Controversy continues at Abyssinian Baptist Church.
A lawsuit has been filed by four members of the congregation, claiming that the election of Rev. Kevin R. Johnson wasn’t conducted in compliance with the church’s bylaws and that the process was biased.
In addition, they are asking the court to order the formation of a new pastoral search committee, to present a different candidate to congregants, and to void all salary, payments, or compensation the church has already made to the pastor.
Rev. Dr. Kevin Johnson responded to the lawsuit by calling it "baseless" and saying, "It really just boils down to not accepting the results of the election. That's it."
However, the plaintiffs describe grievances that are serious.
The plaintiffs outline several possible violations of the church bylaws, including a biased search committee, which Butts had convened before his death in 2022.
The plaintiffs allege inadequate elector participation, with fewer than half of the church members giving choice.
Johnson won his election with 672 yes votes, which amounts to 55.6% of those who voted but only 25.3% of 2,655 eligible voters.
The lawsuit also says members were supposed to vote on the new pastor's compensation package, which never happened.
A spokesperson for Abyssinian explained that members were encouraged for months to update their contact information ahead of the vote. The church used an independent, third-party vendor to process and certify the votes, and "elections are decided by those who actually vote."
Abyssinian Baptist Church had been lead for 3 decades by Rev. Calvin O. Butts who passed away from pancreatic cancer in 2022.
Rev. Eboni Marshall Turman, a Yale Divinity School professor, had hoped to make history as the church's first female pastor after Butts' death.
However, she wasn't named as a finalist for the position by the church's search committee, prompting Turman to file a federal lawsuit accusing the church and its search committee of gender discrimination.
Even though Rev. Kevin Johnson has been pastor for weeks, many still view him as an illegitimate leader given the lack of perceived transparency in the election process.
It remains to be seen if Rev. Johnson will remain as pastor. If he does remain, how will it impact membership at the historic church.
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