Survivor Fights to End Church Abuse Cover-Ups Hidden by NDAs
In the corporate world, a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) is commonplace. This is a legally binding contract that establishes a confidential relationship. By signing the agreement, the parties involved agree that sensitive information they may obtain will not be made available to others. This is also sometimes called a confidentiality agreement.
And it can be necessary, such as before discussions between businesses who are exploring potential joint ventures. NDAs allow them to share information freely and keep that information from competitors. Or for employees to sign to protect an employer’s confidential business information. For example, if you are working for Apple, you might be asked to sign an NDA to protect Apple from you sharing research for the next iPhone with, say, Google. It is also common to include non-disparagement clauses within an NDA as well, preventing employees from making any derogatory remarks about the business during and following employment. Breaking an NDA can result in lawsuits and severe monetary fines.
When it comes to protecting a company’s products and technology from competitors, this is all well and good. What isn’t well and good is when NDAs are used to protect leaders and organizations from bad behavior. What’s even worse is when they are used for this purpose by churches.
By now, many throughout the church world are aware that Robert Morris, the former pastor of Gateway Church in Texas, resigned in the wake of allegations of child sexual abuse. He has since been arrested on child sex charges.
The accuser, Cindy Clemishire (who has decided to go public with her identity), has also urged Texas lawmakers to approve a bill nullifying nondisclosure agreements for child sex abuse. As reported by the The Roys Report, she testified at a hearing of the Texas House Committee on Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence, which is considering House Bill 748, known as Trey’s Law.
The bill is named for Trey Carlock, a victim of sexual abuse at Christian-based Kanakuk Kamp in Missouri. More than 200 reports of sexual abuse by 65 perpetrators at Kanakuk have been made. Carlock took his own life in 2019 at the age of 28 and was never able to share his story publicly due to an NDA he signed with the Christian camp ministry. If enacted, the bill would render NDAs for child sex abuse void and unenforceable in Texas.
Clemishire testified that Morris’ lawyer tried to get her to sign an NDA, but she refused. As a result, “My abuser is finally being held accountable for the horrific crimes he committed against me as a child.” Following her testimony and that of two other women, the House committee voted unanimously to forward the bill to the Texas House.
Let’s hope it passes.
James Emery White
Sources
Josh Shepherd, “Robert Morris’ Alleged Victim Urges Texas Lawmakers to Pass Law Nullifying NDAs for Child Sex Abuse,” The Roys Report, March 19, 2025, read online.
Photo Courtesy: ©Pexels/RDNE Stock Project
Published Date: March 24, 2025
James Emery White is the founding and senior pastor of Mecklenburg Community Church in Charlotte, NC, and a former professor of theology and culture at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, where he also served as their fourth president. His latest book, Hybrid Church: Rethinking the Church for a Post-Christian Digital Age, is now available on Amazon or from your favorite bookseller. To enjoy a free subscription to the Church & Culture blog, visit churchandculture.org where you can view past blogs in our archive, read the latest church and culture news from around the world, and listen to the Church & Culture Podcast. Follow Dr. White on X, Facebook, and Instagram at @JamesEmeryWhite.
Originally published March 24, 2025.
