The Judge's Ruling

The judge is talking about a conference he had with the lawyers earlier in the day.

He said he would carry the case over to Dec. 10.

The judge said there is a question as to if the moderator was properly appointed by the court and, out of fairness to both sides, will carry over the case under the following conditions:

The parties must agree to a moderator who is a lawyer and unaffiliated with either party. The moderator will then decide if the procedure of the previous moderator was just. The parties will then come back together for the hearing in December.

If the evidence points to an error with the previous moderator, the new moderator will make a decision based on the facts in the case and a new vote may be held.

The judge then said the pastor cannot return to the church pulpit

"If he does attempt to do so or does so then he will be fined $500 for each effort ... between now and then," Judge Carl Adkins said.

"I hope that this ruling will move these parties towards a conclusion in the matter."