Northern Ireland Charity Commission has today (Wednesday 4 May) confirmed that an investigation has been opened in relation to local church, Green Pastures.
At the beginning of this week the commission had said:
“The registered charity, Green Pastures, The People’s Church (NIC101855) has recently made the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland aware of some internal governance issues.
Today’s development confirms an escalation in the commission‘s involvement with Green Pastures.
In a statement published by the Belfast Telegraph, the NI Charity Commission stated:
“The Commission is continuing to work with the charity and can confirm that a concern about the charity, Green Pastures, The People’s Church (NIC101855), has been opened.
“No further comment will be provided while the investigation is ongoing.”
Last week eight members of the Church’s Executive Team resigned, citing concerns that lead pastor, Jeff Wright, who had been absent from the pulpit in recent weeks, had signalled his intention to return and circumvent an agreed internal ‘process’.
The full details surrounding the pastor’s absence has not been disclosed. It is understood the eight team members could not speak freely for to non-disclosure agreements signed.
We asked Green Pastures for comment on a number of occasions, and the ministry declined to respond.
The latest shock for the local congregation seen Pastor Jeff Wright announce his resignation following Sunday morning’s service last weekend (Sunday 1 May).