Virginia High Court Lets Lawsuit Against McLean Bible Church Move Forward

Faith Facts

• The Virginia Supreme Court declined to halt a lawsuit brought by longtime members of McLean Bible Church over the 2021 elder election.
• Church leaders sought to dismiss the case, arguing that civil courts lack authority over internal church governance.
• The decision allows the plaintiffs to continue their legal challenge regarding transparency and adherence to church bylaws.

The Virginia Supreme Court has refused to end a lawsuit filed by longtime members of McLean Bible Church concerning the 2021 elder election and related governance issues.

The justices denied the church’s appeal, allowing the case to proceed in lower courts.

“We are disappointed that the Court declined to hear our appeal,” said a spokesperson for McLean Bible Church in a prepared statement. “We remain confident in our position and committed to defending the autonomy of local church governance.”

The lawsuit, brought by members who joined the congregation years earlier, questions whether the 2021 elder selection process followed the church’s own bylaws and whether proper notice and voting procedures were observed.

Legal observers note that Virginia courts have historically been reluctant to intervene in purely ecclesiastical matters, yet they will sometimes examine whether organizations have followed their own established rules.

“This ruling does not decide the merits of the case,” the court’s order stated. “It simply recognizes that the plaintiffs have stated a claim that may proceed under Virginia law.”

Church leaders maintain that the elder election was conducted lawfully and with appropriate congregational input.

Critics within the congregation argue that changes in leadership direction have shifted the church away from its historic doctrinal stance.

“Our concern has always been about fidelity to Scripture and to the church’s founding documents,” one plaintiff said in an earlier interview. “We simply want the process to be fair and transparent.”

The case now returns to the trial court, where both sides will continue to present arguments over governance and membership rights.

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