TULSA, Okla. (AP) - A south-central Tulsa congregation that left the Presbyterian Church USA two years ago will pay the denomination $1.75 million as part of a settlement of a court case.
In return, the 2,000-member Kirk of the Hills Presbyterian Church will retain ownership of the property on which the church building sits.
Members of the congregation voted Sunday to settle the lawsuit it filed against the Eastern Oklahoma Presbytery.
A Tulsa County District Court judge ruled last month that the Presbyterian Church USA's denominational constitution made the presbytery, not the church, the rightful owner of the property.
Greg Coulter, the general presbyter of the Eastern Oklahoma Presbytery, says negotiations leading to the settlement started in earnest after the judge's ruling last month.
The settlement transaction is expected to be completed by mid-November.
In 2006, Kirk of the Hills members voted to withdraw from the Presbyterian Church USA and affiliate with the Evangelical Presbyterian Church.
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Update from the Tulsa World: The Eastern Oklahoma PCUSA group will not accept this settlement until some court definitetively says that the church belongs to the PCUSA.
http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?articleID=20081023_1__Asett70656
So much for Christian love and unity. This appears to be typical of way too many denominations. They get money and power and want more. I do not remember if the denomination gave them any money for this church or not. Pooling resources is not enough of a reason for a church to sell their souls to denominations for them.
I have followed this story. I also remember when they built the building many years ago. The saddest thing is that a Christian group would become dictatorial as they have. The denomination is no longer Christian so you cannot expect Christian behavior from them. During a minister's conference the pastor of this church stated that they were telling the people to pray to the goddess Gaia or some other one. The pastors had enough and left. That money is a small price to pay to be rid of them. Sad to say when it comes down in many denominations they will only act Christian when you do what they want. If not they become vicious dogs using the mantra of 'doing the work of the Lord'.
This is the state of much of Christianity these days.
What happened to forgiveness, christian unity & 'running another mile for your brethren'. from this article, christians / believers are focusing on the $ELF! there is legal action, settlement ($1.75 million) & other 'WORLDLY' activities. boy what a bunch of hypocrites! You are told by pastors / televangelist to deny 'self' show forgiveness, & other 'christ-like' treatment of your fellow man. but in this case, no practice what their preaching. WOW $1.75 million!
I'm in Tulsa but not a part of this congregation. A Methodist church offered to let the Kirk use their facility but it looks like they made their decision. They have a pretty large congregation with a lot of resources AND more importantly the passion to serve Christ. I'm sure that is such a small price to pay to have those heretics out of their hair. Thank God it will be over in a month. They can get on with the business at hand.