FRISCO (TX)
The Roys Report [Chicago IL]
July 13, 2024
By Josh Shepherd
A longtime pastor of a Dallas-area megachurch founded by radio preacher Chuck Swindoll has been fired for an unspecified “moral failure,” according to an email sent to church members.
On Tuesday, leaders of Stonebriar Community Church in Frisco, Texas, told members via email that Associate Pastor Tony Cammarota had been fired after “confess(ing) to church leadership of a moral failure” on Sunday, July 7.
“After much prayer seeking God’s direction, discussions as leaders, and then talking to Tony, we have terminated his employment effective immediately,” stated the email from Stonebriar Senior Pastor Jonathan Murphy and Pastor Les Fleetwood. “He is deeply remorseful, but his sin disqualifies him from serving on our staff as a pastor.”
The email was first reported by blogger Amy Smith of Watchkeep, and later confirmed by local ABC affiliate WFAA. The nature of the “moral failure” by Cammarota, a staff pastor since 2007, was not specified in the email.
“While Tony will no longer be employed with us at Stonebriar, please pray with us as we continue demonstrating the grace of Christ to him and his family,” the church statement added. “They need our help.”
The email to church members characterized the announcement as “sad and difficult news,” with Murphy and Fleetwood stating they shared it “with heavy, heavy hearts.”
Church leaders also discouraged members from discussing Cammarota’s departure, saying that any “speculation” might lead to “the Devil making it worse.”
“Please guard against giving the Devil any foothold for more damage to our church through unnecessary speech and speculation,” stated church leaders. “This is a sad day, and we don’t want the Devil making it worse through any one of us in the days ahead.”
The Roys Report reached out to Stonebriar for further comment but did not receive a response.
Stonebriar has weekly in-person attendance of 3,700 people, with another 11,000 watching online, according to the church’s website.
The dismissal of Cammarota marks the latest in a string of scandals that have rocked prominent Dalas-area evangelical churches.
Recent headlines include the resignation of Gateway Church Pastor Robert Morris following allegations of child sex abuse; Pastor Tony Evans’ leave of absence from the pulpit for unspecified “sin”; the abrupt resignation of Prestonwood Baptist Church Executive Pastor Mike Buster for unspecified reasons; and controversy at Josh Howerton’s Lakepointe Church.
Stonebriar founder, popular radio pastor Chuck Swindoll, announced last spring he would transition from senior pastor to “founding pastor” but would continue to preach often at the church. Swindoll’s daily radio program, “Insight for Living,” airs on approx. 2,000 outlets in more than 70 countries, according to his ministry.
The board of elders at Stonebriar Community Church chose Jonathan Murphy, formerly a teacher at Dallas Theological Seminary, as senior pastor. He was installed in the role on May 1.