The court says the congregation, not just the deacons, would have to decide on firing the minister.
By WAVENEY ANN MOORE
Published June 4, 2004
ST. PETERSBURG - The Rev. Gordon Morris Curry, fired last week from the faith community he renamed Greater King David International Church, will be back in the pulpit Sunday.
A Pinellas-Pasco Circuit judge Thursday dismissed a trespassing order that had barred Curry from his congregation at 2550 Ninth Ave. S.
Judge Anthony Rondolino said the deacons who fired Curry did not adhere to the church's constitution.
Rondolino said the government of the Baptist church is vested in the believers. That means every member, not just the deacons, should have a voice, he said.
"The church needs to take a vote" on the pastor's job, he said, adding that neither police nor the court has the right to prevent the lawfully elected pastor from going about his business.
Much of the testimony during the almost four-hour hearing involved the legitimacy of two constitutions - one under the old name, Pleasant Grove Missionary Baptist Church, and the other under the new name, Greater King David International Church.
The newer version was never adopted. Hence, Rondolino said, St. Petersburg police erroneously issued the trespassing order based on the wrong document.
Curry, who has a criminal record and is currently on probation, said he is "very sad" that church leaders want him removed. His church "is moving up, not down," he said.
The 27-year-old pastor, who has led the church for less than a year, was fired by church deacons May 26 and escorted from the building by police. He was issued a trespassing warning and the locks were changed.
Curry's leadership has been controversial. As his grandfather, the Rev. Joseph Gordon, prepared to retire last year, he announced that he wanted his grandson to be his successor.
Curry was elected in May 2003, but dissenters say people who were not church members were allowed to vote. Under testimony Thursday, Curry said he plans to let the congregation vote on whether he should go or stay.
