Louisiana Baptist Church Factions Battle In Court

Alexandria, Louisiana's Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church is at the center of four lawsuits, with another set to be filed.  Alexandria Town Talk reports today on the battle between two factions in the church-- primarily older long-time members versus newcomers. The church, which was founded in 1902, serves primarily black congregants.  The church's pastor, Ameal Jones, who was hired in 2007 after the death of longtime pastor Donny  Granville is the focus of the congregational split. Opponents say Jones has built a power base of new members to the detriment of families that have been at the church for generations and who rely on church-financed services such as handicap-accessible vans and meals. The church's Board of Trustees fired Jones last year, but he refused to leave. They sued and the court ruled in the board's favor and nullified the election of a new Board that had taken place. But then Jones' supporters sued complaining that the church had not held an annual meeting or an election for 5 years. In a court supervised election, a new board of Jones supporters was elected. The new board tried to expel some of their opponents who they say engaged in disruptive conduct during church services, such as grabbing a microphone and yelling at Rev. Jones. The board has obtained a temporary restraining order barring 6 individuals from entering church grounds.