(Christian Week, Vol. 19, No. 21; Jan. 20, 2006)

Church disputes are a harsh reality for many congregations across Canada and the ramifications can be far reaching when problems escalate into the legal sphere.

Such was the case for South Calgary Community Church (SCCC), a growing Baptist congregation with plans for expansion. When some former members alleged they were victims of spiritual abuse at the hands of church leadership, lawyers got involved and the situation got messy.

Last April, Barry and Jennifer Pendergast set up a website detailing their experience at SCCC, several months after leaving the church where they were involved in a lawsuit against the board of elders who had revoked their membership not once, but twice. Read more...