NASHVILLE, Tenn. (ABP) — A May 4 vote to oust 71 dissident members of Nashville, Tenn., megachurch Two Rivers Baptist Church failed by four votes. The ouster attempt was proposed by embattled pastor Jerry Sutton and the deacon chair.
Exactly 1,000 church members voted, according to a letter sent to the congregation after the vote. Of those voting, 663 voted to dismiss the plaintiffs, while 337 voted “no.” A two-thirds approval was required.
Last fall, the dissident members filed the lawsuit charging Sutton with refusing to release church records to members and with using church funds on his daughter's wedding reception and other questionable expenses. Sutton has repeatedly denied the allegations.