In an about-face decision, Tra Willbanks, a longtime elder at Gateway Church, has revised his guidance for handling sexual abuse allegations within the church, urging victims to contact police before approaching church leadership.

According to Christian Post, this pivot follows the findings of an internal probe that disclosed a history of sexual abuse by the church's founder, Robert Morris, against a minor starting in the 1980s.

Initial Advice and Subsequent Reversal

Tra Willbanks has been a guiding figure at Gateway Church in Southlake, Texas, for many years. Initially, he instructed members to report incidents of sexual abuse by church leaders to the church elders. However, this approach came under intense scrutiny following troubling revelations about the church’s handling of specific abuse allegations. Observing the backlash and severity of the issue, Willbanks altered his stance, now recommending that such matters be directed to police authorities first.

Triggering an Internal Investigation

The turning point for this shift in policy came after allegations surfaced against Robert Morris, the church's founder. Reports claimed that Morris had sexually assaulted Cindy Clemishire beginning when she was just 12 years old during the 1980s. These serious accusations prompted an internal investigation by the law firm Haynes & Boone, which aimed to uncover the full extent of Morris's misconduct and the church’s response over the decades.

Gateway Church undertook radical changes following the investigation. It led to the ousting of multiple elders who, records revealed, were privy to Clemishire's allegations but had not acted upon them before their public exposure on June 14. Only days later, Morris stepped down from his role.

Robert Morris's Confession and Resignation

Despite admitting to "inappropriate sexual behavior with a young lady" more than 35 years ago, Morris was initially allowed to continue his ministry, a decision justified by the elders with claims of his repentance and biblical restoration. However, when announcing his resignation, the elders conceded they were not initially aware that his offenses involved a child.

New Protocols and Public Statements

Following Morris's resignation, the investigation continued until recently finalized, resulting in its presentation to a subcommittee of elders. This group has since expressed a firm stance against sexual abuse of any form. In his detailed presentation, Willbanks not only confirmed the investigation had not uncovered additional victims beyond Clemishire but also intensified calls for any other victims to come forward, ensuring their confidentiality and encouraging police involvement as the first line of defense.

Appreciation Towards the Victim's Bravery

Willbanks took an opportunity to specifically acknowledge Cindy Clemishire’s bravery in confronting her past, which he described as both "heartbreaking and vile." He commended her for her courage in bringing such a crucial issue to light, thus influencing positive changes within Gateway Church and its community.

Community Reaction and Continuing Developments

The community and church members have had varied reactions to the recent changes and developments at Gateway Church. While some appreciate the transparency and new guidelines, others are wary of the church’s past handling of such critical issues. As Gateway continues to navigate this tumultuous period, the focus remains on healing and proper accountability, with a newfound emphasis on directing abuse allegations directly to law enforcement before involving church leadership.

This story remains a significant testament to the evolving approach towards handling allegations of abuse within major religious institutions, highlighting a move towards transparency, accountability, and cooperation with judicial authorities.