NASHVILLE, Tenn. (ABP) — The latest internet-publicized conflict at a prominent Southern Baptist church has ended with a lawsuit's dismissal and the pastor calling on the plaintiffs to “repent for their sins” — or risk expulsion from the congregation.
The request, from Pastor Jerry Sutton to 74 disgruntled members of Two Rivers Baptist Church in Nashville, Tenn., was publicized Jan. 12 by the Nashville Tennessean. The members said they received a letter signed by Sutton and Carlos Cobos, the church's deacon chairman.
The missive accused the members of harming the health of the congregation by filing the suit. It said that, in order to avoid church discipline, they must apologize in writing, drop all lawsuits against the church, and stop meeting together.
Days earlier, Davidson County Judge Claudia Bonnyman had dismissed the highly publicized suit, which was filed against Sutton and other church leaders. It accused Sutton and other Two Rivers leaders of using church money for personal expenses, including trips and Sutton's daughter's wedding reception.
The suit also requested that Sutton be fired and sought compensatory and punitive damages. Earlier complaints by many of the plaintiffs and other Two Rivers members included allegations that Sutton had looked at pornography on his office computer and had an affair with a staff member.
Sutton and other church leaders have repeatedly denied the accusations. The congregation has posted statements on its website to refute them.
Bonnyman's Jan. 4 ruling said the court has limited authority in disputes within religious groups and will not get involved. However, she did order the church to be more transparent with members about its financial documents.
James Porch, executive director of the Tennessee Baptist Convention, told The Tennessean that Baptist polity prevented the statewide body from involving itself in the dispute.
“This is a local church matter, and they are completely responsible for their actions,” he said.
Sutton, the 20-plus-year pastor of the 6,000-member church, survived an ouster vote last October. At the time, he told church members that the church “spoke very clearly about its desire” for him to remain as pastor.
“All of this has been very trying on me, my family, our staff, their families, our leadership and our entire church family,” he said. “Please pray that the Lord will bring all of this to a conclusion as quickly as possible.”
Sutton is closely aligned with the denomination's conservative power structure. A former SBC vice president, he finished third in a contentious 2006 election for the denomination's presidency. Sutton lost even though he had the endorsement of several high-profile SBC leaders.
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Read more:
Sutton, prominent Baptist pastor, safe in Nashville pulpit for now (10/09/2007)
Another prominent SBC church beset by controversy over pastor's leadership (08/17/2007)