Home Christian News Ousted Pastors Sue Fla. Megachurch, Deny Financial Misconduct

Ousted Pastors Sue Fla. Megachurch, Deny Financial Misconduct

Lee Wedekind, an attorney for the church, says, “Celebration did not bring this lawsuit and does not intend to litigate it through the media. The church’s investigation has uncovered ample documentation to support the positions in its motion to dismiss, and Celebration remains confident that the truth will ultimately prevail.”

Meanwhile, Stovall and Kerri Weems are expressing gratitude for all the support they’ve been receiving. “Thank you for your prayers and standing with us as we look forward to being welcomed back one day to the church we have founded, pastored and loved for 23 years,” they wrote on Instagram earlier this month.

In last week’s statement, the couple insists, “Celebration Church members have a right to know what is happening in their church, and we have a right to be treated fairly.”

Editor’s note (clarification): This article originally stated that Stovall Weems transitioned from senior pastor to founding pastor. According to the Weems’ temporary injunction, Celebration Church leaders did indeed select Tim Timberlake, who currently serves as one of the church’s senior pastors, to be Stovall Weems’ successor in the event that Weems transitioned to a founding pastor role. But the injunction states that when Timberlake assumed church leadership responsibilities, “Pastor Stovall retained his legal position and authority as the Senior Pastor, President, Chief Executive Officer of the Church, and Chairman of the Board.” Both the Weems’ injunction and Celebration Church’s motion to dismiss refer to Stovall Weems as a senior pastor who was suspended.