Judge Dismisses $100 Million Lawsuit Against Gateway Church and Robert Morris, Citing First Amendment Protections

In a significant legal development, a federal judge has dismissed a $100 million lawsuit against Gateway Church and its founder, Robert Morris, citing First Amendment protections. The lawsuit accused the church of misleading donors about the allocation of millions of dollars in tithes, alleging that funds promised for global missions and Jewish ministries were instead redirected without refunding dissatisfied donors.

The case, brought by plaintiffs Katherine and Garry Leach, and Mark and Terri Browder, was dismissed by U.S. District Judge Amos L. Mazzant on June 23. The judge ruled that the First Amendment’s church autonomy protections prevent civil courts from adjudicating disputes that delve into internal church decisions. This decision aligns with the recent Fifth Circuit ruling in McRaney v. North American Mission Board, which expanded the church autonomy doctrine, emphasizing that civil courts cannot resolve disputes involving internal church governance or ministry decisions.

Initially, Judge Mazzant allowed the lawsuit to proceed, believing the claims involved non-religious conduct. However, following the expanded opinion in the McRaney case, he concluded that dismissal was necessary. The plaintiffs had also expanded their complaint to include allegations under the federal Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act, accusing the church of using interstate communications to further an alleged fraudulent fundraising scheme. Nonetheless, the judge noted that the allegations did not claim that church leaders personally misappropriated funds, but rather that the funds were redirected to unspecified organizations.

This ruling represents another chapter in the ongoing legal and public scrutiny faced by Gateway Church, which has been grappling with one of the most significant scandals in American evangelicalism. Robert Morris resigned as the founding pastor in June 2024 following public accusations of sexual abuse, to which he later pleaded guilty to multiple felony counts.

As the church continues to navigate these challenges, the principles of accountability and justice remain central to the discourse. In the spirit of Micah 6:8, the community is reminded of the importance of acting justly, loving mercy, and walking humbly with God, even amidst complex legal and moral challenges.

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