Nashville (BP)—An early retirement package for Jerry Sutton as pastor of Two Rivers Baptist Church in Nashville was approved by the congregation July 27.

The package will include one month’s salary for each of Sutton’s 22 years as the church’s pastor, to be paid over a five and a half-year period. It also includes medical and long-time disability insurance until Sutton, 56, starts a new job or reaches the age of 62.

Sutton, in a July 24 letter to the congregation posted on the church’s Web site, told Two Rivers members he hoped they would approve the package.

“Over the last 14 months, we have been involved in a conflict which does not appear will go away,” Sutton wrote in the letter. “An incredible amount of energy has been expended and consumed handling the conflict. Although we have won court cases and church votes, the conflict continues.

“Our people are weary, leaders are tired, and those who love Two Rivers honestly want it to end. I do not believe that will happen as long as I am pastor at Two Rivers.”

Sutton was to preach his last sermon at Two Rivers this past Sunday.

The church has been embroiled in controversy over Sutton’s leadership since July 2007, when a church trustee was removed from membership. A group of about 50 current or former church members filed suit last September, seeking access to detailed financial records and launched a Web site listing their grievances against the pastor.