Tony Evans has introduced he’s leaving the ministry for a interval of “non secular therapeutic and renewal” after he mentioned he beforehand fell in need of the requirements anticipated of a pastor.
The 74-year-old didn’t go into element however recommended it was “due to sin” and mentioned his household and church elders had been knowledgeable.
Evans, who’s pastor of Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship in Dallas, Texas, mentioned that whereas his habits was not felony, it didn’t mirror “honest judgment.”
He’ll now undergo a strategy of “therapeutic and restoration” below the steerage of the church elders.
“The idea of our ministry has all the time been our dedication to the Phrase of God as absolutely the highest customary of fact to which we’re to adapt our lives. Once we fall in need of that customary due to sin, we should repent and renew our relationship with God,” he mentioned.
“A few years in the past I fell in need of that customary. Due to this fact, I’m obligated to use to myself the identical biblical customary of repentance and restoration that I’ve utilized to others. I’ve shared this with my spouse, my youngsters, and our church elders, and so they have lovingly put their arms of grace round me .
“Though I dedicated no crime, I didn’t use honest judgment in my actions. In gentle of this, I’m stepping away from my pastoral duties and submitting to the therapeutic and restoration course of instituted by the elders. This can enable me the time I wanted for non secular restoration and therapeutic.”
A press release by church elders mentioned she was “scripturally obligated to run the church” and that the choice to step down from pastoral duties was made “after large prayer” and “a number of” conferences with Dr. Evans.
“Dr. Evans and the elders agree that when any elder or pastor falls in need of excessive scriptural requirements, the elders are accountable for offering accountability and sustaining integrity within the church,” the elders mentioned.
“We serve a God who’s merciful to forgive and gracious to revive. Within the coming days, Pastor Bobby Gibson and the elders will present extra details about the interim management and subsequent steps for the way forward for our church.”
Evans has been pastor of Oak Cliff for 48 years. He instructed the congregation that whereas he works on his non secular restoration, “I shall be a worshiper such as you.”
He concluded his announcement: “I’ve by no means beloved you greater than I really like you proper now and I belief that God will information me by this valley. Thanks to your love, prayers, assist and forgiveness as I proceed my non secular therapeutic. On this journey collectively, look to Jesus, the creator and finisher of our religion.”
