NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Most of the civil case against the pastor of Two Rivers Baptist Church has been thrown out by a judge.

The judge ruled that the courts had no jurisdiction when it comes to the self-governance of a church.

This all stems from allegations that Pastor Jerry Sutton misused thousands of dollars of church money for his daughter's wedding reception.

In September, dozens of church members filed a lawsuit against him and demanded a vote on whether he should stay.

"This whole finance thing was a fabrication because some people didn't like me, and they wanted me to leave. They thought if they could say enough ugly things about me that they would basically run me off. And you know something? I think it backfired," said Sutton.

Members voted to allow Sutton to keep his job as pastor.

The judge said members are entitled to look at the church's financial records.