A federal judge dismissed a lawsuit involving Gateway Church leadership, Robert Morris and a group of church members who alleged the Southlake megachurch misused tithe money donated by its congregation.
Chief District Judge Amos L. Mazzant agreed with the Southlake-based megachurch that tithe money usage donated by its congregation is a religious matter rather than a civil one, according to the June 23 order.
“Determining whether a church’s expenditures properly fall into a specific charitable purpose would require the Court to involve itself in internal church controversies by defining Gateway’s mission and outreach efforts, which are topics unfit for adjudication,” Mazzant wrote.
Mazzant dismissed the case under the ecclesiastical abstention doctrine, a principle derived from the First Amendment right to religious freedom that prevents courts from exercising jurisdiction in internal church matters, according to UNT Dallas College of Law.
The decision concludes a lawsuit four congregants filed against the church, Morris and founding elder Steve Dulin in October 2024, alleging Gateway leadership engaged in financial fraud after falsely promising members a portion of their tithes would go toward foreign missionary work.
The lawsuit alleged Gateway’s promise wasn’t upheld and that they don’t know what happened to the tithes, which could total more than $15 million annually.
The case also referenced a time when Morris spoke about a deal he made with Gateway members in offering their money back if they were not fully satisfied with the church.
Tithing, or the concept of giving a 10th of what one has, dates to the Hebrew Bible. Generally, the money or resources collected are used to support clergy, maintain churches or help the poor.
The attorney representing the four church members did not immediately respond to the Fort Worth Report’s request for comment.
Ronald W. Breaux, the attorney who represented Gateway, said the First Amendment “prohibits such an assault on Gateway’s religious autonomy and freedom.”
“Plaintiffs sought to second-guess Gateway’s beliefs and decisions on the fundamental religious question of tithing,” Breaux said.
Gateway Church and Morris agreed to dismiss a multimillion dollar legal battle over retirement pay in May and move the matter to an arbitration forum rather than settling in court.
Morris pled guilty to five counts of lewd and indecent acts with a child last October and was released from Osage County Jail in Oklahoma in March. He served six months of a 10-year sentence.
Morris is registered as a sex offender in Palo Pinto County, according to the Texas Department of Public Safety.
Morris and Gateway Church still face other legal battles. Cindy Clemishire and her father filed a lawsuit seeking $1 million from Morris, his wife and the megachurch last June for defamation and failing to report the alleged abuse.
Marissa Greene is a Report for America corps member, covering faith for the Fort Worth Report. You can contact her at marissa.greene@fortworthreport.org.
At the Fort Worth Report, news decisions are made independently of our board members and financial supporters. Read more about our editorial independence policy here.
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