Two North Texas churches seek new leaders amid allegations of misconduct

Two North Texas churches are seeking new leaders after their senior pastors were accused of inappropriate conduct.

Why it matters: Dallas-Fort Worth has some of the state's largest churches , which typically wield money , land and power .

• The recent shakeups have fueled debate over whether pastors with questionable pasts should be allowed to hold leadership positions in churches.

Catch up quick: Robert Morris founded Southlake's Gateway Church almost 25 years ago. The church has grown to several campuses across North Texas and tens of thousands of members.

• This summer, a 54-year-old woman accused Morris of sexually abusing her over a five-year period starting when she was 12, per FOX4 .
• She said she reported Morris' behavior to the church in 2005 and he admitted to having an inappropriate relationship decades ago with a "young lady," per FOX4. He continued preaching at the church.
• The church has hired an outside firm to investigate.

The latest: Morris resigned from his role as senior pastor in June. "Gateway Church is committed to protecting people — first and foremost children and the most vulnerable. Abuse simply cannot be tolerated," the church wrote in a statement .

• Last week, Gateway announced that Morris' son and son's wife had also resigned to allow the church to have a fresh start.
• During a service Saturday, a church elder apologized to the woman "on behalf of our entire church for the years of pain that you have endured."

Meanwhile: Cross Timbers Church in Argyle announced the resignation of its lead pastor, Josiah Anthony, on Sunday.

• The church told congregants that Anthony had long struggled with his emotional and mental health that included "inappropriate and hurtful" decisions and actions.
• The church told WFAA that, to their knowledge, the behavior didn't involve children, sexual behavior or illegal activity.

What's next: Joakim Lundqvist of Sweden and author Max Lucado of San Antonio will take temporary pastoral roles at Gateway to help the church transition to new leadership.

• Cross Timbers has started the process of hiring a new lead pastor. Executive pastor Byron Copeland will serve as interim lead pastor.

The intrigue: Copeland worked at Gateway for almost 20 years, per his LinkedIn profile .

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