A California pastor who shoved an elder down the church steps is speaking out.
Parishioners are calling for Lorenz Roseman to step down as pastor of Beulah Baptist Church in Gardena.
Roseman is accused of shoving Elise McTaw down the church’s cement steps and through an iron gate on October 7, 2025. The incident was captured on surveillance camera.
McTaw suffered multiple broken bones during the incident.
Najee Ali, a community activist, posted surveillance footage of the incident on Facebook. The footage shows McTaw falling down a short flight of stairs after being shoved by a male.
Ali identified the man as Pastor Roseman.
“We’re not going to sweep this under the rug,” Ali wrote on Facebook. Roseman was arrested and the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office filed charges against him. He pleaded not guilty.
McTaw and other church members filed lawsuits against Roseman.
The pastor told his side of the story to KTLA Los Angeles.
“The whole unfortunate event began when I was informed that certain influential members, who held positions of power, might be engaged in unethical or illegal activities. After conducting an investigation and confirming the allegations, I removed them from their positions,” Roseman told KTLA 5.
He continued: “When these individuals could not oust me through our church policies and procedures, they began to attack my character and weaponize the legal system against me.”
He added that “judges have dismissed these suits as frivolous and lacking standing.”
Roseman continues to preach on Sundays, Ali said, adding that church members want him dismissed.
“Some church members want him gone and question why he’s still preaching while criminal charges against him proceeds.”
Watch the video below.
