was sent to me around the revelation of Robert Morris’s arrest. As we say in the South, “Bless your heart.” I think the Christian faith could shine a bit brighter. The email I received today is as follows.

I sent you this statement from Hiram Sasser yesterday:

“First Liberty filed an amicus brief supporting Gateway Church and its motion to dismiss. The Ecclesiastical Abstention Doctrine, recognized by the Supreme Court since 1871, prohibits courts from getting involved in theological disputes between churches and members or former members.  We filed the amicus brief because this case has larger implications for all religious institutions and could create a dangerous precedent that invites theological disputes to become court disputes, chilling religious speech.”

I have yet to see that printed on your blog. Today we have also released this statement to reporters who have written about the story:

The statement that “First Liberty Institute supported Morris’ religious exemption claim” is FALSE. We filed in support of Gateway Church’s legal position. We did not file in support of Robert Morris. Please issue a retraction of your false statement and edit the online article. Hiram Sasser, Executive General Counsel, First Liberty Institute

John Manning
Media Manager
jmanning@firstliberty.orgFirst Liberty InstituteRestoring Religious Liberty for all Americans

Robert Morris appears to emerge from hiding to protect the money.

Robert Morris, who is currently under investigation for criminal charges due to his indefensible and disgusting 4 1/2-year molestation of Cindy Cleminshire, is pretty upset. It has nothing to do with his perverse libido. I still haven’t heard if he is upset about what he did. Somehow, I bet not. This time, it has to do with money. What a surprise… According to MinistryWatch in Class Action Lawsuit Filed Against Gateway Church:

Now, a class-action lawsuit has been filed against the church in federal court by members who are concerned about the stewardship of the money they contributed.

The lawsuit alleges that Morris and Gateway’s leadership represented that “15% of all tithe dollars would be distributed to global missions and Jewish ministry partners, encouraging church members to generously give toward these ends.”

Morris claimed in 2023 that Gateway had sent more than $25 million overseas, the lawsuit states.

However, the plaintiffs believe that was a misrepresentation, and they are seeking transparency about how the money was used.

The Dortch Lindstrom Livingstrom Lawgroup explains the lawsuit.

Dortch Lindstrom Livingstrom Lawgroup posted Gateway Church Faces Class Action Lawsuit Over Alleged Financial Misrepresentation, which does a good job of defining the issues involved. Attorney Micah Dortch of this law firm represents the congregants.

Potential Scale of Misallocation of Funds

Given Gateway Church’s size, with current and past membership exceeding 100,000, the plaintiffs estimate that the misallocated funds could total more than $15 million annually.

The following part of the DLL explanation makes me grin. It has to do with promises made. These promises gained traction in the 1990s, and Dee sat through one sermon in a church with a similar promise. She never returned to that church. These folks asked for their money back! Gateway was not amused and refused. So, they hired representation.

Breach of Promise and Refusal to Refund Tithes

The suit claims that Morris had previously promised in sermons that if congregants were unhappy with how their donations were used, they could get their money back. The plaintiffs allege this promise created a contract under Texas law, which was not honored when they sought answers and refunds. Despite repeatedly making this promise, the church has allegedly refused to return tithes to dissatisfied members, resulting in a lawsuit for breach of contract.

Attorney Dortch explained:

while churches have certain protections under the First Amendment, making explicit financial promises to a congregation opens up legal considerations.

Uh oh!

The plaintiffs’ demands:

 a jury trial, compensation for attorneys’ fees, and monetary relief expected to exceed $1 million. Additionally, the lawsuit seeks the return of tithes based on the pastor’s promise to refund anyone who wanted their money back for any reason.

Robert Morris wants this lawsuit dismissed so much he has reappeared.

I have heard all kinds of rumors of his whereabouts since he disappeared after I wrote Cindy Cleminishire’s story of her abuse. He was rumored to be in Greece, forced to sell his mansion in Southlake, and hiding in the Tetons and Lake Tahoe, yet nothing was confirmed. I wondered what might make him make a reappearance. Some claimed it would be at his son’s new church. As represented in this latest lawsuit,  the answer appears to concern money. (Doesn’t it always?) He wants this to go away, making me wonder if this lawsuit has some teeth.

The Christian Post posted Gateway Church’s Robert Morris asks court to dismiss lawsuit over money-back guarantee on tithes.

Robert Morris joined with other leaders and public interest law firm First Liberty Institute in asking a federal court to dismiss a class action lawsuit filed by four church members accusing the Southlake,

I wondered who else is named in the lawsuit.

CP wrote:

The lawsuit was filed in October 2024 by Gateway Church members Katherine Leach, Garry K. Leach, Mark Browder and Terri Browder. In addition to Morris and Gateway Church, it also names as defendants Tom Lane, a former executive pastor of Gateway Church; founding elder Steve Dulin; and Kevin Grove, who previously served as an executive global pastor and elder at Gateway Church and a trustee of The King’s University.

What do their attorneys have to say about this? Does this mean churches can lie about offering a “money-back guarantee” they do not intend to honor?

First, the “home state exception” makes little sense to me, but they know better. Where else should the DFW, Texas plaintiffs who went to a DFW Texas church file…North Dakota?

The attorneys, William B. Mateja, Elisha J. Kobre, and Jason C. Hoggan of Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP argue that the court lacks subject matter jurisdiction because of the “home state exception” in the Class Action Fairness Act. The exception allows a federal court to decline jurisdiction over a class action lawsuit if most of the plaintiffs are residents of the same state where the lawsuit was filed.

Second (and this made Dee laugh so hard it scared the pug), I’ll call it the “Churches can lie to you about how they use your money” rule. This rule should cause all churchgoers who care about their money to pause and consider giving elsewhere.

the court lacks jurisdiction over the lawsuit because the ecclesiastical abstention doctrine bars consideration of the claims because it would “require the Court to tread upon matters of religious doctrine and internal church governance.”

The members have no contract with the leadership?! Never forget my tirades on membership covenants as legal contracts that protect the church, not the member.

Charisma News posted Allegations Against Gateway Church, adding that there is no contract between church members and leadership.

Dee shook her head at this. As readers know, I have written that membership covenants are legal contracts protecting the church, not the member. This means the church can publicly discipline a member if such a contract exists. It seems like church members are the ones without any protection against the lies of church leaders. Remember this, boys and girls.

Morris’ attorneys also contend that the lawsuit fails to meet legal standards under Rule 9(b) and Rule 12(b)(6) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. They argue that the plaintiffs have not presented a viable claim, alleging that no enforceable contract existed between the church members and church leadership. Furthermore, they state that claims of conspiracy to breach a contract are not valid under Texas law and that some of the allegations fall outside the statute of limitations.

So God blessed Morris because he gave money to the church even though he molested a 12-year-old girl? Is that some whacked theology or what?

Here is Robert Morris in action (in case you forget what he was like.) Here is the “promise.” And the pastor of Willow Creek got sucked into the promise.

According to the lawsuit, this promise was repeated by Tom Lane and others. Talk about sheep being led to the slaughter…CP  states:

“This statement was repeated by Tom Lane, and the other defendants knew that the representation was false and made with the intention of inducing congregants to give money. Many people, have requested refund of their tithes only to be stonewalled and ignored by the defendants,” the lawsuit alleges.

“In fact, Plaintiff Katherine Leach has publicly and directly delivered a demand letter to Gateway for the return of her tithes pursuant to Gateway’s ‘money back guarantee.’ Gateway has not responded. This offer by Robert Morris and Tom Lane, made with the full knowledge and consent of the other defendants, created a contract under Texas law where a promise was made for consideration and that promise was not fulfilled,” it argues.

First Liberty Institute is taking the side of the pastors, which makes me wonder if they believe churches are free to lie through their teeth to their members.

According to CP:

In an amicus curiae in support of Gateway Church’s motion to dismiss the lawsuit, attorneys for the First Liberty Institute, which provides pro bono legal representation to individuals and institutions of all faiths on religious freedom matters, argue that if the case is not dismissed and is allowed to proceed, religious freedom would suffer.

“First Liberty … has a strong interest in the outcome of this litigation, because it will have an important precedential effect on the religious exercise of houses of worship. If courts are free to parse sermons to determine whether the pastor may have used language creating an implied contract, pastors will be unable to share their religious convictions freely without risking legal reprisal,” the law firm wrote.

I wrote a message to the First Liberty Institute, headed by Kelly Shackelford.

I write for The Wartburg Watch. Your argument to support Robert Morris et al. appears to imply that you support a church’s right to lie to its congregants. I am writing a post today, and I will post, verbatim, any response to my question.

Thank you
Dee Parsons
dee@thewartburgwatch.com

My opinion: May the plaintiffs prevail.

This lawsuit is justified. The plaintiffs attempted to get a return of their tithes, but the church refused. If the court decides in favor of Robert Morris and friends, it will have a chilling effect on the trust many have in the truthfulness of their pastors and leaders.

Comments

{Update 3/13/25} (2/2) Robert Morris Appears Alongside Former Friends to Fight a Civil Lawsuit Which Asks Him to Put His Money Where His Mouth Is. DoThey Want Permission to Lie in the Pulpit? — 38 Comments

  2. “The [home state] exception allows a federal court to decline jurisdiction over a class action lawsuit if most of the plaintiffs are residents of the same state where the lawsuit was filed.”
    My guess is that they are arguing that since most/all of the activity in question is within one state that the state courts and state law not federal courts and federal law apply.

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  4. “There’s no business
    Like show religion business”

    Doesn’t rhyme any more, but true nevertheless.

    Power attracts the corrupt and the corruptible, and money the grifters and con artists. In the religion sphere, add the more than usually gullible marks. As we have daily proof just by reading at Julie Roys’ site. Or by watching recent national events in the US of A.

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  6. So God blessed Morris because he gave money to the church even though he molested a 12-year-old girl? Is that some whacked theology or what?

    Remember Chuckles Mahaney holding up a five-six figure check and saying “THIS is hou you get invited back”?

    “Everybody’s got his price or a guy like me couldn’t exist.”
    — attr to Howard Hughes

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  10. I respect the courage and poise Cindy has shown to get the case this far, I doubt it will ever get to trial.

    Now that the case has some legs, Mike Flynn, Elon Musk, and the Evangelical church as a whole will turn their attack dogs on anyone who challenges their vision of the church. They can not afford an unfavorable precedence. There are a million places where a case like this can become quietly bogged down.

    Trump’s actions (like those of many church leaders) have shown that he believes a criminal in his pocket is much more useful than a criminal in jail. As such, I expect to see a variety of claims about how this case is discriminatory against Christians.

    I fully understand that this forum is meant to be apolitical. The reality of the situation is that politics is going to end up playing a significant role in this case, none of it in Cindy’s favor.

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  12. Muff Potter,

    well, i can say there’s a brainwashing component of some magnitude in all of christian church culture.

    from being a part of many churches from wide-ranging traditions/denominations, my view is none are exempt.

    yes, personal responsibility means the buck stops with each of us. (no pun intended)

    but it’s quite the cosmic scandal that church attenders/members/supporters do so with innocent and best intentions, trying to do right by God. And not even the church of Jesus of Nazareth can help but be cultic at their expense. (criminy, again no intended pun)

    (in the sense of manipulation and control)

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  19. dee,

    Dee, I understand if you block my comment…. no hard feelings…. but I think I understand what davewis is getting at….. (maybe you do to).
    But, Robert Morris was a “spiritual advisor” to a certain “politician” during his first term.
    I won’t be surprised if the trial just disappears, either.
    I certainly hope Morris gets convicted!

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  23. Nancy2(aka Kevlar): Dee, I understand if you block my comment…

    I rarely block anyone’s comment. Let me tell you my perspective, having been putting myself out there and often wondering if I would get sued, my family harassed, etc. When dealing with abuse of the kind that Cindy experienced, one finds the support of people on all sides of the political spectrum. This is going to be an unusual trial dealing with “frontier law” and a 12-year-old girl who was molested. I think the powerful politicians will avoid this one with a 10-foot pole and let it proceed.

    I have decided this is worth the discussion, even if it touches politics. I believe that the rats will desert the sinking ship and not touch this with a 10-foot pole (how’s that for using two old saws in the same sentence? :))

    They have pulled out of investigating the SBC. However, that does not involve one highly radioactive pastor, with many people who testify to the situation’s specifics. I am not happy about the SBC thing, but I understand that decision’s theoretical and political nature.

    So, I’m putting myself out here with a prediction. I think this one will go through. The OK state attorney is firmly behind the victim in this one. Let’s see if the bad guys interfere. I think not, but I may be proven wrong and will admit it if it happens.

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  25. Dee, I too understand if you do not approve this comment. But this case is going to be political no matter what. Here in the Ozarks religion and one certain side of politics here in the USA have gotten mixed into quite the pit of quicksand. If you object to one political side your very salvation is suspected. If you attend certain churches it is assumed your political leanings are to that side.

    Right now politics are playing the evangelical church for fools, bigly.

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  27. Max: They were mandated reporters of child abuse. Don’t call the church, call 911!

    Reporting to a mandatory reporter does not mean anything is going to be done.

    I started following this blog because Cindy’s story paralleled that of one of my high school friends. She was (what would currently be called groomed) and pressured into a sexual relationship with a church leader.

    She reported it to a high school teacher who reported it to the police. The police (all male, legally they were supposed to contact social service to provide an advocate) sat around interrogating and humiliating her while the police chief went to the priest’s home to ‘work things out.’

    The local ecumenical council circled the wagons. The girl and her family were pushed out of town. No charges were filed.

    My father, a prominent member of the community and school board member, successfully pressured the school district to fire the reporting teacher because he felt anyone willing to speak ill of the church should not be teaching children.

    Years and several relocations later, the priest was laicized for repeating the behavior. He was never charged, nor did he lose his church pension.

    The mental gymnastics that people are willing to do to ‘protect’ their valued institutions, be they political, governmental, religious, or educational, is concerning.

    @dee, I have watched my community and even my own family willingly throw away a young girl and anyone willing to stand up for her because it challenged their interests. I hope Cindy’s case is differnet.

    It took me years to come to peace with the situation…. Particularly since I have three daughters.

    My personal solution was to become an advisor for our local high school and middle school robotics teams. When I started 15 years ago, there were no girls. So, I made it my stated goal to bring more girls into the program.

    Robotics teams can be very valuable learning experiences for kids. They are a fun way to apply many of the math and science principles they are learning in school. They are a great way to develop problem-solving skills on complex systems. Successful team participation and a couple of cool projects for student portfolios are great additions for acceptance and scholarships when applying to colleges.

    Now, we are 50/50 in middle school and 60/40 girls to boys in middle school and high school.

    I can’t change the world, but I can teach young women problem-solving skills, the ability to work as a team, confidence, and resiliency while providing the tools to get into good universities and succeed on their own merit in a high-paying yet male-dominated field.

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  30. If its devastating for a good worker to be forced out of their job because of narcissistic bully that remains and gets promoted.
    How devastating and traumatising must it be for the victims of narcissistic predators when they witness & hear of their abuser going on with their lives and being supported in the process.
    Empathy and justice may not completely heal, but they do help.

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  34. linda: Right now politics are playing the evangelical church for fools, bigly.

    Remember the interpretation of Revelation where the Beast represents a corrupt political system and the False Prophet a corrupt religious system in cahoots?

    In all Christian Apolcalyptic tropes, which of the two is always the Boss and which is always the Sniveling Sideckick who THINKS he’s the Real Boss?

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  35. Headless Unicorn Guy,

    But in the Bible (which these dudes sometimes ostentatiously cite), isn’t the little guy just as much of an authority? If going to court to skew the Bible (instead of just saying they are too broke on this occasion), they are breaking their own “rule” about courts? Lewis Carroll had it in for such “writhing and fainting in coils”! Which we all got made to practise on stage (dared, groomed) in the 1980s!

    Animators / gatekeepers / regulars in all the Moral Majority-influenced churches in England (which means nearly all churches here) can’t hold rational intercourse with people who believe the meanings in the Bible and who use honest logic. Contortions have destroyed their very capacity to stand up.

    linda: politics are playing the evangelical church for fools

    Oh you mean that, 60 years on from Carl Henry and John Stott, the boot is now on the other foot?

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  36. linda: Here in the Ozarks religion and one certain side of politics here in the USA have gotten mixed into quite the pit of quicksand. If you object to one political side your very salvation is suspected.

    I fully expect “Gulf of Mexico or Gulf of AMERICA?” to become the next Litmus Test of your Salvation. (Just like “Happy Holidays or Merry CHRISTmas?” has been for years.)

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  37. Jeffrey Chalmers: They are “free” to say anything they want to from the pulpit without legal accountability..it really is quite a racket when “con artist” figure this out..

    They already have.
    What do you think keeps TWW (and other church corruption whistleblowers) in business?
    And it goes back a LONG time.
    There’s this book called the Didache, a document of church practices back from around the year 100. A third of that book is about “How to spot a Con Man in the pulpit.”

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