Mega Pastor Sued for Defaming Member From Pulpit

[StMark]

Pastor Sued for Defaming Member From Pulpit
Sun Dec 07, 2008




Pastor can't sidestep defamation suit



A defamation lawsuit against Pastor Rick Godwin and his North Side congregation, Summit Christian Center, cleared a hurdle Monday when a judge denied a request by Godwin's attorneys to throw it out on grounds it was an internal religious matter.

Larry Nail, a former church member from Boerne, claims Godwin defamed him last year when the pastor — from the pulpit — accused him of bribery. Nail, who tried to expose how Godwin was spending church money, also claims Godwin defrauded him by misrepresenting how donations would be spent.

Godwin, whose church used to be called Eagle's Nest Christian Fellowship, has denied wrongdoing, citing scriptural authority to discipline Nail for being spiritually divisive. The case has yet to be set for trial by State District Judge Barbara Hanson Nellermoe, who made Monday's ruling after more than two days of testimony from eight witnesses.

Godwin has declined repeated requests for an interview.

Nail's attorneys said Monday's decision shows that federal and state laws don't give a pass to ministers to commit defamation in the name of religion.....

Nail is among dozens of former church members who left the congregation after reports by the Express-News last year that raised questions about Godwin's spending of church money for personal items. The spending included thousands of dollars from a fund designated for mission and outreach for luxury hotel stays, charter jet travel and expensive gifts to elders and other associates, some of whom set the pastor's compensation.