Abyssinian Baptist Church Members Challenge New Pastor’s Election in Court
A group of congregants at the influential Abyssinian Baptist Church in Harlem is asking a New York state court to void the election of a new pastor who just took over the historic Black church last month.
New Pastor Under Fire
Rev. Dr. Kevin Johnson officially became the spiritual and administrative leader of Abyssinian at the end of September. However, a group of four church members has filed a petition asking a Manhattan judge to void the vote that led to Johnson’s installation on grounds that the election was conducted against church bylaws and influenced by a biased pastoral search committee that tried to favor one candidate.
Flawed Process, Say Petitioners
“BTChe process that I witnessed unfold effectively pushed aside other highly qualified candidates,” said Rev. Dr. C. Vernon Mason, one of the petitioners who initially served on the pastoral search committee but was later expelled, according to the legal claim.
Temporal Leader
“Abyssinian has been a beacon of intellectual and spiritual light for the broader African American community for 216 years. This flawed pastoral search and election process has not only usurped the pulpit, but also members’ opportunity – and religious right – to have a pastor properly chosen with integrity and truth to lead our people through the modern challenges we are facing as a community,” said Clarence Ball III, a petitioner who has been a member of the church for ten years.
Church Defends Election
LaToya Evans, a spokesperson for the church, defended the election of Rev. Johnson, and suggested only a small minority of worshipers opposed his installation.
“I-Abyssinian Baptist Church stands behind the ethical, legal and valid election of its new Senior Pastor, Rev. Dr. Kevin R. Johnson,” Evans said. “We will continue to defend our church, legacy and pastoral selection process from baseless attacks by a disgruntled few.”
Controversy Surrounds Election
Last week, the I-Team profiled a group of twelve church members who went on the record to oppose the election process that resulted in Johnson’s victory. In response to their criticisms, the I-Team asked Evans to assemble a group of church members who support Johnson’s election. That group – also interviewed for the story – included roughly the same number of pro-Johnson congregants as the group who criticized his selection.
Church’s Electoral Process Questioned
Jasmine McFarlane-White, one of the petitioners, said Rev. Johnson failed to get enough support from rank-and-file church members, arguing the church bylaws require a new pastor to get votes from a majority of all church members who are eligible to vote – not just those who cast ballots.
“You need a super majority, a majority of all the members in good standing versus a majority of people who vote,” McFarlane-White said.
Election Results
According to results of the vote shared with the I-Team, Johnson won the election with 672 yes votes – which amounts 55.6% of those who cast ballots, but just 25.3% of the 2,655 eligible voters.
Conclusion
The petition asks the court to order the formation of a new pastoral search committee and direct the church to present a different candidate for the congregation to vote upon. The petitioners are also seeking to void all salary, payments or compensation the church has already paid to Rev. Johnson.
**FAQs**
Q: Who is Rev. Dr. Kevin Johnson?
A: He is the new pastor of Abyssinian Baptist Church, who took over the position at the end of September.
Q: Who is challenging his election?
A: A group of four church members, including Rev. Dr. C. Vernon Mason, Clarence Ball III, Jasmine McFarlane-White, and others, are challenging the election in court.
Q: Why are they challenging the election?
A: They claim that the election was conducted against church bylaws and influenced by a biased pastoral search committee that tried to favor one candidate.
Q: What do the church officials say about the election?
A: LaToya Evans, a spokesperson for the church, said that the election was ethical, legal, and valid, and that the church will continue to defend its legacy and pastoral selection process from baseless attacks.
