Mega Pastor Sued for Defaming Member From Pulpit

[StMark]

Pastor Sued for Defaming Member From Pulpit
Sun Dec 07, 2008




Pastor can't sidestep defamation suit



A defamation lawsuit against Pastor Rick Godwin and his North Side congregation, Summit Christian Center, cleared a hurdle Monday when a judge denied a request by Godwin's attorneys to throw it out on grounds it was an internal religious matter.

Larry Nail, a former church member from Boerne, claims Godwin defamed him last year when the pastor — from the pulpit — accused him of bribery. Nail, who tried to expose how Godwin was spending church money, also claims Godwin defrauded him by misrepresenting how donations would be spent.

Godwin, whose church used to be called Eagle's Nest Christian Fellowship, has denied wrongdoing, citing scriptural authority to discipline Nail for being spiritually divisive. The case has yet to be set for trial by State District Judge Barbara Hanson Nellermoe, who made Monday's ruling after more than two days of testimony from eight witnesses.

Godwin has declined repeated requests for an interview.

Nail's attorneys said Monday's decision shows that federal and state laws don't give a pass to ministers to commit defamation in the name of religion.....

Nail is among dozens of former church members who left the congregation after reports by the Express-News last year that raised questions about Godwin's spending of church money for personal items. The spending included thousands of dollars from a fund designated for mission and outreach for luxury hotel stays, charter jet travel and expensive gifts to elders and other associates, some of whom set the pastor's compensation.

[Praxeas]

Im wondering...should I discuss this or shouldn't I? Another round of accusations of preacher bashing or not? Hmmmm

[StMark]

Originally Posted by Praxeas

Im wondering...should I discuss this or shouldn't I? Another round of accusations of preacher bashing or not? Hmmmm

What in the world are you talking about

[StMark]

If anyone would like the link to read the full story on this, let me know

[mizpeh]

Originally Posted by Praxeas

Im wondering...should I discuss this or shouldn't I? Another round of accusations of preacher bashing or not? Hmmmm

I think you should go back to your cooking thread or start a quilting thread for Dan.

[Praxeas]

Originally Posted by mizpeh

I think you should go back to your cooking thread or start a quilting thread for Dan.

A quilting or a quiting thread?

[Jermyn Davidson]

I don't like the way this suit is going.

I wish it was thrown out by the courts.

For the courts to get involved in a case like this could have over unintended far reaching effects on the local congregation.


Why do people take churches and Pastors to court over the frivolous?

Mark, please post the link.

[aak1972]

Originally Posted by Jermyn Davidson

I don't like the way this suit is going.

I wish it was thrown out by the courts.

For the courts to get involved in a case like this could have over unintended reaching effects on the local congregation.


Why do people take churches and Pastors to court over the frivolous?

Mark, please post the link.

I think this is great!!!

[Digging4Truth]

Originally Posted by Jermyn Davidson

Why do people take churches and Pastors to court over the frivolous?

It isn't frivolous to sue for being defamed nor is it frivolous to sue for misappropriation of funds.

When churches become more like businesses than churches then business... is business.

[timlan2057]

Originally Posted by Praxeas

Im wondering...should I discuss this or shouldn't I? Another round of accusations of preacher bashing or not? Hmmmm

Uh ... this guy isn't an "ole time pentecostal" preacher, is he?

You're safe.