Litigation On Ousting Virginia Pastor Continues

Today’s Hampton Roads (VA) Daily Press reports that a state court in Gloucester, Virginia has refused to dismiss a lawsuit filed by seven members of Zion Hill Baptist Church who want to fire the church’s pastor. Plaintiffs have requested the court to oversee a members’ meeting at which the congregation will vote on whether or not to dismiss Rev. Leon Abbott. The court rejected Abbott’s argument that plaintiffs are not members and therefore are not eligible to file the lawsuit. Meanwhile, though, the court refused to enjoin the church from implementing amendments to its constitution adopted last month that require church disputes to go to mediation. Plaintiffs had argued that the amendments were orchestrated by Abbott to consolidate his control. This is the second time this dispute is in court. Last April the court invalidated the results of a meeting that had voted to oust Abbott on the ground that members did not conduct the meeting in accordance with the church’s constitution.