Other Cases Against Robert Morris Are Proceeding
In addition to his criminal trial in Oklahoma and Clemishire’s civil lawsuit in Texas, Robert Morris has another pending case. As ChurchLeaders has reported, he is suing Gateway Church over disputed retirement payments. Earlier this week, a judge in Tarrant County, Texas, gave the two sides about a month to choose an arbitration venue.
Morris wants the $1+ million that had accrued in his retirement account. He also says Gateway elders had verbally promised him $800,000 per year in retirement benefits until age 70, and then $600,000 per year after that, while either he or his wife was alive.
Gateway, however, said it had agreed to pay Morris $170,000 per year for 20 years after he retired. A retirement agreement the former pastor signed also contained stipulations related to pastoral behavior, according to the church.
Since the scandal broke last summer, Gateway has experienced declines in attendance and giving. It also has laid off some staff members and cut back on weekend worship services.
