A state appellate court panel ruled Wednesday that a North Side minister and his church have the authority to discipline members and manage church finances without interference from a court.
The decision is a victory for Pastor Rick Godwin and Summit Christian Center in a lawsuit filed by Larry Nail, who claimed he was defamed by Godwin during church services in 2007 and that Godwin misrepresented how church money was spent.
Godwin used his pulpit to call out Nail for causing disunity and accused him of committing "bribery."
Nail and other church members at the time were raising alarms about Godwin's spending of a church fund set aside for mission and outreach.
Detailed in a series of Express-News articles, the spending was for charter jet travel, expensive gifts and luxury hotel stays for himself, his wife and associates, some of whom set his compensation. Godwin has since told his congregation that he paid back personal expenses he charged and that the church, formerly known as Eagle's Nest Christian Fellowship, has retooled its financial policies with the help of a law firm.
The appellate judges noted in their opinion the church's argument that Godwin was observing the New Testament passage of Romans 16:17. It cautions church leaders to "mark those who cause divisions."
The court also said it could not review Nail's financial concerns without intruding into the church's internal operations.
Godwin's attorney called the ruling a validation of the religious protection the Constitution should provide. Churches should be self-governed, private organizations allowed to follow their doctrines and practices, said attorney Laura Cavaretta.
"There is absolute, constitutional authority that says churches can manage (their) affairs," she said. "I'm sure there are situations where the Constitution would not protect the church. But this isn't one of them."Nail's attorney, Cindy Olson Bourland, said the decision unfairly tilts the scales of power in favor of ministers to use their pulpits as a weapon to defame members and avoid scrutiny by claiming it was church discipline.
"The opinion removes limits to what can be said from the pulpit," she said, "which will embolden bad pastors to verbally attack church members as a way to keep them silent on issues of wrongdoing."
The ruling reverses state District Judge Barbara Hanson Nellermoe, who cleared the case for trial last year.
At issue was whether Godwin's description of Nail as committing "bribery" amounted to defamation -- and was subject to legal review -- or was of a religious nature and beyond the reach of a court.
In his quest to expose Godwin's spending, Nail said he offered temporary financial help to a few church employees if Godwin fired them for revealing more about his spending.
What irked Nail and others who ended up leaving the church was that Godwin's expenses came at the same time the church was raising money for a new $36 million worship center at U.S. 281 and Marshall Road.
Nail is exploring all legal options, his attorney said, including an appeal to the Texas Supreme Court.
The ruling came from a panel of the Fourth Court of Appeals made up of Chief Justice Catherine Stone and Justices Steven C. Hilbig and Rebecca Simmons.
Source: MySanAntonio.com
Comments |  RSS |
|
I can't see how Godwin is still behind the pulpit except that his "board" is his family and close friends. The ones the lawsuit names as using church money for their vacations and expensive gifts.
It is stunning to me how Godwin did not ever apologize to his congregation, just went on "business as usual." Did Jesus really intend for church to be a big business. Are they making merchandise out of YOU? My answer is YES!!
This is nothing but a legal Ponzi scheme that is hurting people. Why shouldn't pastors have to disclose where ALL the tithe money goes like other non profits? Why shouldn't they be transparent with their salaries like other non profit CEO's....
The church is set up as a dictatorship and not even the members can ask questions. Have you seen all the body guards and security? Did you know Godwin has private investigators too?
What a scam!!
This case is now in front of the Texas Supreme Court! Has Godwin told his flock THAT??!! Doubt it!
Disgraceful! Not a church, just a feel good place that takes your money!! Blind sheep!!
Godwin is currently preaching on Christian radio about "How to mess up a family". He should know since he divorced his first wife, put his eldest daughter in an institution then an orphanage at age 9, because Cindy Godwin (17 yrs at the time) didn't want her.
Google "Shannon Godwin Ramsey" and read her heart breaking story!! Godwin is the king of messing up a family.
Give lots of money this year, Cindy, and the other "first ladies" need some more face lifts!!
I am a member of Summit Christian Center and I would like to expose the generous giving of this church that is not represented in this story or the comments. Did you know that Summit Christian Center is giving 2,700 christmas presents to children in child protective services this year year, because AT&T couldn't? Not only are members giving, but Rick and Cindy personally gave as well. Summit is also the #2 contributor of AIDS funding locally. I don't see a mentality of greed at Summit as I do with other large churches. There is a spirit of giving at Summit. I wouldn't go there if there wasn't.... I can't tolerate greed and neither could Jesus.