The pastor of one of Broward’s most prominent Black churches took the stand in a Broward courtroom Friday to defend himself against allegations that he is abusing his power and misspending church funds, including overspending on the purchase of his own home.
Ezra Tillman, who was appointed senior pastor of First Baptist Church Piney Grove in Lauderdale Lakes in March 2023, told Broward Circuit Judge Daniel Casey that the money he has spent was approved by the church’s housing committee four times before he put a $200,000 down payment on a house in West Palm Beach. The pastor said he does not control church finances and cannot directly approve any expenditures.
“He doesn’t have access to the bank account and he cannot write checks,” said Tillman’s lawyer, Michael Garcia.
More than four dozen church members are suing Piney Grove over allegations that Tillman is violating church bylaws in making spending decisions and relieving church leaders of their duties. Tillman denied those allegations Friday, saying only two deacons were relieved of their duty, one by the pastor and the other by the church after the deacon publicly disclosed the pastor’s private address.
Tillman said he does not have the right to expel members, and the plaintiffs were removed from church rolls by their fellow members.
Meeting records that allegedly validate the pastor’s testimony were entered into evidence but were not immediately available Friday.
The ousted church members are asking Casey to step in by finding Tillman’s actions in violation of the church’s bylaws, the only issue a secular court can enforce over a religious organization. Both sides have two weeks to file their full arguments in writing before Casey will review them and issue a decision.
Rafael Olmeda can be reached at rolmeda@sunsentinel.com or 954-356-4457.