Court Orders Deacons To Turn Church Control Back To Pastor

In Pike County, Alabama, a state trial court judge has issued a temporary injunction ordering two deacons of Troy, Alabama's New Mount Pleasant Baptist Church to turn the keys to the church and church documents over to the pastor and a majority of the congregation, and to refrain from interfering with church services. According to last Thursday's Troy Messenger, the deacons were upset that the pastor was disclosing financial information to the congregation outside the once-a-year business meeting. So they essentially took over the church. The court, however, ruled that a majority vote of the congregation controlled. The deacons-- one of whom had served in that capacity for 67 years-- had argued that the supposed majority were inactive members, and that there were only 15 members who actively attend and pay their tithes.