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Attorney Hopes Texas Court Will Uphold Pastor's Rights

By Allie Martin
December 2, 2004

(AgapePress) - A Texas appeals court has ruled that a pastor can be sued for following biblical mandates in administering church discipline, but a civil rights defender says the United States Constitution is on the minister's side.

Four years ago Pastor Buddy Westbrook of Crossland Community Bible Church in Fort Worth was approached by member Peggy Penley, who needed counseling for marital problems. Eventually Penley left her husband to live with another man. Pastor Westbrook then proceeded to follow the three-step conflict resolution guidelines given in the Bible in the 18th chapter of Matthew. Eventually, the minister went before the church with the matter, sending a letter to the congregation in which he removed Penley from church membership.

Westbrook subsequently found himself having to defend his actions in court. Initially, a district court ruled in the pastor's favor, but an appeals court said Penley had a right to sue her pastor. However, Hiram Sasser of Liberty Legal Institute, the firm that is defending Westbrook, contends that pastors are protected from such lawsuits under the United States Constitution."