Pastor Steven Lawson, previously a popular preacher in Texas, admitted to having "sinned grievously" six months after he was removed from his role as lead preacher at Trinity Bible Church of Dallas following allegations "inappropriate relationship" with a "young woman."Newsweek contacted Lawson, via OnePassion Ministries, where he served as president, and the Trinity Bible Church of Dallas for comment via email on Friday outside normal office hours.Why It MattersAccording to The Christian Post Lawson, 73, was "known for his fiery preaching" and was a close associate of John MacArthur, an influential pastor and the author of a range of books focused on Christianity and its relationship with wider society.The scandal comes as the Christian right has substantial influence on the second administration of President Donald Trump, who has signed a series of laws restricting transgender people from the military and women's sports and in his first term appointed three Supreme Court justices who helped overturn Roe v. Wade. What To KnowIn a post on X, formerly Twitter, on Wednesday, Lawson apologized for his actions, writing: "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."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."Lawson added that he had "been undergoing extensive counseling for the last five months to face the hard questions I need to address" and has submitted himself "in weekly accountability to two pastors and to the elders of a local congregation."The X post is Lawson's first public comment since it emerged in September that he had been removed as a pastor at the Trinity Bible Church of Dallas following what was initially described on the OnePassion website as "a sin that has disqualified him from ministry."In January, Pastor Clint Archer of Christ Fellowship Baptist Church in Mobile, Alabama, published a blog post following a telephone conversation with Lawson, describing his situation as a "shipwreck."Archer said Lawson had "wanted to make a public statement for a long time but has been wisely counseled not to because anything he said could be misconstrued and used to further hurt the many people affected by his sin."He added that Lawson's "relationship with the young woman was one of acquaintance and then friendship for approximately five years but was not one of a sexual nature until very shortly before it was exposed."According to Archer, the woman was "a consenting adult in her mid-twenties" and a "student at The Master's College during some of the time that they were engaged in this adulterous affair."After the relationship was revealed, Archer said Lawson moved to Nashville, Tennessee, to live with his brother as a temporary move while his family "processed the shocking news."What People Are SayingPastor Steven Lawson, on X: "I am growing in grace, reading and absorbing the Word of God, putting it into practice, praying, and meeting with other believers. I am involved in the life of the church, attending and participating in prayer meetings, Sunday school, the worship service, and taking communion weekly. I am being fed the Word in the mid-week Bible study. Please pray for my spiritual growth into Christlikeness as I follow Him moment by moment during this recovery season."I am grateful for the unmerited grace of God in the gospel to extend His full forgiveness to me. Again, I ask for your forgiveness as well."The Trinity Bible Church of Dallas, in September 2024: "Steve has confessed and regrets the damage he has caused to his family, the church, the reputation of OnePassion Ministries and most of all Jesus Christ. We are saddened for the glory of Christ in this matter."What Happens NextArcher said Lawson "is fully aware that he is permanently disqualified from ministry and is not under any illusion that he could ever be restored to a teaching position or ministry capacity that requires the qualifications of an elder." He added that the disgraced pastor is "considering avenues for secular employment."