DALLAS (TX)
The Roys Report [Chicago IL]
March 13, 2025
By Julie Roys
Disgraced preacher Steven Lawson has broken his silence since his Dallas church removed him six months ago for an “inappropriate relationship” with a woman not his wife. On X last night, Lawson stated, “I have sinned grievously against the Lord, against my wife, my family, and against countless numbers of you.”
Lawson, former lead preacher of Trinity Bible Church of Dallas and dean of D. Min studies at John MacArthur’s The Master’s Seminary (TMS), confessed to the sinful relationship last September.
Trinity Bible then removed Lawson “indefinitely” from all ministry activities. And TMS declared him “permanently disqualified” from ministry.
“I am deeply broken that I have betrayed and deceived my wife, devastated my children, brought shame to the name of Christ, reproach upon His church, and harm to many ministries,” Lawson wrote.
He added that he has been silent for so long because he “needed the time to search my own soul to determine that my repentance is real.”
The identity of the woman involved in the scandal has never been publicly confirmed. However, Phil Johnson, an elder at MacArthur’s Grace Community Church, stated online that Lawson “is 73. She is in her late 20s.”
Johnson initially said the woman loved “nowhere close to any of the ministries Steve served” but later admitted she was a student at The Master’s University when the relationship began.
Because of the power differential between the woman and Lawson, some have suggested Lawson’s misconduct may qualify as clergy sexual abuse.
“I alone am responsible for my sin,” Lawson wrote. “I have confessed my sin to the Lord, to my wife, and my family, and have repented of it. I have spent the past months searching my heart to discover the roots of my sin and mortifying them by the grace of God. I hate my sin, weep over my sin, and have turned from it.”
Lawson also admitted that his sin “carries enormous consequences,” which he will live with “the rest of my life.” Lawson said he had failed those who look to him “for spiritual guidance” and asked for their forgiveness.
The hardline expositor, known for his fire and brimstone messages, also said he’s been “undergoing intensive counseling” and has “submitted to accountability with two pastors and to the elders of a local congregation.” Lawson said he’s also “under the oversight of an accountability team who monitor my progress.”
Lawson did not name the church overseeing his recovery. However, as previously reported by The Roys Report (TRR), Lawson has been attending Stephens Valley Church in Nashville, Tennessee.
In his post, Lawson did not mention Trinity Bible Church of Dallas in his post, or explain what role, if any, his previous church is playing in his life.
Lawson concluded his post by asking for people “pray for the Lord’s mercy and grace as I seek to make right the deeply wrong sins I have committed against my wife and family.” He also asked for prayers for “redemption and restoration” in his marriage.