NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- The battle over money at one of Nashville's largest churches was back in court on Friday.

Video: Sued Church Pastor Claims No Wrongdoing

The Rev. Jerry Sutton, of Two Rivers Baptist Church, is accused of using church funds to pay for part of his daughter’s wedding. The 54 people who joined to file the lawsuit accuse Sutton of failing to abide by church rules and punishing those who question his authority.

He said he wanted the lawsuit against him thrown out of court, but a civil court judge said she decided against a ruling until she gets more information from the church.

“My first thought was, ‘No, you can’t have open access to all the church’s records,’” Sutton said.

“The court has given us the opportunity. It has reserved ruling for now and given us the opportunity to do what we have wanted to do from the beginning, and that is to provide her with an affidavit that responds to these allegations,” said attorney Larry Crain.

“They were going on what I call a witch hunt, or a fishing expedition, trying to find the smoking gun. I can tell you, there is no smoking gun,” Sutton said.

Church members refused to turn over records because they want to protect the privacy of members. The opposing people also question the alleged use of church money to pay for his daughter’s reception.

“I did not initiate it, but I did appreciate it. The church agreed to pay for half the food for the church reception, and we paid for everything else,” Sutton said.

Sutton said that after the controversy first came to light, a church member took out a checkbook and wrote a check to Two Rivers to pay for the reception so the church would not be out any money.