Concord Christian Center v. Open Bible Standard Churches

This case arises from the attempt in May 2001 by appellant Concord Christian Center (Concord Christian) and its pastor, appellant Rev. Lloyd Mashore (Mashore), to withdraw from their denominational affiliation with respondents Open Bible Standard Churches (Open Bible) and Pacific Region of Open Bible Standard Churches (Pacific Region). The appeal is from a judgment ruling that appellants’ attempt to disaffiliate was ineffective, and upholding respondents’ imposition of supervision and control over Concord Christian and all of its assets. Appellants contend: (1) the trial court erred in concluding that the “ecclesiastical rule” barred it from adjudicating the issues raised by appellants in their underlying lawsuit; and (2) under controlling neutral principles of civil law, the trial court erred in ruling that Concord Christian’s attempt to disaffiliate from Open Bible was ineffective and invalid. We affirm the judgment.

Factual and Procedural Background

Open Bible: the National Church

Open Bible was formed as a denomination in 1935. Its governing documents, contained in a publication entitled “Policies and Principles,” include the denomination’s constitution and bylaws,…