DOTHAN: Today 20th Judicial Circuit Court Judge Chris Richardson ruled in favor of the local congregation, Harvest Church.
In a lawsuit filed by Harvest Church, located on Fortner Street outside Ross Clark Circle, against the Alabama West Florida Conference of United Methodist, Circuit Court Judge Chris Richardson has ruled the church property belongs to Harvest Church. The local congregation who, through sweat and sacrifice, purchased, constructed, occupied and maintained the current church property.
Many former Methodist Churches have broken from the Methodist doctrine. When Harvest attempted to break, the franchise organization attempted to say the property belonged to the corporate franchise United Methodist Conference. While they did place some seed money, it was the local people who were responsible for the development and growth of Harvest Church.
What began at Honeysuckle Middle School in 1977, initially met for worship, grew and located around the corner from Honeysuckle School to what is now Harvest Church. The highly respected Ralph Sigler, who is the founding lead Pastor and lead Pastor of Harvest Church. The former United Methoist Church had been involved in a legal dispute since 2022 to seperate from the Alabama-West Florida Conference over theological differences. Particularly regarding denominations rules.
The 1,600 member church is now a Independent/Non Denominational evangelical church. The church holds more conservative views then the UMC conference they left.
Harvest Final Judgment by Rickey Stokes
