Three weeks after the resignation of Cross Timbers Church Lead Pastor Josiah Anthony in Argyle, Texas, over sexual messaging with girls and different inappropriate habits that was adopted by the resignation of Govt Pastor Byron Copeland, the church’s founding pastors Brian Hackney and his spouse, Jamie, have additionally resigned.
In a latest assertion to members, a duplicate of which was shared on X by sexual abuse survivors advocate and blogger Amy Smith, Cross Timbers Church elders stated the couple, who had been on employees for greater than 20 years, knowledgeable them of their determination to resign on Aug. 15.
“In recent months, Brian and Jamie have sensed their season as staff member was coming to a close and have decided that now is the time to make their departure. We are grateful for their open communication throughout this process which has allowed us to prepare for their departure,” the elders stated.
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“Our staff was notified on August 15th, and it is important we let you know the Hackney’s last day will be August 31st. They would welcome the opportunity to visit with you this Sunday morning as it will be their last Sunday on staff.”
Earlier this month, simply days after claiming their former lead pastor resigned over “inappropriate and hurtful” habits towards present and former employees that was not sexual, elders of Cross Timbers Church revealed they’d found that Anthony engaged in habits that was sexual in nature and have been bracing for extra allegations to return.
“After announcing Josiah’s resignation to our congregation, we then learned about additional inappropriate comments he made in text messages and through social media that were sexual in nature,” the elders of the Texas megachurch stated in a press release to congregants.
“We want to be very clear; we do not consider any of these instances to be emotional affairs. Because the power dynamic of these interactions were never equal, we do not consider these to be consensual. This behavior will not be tolerated at our church.”
In an earlier assertion learn to the congregation by John Chalk, probably the most senior member of the church’s elder board, it was famous that Anthony’s wrestle together with his emotional and psychological well being had precipitated him to have interaction in “inappropriate and hurtful” actions towards present and former employees on the church, nevertheless it by no means concerned something sexual although these actions led to his resignation.
Within the elder board’s up to date assertion on Anthony, they supplied a extra complete accounting of the occasions that led to his resignation.
“At the end of June, before Josiah entered his annual sabbatical, we received a concerning report of inappropriate communication on social media with a woman who is a former member of our church. This was taken very seriously by the elders, and we were grateful it was brought to our attention,” the elders stated.
Regardless of the shakeup at Cross Timbers, elders famous that they continue to be optimistic concerning the future.
“Although there have been a series of transitions, we want you to know that our elders and leadership team have a renewed energy, and our staff has a forward-facing posture,” they stated. “We look forward to all the Lord has in store for our church.”
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“Well bless their hearts.”
