Leaders Respond to Steven Lawson’s Moral Disqualification
Trinity Church elder addresses congregation while ministries scrub evidence of Lawson’s work
Last week, MinistryWatch reported that Trinity Bible Church of Dallas had “indefinitely removed” its lead pastor Steven J. Lawson “from all ministry activities” due to an “inappropriate relationship” with a woman.
Steven Lawson / Video screenshot
In addition to pastoring at Trinity, Lawson is the founder of OnePassion Ministries. He was professor of preaching and dean of D.Min. studies at The Master’s Seminary (TMS), and frequently preached for John MacArthur’s Grace Community Church (GCC) and its conferences.
Shortly following Trinity’s announcement (Sept. 20), both GCC and TMS scrubbed Lawson from their websites, but have yet to formally address Lawson’s moral failure.
Many of Lawson’s sermons and other materials were previously hosted on GCC’s website until the past few days. TMS has also removed profiles of both Lawson and Trinity Bible Church of Dallas from its website.
On the day following Trinity’s announcement, Lawson was scheduled to speak during the opening session of TMS’ Men of the Word Conference, but was replaced by H.B. Charles Jr.
Prior to Charles’ opening sermon, Austin Duncan, director of the MacArthur Center for Expository Preaching and a leader at both TMS and GCC, spoke to the almost 500 men in attendance.
“I’m sure all of you have heard, one of our previously scheduled speakers permanently disqualified himself from pastoral ministry this week and brought disgrace to the name of Christ,” he said. “The integrity and trustworthiness of the church’s leadership is essential to the credibility of its witness.”
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Duncan encouraged attendees to trust in God’s providence, and said the circumstance should soberly remind and warn of the “importance of watchfulness, of maintaining a real, vibrant relationship with Jesus of authentic faith and true accountability.”
On Sunday, Trinity Bible Church of Dallas Elder Mark Becker addressed his congregation for the first time since Lawson’s dismissal.
He acknowledged the emotional and difficult week following Lawson’s removal, and noted that while questions persist, the focus will be on how the church will move forward.
He then explained the necessity of church discipline, likening it to a parent disciplining a child out of love, and reminded the congregation that God remains in control and is the true head of the church—not any individual or group of elders. He gave no further information on the nature of Lawson’s moral failure.
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