ARGYLE, Texas — Cross Timbers Church officials said pastor Josiah Anthony was found to have "inappropriate," "excessively personal" and sometimes "sexual in nature" communication with multiple women, including one who was a former staff member.
Anthony's resignation was announced during a service at the church this past Sunday. At the time, church leaders only described the reason as Anthony's alleged "inappropriate actions." They later clarified that the allegations did not involve any children or physical or sexual interactions, or anything illegal.
But it wasn't until an update sent to church members on Thursday that Cross Timbers leaders delved into more specifics about the allegations against Anthony.
In the update, they said Anthony was about to go on his annual sabbatical in June when they received "a concerning report of inappropriate communication" with a woman who was previously a member at the church.
Church elders began to investigate the allegations, and Anthony, who had been open about recent mental health issues, "suggested that his actions were a result of his struggles," the church leaders' update said.
"However, upon further investigation, we discovered that Josiah was not forthcoming or transparent, and had a concerning pattern of behavior communicating inappropriately with women," the update said.
The elders found that he also had communication with a woman who was a former staffer at the church. The communication was not sexual in nature but was "excessively personal, and overly familiar," the update said.
As a result, the elders asked for Anthony to resign, and he agreed.
The church leaders announced Anthony's resignation on Sunday, July 28. Then, they said, more "inappropriate comments" made by Anthony came to light. Those comments, which were made in text messages and on social media, "were sexual in nature," the church leaders said.
While the church leaders said they didn't consider the messages to be "emotional affairs," they believed the messages were not consensual because of the power dynamic of Anthony being a pastor.
"This behavior will not be tolerated at our church," the church leaders said. "We may learn more in the coming days; we commit to take additional action as necessary. This will be a continual process, but the Elders, and staff are committed to having a culture of support and care for every current and former member of our church."
The church leaders thanked the women who came forward about the alleged comments.
"We believe you, are grateful for your willingness to share your experiences, and we are deeply sorry that your trust was violated," the leaders wrote.
Cross Timbers Church's founder, Toby Slough, will take over a pastor teaching role in the wake of Anthony's departure, church leaders said.
Anthony's resignation came during a time of turmoil at several major churches across North Texas.
The most prominent of the controversies has been at Gateway Church in Southlake, where founder and lead pastor Robert Morris stepped down after allegations of child sexual abuse surfaced.