Dr. Tony Evans, pastor of Dallas-based megachurch Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship, has announced he is stepping away from his pastoral duties for a season of restoration “due to sin.”
“On Sunday, June 9, at both services, Dr. Tony Evans announced that he will step away from his senior pastoral duties at OCBF,” the church’s elder board said in a statement posted on the church website. “This difficult decision was made after tremendous prayer and multiple meetings with Dr. Evans and the church elders. The elder board is obligated to govern the church in accordance with the scriptures. Dr. Evans and the elders agree that when any elder or pastor falls short of the high standards of scripture, the elders are responsible for providing accountability and maintaining integrity in the church.”
Evans has pastored the church for 48 years and did not provide specific details on why he was stepping away. However, in a written statement, Evans stated that he had fallen short of the biblical standards set by his ministry.
“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 wrote. “When we fall short of that standard due to sin, we are required to repent and restore our relationship with God. 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.
“I have shared this with my wife, my children, and our church elders, and they have lovingly placed their arms of grace around me,” he continued. “While I have committed no crime, I did not use righteous judgment in my actions. In light of this, I am stepping away from my pastoral duties and am submitting to a healing and restoration process established by the elders.”
Evans went on to share that he will continue to be part of OCBF as a worshiper and thanked the church for allowing him to lead for 48 years.
