Man Sues Church After Being Slain in the Spirit

Is the church liable if you are slain in the spirit and you fall and hurt yourself? If the church alter workers fail to catch you should the church be held accountable? Apparently Matthew Lincoln who is 58- years old of Knoxville, Tenn. thinks so. He is suing his former church congregation of Lakewind Church and the pastors for 2.5 million dollars for failing to have alter workers catch him. Lincoln has been a member since 1995. He claims all of his years of attending the church someone has always caught him when he was slain in the spirit.

During a service on June 6, 2007 Mr. Lincoln stated a visiting pastor came to the church to minister, he apparently touched Mr. Lincoln's forehead and he was slain in the spirit, he fell backward, struck the floor, which was covered with carpet, hit his head and his back on the cement floor. The lawsuit also states that the fall irritated a degenerative dis disease in his neck and back that he had moderately recovered from before the incident.

Lincoln's attorney claims this is a complex matter, because the church's duty was to catch him and they admitted that they did not. Therefore Lincoln's attorney maintains the church violated their duty.

The attorney representing the church does not agree with Lincoln's attorney. He claims the church should not be accused of any wrong doing and was not neglectful.

Because of the injuries Lincoln claims he is no longer able to take care of his 25-years old daughter who is disable. Lincoln's wife is also suing Lakewind for $75,000.00 for loss of services and the companionship of her husband.

Lincoln's lawyer expressed that he has incurred several medical bills during the last year and is scheduled for back surgery soon.

Apparently the church insurance company refused Lincoln's claim because they stated that the church did not have a duty to catch him.