Former Gateway Pastor Robert Morris Indicted by Oklahoma Grand Jury

Gateway Church founding pastor Robert Morris has been indicted by a grand jury in Oklahoma for five counts of lewd or indecent acts with a child.

Last year, Cindy Clemishire came forward with accusations that Morris had sexually abused her in the 1980s, starting when she was 12 years old. Morris was allegedly a 21-year-old visiting evangelist. He was married, and he and his wife had a young child.

On June 18, 2024, after Clemishire’s story was published by The Wartburg Watch, Morris resigned as pastor of his Texas megachurch.

In reaction to the indictment this week, Clemishire said, “After almost 43 years, the law has finally caught up with Robert Morris for the horrific crimes he committed against me as a child. Now, it is time for the legal system to hold him accountable. My family and I are deeply grateful to the authorities who have worked tirelessly to make this day possible and remain hopeful that justice will ultimately prevail.”

Former Gateway Pastor Robert Morris Indicted by Oklahoma Grand Jury – MinistryWatch

ministrywatch.com

 

[Batman]

I know many are already suspicious and jaded against televangelists, especially when it comes to the wallet grab. This is terrible and he deserves prison time. It happens inside the church way too much and it happens all over the planet even more "way too much" as well. I can't wait until the King of Kings and Lord of Lords has full control of the earth to stop this heinous act and all sin itself.

 

[Margery]

High time. The church he founded tried to sweep this under the rug multiple times.

 

[Ghoti Ichthus]

 

[KMendel]

He needs to be prosecuted here and now for his heinous crimes. I hope it happens.
I KNOW it will happen when he faces God. He will either be pardoned due to his faith in Jesus,
or he will spend eternity in a very dark place without forgiveness.

 

[1LoverofGod]

Robert Morris to spend 6 months in prison after pleading guilty to child sex abuse​

Robert Morris, the founder of Gateway Church in Southlake, Texas, will spend six months in prison as part of a 10-year suspended sentence after pleading guilty Thursday to sexually abusing the now 55-year-old Cindy Clemishire beginning when she was 12 in the 1980s.

"He simply accepted responsibility for his crime from the mid-1980's and pled guilty. He pled guilty because he wanted to accept responsibility for his conduct. While he believes that he long since accepted responsibility in the eyes of God — and that Gateway Church was a manifestation of that acceptance — he readily accepted responsibility in the eyes of the law by virtue of his guilty plea," Morris' lawyer Bill Mateja said in a statement after the hearing in Osage County Court, Oklahoma.

"He also pled guilty for the sake of finality. Not only did he want to bring this legal matter to a quick end for his own sake and that of his family, he brought it to a quick end for the sake of Ms. Clemishire and her family and he sincerely hopes that his plea and jail sentence coupled with probation brings Ms. Clemishire and her family the finality that they might need."

In addition to his six-month jail term and a 10-year suspended sentence, Morris will also have to pay $270,000 in restitution and register as a sex offender.

"Finally, I know I speak for Pastor Robert's lead counsel in this case, Mack Martin, (1) in saying that it's been a privilege to represent Pastor Morris and (2) in sharing that we're both witnesses to Pastor Robert being genuinely apologetic and sorry for his actions," Mateja said

Robert Morris to spend 6 months in prison after pleading guilty to child sex abuse

Robert Morris, the founder of Gateway Church in Southlake, Texas, will spend six months in prison as part of a 10-year suspended sentence after pleading guilty Thursday to sexually abusing the now

www.christianpost.com

 

[mattfivefour]

No stones from me. Just that it is a sad, sad end to a ministry. The court has spoken. But God will have the last word. Robert Morris is in His hands. And if God can save a wretch like me He can save anyone. My prayers are chiefly for his victim that she may be able to be fully healed by the grace of God. He alone can do it.

 

[Batman]

Is it just me or is 6 months way too lenient?

 

[Margery]

Is it just me or is 6 months way too lenient?

I think so from a legal pov.

The court has a 2 fold mission. To punish crime yes, but also and more importantly is to DETER future crimes on threat of punishment.

This fails. Both counts.

Cindy Clemishire (think that is her name) suffered MANY years, requiring a lot of therapy and likely still does. Years of permanent damage to her ability to trust pastors, God, the Church plus the medical costs for therapy. YEARS, vs MONTHS.

While as a Christian I agree that we should always be open and ready to accept sincere change this was anything but sincere.

When this was first brought before the church board it was swept aside, Clemishire was ignored.

BREAKING: Robert Morris Pleads Guilty to Sexually Abusing Cindy Clemishire

Robert Morris, the founder of Gateway Church in Dallas, pleaded guilty to sexually abusing Cindy Clemishire, beginning when she was just 12 years old.

julieroys.com

This article is from Julie Roys, a Christian Investigative Reporter. Her organization is TRR standing for The Roys Report.

The timeline shows that Morris continued to diminish what he did, refuse to pay for Clemishire's therapy which was costly. He had molested her (she was 12) over many years before it stopped, but even then he refused to take responsibility.

Plus both he and his lawyer threatened Clemishire, then tried to bribe her if she would just sign an NDA (non disclosure agreement)

Sadly he was still in that same refusal to take responsibility until the court case forced him to.

If Morris was sincere, he would have admitted it way back when it first came up. He waited till the court case forced him to and quite possibly that was to reduce his sentence! And he certainly wouldn't have threatened her, tried to bribe her and make her sign away her rights in an NDA!

Instead Morris got to show a little remorse, get time and restitution $ reduced.

The courts did finally uphold Clemishire's case and convicted Morris but only after decades of abuse, then denial of responsibility, gaslighting his victim, lying to the church all while his mega church expanded and grew along with his national prominence.

This stinks! But at least it's over and he is guilty. And the courts didn't allow him to get off due to Statute of Limitations (which his lawyer hoped) as this was found to not apply to him in this case.

From Julie's article: (remember she was 12 years old when this began in 1982)

Clemishire previously told TRR that the abuse began on Christmas night in 1982, when Morris, then a traveling evangelist in his early 20s, was staying with her family in Oklahoma and invited her to his room. There, Morris molested Clemishire......

.....Clemishire disclosed the abuse to her parents and church leaders in 1987. Morris then underwent a “restoration process” in the late 1980s and resumed ministry without the crimes ever being reported to police.


In 2005, as Morris gained national prominence, Clemishire sought money from Morris to cover therapy costs for her childhood trauma. Documents released to TRR show that Morris refused to pay Clemishire any money and warned that she could be criminally prosecuted for trying to get “money under a threat of exposure.”


But in 2007, Clemishire hired a lawyer—now Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond—to threaten Morris with a lawsuit if he didn’t reimburse her for thousands spent in counseling.


Clemishire told TRR that Morris’ lawyer “attempted to blame (her) for the abuse.” Morris offered Clemishire $25,000, contingent on a nondisclosure agreement, which Clemishire refused. This caused negotiations to collapse.


But in March of this year, Drummond’s office indicted Morris for crimes against Clemishire. Prior to the indictment, it was thought that criminal charges could not be brought because the statute of limitations had expired in this case.


However, the statute of limitations “is not applicable in this case because Morris was not a resident or inhabitant of Oklahoma at any time,” Drummond stated at the time.


Today, Drummond issued a strong statement against Morris.


“There can be no tolerance for those who sexually prey on children,” said Drummond said. “This case is all the more despicable because the perpetrator was a pastor who exploited his position of trust and authority. The victim in this case has waited far too many years for this day.”


As previously reported by TRR, numerous former elders at Gateway, as well as several prominent Christian leaders, knew about Morris’ abuse of Clemishire for decades.

 

[Margery]

"He also pled guilty for the sake of finality. Not only did he want to bring this legal matter to a quick end for his own sake and that of his family, he brought it to a quick end for the sake of Ms. Clemishire and her family and he sincerely hopes that his plea and jail sentence coupled with probation brings Ms. Clemishire and her family the finality that they might need."

In addition to his six-month jail term and a 10-year suspended sentence, Morris will also have to pay $270,000 in restitution and register as a sex offender.

"Finally, I know I speak for Pastor Robert's lead counsel in this case, Mack Martin, (1) in saying that it's been a privilege to represent Pastor Morris and (2) in sharing that we're both witnesses to Pastor Robert being genuinely apologetic and sorry for his actions," Mateja said

1 he pled guilty because the evidence was overwhelming

2 these lawyers speaking for Morris twisted this: by saying that their client was genuinely apologetic and sorry (oh and they were privileged to serve such a fine pastor)

If he was genuinely sorry this would have been over DECADES AGO!

Morris is just sorry he got caught, and that the court didn't believe his lies.

 

[Ghoti Ichthus]

A civil suit can be filed based on a criminal conviction.

The standard of proof in a civil cases is preponderance of evidence, which is far lower than the criminal requirement of beyond a reasonable doubt. Regardless of whether the case is bench trial (judge alone) or jury trial, both compensatory and punitive damages can be awarded to the plaintiff.

Sometimes Earthly justice has to be pursued in stages.

 

[1LoverofGod]

I see it this way.
When sin or wrong doing is committed there are consequences, both from secular laws and from God.
Repentence from sin and wrong doing towards God, is met with grace from God, but consequences may still apply in secular laws that God will permit as a way to lead the repented one to consciously not repeat the offense
Morris is said to feel sorry.
Sorry is a form of remorse, or regret, but it has to also come with repentence, a turning around, and getting right with God again.
We cant read this man's heart.
Only God knows his heart.

 

[Margery]

Quite true, God knows the heart, we don't. We are not to judge the heart. Our judgments are too harsh for the heart. And God knows if Morris is truly repentant.

But we can "judge them by their fruits" Matthew 7:16-20 which is after the "Judge Not that Ye Be Not Judged" verse that shows up in Mt 7:1

It's about judging the wolves among the flock, the false prophets- they come in sheep's clothing but inside they are wolves

15 “Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves.
16 By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles?
17 Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit.
18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit.
19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.
20 Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.

The way those two seemingly opposing passages are reconciled is that very thing.

I ran into this with that church in the 90's that went really bad. They taught a lot about not judging the leaders - they claimed that they sat in the seat of Moses. I dared to "judge" them when I pointed out things that were deeply wrong and spoke of it openly. The thing that set me free from the fear of judging improperly was Jesus explaining that we are to watch out for false prophets coming in sheep's clothing, who are wolves at heart.

When I saw that this fruit judgment was commanded, in the same chapter that Jesus said not to judge, I had to figure it out. This was a seeming contradiction.

God knows the heart, and He alone can judge the heart and motives.

But we are to judge by the fruits that we see- which is a fair balance. This is judging the open evidence.

This means that we leave the motives and the heart to God to judge but we weigh the evidence in a case (by the mouths of 2 or 3 witnesses) to determine the legal consequences

and in the case of the church, to determine whether a pastor who falls like this should ever be allowed back.



Paul scolds the Corinthian church for NOT judging the sin that was openly among them. It's notable that this was sexual sin, where a man was sleeping with his father's wife. The whole of chapter 5 brings a balance.

Paul sums it up here:

1Cor 5: 9-13
9I wrote to you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people—

10 not at all meaning the people of this world who are immoral, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters. In that case you would have to leave this world.

11 But now I am writing to you that you must not associate with anyone who claims to be a brother or sister but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or slanderer, a drunkard or swindler. Do not even eat with such people.

12 What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside?

13 God will judge those outside. “Expel the wicked person from among you.”




Paul saw that they were giving this man a pass, letting it go just as the elders of the church who knew of this molestation of Clemeshire from 1987 onwards who gave Morris a pass. They did what that Corinthian church did, only worse, they put him back in the pulpit, in a place of authority. 1 Tim 3:2-12 gives the outline of who can be appointed to leadership within the church.



Timeline:

She was 12 in 1982, she disclosed the abuse to her parents in 1987, five years later at the age of 17. They brought it before the church. The elders did some kind of "restoration" process in the late 80's allowing him back in the pulpit without ever reporting these crimes to the police. At that time he "confessed" to lesser stuff, and it was he said, she said. The elders accepted his partial confession at face value. No particular penalty attached to him as he was "restored" to the office of pastor.

His victim went to therapy and as he rose to prominence in 2005 she approached him to pay for her therapy costs.

His response in 2005 was to threaten her with criminal prosecution for attempted extortion.

In 2007 she hired a lawyer, and Morris then offered her (thru his lawyer) $25,000 if she would sign a NDA (non disclosure agreement). She refused to sign any NDA and talks broke off.

2024 this starts to gain traction as Julie Roys and Wartburg both report on this case

March of 2025 - this spring Morris tries to use a loophole, with the Statute of Limitations again trying to dismiss the charges. This doesn't work and the case goes to trial.



It is only at the trial when the evidence is admitted, showing his guilt that Morris then decides finally after 43 years of denial to plead guilty to "spare" her.

After 43 years of her seeking justice, first from the church, then from the courts.

It's only when sentencing is being determined that Morris apologizes to her and pleads guilty. After 43 years of lying about her claims, denying her financial help for therapy and threatening her with the charge of extortion that he "spares" her.

The fruits here are clear.

Morris behaved like a wolf in sheep's clothing. He took a little 12 year old girl (he was a married man with a wife at that very time) to enjoy, just like a wolf would pick off a lamb to eat. He avoided any serious consequences, lying and threatening his victim to do so.


God is well able to forgive, and perhaps finally when he sees the damage he's caused, he will really understand what his sin is. Meanwhile I am very glad to see justice being done. Even if it's only 6 months in jail and some money to pay for her therapy. She's struggled for 43 years.




My ex pastor from that church in the 90's was very fond of blanket statements that admitted nothing- "IF I have wronged any of you, I am truly sorry!" he would say, before preaching on the seat of Moses explaining that we who held him to account were like those complainers and murmurers in the desert who complained against Moses (and died).

I remember well that several times he hinted that God took care of those who persisted in "slandering" him and his ministry. The threat was there. You were playing with fire to dare to hold him to account.

I cheerfully sent out 88 letters explaining exactly what the evidence I had was, and let 'er rip. I was scared but I kept feeling that it was more important to obey God than some man who landed in a pulpit and abused that authority. I even promised to reply to any responses and send those out which I did. The number grew well over 100 and it was circulated all around Prince George BC, reaching many who had been hurt and damaged by him in the past.

G and I and the kids were excommunicated in the late spring of 1998 from the pulpit as a result and he told everyone NOT to read the letters that I'd sent to the elders, the board, the ACOP ministerial headquarters (manned by his friends and cronies) and everyone else that deserved an explanation of why we left.

That broke my health, that was when the symptoms of this disease I have began, but I gained so much more in my understanding of the Word and of true fellowship and true shepherds and pastors. I learned to lean on God for my everyday needs. I learned the Bible finally in a much better closer way.

 

[1LoverofGod]

Quite true, God knows the heart, we don't. We are not to judge the heart. Our judgments are too harsh for the heart. And God knows if Morris is truly repentant.

But we can "judge them by their fruits" Matthew 7:16-20 which is after the "Judge Not that Ye Be Not Judged" verse that shows up in Mt 7:1

It's about judging the wolves among the flock, the false prophets- they come in sheep's clothing but inside they are wolves

15 “Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves.
16 By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles?
17 Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit.
18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit.
19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.
20 Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.

The way those two seemingly opposing passages are reconciled is that very thing.

I ran into this with that church in the 90's that went really bad. They taught a lot about not judging the leaders - they claimed that they sat in the seat of Moses. I dared to "judge" them when I pointed out things that were deeply wrong and spoke of it openly. The thing that set me free from the fear of judging improperly was Jesus explaining that we are to watch out for false prophets coming in sheep's clothing, who are wolves at heart.

When I saw that this fruit judgment was commanded, in the same chapter that Jesus said not to judge, I had to figure it out. This was a seeming contradiction.

God knows the heart, and He alone can judge the heart and motives.

But we are to judge by the fruits that we see- which is a fair balance. This is judging the open evidence.

This means that we leave the motives and the heart to God to judge but we weigh the evidence in a case (by the mouths of 2 or 3 witnesses) to determine the legal consequences

and in the case of the church, to determine whether a pastor who falls like this should ever be allowed back.



Paul scolds the Corinthian church for NOT judging the sin that was openly among them. It's notable that this was sexual sin, where a man was sleeping with his father's wife. The whole of chapter 5 brings a balance.

Paul sums it up here:

1Cor 5: 9-13
9I wrote to you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people—

10 not at all meaning the people of this world who are immoral, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters. In that case you would have to leave this world.

11 But now I am writing to you that you must not associate with anyone who claims to be a brother or sister but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or slanderer, a drunkard or swindler. Do not even eat with such people.

12 What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside?

13 God will judge those outside. “Expel the wicked person from among you.”




Paul saw that they were giving this man a pass, letting it go just as the elders of the church who knew of this molestation of Clemeshire from 1987 onwards who gave Morris a pass. They did what that Corinthian church did, only worse, they put him back in the pulpit, in a place of authority. 1 Tim 3:2-12 gives the outline of who can be appointed to leadership within the church.



Timeline:

She was 12 in 1982, she disclosed the abuse to her parents in 1987, five years later at the age of 17. They brought it before the church. The elders did some kind of "restoration" process in the late 80's allowing him back in the pulpit without ever reporting these crimes to the police. At that time he "confessed" to lesser stuff, and it was he said, she said. The elders accepted his partial confession at face value. No particular penalty attached to him as he was "restored" to the office of pastor.

His victim went to therapy and as he rose to prominence in 2005 she approached him to pay for her therapy costs.

His response in 2005 was to threaten her with criminal prosecution for attempted extortion.

In 2007 she hired a lawyer, and Morris then offered her (thru his lawyer) $25,000 if she would sign a NDA (non disclosure agreement). She refused to sign any NDA and talks broke off.

2024 this starts to gain traction as Julie Roys and Wartburg both report on this case

March of 2025 - this spring Morris tries to use a loophole, with the Statute of Limitations again trying to dismiss the charges. This doesn't work and the case goes to trial.



It is only at the trial when the evidence is admitted, showing his guilt that Morris then decides finally after 43 years of denial to plead guilty to "spare" her.

After 43 years of her seeking justice, first from the church, then from the courts.

It's only when sentencing is being determined that Morris apologizes to her and pleads guilty. After 43 years of lying about her claims, denying her financial help for therapy and threatening her with the charge of extortion that he "spares" her.

The fruits here are clear.

Morris behaved like a wolf in sheep's clothing. He took a little 12 year old girl (he was a married man with a wife at that very time) to enjoy, just like a wolf would pick off a lamb to eat. He avoided any serious consequences, lying and threatening his victim to do so.


God is well able to forgive, and perhaps finally when he sees the damage he's caused, he will really understand what his sin is. Meanwhile I am very glad to see justice being done. Even if it's only 6 months in jail and some money to pay for her therapy. She's struggled for 43 years.




My ex pastor from that church in the 90's was very fond of blanket statements that admitted nothing- "IF I have wronged any of you, I am truly sorry!" he would say, before preaching on the seat of Moses explaining that we who held him to account were like those complainers and murmurers in the desert who complained against Moses (and died).

I remember well that several times he hinted that God took care of those who persisted in "slandering" him and his ministry. The threat was there. You were playing with fire to dare to hold him to account.

I cheerfully sent out 88 letters explaining exactly what the evidence I had was, and let 'er rip. I was scared but I kept feeling that it was more important to obey God than some man who landed in a pulpit and abused that authority. I even promised to reply to any responses and send those out which I did. The number grew well over 100 and it was circulated all around Prince George BC, reaching many who had been hurt and damaged by him in the past.

G and I and the kids were excommunicated in the late spring of 1998 from the pulpit as a result and he told everyone NOT to read the letters that I'd sent to the elders, the board, the ACOP ministerial headquarters (manned by his friends and cronies) and everyone else that deserved an explanation of why we left.

That broke my health, that was when the symptoms of this disease I have began, but I gained so much more in my understanding of the Word and of true fellowship and true shepherds and pastors. I learned to lean on God for my everyday needs. I learned the Bible finally in a much better closer way.

You're right. Wolves should be judged for what they are. But I would think even wolves can repent and turn to Jesus for salvation.
" For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." John 3:16

"The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance."
2 Peter 3:9

My heart goes out to the victims of his egregious acts, and for those whom he misled from the pulpit.
May God heal their wounds and lift the burdens they have carried, and bring healing to them, and give them His peace

 

[Margery]

You're right. Wolves should be judged for what they are. But I would think even wolves can repent and turn to Jesus for salvation.
" For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." John 3:16

"The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance."
2 Peter 3:9

My heart goes out to the victims of his egregious acts, and for those whom he misled from the pulpit.
May God heal their wounds and lift the burdens they have carried, and bring healing to them, and give them His peace

Indeed even the wolves can repent! Stephen was murdered, Paul was in the crowd as an accessory, giving hearty approval. God caught up with Paul, and that wolf who ripped into the early church horribly, was forgiven and given a ministry that affects us to this day.

That is why we can confidently say that there is NOTHING that Jesus won't forgive (other than the sin of blaspheming the Holy Spirit).

Forgiveness is complete at the cross.

The ongoing work of sanctification has us realizing the sins we commit, and repenting, and learning to steer away from those sins but the Cross covered all from the moment we believed, everything we had ever done, or would ever do.

 

[dwb]

"Finally, I know I speak for Pastor Robert's lead counsel in this case, Mack Martin, (1) in saying that it's been a privilege to represent Pastor Morris and (2) in sharing that we're both witnesses to Pastor Robert being genuinely apologetic and sorry for his actions," Mateja said

He's just sorry he got caught. If he were truly sorry he would have done the right thing when his victim asked for help with treatment. But instead he offered her a small amount and wanted her to sign an NDA to keep from being held responsible.

And I agree that 10 months is not adequate for 40 something years of trauma.

 

[Margery]

Paul goes on in 2 Corinthians 7: 8-11 to deal with the concept of Godly Sorrow- that sorrow that leads to repentance. Paul contrasts it with worldly sorrow that just brings death. The contrast shows that repentance is not part of that Worldly type of Sorrow. And Paul uses a slightly different word for sorrow that carries with it a grudging sense when combined as worldly sorrow. Lupe sorrow -grudging of the world Kosmos. Rather than the godly form of sorrow Lupeo in a godly manner Theos

I remember a sermon on that that touched me deeply. The preacher explained the term metanoia which is that godly sorrow that leads to true repentance. He said Paul is contrasting that type of repentance, a godly sorrow that results in a turning away from sin to the type of worldly sorrow that is just sorry for being caught. No real repentance, just an anger at those who accuse, those who hold accountable and a sorrow directed at self, not the victim of our sin.

8 Even if I caused you sorrow (lupeo) by my letter, I do not regret (metamellomai) it. Though I did regret it—I see that my letter hurt you, but only for a little while—

9 yet now I am happy, not because you were made sorry (lupeo), but because your sorrow (lupeo) led you to repentance(metanoia). For you became sorrowful (lupeo) as God intended and so were not harmed in any way by us.

10 Godly sorrow (theos lupeo) brings repentance (here is where Paul first uses that term metanoia) that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow (lupe, kosmos) brings death.

11 See what this godly sorrow (theos lupeo) has produced in you: what earnestness, what eagerness to clear yourselves, what indignation, what alarm, what longing, what concern, what readiness to see justice done. At every point you have proved yourselves to be innocent in this matter.

In that passage he is dealing with the same issue- the man they allowed in church who was committing incest with his father's wife. Now the church has dealt with the sin, and Paul is explaining that their sorrow is godly, - it brought about repentance. He contrasts it with the worldly form of sorrow that doesn't actually repent.



metanoia Strongs 3341

met-an'-oy-ah

From G3340; (subjectively) compunction (for guilt, including reformation); by implication reversal (of [another’s] decision): - repentance.
but Metanoia is Repentance.

Paul puts metanoia in the middle. A true turning away from something which comes from godly sorrow.

This is contrasted by worldly sorrow which doesn't involve repentance. So that preacher explained it as the kind of sorry for oneself that one was caught, not sorry enough to repent. Just sad that one is caught.

theos

theh'-os

Of uncertain affinity; a deity, especially (with G3588) thesupreme Divinity; figuratively a magistrate; by Hebraism very: - X exceeding, God, god [-ly, -ward].

lupeō

loo-peh'-o

From G3077; to distress; reflexively or passively to be sad: - cause grief, grieve, be in heaviness, (be) sorrow (-ful), be (make) sorry.

and

vs 10 has

lupē

loo'-pay

Apparently a primary word; sadness: - grief, grievous, + grudgingly, heaviness, sorrow.

while

kosmos

kos'-mos

Probably from the base of G2865; orderly arrangement, that is, decoration; by implication the world (in a wide or narrow sense, including its inhabitants, literally or figuratively [morally]): - adorning, world.

The use of Lupe with Kosmos for worldly sorrow instead of Lupeo with Theos that indicates godly sorrow further brings out a difference, slight but there.

And Paul uses this word here translated as regret in vs 8 both times
metamellomai

met-am-el'-lom-ahee

From G3326 and the middle of G3199; to care afterwards, that is, regret: - repent (self).

 

[Hol]

This article is from Julie Roys, a Christian Investigative Reporter. Her organization is TRR standing for The Roys Report.

Thanks for the link, she’s got lots of stories to tell. Most make me squeamish.

Mike Winger has been exposing several wolves in sheep’s clothing. I think lots of us were burned with Ravi Zacharias.

As I began to read the article at the link my mindset was to view Morris through the eyes of grace, yet in the back of my mind I kept thinking ‘why didn’t apologize to her sooner?,’ and as you point out, it’s his lawyers who claim he’s repentant.

Now I get it.

 

[Everlasting Life]

I'm not surprised at all. Upon comparing his teachings with scripture it became apparent he's a false teacher. This is where knowing God's word saves one from a lot of heartache (not saying this in regards to the woman treated badly as a child....she was taken advantage of).

I had to research this guy (I always, ALWAYS do) because of some comments a sweet older Christian woman made about him and tithing to keep Satan at bay, which set red flags and bells and whistles going. She was really held in the grip of guilt and fear!! But, 2 Tim 1:7 says:

For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.

I immediately warned the group she was recommending this guy to, that this teaching didn't sound right and to be very careful (based on what scripture actually says).

Later in researching, I learned he was a prosperity 'gospel' false teacher, who greatly used guilt tripping and fear of satanic activity in one's life to draw in massive amounts of money through tithes. He misapplied Old Testament Scriptures that commanded 10% of one's income to the Church Age, ignoring all of Paul's New Testament teaching to give as one is led by the Lord and only as one is able:

Whatever you give is acceptable if you give it eagerly. And give according to what you have, not what you don’t have. Of course, I don’t mean your giving should make life easy for others and hard for yourselves. I only mean that there should be some equality. Right now you have plenty and can help those who are in need. Later, they will have plenty and can share with you when you need it. In this way, things will be equal.

2 Corinthians 8:12-14


You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. “For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.”

2 Corinthian 9:7

False teaching often seems to be the tip of the iceberg in regards to abuse.

 

[TCC]

I know many are already suspicious and jaded against televangelists, especially when it comes to the wallet grab. This is terrible and he deserves prison time. It happens inside the church way too much and it happens all over the planet even more "way too much" as well. I can't wait until the King of Kings and Lord of Lords has full control of the earth to stop this heinous act and all sin itself.

As a reminder...

US Southern Baptist churches facing ‘apocalypse’ over sexual abuse scandal

A report named hundreds of church leaders accused or found guilty of abusing children and says survivors were mistreated

www.theguardian.com

To this day...it all kinda got mitigated to the weigh side because of SB leadership steering it away from controversy.