Joni Lamb, the CEO of Bedford-based Daystar Television Network, made her first public remarks on Monday following the firing of her son earlier this month. This decision came after a 15-month assessment of his performance and his refusal to comply with a detailed performance improvement plan. In an interview last week, Jonathan Lamb claimed that he was removed from the network's board and his vice presidency in April 2023 due to his refusal to sign a non-disclosure agreement. He felt that it would essentially put him in a perpetual gag order.

Family Division and Religious Disputes

Joni Lamb explained in her video that the death of her husband, Marcus Lamb, had led to a division within the family. Jonathan was deeply disappointed not to be named the future president after his father's passing. His disappointment only grew when she married Doug Weiss, who has been a great blessing to her, the family, and Daystar. Jonathan Lamb stated that a rift developed between him and his mother due to his religious objections to her marriage. The Christian Post reported that Weiss filed for divorce from his previous wife two months after Marcus Lamb's death.

Details of the Performance Improvement Plan

The performance improvement plan that Jonathan Lamb was put on before his termination included several points. The third point focused on social media, stating that he should refrain from posting comments on his or Suzy's blogs and social media without obtaining written approval from the CEO or a trustee. This included refraining from discussing his reassignment, the plan itself, Daystar leadership's decisions, or his or Suzy's appearance on programs. The fifth point pertained to Joni Lamb's marriage, emphasizing that Jonathan had expressed religious objections to it. However, Joni Lamb affirmed her religious convictions in her video, stating that they stand firm in their faith and believe that God is with them through the present challenges.

Daystar Television Network's Reach

Daystar claims to have over 100 television stations in the US and is available on nearly every major cable and satellite provider worldwide. The network is registered as a church and adheres to a statement of faith posted on its website. It airs shows by major evangelical pastors such as Kenneth Copeland and Joel Osteen. This extensive reach and influence make the internal family disputes within Daystar a significant matter.Adrian Ashford covers faith and religion in North Texas for The Dallas Morning News through a partnership with Report for America.