BIG SANDY, Texas—The seven-member board of trustees of the Church of God Big Sandy expelled one of its own members Jan. 22, 2008. Board president Bernie Monsalvo said the action was necessary because trustee John Warren’s conduct in a previous board meeting “was not conducive to an atmosphere of peace as required to conduct meetings decently and in order.”

The trustees voted 4-2 in a specially called session to expel Mr. Warren, who wasn’t present at the meeting because he had traveled to Maine for the funeral of a relative and had decided to extend his stay.

Some analyze the move as the latest event in a two-year disagreement among Big Sandy members over the congregation’s sponsorship of the East Texas Women’s Conference, an annual gathering of church members begun by Linda Hardy White in 2000.

Mr. Warren denies the board’s accusation, saying he was not disruptive and had civilly commented on “actions” rather than “motives” of individuals under discussion. He also disagrees that his expulsion had anything to do with the women’s conference.

“This all really has to do with relationships and how people are treated,” he told The Journal.

The Journal plans fuller coverage of the Big Sandy situation in its next issue.