Dr. Tony Evans, the lead pastor of Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship Church in Dallas, announced his resignation after almost 50 years at the church due to a sin he committed in the past. He emphasized the importance of conforming to the Word of God as the ultimate standard of truth. Evans admitted to falling short of this standard and failing to exercise righteous judgment in his actions, although he did not commit any crime. He stated that he needs to undergo a process of healing and restoration as a result of his actions, and the elder board of his ministry will oversee this process.
The church’s elder board, in accordance with scripture, is responsible for holding individuals accountable when they fall short of the standards set by the Bible. Evans made it clear that he will be stepping away from his pastoral duties to focus on his spiritual recovery. He expressed his confidence in Associate Pastor Bobby Gibson to continue leading the congregation in his absence. Evans urged his followers to continue their worship and ministry at Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship, emphasizing that they serve the Lord Jesus Christ, not him as an individual.
Details of the specific sin that led to Evans’ resignation were not disclosed, leaving members of the congregation and the public curious and shocked by his sudden departure. Longtime church member James Harris Jr. expressed his surprise at the announcement, highlighting the impact of Evans’ presence in the community. Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship, which Evans started as a Bible study group in 1976, has since grown to over 10,000 members and offers over 100 ministries locally and globally.
In addition to his role as a pastor, Dr. Tony Evans is a bestselling author of worship books and hosts a daily radio show called The Alternative, broadcast in over 130 countries. It remains unclear whether he will be taking a break from these responsibilities as well during his period of healing and restoration. Despite the uncertainties surrounding Evans’ situation, the church and its members are encouraged to continue their ministry and worship activities with the guidance of Associate Pastor Gibson. Evans is committed to worshipping at Oak Cliff during this process and looking towards a future of spiritual recovery and growth.
