Sunday's Internet Edition, July 06, 2008.
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Mickey Gerdes, attorney for the Plantiffs, stated that in previous years when plans were made to build the new church, assurances were given by the pastor and deacons that no harm would come to the little rock church. Then, at some point in the last several months, a church meeting was held and a vote taken to tear down the church and the building sitting to the west of the church with the intent to build a family life center. Mr. Gerdes stated that church guidelines call for resolving internal conflict by calling a meeting of the church body to determine the will of the church. He further stated that a meeting was called, however, no one was allowed to vote at the second meeting unless they had voted at the first.
Additionally, Mr. Gerdes noted that the Texas Historical Commission had given the Little Rock Church its highest historical designation, a designation shared in Edwards County only with the courthouse. Judge Lee was asked to leave the injunction in place, to maintain the status quo until church members could work things out.
Mr. Blake Coffee, attorney for the church pastor and church leaders, spoke next saying that he has been directed to set up a series of meetings to work with all the members of the church. He asked that the injunction be allowed to expire, saying that it is interference from the government in a strictly internal issue. His clients want the court to dismiss the case and remove the government from the picture.
Judge Lee stated that this case did not involve the First Amendment, that separation of church and state is not an issue here. He said that there must be some avenue to civilly decide issues for those in disagreements and that is the function of the court. Judge Lee suggested that a fifteen minute recess be taken to see if the parties could work out a solution and eliminate the legal involvement.
He assured the plaintiffs that if agreement could not be reached through normal church procedures, the petition would still be on file.
The plaintiffs met with their attorney for a short while and agreed to accept the word of the church that no harm would come to the little rock church while the church leaders worked with the membership through a series of meetings nor would harm come to the church prior to another court hearing if no solution was found. The matter was then ruled to be held in abeyance and court was dismissed.