SEXUAL ABUSE ALLEGATIONS
An overview and collection of articles related to sexual abuse allegations against Steve Morgan, founder and president of The Network
Court documents for case number K0053903 (Kansas vs Steven D Morgan), occurring in Johnson County, Kansas in 1986. The arresting charges were statutes KSA 21-3506 (Aggravated Criminal Sodomy against a minor) and KSA 21-4501b (Class B Felony).
DIRECTORY OF LINKS
Steve Morgan was arrested in 1987 for allegedly committing aggravated criminal sodomy against a minor in 1986 while a youth pastor in Johnson County, Kansas (greater Kansas City Metro area). The following collection of links are assembled to help navigate the various sources of information on this topic in one place.
JUMP TO SECTION:
PRIMARY ARTICLES
- PUBLIC NOTICE: STEVE MORGAN, PASTOR AND NETWORK PRESIDENT, WAS ARRESTED FOR AGGRAVATED CRIMINAL SODOMY AGAINST A MINOR →
- This article outlines the details of the case (including court records), the timeline of events of how the information became known to others, and context on why this information is important to the public
- For a direct link to the court documents, click here
- STORY: SWORN TO SECRECY: HOW I WAS COERCED INTO KEEPING STEVE MORGAN'S ALLEGED SEXUAL ASSAULT A SECRET FOR 12 YEARS →
- Andrew Lumpe, former Vice President of the Board and non-staff Discipleship Community Pastor at Blue Sky Church in Seattle, recounts how he became aware of Steve Morgan's alleged sexual assault against a minor and his efforts to urge leaders of The Network to initiate an investigation to recommend appropriate action
- For a direct link to Andrew's letter to the Network Leadership Team on July 2, 2019, click here
RESPONSES TO ALLEGATIONS
VINEYARD RESPONSES
- EMAIL EXCHANGES: FORMER VINEYARD OFFICIALS WERE UNAWARE OF STEVE MORGAN'S ARREST →
- Every Vineyard official contacted denied knowing about Steve Morgan’s arrest for sexual assault at the time of ordination, during the planting of Carbondale Vineyard Church, or during the time Steve Morgan remained a part of the Vineyard Association from 1995 through 2007.
NETWORK RESPONSES
- LETTER: RESPONSE FROM NETWORK LEADERSHIP TEAM AND ALL LEAD PASTORS →
- After court documents of Steve Morgan's arrest were made public on July 8th, 2022, Network Vice President Sándor Paull circulated a written response to church members from the Network Leadership Team and Lead Pastors at a Team Meeting at Joshua Church on July 10th, 2022
- Network leaders claim that online platforms distorted Steve Morgan's criminal charges for aggravated sodomy of a minor and that releasing this information publicly is cruel and evil.
- AUDIO: SÁNDOR PAULL OF CHRISTLAND CHURCH RESPONDS TO ALLEGATIONS →
- Sándor Paull, Vice President of the Network Leadership Team and lead pastor of Christland Church in College Station, Texas, gave this address to members of Christland Church on July 17th, 2022
- Sándor defends Steve Morgan and responds to allegations of spiritual abuse. He asserts that there has been “no attempt to conceal” Steve Morgan’s arrest for aggravated criminal sodomy against a 15-year-old boy, and claims that discussing it is “an abomination” because “biblically, it's forgotten by God
- AUDIO: CASEY RAYMER OF VINE CHURCH RESPONDS TO ALLEGATIONS →
- Casey Raymer, lead pastor of Vine Church in Carbondale, Illinois, gave this address to members of Vine Church on July 10th, 2022
- Raymer claims Steve has contributed to “culture of transparency” in The Network and that Vineyard leaders who released Steve as a pastor had knowledge of Steve's alleged crime in 1995 - a claim which former Vineyard leaders dispute
- This story is posted by NotOvercome.org
- AUDIO: SCOTT JOSEPH OF HIGH ROCK CHURCH RESPONDS TO ALLEGATIONS →
- Scott Joseph, lead pastor of High Rock Church in Bloomington, Indiana, gave this three hour "family meeting" to members of High Rock Church on July 15, 2022
- Scott Joseph defends Network founder and leader Steve Morgan and claims the charge for which Steve was arrested, Aggravated Criminal Sodomy against a 15 year old male victim, was not as "horrific" as it sounds (15m)
- This story is posted by NotOvercome.org
- LETTER: SOUTH GROVE CHURCH OVERSEERS RESIGN AFTER NETWORK LEADERSHIP TEAM REFUSED THEIR CALL FOR INVESTIGATION →
- Bobby Malicoat (lead pastor of South Grove Church in Athens, Georgia) along with non-staff board members Jason R. and Gabe W. sent a letter on August 29, 2022 urging the Network Leadership Team to investigate whether Steve Morgan had shown a pattern of untruthfulness in 2020-2022
- Bobby Malicoat reversed his stance after The Network Leadership Team refused to initiate an investigation. South Grove Church remained in The Network, and all board members except for Malicoat resigned
- First person accounts of these events and other linked documentation are published on ReformTheNetwork.com, a site calling for repentance from Network leadership
COMMUNITY RESPONSES
- CALL TO ACTION: Former Network Leaders Petition Current Leaders to Take Action in Light of Serious Abuse Allegations →
- Former Network leaders petition current leaders to submit to an unbiased, unimpeded, external investigation in light of serious abuse allegations
- SIGN THE PETITION: Urge Network leadership to submit to an unbiased, unimpeded, external investigation →
- The purpose of this petition is a public attempt to encourage Network leaders to take appropriate action to ensure the safety and well-being of all Network pastors, staff, members and attenders
- EMAIL EXCHANGE: DR. STEVE TRACY; WHY ABUSE DISQUALIFIES FROM MINISTRY →
- Dr. Steve Tracy, Professor of Theology and Ethics at Phoenix Seminary, affirms calls for an investigation into allegations against The Network
- In email exchanges with former Network pastor Ben Powers, Dr. Tracy explains his concern for the situation in the Network, and his belief that individuals who have committed sexual assault, as Steve Morgan is alleged to have done, should be disqualified from vocational ministry
ADDITIONAL BACKGROUND
- WHO WAS STEVE MORGAN BEFORE FOUNDING THE NETWORK? →
- Before joining The Vineyard Association and founding The Network, Morgan was a rising star holding elder and leadership roles within the Reorganized Church of Latter Day Saints (RLDS) denomination, including ordained positions as a youth summer Camp Pastor and Presiding Elder (Lead Pastor)
- NETWORK LEADERSHIP TEAM MEMBER LUKE WILLIAMS PARTICIPATED IN SILENCING WHISTLEBLOWER →
- Celeste Irwin of the Not Overcome blog recounts how Luke Williams, Network Leadership Team member and lead pastor of Vista Church in San Luis Obispo, CA, excommunicated Andrew Lumpe and encouraged the church to shun him after Andrew attempted to bring Steve Morgan's sexual abuse allegations to light
- This story corroborates portions of Andrew's story
- This story is posted by NotOvercome.org
- HOW A TIPSTER WITH KNOWLEDGE OF THE ALLEGED VICTIM SHARED COURT DOCUMENTS DETAILING STEVE MORGAN'S 1987 ARREST →
- A person close to the situation who knew Steve during the time period of the assault, and who was very worried about the well-being and safety of current Network church members, emailed details about the alleged sexual assault including the case number, criminal charge, and background details which aligned with other known information.
- This story is posted by NotOvercome.org
- NEWS ARTICLES ABOUT THE NETWORK →
- A list of news articles from The Roys Report, MinistryWatch, and other media outlets which address sexual abuse allegations against Steve Morgan
FURTHER READING:
SEXUAL ABUSE ALLEGATIONS : Steve Morgan, pastor and Network president, was arrested for aggravated criminal sodomy against a minor
HELP OTHERS HEAL
Consider donating to the National Association for Christian Recovery (NACR), a 501.c.3 non-profit whose primary purpose is to help provide resources to recover from abuse (including spiritual abuse) and addiction. Leaving The Network admires the work of NACR but is not associated with their organization.