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DOTHAN, Ala. (WTVY) -Harvest Church Dothan briefly addressed its ongoing dispute with the United Methodist Church throughout Sunday providers however supplied no info past that contained in a news report last week that it has criticized.
Whereas calling that WTVY Information 4 report “dramatic”, the church’s founder and senior pastor backed off his preliminary claims that it been fabricated and, on Sunday, didn’t query the report’s authenticity.
Pastor Ralph Sigler admitted to congregants that there’s a authorized situation concerning possession of Harvest’s sprawling and spectacular Fortner Avenue campus.
Harvest sued the United Methodist Church on November 10 expressing issues that, until a choose intervenes, the UMC may yank that property, together with a 1200 seat sanctuary, and evict members due to a stake—known as a “belief” —that UMC could have within the church property.
“There may be accordingly a major threat that the UMC will improperly confiscate or intervene with Harvest Church’s property,” the lawsuit states. “With nowhere to go, Harvest’s congregation and the guts of its ministry may very well be scattered for months.”
Harvest, in its personal phrases, claims that Methodist management may seize and promote church land and probably its amenities.
However when Information 4 revealed a narrative on Thursday in regards to the authorized confrontation, Sigler posted on Fb there was virtually “zero actuality” in what was stated. “(The reporter) apparently made most of it up. It’s virtually comical, so don’t be involved.”
However by the following morning, he had amended his criticism to say the story was “usually deceptive,” and on Sunday referred to it as “dramatic” however now not questioned the report’s accuracy.
Sigler stated the church had not been contacted earlier than the report revealed, although Information 4 despatched a number of remark requests to Harvest authorized representatives that went unanswered.
The United Methodist Church initially declined remark however later stated the report was primarily based on inaccurate statements and allegations.
A message in search of clarification about whether or not the UMC believed inaccurate statements got here from Harvest’s lawsuit or the Information 4 report was not answered.
Sigler stated on Sunday that he realizes members had usually been unaware of the Harvest’s Methodist connection as a result of the church has not often recognized with that denomination.
Like others, Harvest that ministers to about 3,000, is at odds with Methodist doctrine, Sigler confirmed.
The lawsuit has been paused till Harvest’s congregation votes whether or not to separate from the Methodist denomination.
UMC claims either side are working towards a decision.
The lawsuit was filed in Houston County Circuit Court docket and assigned to Choose Larry Anderson who retires in January.
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