Ga. Church Removes 103-Year-Old Woman As Member

A small church in northeast Georgia is defending its decision to revoke the membership of a 103-year-old member who disagreed with the pastor.

The Athens Banner-Herald reports that Union Grove Baptist Church of Elberton says Genora H. Biggs was displaying conduct detrimental to the congregation.

The woman has been a church member for 92 years but disagreed with pastor Timothy Mattox about worship practices that include laying hands on members. Biggs says such activities aren’t Baptist.

A statement from the Union Grove church says members decided during a meeting that Biggs’ behavior was harming the church and couldn’t be allowed.

Church members voted in August to revoke Biggs’ membership, although she’s continued attending services.

Biggs was previously a church officer, and her father was one of its founders.