-The complaint also asks that a special committee be formed to help Muskingum Valley Presbytery reconcile with the congregation and its pastor.

First Presbyterian Church in Mansfield, Ohio, has filed a remedial complaint against Muskingum Valley Presbytery over its action to dissolve the relationship between the congregation and its pastor.

The complaint, filed March 29 with the Presbyterian Church (USA)’s Synod of the Covenant, asks that the presbytery rescind its acceptance of a disputed administrative commission report and dismissal of the Rev. Dennis Allison. The complaint also asks that a special committee be formed to help Muskingum Valley reconcile with the congregation and its pastor.

The presbytery action in question took place Jan. 9 when a majority of Muskingum Valley’s commissioners endorsed an administrative commission report calling for Allison’s dismissal and recommending a clean slate of church staff. (See previous story here: http://bit.ly/9bcxbg)

In its report, the commission said its recommendations were made “not on any grounds that there has been malpractice, corruption or wrongly intentioned ministry,” but instead based on evidence that the church is in conflict and needs a change in staff.

Not only did a majority of the congregation support its pastor and staff at the special called meeting, its leadership also disputed the report and the constitutionality of the process.

“The administrative commission shrugged its shoulders not knowing what to do, and simply blamed the pastorate,” the complaint states.