Former members of Gateway Church ask federal court to revive tithe lawsuit

Former members of the Southlake-based Gateway Church are seeking to revive a federal lawsuit alleging misuse of millions of dollars in tithe funds. According to court documents, the original case was dismissed by an East Texas judge in June under the ecclesiastical abstention doctrine, which grants First Amendment protection preventing civil courts from resolving internal religious disputes. Plaintiffs claimed church leaders, including former lead pastor Robert Morris, diverted 15% of money earmarked for global missions and Jewish ministry partners without fulfilling their promises.
Bill Mateja, an attorney representing Morris, stated the dismissal was expected, emphasizing that courts lack jurisdiction over church governance matters. “Just as we were confident that the trial court would dismiss the case because courts of law have no business adjudicating matters of the church and church business, we’re equally confident that the court of appeals will do the same,” Mateja said. The legal dismissal underscores the principle that religious organizations manage their finances according to their own doctrines and commitments, separate from civil legal processes.
The lawsuit’s revival comes nearly a year after Morris resigned from Gateway in June 2024 following allegations of sexual abuse against a 12-year-old girl in the 1980s. Morris subsequently pleaded guilty to related charges in Oklahoma and served a six-month sentence, being released in March. Despite Morris’s departure, the church maintains that during his tenure as Senior Pastor, tithe monies were “faithfully and properly stewarded,” aligning with Micah 6:8’s call for justly managing resources. The church asserts that every donation was directed toward its stated global missions and charitable purposes.
The core of the former members’ allegations revolves around the church’s handling of funds designated for international missionary work. They argue that Gateway leaders misled the congregation into believing these contributions would be used as promised, citing concerns about financial transparency and accountability. Proverbs 11:1 suggests that integrity in financial stewardship is a matter of moral accountability, a theme central to the legal challenge.
The ecclesiastical abstention doctrine, while protecting religious autonomy, also raises questions about institutional oversight and the accountability expected of religious leaders. Luke 12:48 reminds those entrusted with leadership responsibilities that they will be held accountable for how they manage resources and fulfill commitments. The legal dismissal, however, prevents a court from directly addressing these claims of misconduct and mismanagement.
Reviving the lawsuit requires the court of appeals to reconsider the application of the ecclesiastical doctrine in this specific case. The former members’ legal action seeks to establish whether the alleged financial practices constitute a matter amenable to civil court scrutiny, or if they fall under the protected realm of internal church affairs. The outcome will depend on how the court interprets the boundaries between religious governance and financial accountability.

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