Judge Eugene Griffith said that he plans to “enter a preliminary injunction order” in the case filed last month by Richard Taylor, Parker Young, and David Chesnut, president of the alumni association. Taylor and Young were among the 14 trustees the general synod removed from office before naming an interim board — an action suspended by the restraining order. Chestnut also serves on the board as a non-voting member by virtue of the alumni association position.
A hearing before Griffith took place on March 25 in regard to the case and a temporary restraining order has been effect since that time, preventing the General Synod from convening a new interim board or taking any other action concerning Erskine College and Seminary, according to a report by the Independent Mail in Anderson, S.C.
Tuesday’s order was necessary “pending the drafting and entry of a preliminary injunction order,” which was being sought in the action by the trustees and the alumni association, according to Rick Hendricks, Erskine College spokesman.
The temporary restraining order remains in effect, “with consent of the defendant,” according to Griffith’s order. There has yet to be any official comment on the lawsuit from the ARP General Synod, its Executive Board or from the Executive Committee of the General Synod of the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church Inc., which is the legal entity of the Synod, according to ARP spokesman Ron Beard.
The judge gave no timetable for the order to be drafted and entered.
ARP general synod meeting
The court ruling is expected before the next ARP synod meeting June 8-10 at Flat Rock, N.C. Beard confirms that the meeting is on schedule. There are no Erskine-related items on the agenda as yet, but the Erskine Board report is due this week — a part of the usual procedure.
“ All matters regarding Erskine at this point are in the civil court,” said Beard.
