ARGYLE, Texas — A week after Cross Timbers church elders announced their lead pastor's resignation, church leaders addressed the congregation again, this time with details of why exactly the pastor was forced to resign.
On Sunday, July 28, Cross Timbers Church announced the resignation of its lead pastor Josiah Anthony, citing "inappropriate and hurtful" actions. The vague sermon left many church members and the general public with questions, which church leadership acknowledged Sunday, Aug. 4.
The Aug. 4 sermon was the church's first since announcing Anthony's resignation and church elder John Chalk apologized for the church's communication with its members.
"We've made mistakes along the way, we should have communicated more clearly and directly with you," Chalk said. "Our lack of clarity led to a lot of assumptions about the situation and in trying not to cause unnecessary harm, we inadvertently did."
On Thursday, 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.
After announcing Anthony's resignation, the elders learned about other messages from Anthony that were "sexual in nature." Chalk repeated this update to members at the service on Sunday.
"Please know that we are trying not to hide it from you... we shared with you what we knew to be true at the time," Chalk said.
Anthony preached about his mental health issues, which church leaders mentioned when discussing his resignation last week. Chalk said that messaging made it seem like the church would excuse inappropriate behavior because of mental health.
"That was not our intention and we are sorry for that," Chalk said.
Chalk also apologized to the church members for a staff member who was quoted describing Anthony's exchange with former staff members as "emotional affairs," because that infers the interactions were consensual. Chalk described the communications between the women and the pastor as inherently not consensual because of the power imbalance caused by Anthony's leadership role within the church.
"That behavior will not be tolerated in our church, it should not be tolerated at any church or in any ministry. We are deeply sorry for those who have experienced it."
The elders may learn more, Chalk said, and committed to making any additional necessary decisions as we move forward.