Disclaimer: This post was written and published on October 5th, 2024. Please know that new information might alter my opinion, even if I don’t return to update this post.
Update: So grateful for this update from Cripplegate from January 24, 2025!
I’ve referenced, or directly mentioned, Dr. Steven Lawson all across this site; which is the main reason for this post. Dr. Lawson is the expository preacher whom I started listening to (online) after leaving my former church home.
I am absolutely gutted by the recent news; and it all just makes me so sad.
•••
I’ll do my best to explain how I feel – and why I’m sad – after I explain a bit about what’s going on.
Statement from Trinity Bible Church:
The elders at Trinity Bible Church of Dallas regretfully announce that effective immediately, Steven J. Lawson has been removed indefinitely from all ministry activities at Trinity Bible Church of Dallas. Several days ago, the elders at Trinity Bible Church of Dallas were informed by Steve Lawson of an inappropriate relationship that he has had with a woman. The elders have met with Steve and will continue to come alongside him and pray for him with the ultimate goal of his personal repentance. Steve will no longer be compensated by Trinity Bible Church of Dallas.
Statement from OnePassion Ministries:
The board of OnePassion Ministries mournfully announces that just recently Steven J. Lawson confessed to the board that he has had an inappropriate relationship with a woman, a sin that has disqualified him from ministry. In response Steve has resigned from all his duties at OnePassion Ministries.
All scheduled events and engagements have been canceled.
Steve has confessed and regrets the damage he has caused to his family, the church, the reputation of OnePassion Ministries and most of all Jesus Christ.
We are saddened for the glory of Christ in this matter. The truth of the gospel will continue go out to the lost world as it is empowered by the Holy Spirit and not by men. It is a reminder that we have been warned of the craftiness of the enemy.
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Because these statements were a bit ambiguous, theories on what actually happened were flying to the extreme in each direction.
Another pastor then released additional information in a (now deleted) social media post, all in the name of quelling the rumors. While I kind of understand why he did it and am slightly thankful that he gave some context (ie. it was nothing criminal), I’m also a bit unsure as to how those details were vetted. So, I won’t print them.
Either way – per his own admission – Dr. Lawson seems to clearly be in the wrong. He has “been removed indefinitely” from ministry at his Dallas church and he has also resigned from everything else. His social media is down and we haven’t heard anything from him.
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Since this site is about using my personal faith journey to spread the Gospel, this post is going to focus on things through my lens. In nine points, I’ll share with you my personal: feelings, understanding and lack of understanding.
i.
My Emotions
This is nothing short of heartbreaking. Not because I think that Steven Lawson is above sin. Nobody is.
In fact – because I know that nobody’s perfect – when I first heard everything, I was pretty stoic. But when I saw how much of his work had been wiped from the internet, I started crying. And I couldn’t stop for hours.
I know that the stakes in ministry are a lot higher and the consequences are greater. It’s something I actually learned more about earlier this year. But while I may have a better understanding of the ministerial standard, it breaks my heart nonetheless.
ii.
Biblical Qualifications
It was only upon leaving my former church that I realized that there are, in fact, Biblical qualifications for church leaders. Here is a pretty thorough write-up on it.
Coming from the Word of Faith movement where plenty of pastors remain in the pulpit through investigations, indiscretions and complete mental breakdowns… it was eye-opening to me to learn that the standard for ministry is way higher than I imagined.
Eye-opening and… refreshing.
Therefore, I understand why Steven Lawson (a respected expositor of the Gospel, who was preaching out of a church with a solid board of elders), needed to leave his post. Based on what I’ve been reading online, it seems as though he may be truly disqualified from ever pastoring again. But again, my understanding is new and limited.
If he is disqualified, then that is what it is.
iii.
Content Deleted
Even if he is disqualified from any future pastoral role, I think it is absolutely terrible to wipe the internet of his content. His work is still on Spotify, thankfully.
Because I mainly listen to his Bible Study, I’ll keep my comments to that portion of his work. Throughout his studies, he consistently says: “I need this as much as you. This teaching is just as much for me as it is for you.” So while he is bold, firm and does not sugarcoat his delivery; I never found him to be incapable of failing. Whatever his sin at any given moment – no matter how egregious – he never bent Scripture.
In my opinion, he is not a wolf in sheep’s clothing, which is a very big issue within the church. He was actually preaching the Gospel. So I hope that affiliated organizations will consider restoring or preserving his work.
iv.
Hypocrisy
I see people describing Steven Lawson as a “hypocrite.” I understand the label and its application. But, I’d personally rather say that he has lacked integrity.
A person’s battles, struggles, indiscretions and sin should never lead to a compromising of the word. And I do not feel that he compromised the word in his teachings.
I found him to be someone who believes that the Gospel message, sin and the consequence of sin all apply to him. I don’t feel that he took a “for thee, not for me” approach to his preaching.
•••
Is it hard to reconcile his ability to preach a hard-hitting message while engaging in sin? Sure. But only because it’s wrong and he should have taken time away if he was struggling. Other than that, I have never considered him to be sinless, so it’s not unfathomable or hard to reconcile in that sense.
If I had more details, would it cause me to be more emotionally charged? Perhaps, yes.
If he had done something heinous, how would it change my opinion on everything? So greatly that I can’t even wrap my mind around it.
v.
Purity
I’ve also seen a lot of people repeating the quote: “The world needs your purity more than your preaching.”
I don’t know how to feel about this statement. I am split right down the middle because, when I found him… and even now: I really, really needed his preaching, more than his purity.
And I will continue to listen to the portion of his work that remains available; using the same discernment and “fact-checking” skills that I’ve employed to this point.
In fact, I’m currently in the middle of two separate studies.
However…
vi.
Perfect Timing
I am in partial agreement with the “The world needs your purity…” statement because:
I Googled Steven Lawson before I ever listened to his Bible Study for this very reason.
•••
God delivered me out of my former church (due to manipulation of Scripture) and, subsequently, out of the Word of Faith movement. After leaving, I was being very cautious when it came to the handling of Scripture. I listened to a podcast which recommended Steven Lawson as an amazing and trusted expositor of the Bible.
I Googled him immediately because I needed to make sure that he wasn’t enmeshed in scandal of any kind. If he was, I would have never listened to him.
And what a travesty that would have been for my spiritual walk.
•••
I thank God for His perfect timing…
I needed a strong preacher.
I needed confirmation on everything that God had been teaching me.
I needed to grow in my understanding of Scripture.
I needed to hear the audio of Steven Lawson urging everyone at his Bible Study to find a strong church home; especially when my own search had stalled.
I needed to hear tough truths.
And when Dr. Lawson would say something that I was unsure about, I never hesitated to do extra research. That research grew my understanding just as much as his preaching.
•••
At the end of the day, Christ is at the helm. Not man.
But, this is all to say that your personal walk is important. We all mess up. No one is “pure,” only Jesus. But there is a huge possibility that you may miss out on the chance to minister to lost and searching souls when an aspect of your reputation precedes you.
I thank You, God, so much for allowing me to find Steven Lawson at the exact time that I did.
vii.
Trusted Resource
Aside from the Bible itself, whenever someone is seeking a deeper understanding of our faith, a lot of times I recommend Steven Lawson. Dr. Lawson’s work is one of my biggest “resources.” I hate that his ministry has been stained by all of this. I still believe that a lot of people can (and will) benefit from his content. But would they be willing to even listen?
viii.
The Irony
Steven Lawson was in the middle of leading an incredibly powerful study on the Sermon on the Mount.
At the start of the study, in the beginning of the year, he said this:
In a very real way, I feel like my whole life has been a preparation to teach this study. I’ve been preaching for over half a century. I think it is all to prepare me for this. I want you to be here for this. Not because I’m teaching it, though. But because Jesus is the teacher.
I really, really, really, really wish he could have finished it out. You have no idea.
We’d just finished Matthew 5:37 a few weeks ago. That is the last audio posted before all of this happened.
The title? “Being Truthtellers.”
ix.
Collective Hurt
I know that Steven Lawson has been impactful to so many people. So, here are some comments from YouTube that really resonated with me.
If Mr. Lawson has been an excellent expositor, I hope the church will not destroy all his works… Though their present fall is a terrible impact on the bride of Christ, only Satan would win if Godly teaching is erased.” – mercysmith
I have been watching Steve Lawson’s teachings online since about 2019. I’ve learned a lot and have been thankful for his excellence in expository preaching. With that said, I’m grateful to have a wonderful home pastor… Although it is shocking to see this unfold, my faith is not shaken because it is rooted in Christ and not a man. – ashlyniee4603
The fact that he himself could not hold up to the standards of the Bible doesn’t mean he is a hypocrite. We shouldn’t lower standards or judge differently because the standards are too high. We should judge each other to the word of God so that when we are on the wrong path, there is still time and grace to return to the right path. – machteldvandongen9885
This man knows [God’s word] and the way [to] repentance. If he uses them, yes, Jesus is merciful to regenerate him. God bless him and his family! – sheilasousa877
If you listen carefully he is preaching about himself saying, “I did not change my message though I was weak in that area. I was firm all these years in preaching the truth.” It is kind of a confession. He was a very good and gifted preacher. – yosephisay2201
If y’all think I’m going to stop listening to his sermons you got me messed up – tsuyoikuma1400
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October 7, 2024: I’ve just come across a wonderful video by Enduring Word which addresses this subject with grace.
Here is a prayer for fallen pastors, who were true preachers of the word:
Lexzie in Christ 