BishopAccountability.org
	First Presbyterian Pastor Retains Pulpit By Lou Whitmire News Journal December 28, 2010 http://www.mansfieldnewsjournal.com/article/20101228/NEWS01/12280301 MANSFIELD -- The Rev. Dennis Allison will remain in the pulpit as pastor of First Presbyterian Church, according to a Monday announcement on The Layman website. A year ago there was an attempt to oust Allison by a 2-to-1 vote by the presbytery, the church's governing board. However, the decision was appealed by members of his congregation, which led to a meeting in Canton on Jan. 9 to debate the issue. That meeting was followed by a remedial complaint to the Synod of the Covenant, a Presbyterian ecclesiastical court. Eventually, on Dec. 7, the Muskingum Valley Presbytery reached a settlement with the congregation of about 400, located at 399 S. Trimble Road. Both sides accepted responsibility in the circumstances that led up to the vote and agreed on a plan to move forward, according to The Layman Online, a publication of the Presbyterian Lay Committee. The settlement rescinds previous actions that would have dismissed Allison and likely the remaining church staff. The administrative commission that recommended the action investigated claims of conflict, membership losses, intimidation and irregularities in membership rolls and financial records. The congregation's leadership disputed those charges and claimed a violation of its due process rights in a complaint to the synod's permanent judicial commission. "My contention is they were not successful in removing me because they did not follow procedure," said Allison, who has been at the church since 1994. The settlement acknowledges the allegations against the Mansfield church's leadership were unfounded, but it said the congregation remains deeply divided with unresolved issues. Allison disputed that notion. "There is not a division in the parishioners worshipping with us now," Allison said. "We've been reduced in numbers because of this." The Muskingum Valley Presbytery is a body of 89 Presbyterian church congregations spanning 13 counties in eastern Ohio. The presbytery also took responsibility for not spending more time to resolve the conflict. Adding to the emotional tone of the meeting in Canton almost a year ago was the congregation had survived a highly publicized sexual abuse case involving children nearly 20 years ago. Allison shepherded the congregation through its recovery and the lawsuits that persisted for many years after that incident, according to The Layman. "We continue to help the community," Allison said, citing the food bank and other ministries. "We still have some tremendous programs, and we are still responsive to community needs. "The church is involved in providing emergency assistance. We once built a Habitat for Humanity house, we have a strong youth program and an effective youth pastor in Denise Conrad." Allison said it was his suggestion that the church look for another pastor when the dispute came to light. "I will stay until the congregation is ready for me to go," Allison said. "I've been here a long time." lwhitmire@nncogannett.com 419-521-7223
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