Church discipline vindicated by Texas court

A Texas pastor, sued after exercising church discipline, has been handed a victory by the Texas Supreme Court.  The lawsuit was brought by a church member who refused to repent following a divorce and remarriage.

“According to the lawsuit, Peggy Penley was a member of Crossland Community Bible Church in Fort Worth when she had a relationship with another man and desired to divorce her husband. In accordance with the church’s disciplinary process, Crossland Community Pastor Buddy Westbrook eventually sent a letter to church members, informing them of Penley’s unrepentant attitude and disassociating the congregation from Penley. She sued the church, the elders, and Pastor Westbrook, claiming the pastor violated confidentiality statutes.”

See more HERE.

According to the attorney representing Crossland Community Bible Church, “This is a great victory for pastors all across Texas and all across the nation.” 

He goes on to say, “This is a very strong opinion saying that pastors who are engaging in Matthew 18 church disciplinary process are protected by the Constitution from lawsuits from people who don’t like how that goes down.”