U.S. Megachurch Pastor Resigns Over “Sin”

By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent Worthy News

DALLAS, USA (Worthy News) –  Tony Evans, the U.S. pastor and author who built one of the largest mainly African American evangelical churches in the United States, says he is stepping down due to a “sin” years ago.

The Dallas-based leader of the Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship (OCBF) church stressed that his sinful behavior “fell short” of the Biblical standards required of him as a pastor.

“The foundation of our ministry has always been our commitment to the Word of God as the absolute supreme standard of truth to which we are to conform our lives,” he added in a statement obtained by Worthy News.

“When we fall short of that standard due to sin, we are required to repent and restore our relationship with God,” he said.

“A number of years ago, I fell short of that standard. I am, therefore, required to apply the same biblical standard of repentance and restoration to myself that I have applied to others,” Evans explained.

“I have shared this with my wife, my children, and our church elders, and they have lovingly placed their arms of grace around me,” the pastor stressed. “While I have committed no crime, I did not use righteous judgment in my actions, Evans said.

“I am stepping away from my pastoral duties and am submitted to a healing and restoration process established by the elders. This will afford me a needed time of spiritual recovery and healing,” the pastor stressed.

Evans has been pastor of Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship since he founded the church in 1976.

The church now boasts more than 10,000 members. However, “Remember, you serve the Lord Jesus Christ, not a man,” Evans said.

“The foundation of our ministry has always been our commitment to the Word of God as the absolute supreme standard of truth to which we are to conform our lives,” Evans explained Sunday in a statement.

“When we fall short of that standard due to sin, we are required to repent and restore our relationship with God,” he added.

The OCBP and other Christian churches derive their requirements for the position of “elder” or “pastor” from important biblical passages like 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:6-9.

The OCBF limits the role of elder and pastor to mature Christians who are above reproach, do not engage in “sexual immorality” or adultery, are sober-minded and not drunkards.”

NO QUARRELSOME

Evans and others looked for “disciplined, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach and lead others,” leaders not violent, gentle, not arrogant or quick-tempered.”

He has made clear he did not want to be quarrelsome.

His church doesn’t look for  “lovers of money” but for “faithful managers” of their households, “lovers of good, and Christians who are highly regarded by outsiders.”

OCSB was not clear on what prompted Evans to accept accountability at this time if the undisclosed sin had occurred years ago.

“During this time, it is critical that the ministry of OCBF continue as vibrantly as ever. Remember, you serve the Lord Jesus Christ, not a man,” he said.

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