Church Approves Sutton Retirement Package

Reverend To Receive $314,000 Over 5 Years

POSTED: 7:58 am CDT July 28, 2008

UPDATED: 10:29 am CDT July 28, 2008

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.

Previous Stories:

July 18, 2008: Pastor Parts With Church After Controversy
April 25, 2008: Church Members Fight To View Records
January 17, 2008: Second Suit Filed Against Prominent Pastor
January 4, 2008: Majority Of Case Against Pastor Dismissed
October 26, 2007: Church Members, Pastor Battle In Court
September 17, 2007: Church Members Sue Southern Baptist Pastor

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