A Broward judge ordered one of Broward’s oldest churches to restore the membership and voting rights of more than 50 expelled parishioners who sued last fall after accusing the pastor of ignoring church bylaws and improperly using church funds to make a $200,000 downpayment on a home in West Palm Beach.
Both sides were framing Broward Circuit Judge Daniel Casey’s ruling as a partial victory. Pastor Ezra Tillman, who was appointed senior pastor at First Baptist Piney Grove in March 2023, was not ordered to return any money, and no finding was made that he or the church had misused any funds. But Tillman was ordered to reinstate two deacons he had removed from the board, reinstate each member who had been expelled, and drop a requirement that members cannot vote on church issues unless they had contributed at least $300 within a one-year period.
Casey had been asked by the plaintiffs to order a pre-trial injunction to restore their standing while their lawsuit plays out, said their attorney, Johnny McCray. If the plaintiffs later prevail at trial, Tillman could be ordered to reimburse the church for the $200,000.
“The defendants are enjoined from making any financial transactions without the approval of the church conference when and where required,” Casey wrote in his ruling.
While state courts typically do not get involved in church disputes, churches are legal entities that are required to comply with their bylaws as a condition of their tax-exempt status and legal recognition. Casey said the court has jurisdiction to intervene because it was not being asked to settle an “ecclesiastical” dispute.
The Lauderdale Lakes church, with a congregation of more than 1,500, is the worship home of numerous past and present elected officials in Broward County and has developed a reputation as a required stop among candidates running for office and courting the Black vote.
Michael Garcia, Tillman’s lawyer, has said every expenditure made by the head pastor went through the proper procedure for approval. This week he pointed to Casey’s decision as an indication that no money had been misspent.
McCray said the plaintiffs never asked Casey to order a reimbursement, saying that issue, among others, was the heart of the lawsuit, which will be allowed to continue. The next court date in the case has not been set.
Rafael Olmeda can be reached at rolmeda@sunsentinel.com or 954-356-4457.