The Hope group will appeal the decision, said Greg Collins, president of Hope Lutheran and a former vice president at Shepherd of the Valley. The jury had to determine whether Hope Lutheran members ousted King for no good reason. The Missouri Synod says a pastor can be thrown out only if he preaches heresy, commits a criminal or immoral act or fails to perform his duties. And unhappy members who simply stopped showing up for church testified that King never contacted them after their departure. King loyalists insist that dissenting members were upset over King's adherence to the doctrine of closed Holy Communion, under which only Missouri Synod members may partake in the sacrament.
More liberal pastors relax the rule to accommodate visitors.
However, the dispute is not considered grounds for dismissal under church bylaws. Click here for latest religion news.