Expelled members of one of Broward’s oldest and most prominent Black churches are planning to return to court later this week, hoping to convince a judge to intervene and, in their opinion, force a pastor to follow church bylaws on spending and church membership.

Ezra Tillman, who was appointed senior pastor of First Baptist Church Piney Grove in March 2023, has denied any violation of the organization’s bylaws, infractions that would give a secular court authority to tell a religious organization how to conduct its business if it wants to maintain its tax-exempt status.

Broward Circuit Judge Daniel Casey has already handed Tillman his first defeat, ruling last month that the lawsuit filed by former members has merit and should not be dismissed. Now, Casey is being asked to step in and strip Tillman of significant spending and management authority while the lawsuit proceeds. Plaintiffs are seeking an injunction against the pastor to limit what he can and cannot do until the case is finally resolved.

“He has said from the pulpit that he’s not going by the bylaws; he’s going by the Bible,” said plaintiffs’ attorney Johnny McCray.

Tillman’s attorney, Michael Garcia, said the pastor followed the proper procedure for every expenditure and denied accusations and implications of misspending.

The Lauderdale Lakes church, with a congregation of more than 1,500, is the worship home of numerous past and present elected officials in Broward County and has developed a reputation as a required stop among candidates running for office and courting the Black vote.

More than four dozen members are named as plaintiffs in the lawsuit, which accused Tillman of using church funds to put a $200,000 down payment on a house in West Palm Beach, removing the deacons without authority, and expelling those members who challenged his actions.

An injunction would reinstate the deacons and the expelled members, all of whom remain free to attend Piney Grove but cannot vote on governance issues.

Church disputes rarely make their way to secular courts; it’s usually considered a last resort in Christian circles.

The expelled church members presented their arguments and testimony before Casey in hearings before Thanksgiving. Friday’s hearing will give Tillman and Garcia the opportunity to respond.

Rafael Olmeda can be reached at rolmeda@sunsentinel.com or 954-356-4457.