Two longtime staff members at Cross Timbers Church in Argyle are leaving weeks after two pastors at the Denton County church resigned.
Cross Timbers elders told congregants that Brian and Jamie Hackney, who helped found the church in 2000 and have served on staff for more than 20 years, were leaving, according to a screenshot of an email posted Wednesday on X by blogger Amy Smith.
The email said the Hackneys had “sensed their season” as staff members was ending, and “have decided that now is the time to make their departure.”
“Although there have been a series of transitions, we want you to know that our Elders and Leadership team have a renewed energy, and our staff has a forward-facing posture,” the email added. “We look forward to all the Lord has in store for our church.”
Cross Timbers Church did not immediately respond to an email request for comment from The Dallas Morning News on Thursday. The Hackneys did not immediately respond to phone calls seeking comment.
During a service on July 28, a Cross Timbers elder said former lead pastor Josiah Anthony had resigned because of “inappropriate and hurtful” behavior toward “current and former members of the [Cross Timbers] family and staff.”
Anthony has not responded to multiple email and phone requests for comment.
In an Aug. 1 email, Cross Timbers elders told congregants they had learned Anthony made “additional inappropriate comments” of a sexual nature in messages over text and social media.
“Thank you to the women who were courageous coming forward,” they said. “We believe you, are grateful for your willingness to share your experiences, and we are deeply sorry that your trust was violated.”
In the July 28 service, Byron Copeland, an executive pastor at the church, was announced as the interim lead pastor. He was later replaced by the church’s founder, Toby Slough, in the role and subsequently resigned from the church.
Adrian Ashford covers faith and religion in North Texas for The Dallas Morning News through a partnership with Report for America.