Petition seeks to ‘cancel’ election at historic Harlem church – NBC New York

“Abyssinian has been a beacon of intellectual and spiritual light to the broader African American community for 216 years. This flawed pastor search and election process has usurped not only the pulpit, but also the members’ ability – and their religious right – to have a properly selected pastor of integrity and truth to lead our people through modern challenges. that we are facing as a community,” he told Dr. Clarence Ball III, a petitioner who has been a member of the church for ten years.

LaToya Evans, a church spokeswoman, defended the Rev. Johnson’s choice, saying only a small minority of the faithful opposed his inauguration.

“The Abyssinian Baptist Church stands behind the ethical, lawful and valid election of its new senior pastor, Rev. Dr. Kevin R. Johnson,” Evans said. “We will continue to defend our church, our heritage and our pastoral selection process from unfounded attacks by a disgruntled few.”

Last week, the I-Team profiled a group of 12 church members who publicly protested the electoral process that led to Johnson’s victory. In response to her criticism, the I-Team asked Evans to put together a group of church members to support Johnson’s election. That group — which was also interviewed for the story — included about as many pro-Johnson community members as the group that criticized his selection.

Jasmine McFarlane-White, one of the petitioners, said Rev. Johnson did not receive enough support from rank-and-file church members and argued that the church’s bylaws stipulate that a new pastor must receive the votes of a majority of all eligible church members to vote – not just those who cast their vote.

“You need a supermajority, a majority of all members in good standing versus a majority of voters,” McFarlance-White said.

According to voting results shared with the I-Team, Johnson won the election with 672 yes votes – that’s 55.6% of eligible voters but only 25.3% of the 2,655 eligible voters.

Those who spoke to the I-Team in support of Rev. Johnson said they had no concerns about the election process and believed that only a majority of votes cast was needed to select a new pastor.

“I had no concerns about the process at all,” said Delsenia Glover, a church member who voted for Rev. Johnson.

“He’s doing God’s work and that’s what I really admire about him,” said Michael Deas, an Abyssinian deacon who also spoke in support of Johnson.

The petition asks the court to order the formation of a new pastor search committee and to direct the church to present another candidate to the congregation for a vote. The petitioners also seek the cancellation of any salaries, payments or compensation the church has already paid to Rev. Johnson.