Multiple felony theft-related charges have been dropped against Stevie Flockhart, celebrity pastor of a church in the Memphis, Tenn., area. According to the alleged victim, the church paid over $6,000 in disputed credit card charges, but Flockhart did not admit fault.
Last week, Shelby County Criminal Court Judge Ronald Lucchesi in Memphis, Tenn., disposed the previously filed felony charges of identity theft and theft of merchandise against Flockhart, lead pastor of 901 Church in Bartlett, near Memphis. Flockhart had been arrested on Nov. 2.
As previously reportado por El Informe Roys (TRR), Mark McCall, finance director of 901 Church from 2015 to 2022, accused Flockhart of opening a PayPal credit card account under McCall’s name, without McCall’s knowledge. Allegedly, Flockhart ran up $6,410 in unapproved charges on that credit card account linked to the church.
“It was the absolute worst betrayal of my life, hands down,” McCall said to local news outlet FOX13 in una entrevista la semana pasada.
En un comunicado a TRR, the Shelby County District Attorney’s Office indicated that the criminal charges have been resolved.
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“When confronted by the victim, both parties agreed to settle the account per the victim’s request,” stated a spokesperson. “After reviewing the statements from the victim, defendant, and a witness, our office concluded that the State would not be able to carry our burden of proof beyond a reasonable doubt.”
Flockhart’s attorney, Lauren Fuchs, told TRR that she is “very pleased” that the charges against her client were dropped.
She added: “The charges were dismissed after the defense provided additional information in the case, including financial documentation and information from neutral parties with knowledge pertinent to the allegations.”
En un comunicado a TRR, McCall disputed that Flockhart has answered for his “unethical actions” in the situation. “Supposedly, Flockhart used all the money on the PayPal card for church renovation expenses but most of it consisted of cash advances, and I never got receipts,” said McCall. “The church ended up paying the bill, not Flockhart.”
Flockhart, who previously was a contestant on “American Idol” and “The Voice,” is the son of prominent Southern Baptist Convention pastor Steve Flockhart, Sr., pastor of New Season Church in Hiram, Ga. 901 Church was launched as a satellite campus of New Season Church, but split off in 2018.
901 Church is currently part of The Extraordinary Church Collective, a church-planting and resource network led by Pastor Paul Taylor, who is also on the board of overseers of 901 Church.
On Nov. 5, Taylor addressed 901 Church in a portion of the service not livestreamed, but TRR obtained a recording.
“He didn’t steal anything,” said Taylor about the charges against Stevie Flockhart, Jr. Taylor added that church board meeting minutes from 2019 indicate the existence of a PayPal credit card account for church expenses, mutually approved by Flockhart and McCall.
De acuerdo a court documents, Flockhart previously committed forgery while pastoring another church. During his tenure as lead pastor of Mosaic Church in Woodstock, Ga., Flockhart reportedly “signed off on names of others (some members of his church)” on a property lease.
In January 2020, Flockhart pleaded guilty to multiple counts of forgery. Court records state that Flockhart was required to pay $12,690 in restitution. The case was resolved in November 2020. According to a local news report, Flockhart is still on probation in Georgia.
TRR reached out to 901 Church and to Taylor for comment but did not receive a response.
901 Church had a second campus in Millington, a suburb of Memphis, but it was recently closed, with its servicio final held on Dec. 3.
Periodista independiente Josh Shepherd escribe sobre fe, cultura y políticas públicas para varios medios outlets. He and his family live in the Washington, D.C. area.
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And he continues as lead pastor?
Trendy 901Church with a “celebrity pastor” who has committed forgery and now allegedly theft, but, “that the State would not be able to carry our burden of proof beyond a reasonable doubt.” So, charges were dropped. Seems we have pastor Fleece-the-Flock(hart) here.
Perhaps I’m misunderstanding, 1 Timothy 3:7 (LSB): “…And he must have a good reputation with those outside the church, so that he will not fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.”
You know the biblical qualifications for pastors and elders are strictly optional in the American church. Which is why I want nothing to do any of them at all.
This smells worse than 3 day old, unrefrigerated fish. And I notice the pyramid symbol on the freemason black and white sign. Tells me all I need to know…another cabal corrupt “church.” God is not mocked nor deceived. He will righteously judge and punish.