Op-Ed: The Steve Lawson Termination Statement Muddies the Waters in Three Ways
Yesterday we learned the devastating news that Pastor Steve Lawson of Trinity Bible Church of Dallas was removed from the pastorate and released from his teaching position at Ligonier Ministries and The Master’s Seminary. Lawson was much-loved and well-respected, and his actions has left many reeling.
But the statement about his departure, which the crafters would have known would be seen by millions of broken-hearted people, leaves much to be desired. It uses language that does not clarify but confuses, inviting conjecture and speculation where as little as possible should be. The relevant portion reads:
The elders at Trinity Bible Church of Dallas regretfully announce that effective immediately, Steven J. Lawson has been removed indefinitely from all ministry activities at Trinity Bible Church of Dallas. Several days ago, the elders at Trinity Bible Church of Dallas were informed by Steve Lawson of an inappropriate relationship that he has had with a woman. The elders have met with Steve and will continue to come alongside him and pray for him with the ultimate goal of his personal repentance. Steve will no longer be compensated by Trinity Bible Church of Dallas.
The first issue is why Lawson has been indefinitely removed. A good statement should state what happened in sufficiently clear terms so there is no cause to wonder. An “inappropriate relationship…with a woman” could mean anything from an emotional affair without any physical touching, to a full-blown affair for the last decade. It could mean he was texting his secretary overly familiar things, there was evidence on his computer that he was donating money to some OnlyFans page he’d formed a parasocial relationship with. Or, it could mean something completely non-sexual.
We have no idea what happened, whether it was severe or mild, and how much it matters. It would take little to fill in a few details or give a couple of broad strokes to grant clarity rather than sow further confusion.
Furthermore, if Lawson or any pastor caught in this situation is repentant, they should be ok with having a bit more detail known. It’s embarrassing, sure, but a confession of sin with the knowledge that your church family will extend mercy and forgiveness is freeing. It’s liberating, and Christians should understand this more than anyone.The second relates to the first and is the word “indefinitely” rather than “permanently.” If Lawson’s actions were severe and unquestionably disqualifying behavior, one would imagine they would say he’s permanently disqualified. But nowhere in the statement is any mention of disqualification, which is notable as many pastors who are removed “indefinitely” return at some point. Case in point: Matt Chandler, who was likewise removed “indefinitely from all ministry activities” but was back at the helm months later.
“Indefinitely” leaves the door open. It suggests it will likely be a while before things are sorted through, but it is not forever. It’s an unspecified degree or extent of time that might not end, but it also might, and the needless vagueness contributes to the confusion.Third, the line about the elders who “will continue to come alongside him and pray for him with the ultimate goal of his personal repentance” sounds like Lawson is not repentant and that his repentance is the goal rather than what should be the starting place. When confronted with grievous sin, we would expect to see confession and repentance, then fruits that keep with repentance, manifesting in varying forms of reparations, which ultimately leading to restoration. Lawson may be incredibly repentant, but we saw dozens of comments that were unsure of what was being said here.
We’re not kneecapping the statement crafter or suggesting that the church has done something wrong, but there is a lesson here. As an organization that has covered many statements over the years of pastors being caught up in sin, a good statement should state what happens in sufficiently clear (and not salacious) terms so that no speculation is needed, the manner in which the pastors responded to the exposure, and the clear consequences of the actions. This statement did not meet those criteria, and many will be left to wonder.
In contrast, Lawson’s ministry, One Passion Ministries, released its own statement about the matter. Theirs fills in the gaps of what was absent from the church’s statement, answering most questions and bringing much-appreciated clarity, and is what should have appeared in greater part on the church’s website and sent to members.
OnePassion Public Statement
The board of OnePassion Ministries mournfully announces that just recently Steven J. Lawson confessed to the board that he has had an inappropriate relationship with a woman, a sin that has disqualified him from ministry. In response Steve has resigned from all his duties at OnePassion Ministries.
All scheduled events and engagements have been cancelled.
Steve has confessed and regrets the damage he has caused to his family, the church, the reputation of OnePassion Ministries and most of all Jesus Christ.
We are saddened for the glory of Christ in this matter. The truth of the gospel will continue go out to the lost world as it is empowered by the Holy Spirit and not by men. It is a reminder that we have been warned of the craftiness of the enemy.
“Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour (1 Peter 5:8).