UPDATE: Rev. Gill placed on administrative leave

Six board members of the Longboat Island Chapel told the Rev. Kenneth Gill Wednesday, Jan. 11, of a board vote to place him on a leave of absence with pay and benefits through Jan. 31.

On Tuesday, Jan. 10, the board met to vote on or against a leave of absence. Gill typically attends the board meetings but could not attend because of a prior appointment.

According to board member and communications Chairwoman Pat Joyner, “(The vote) was almost unanimous.”

Both Gill and the Longboat Island Chapel have retained legal council regarding the matter.

“I was really taken aback; I was surprised,” Gill said of the vote. Next month would mark his 12-year anniversary with the church.

According to Gill, the board told him if he did not comply and leave the premises Wednesday morning that the police would be called and that the locks would be changed by the end of the day.

“I was expecting that in the congregational meeting on the 29th, for folks in the church to make the decision,“ Gill said. “It says in our bylaws that only the congregation can remove a minister by two-thirds vote.”

President of the Board of Trustees Sue Reese says the events this morning happened “matter-of-fact.”

Rev. Emeritus Charles Shook and guest ministers will take over preaching while Gill is on leave.

“It seems to be going very smoothly,” says Joyner.

There will be a vote to ask to retain or dismiss Gill at the congregational meeting scheduled for Jan. 29.

Contact Mallory Gnaegy at [email protected].

Editor's note: This story was updated at 4:50 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 11, to reflect additional information.