A megachurch pastor in Texas is leaving his congregation after nearly 50 years over a mysterious “sin” he committed a “number of years ago.”
Dr. Tony Evans, 74, resigned as the lead pastor of Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship Church in Dallas on Sunday, breaking the news to his followers in a statement on the church’s website.
“The foundation of our ministry has always been our commitment to the Word of God as the absolute supreme standard of truth to which we are to conform our lives. When we fall short of that standard due to sin, we are required to repent and restore our relationship with God,” Evans wrote in his statement.
“A number of years ago, I fell short of that standard,” Evans said. “I am, therefore, required to apply the same biblical standard of repentance and restoration to myself that I have applied to others.”
Evans, the former chaplain for both the Dallas Cowboys and the Mavericks, stated he “committed no crime” but “did not use righteous judgment in my actions.”
“In light of this, I am stepping away from my pastoral duties and am submitting to a healing and restoration process established by the elders,” Evans wrote. “This will afford me a needed time of spiritual recovery and healing.”
The “elder board” of his ministry said they are “obligated to govern the church in accordance with the scriptures.”
“Dr. Evans and the elders agree that when any elder or pastor falls short of the high standards of scripture, the elders are responsible for providing accountability and maintaining integrity in the church,” the church’s statement read.
Evans urged his congregation members to continue without him as he said Associate Pastor Bobby Gibson would guide the church forward.
“During this time, it is critical that the ministry of OCBF continue as vibrantly as ever. Remember, you serve the Lord Jesus Christ, not a man,” he wrote.
Further details on what “sin” Evans committed in his past that prompted him to step down from his tenured position were not shared.
Evans says he intends to continue to worship at Oak Cliff during the process.
Longtime church member James Harris Jr. was in “shock” over the popular pastor’s abrupt resignation.
“He’s a staple in the community,” Harris Jr. told CBS News. “I think he is one of the most known pastors in the nation.”
The Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship was started by Evans in 1976 as a bible study group, according to the church’s website.
It has grown to over 10,000 members and 100 different ministries reaching people “locally and abroad.”
Evans, who is also the author of several bestselling worship books, hosts the daily, worldwide radio show The Alternative, which airs in over 130 countries.
His statement did not clarify if he would be stepping away from those duties.
