NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Members of Two Rivers Baptist Church have approved a retirement package for Rev. Jerry Sutton.

The $314,000 deal will be paid out over five and a half years.

Sutton will also receive health and disability insurance under the agreement.

Earlier this year, he was accused of misusing church funds.

A group of members at the church called for Sutton's resignation and eventually filed a lawsuit seeking church financial records.

Both the pastor other church leaders hope the retirement will end a 14-month conflict with dissident members who sued the church seeking access to church financial records.

The plaintiffs were ousted from the church on May 12 but the lawsuit continues.

Sutton has led the church for more than 22 years. He lost a bid to become president of the Southern Baptist Convention in 2006.

Church members said they recently had to lay off some employees due to its tight budget.