ARGYLE, Texas — The executive pastor of Cross Timbers church announced his decision to resign, according to a new statement from church elders, less than a month after the resignation of the church’s lead pastor Josiah Anthony.
The Argyle church said executive pastor Byron Copeland announced his decision to resign Monday. The church in late July initially announced Copeland would serve as interim lead pastor after Anthony’s resignation.
“I have felt the heavy weight of our recent hurt at Cross Timbers Church. But, I am thankful that this is a place of healing and hope. Especially with Toby Slough’s willingness to return to steady the ship, I am as confident and optimistic about the future of this church as I’ve ever been,” Copeland said in a statement. “Though this period has been exceptionally challenging, walking through this with the staff has enriched my life. I have met so many incredible people who have inspired my faith. But, I sense that God is calling me to a fresh season of life. So, it is with a thankful heart that I have decided to resign from my position.”
Slough is a founding pastor of the church, and sources tell WFAA Slough is now serving as interim lead pastor
Copeland has served as executive pastor at Cross Timbers Church since November 2023. Before his time at Cross Timbers, he’d worked for the recently embattled Gateway Church for nearly 20 years from 2003 to 2023, according to his LinkedIn.
Copeland was also named in a 2023 lawsuit against Gateway Church alleging civil rights violations. According to the lawsuit, "Pastor Copeland backed [the plaintiff] into a corner of the room they were in and threatened to fire her if she didn’t shut up and stop stirring up drama."
Anthony resigned as lead pastor at Cross Timbers on July 28.
"Josiah has been in a prolonged and sustained season of struggle with his emotional and mental health which has been very painful for him and those around him," Chalk said to the congregation. "Throughout this struggle, some of Josiah’s decisions and actions were inappropriate and hurtful to current and former members of the CT family and staff,” Elder John Chalk said of Anthony during a sermon that Sunday. "During this time, Josiah was not forthcoming and transparent with the staff and the elder board."
"Once all of this came to light over the last few weeks, it became evident that Josiah could not continue to serve as our lead pastor,” Chalk continued.
On Aug. 1 the church released a statement to its members clarifying what led up to Anthony's resignation. The update stated that just before Anthony left for his annual sabbatical, elders received a report "of inappropriate communication" with a female former church member. Then, elders found another communication with a former staffer that was not sexual in nature but was "excessively personal, and overly familiar," the update said.