Pastor Steven Lawson Deemed 'Spiritually Fit for Ministry' A Year Ago, 15 Months After Affair Scandal
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Elders of a Nashville-based church had reportedly restored disgraced pastor Steven Lawson back into ministry late last year, a little over a year after he was previously disqualified by Trinity Bible Church in September 2024 for engaging with a woman nearly 45 years his junior.
The letter, obtained by Protestia, was issued by the elders of Stephens Valley Church stating that Lawson was “deemed spiritually fit for ministry” after observing his life in the past 15 months.
“We, the Elders of Stephens Valley Church, a Biblical and Reformed congregation, have observed the life of Dr. Steven Lawson for the last 15 months. Several of us have met with him individually on a weekly basis. He has also attended our weekly Elder’s prayer meetings.”
Lawson, according to the Tennessee church's letter of reinstatement, is considered “a member in good standing at our church" and "has been faithfully attending our adult Sunday School classes, worship services, and Wednesday night Bible studies."
They mentioned they "have seen him make a positive contribution to the church and the lives of others."
The leaders of the Stephens Valley Church add in their letter that, given what they have witnessed from Lawson, they are confident that he was and is truly sorry for his past sexual sin.
"Based upon our direct interaction with him and his own written statements, we believe him to be genuinely repentant and walking in close fellowship with the Lord."
"Together we grieve his past sin, as he has and the consequences he has brought upon himself and others. Now however we rejoice in his present repentance and God’s work of grace in his life. In particular we applaud his pursuit of and patience toward his loving wife, Anne," the church's letter states, according to Protesta.
The letter ends by stating, "all we have observed these past months we deem him spiritually fit for ministry opportunities that the Lord may open to him."
Lawson, who founded and led One Passion Ministries, resigned from Trinity Bible Church in September 2024 after it was discovered he was involved in a 5-year affair with a young woman in her 20s. He had also stepped down from his positions as dean of the master's seminary and teaching fellow at Ligonier Ministries.
Lawson himself issued a public confession in March 2025 acknowledging his sin.
"It is with a shattered heart that I write this letter. I have sinned grievously against the Lord, against my wife, my family, and against countless numbers of you by having a sinful relationship with a woman, not my wife," Lawson wrote on X at the time. "I am deeply broken that I have betrayed and deceived my wife, devastated my children, brought shame to the name of Christ, reproach upon His church, and harm to many ministries."
Afterward, he moved to Nashville, where he began attending Stephens Valley Church.
In September, he released “Mercy in the Wilderness: How I Fell And What I Found,” a book highlighting what led to his downfall. According to Church Leaders, Lawson was removed from speaking at a pastor’s conference after he was listed as a speaker by accident.
Photo Credit: ©Instagram/drstevenjlawson
Originally published November 12, 2026.
