Friday, April 08, 2005

RUSSELLVILLE Strife over the leadership of a local church has spread to the courts.

In a suit filed in Logan Circuit Court, Crossroads, The Church at Logan, is a petitioning to remove two people from the leadership of the church.

It is in the opinion of those named in the suit, Billy Bingham and Joyce McPherson, that this is an attempt to push them aside.

Bingham and McPherson hold that they are still active members of the churchs board of directors.

In the suit, Donna Forgy, named as director of the church in the petition, is alleging that Bingham and McPherson are attempting to interrupt the employment of lead pastor Bobby Baldwin.

For his part, Baldwin said he was not sure where the problems in the church began, but he said the church is in the process of building a new building and that is often the source of strife in a church.

The suit alleges that Bingham and McPherson improperly removed Forgy from the churchs bank account, and called a special meeting of the churchs board to draft by-laws for the church and review the pastors employment and compensation.

I havent done anything wrong and Joyce hasnt done anything wrong, Bingham said. I have in the past and always will, put all my faith and hope in my personal savior.

With that faith have come works.

Ive been spending a lot of my time, and so has Billy, working for the resolution of this, said Lanny McPherson, husband of Joyce and a Russellville City Council member. We believe there are a lot of inaccuracies in the suit.

There is talk late this week, though, of settlement.

I dont think well be going forward with any legal action, Baldwin said.

Mediation is the way out of the problem, he and the churchs attorney, Robert Chaudoin, of Bowling Green, said.

I think we have an agreement to mediate who is in authority at the church, the attorney said. The pastor and the present leadership will remain for now.

This was a point agreed to by the other side in the conflict.

Mediation or arbitration or a combination of both is the answer to our problems, Lanny McPherson said.

What the future holds though is uncertain.

Whether I remain there permanently or not is open, Baldwin said. I do intend to remain until we are in the new building and we have a season of calm.

Both parties have made it clear they want this behind them.

I hope and pray for a quick resolution, Bingham said. I followed my lord and savior through all of this.

Though there may be some more legal papers yet to come in this dispute.

Our answer to all of this will be a matter of public record, McPherson said.  Daily News ·813 College St. ·PO Box 90012 ·Bowling Green, KY ·42102 ·270-781-1700