The Steve Lawson adultery scandal has been riddled with close connections and conflicting information. This has largely been due to the posture of Trinity Bible Church in Dallas which has maintained that Lawson was unrepentant and a member of their church. These two details have been a matter of controversy, as Trinity Bible Church claimed that Lawson was a member but firing him from preaching was the extent of their discipline. However, a new connection who is close to Steve Lawson was pressed to set the record straight after Pastor Jim Bachmann went to Julie Roys.
Clint Archer is a friend of Steve Lawson, is close to the situation, and wrote an account based on his conversations with Lawson.
Lawson’s relationship with the young woman was one of acquaintance and then friendship for approximately five years, but was not one of a sexual nature until very shortly before it was exposed.
After his adultery was discovered, Lawson confessed his sin to the elders of his church and to his family. He moved to Nashville, to temporarily stay with his brother, because that is what all involved agreed would be best for the church and family, as they all processed the shocking news. Lawson agreed to do so until such time that his family and church felt it was appropriate for him to return to Dallas, though no period was stipulated.
The testimony is that foolish decisions escalated and were exposed shortly after. Despite bringing harm to his family, Steve Lawson is working to restore his relationships, contrary to what the TBC elders have been saying.
While in Nashville, he attends church with his brother. He is in daily contact with a few men, who have experience counseling fallen pastors, and who were chosen by his spiritual leaders to counsel him and report to his elders and OnePassion. Lawson has remained in touch with his wife, he receives spiritual counsel daily from friends and counselors, and he has been back to Dallas to visit his wife, though he and the elders of TBC agreed attending there would not be helpful. He is back in Nashville for the time being.
Lawson is fully aware that he is permanently disqualified from ministry and is not under any illusion that he could ever be restored to a teaching position or ministry capacity that requires the qualifications of an elder. He returned cash advances for book contracts he will no longer publish. He is considering avenues for secular employment.
Julie Roys frames Jim Bachmann as someone who will get Steve Lawson back into a ministry position. Perhaps he believes that or perhaps Roys is twisting his words. Nevertheless, Steve Lawson does not have this impression. Clint Archer then firmly denies that he has been uncooperative with any parties involved.
Despite his initial hesitancy to volunteer details of his sin, he soon repented of that, and offered a full and detailed confession to his elders and family. He has been fully cooperative with the elders at TBC, the board of OnePassion, the appointed counselors, and his family’s wishes for “space” to process the hurt he caused them. He has not resisted any counsel that has been offered. Any allegation of being unrepentant, or of being under church discipline for unrepentance, is unfounded.
Archer explains that Lawson has been counseled against giving a public statement, and further argues that he is “radioactive.”
As for Jim Bachman, his “good deed” by spilling the beans to The Roys Report did not go unpunished as the liberal rag spends the end of their article airing out his dirty laundry to impune his character.
Julie Roys, though not the author herself, set the editorial standard for her hit piece. Steve Lawson is repentant. This is the story, not peddling delusions that he will be restored to ministry.
Powered by RedCircle
2 Responses
Praise God. It looks like Steve is wise enough to know he can’t be a pastor or lead a church again but he can be a good volunteer and console others to avoid his mistakes and be humbled. Also, I have criticized Protestia before but I give them credit for refusing to name his current church to avoid causing unnecessary drama.
Good. But why did it take so long for this to come out? Lol.