The former lead pastor from Cross Timbers Church in Argyle, made comments in texts and through social media that were “sexual in nature,” and held inappropriate relations with staff, according to church elders.
The church shared an email with The Dallas Morning News, where it claims it received information that its former lead pastor, Josiah Anthony, had made sexual comments, since his resignation was announced during a service on July 28.
“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 email read.
In addition, Byron Copeland, the church interim lead pastor, told the News that Anthony had “emotional affairs” with female staff members at the church. However, church elders clarified in their emails that they do not consider the relationships as “emotional affairs.”
“Because the power dynamic of these interactions were never equal, we do not consider these to be consensual,” they wrote.
“On Monday of this week, we learned about additional inappropriate comments Josiah made in a text message through social media that were sexual in nature,” church elder Jon Sullivan said in a video. “We were not aware of those interactions when we asked him to resign, or when we announced his resignation to you last Sunday.”
“The women that came forward made a very difficult decision, and we’re honored that they trusted us,” he added.
He also said that Anthony’s behavior will not be tolerated at the church and that the church is “deeply sorry.”
Anthony joined the church in 2014 and became the chruch’s lead pastor in 2022.
The church also said that the interim lead pastor has now been given to Toby Slough, the church’s founder, until a “permanent replacement is found.”
