NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Leaders of a large Nashville church said its long-time pastor has decided to retire after several months of controversy.

Video: Controversy Leads To Prominent Pastor's Resignation

According to a news release, Two Rivers Baptist Church pastor Rev. Jerry Sutton has agreed to retire early.

The Channel 4 I-Team uncovered what some considered lavish and questionable spending by Sutton last year.

A group of members at the church called for Sutton's resignation and eventually filed a lawsuit seeking church financial records. After six trips to court, Sutton has decided to call it quits.

But even his retirement is generating controversy.

For a year, church members have questioned Sutton over everything from big restaurant tabs to the amount of church funds he spent on his daughter's extravagant wedding.

"Jerry Sutton is going to get his way whether it be right or whether it be wrong. He's determined to get his way," said church member Peggy Lewis.

Sutton and his critics have been battling in court over financial records he refused to release.

"We have heard so many times that he was going to resign. And I've said, ‘I won't believe it until I see it, and I was awakened by a call this morning about (6:10) telling me what happened, and I'm still holding my breath," Lewis said.

Sources told Channel 4 that during the Mother's Day service, Sutton and another man reversed a vote that had members opposing Sutton thrown out, according to the source.

"Since then, there has been a steady decline in attendance, and that breaks my heart," Lewis said.

But Sutton has been given what some might call a golden parachute. He will receive hundreds of thousands of dollars in severance pay, which is money that Lewis and others said the church doesn't have.

"It's going to really hurt the church if we have to pay him the financial package he's asking for," she said.

Though Lewis and others who sued have finally gotten Sutton removed, she said that Friday’s news was just another sad turn.

"I don't think anyone wins in a situation like this, because it tarnishes the name of Jesus Christ. There's no winners in this," she said.

For leaving, Sutton is set to get 22 months salary to be paid over five years, which comes out to about $60,000 per year. The church will also fund his retirement for two years, and pay his medical and disability until he finds another job or until he turns 62, whichever comes first.

Members said the church recently had to lay off some employees due to its tight budget.