ÿWPC1 è5ôÝâöAư%@ưܥ¸OùúJ!ƒåOѱx3º†“aLAôç“*$nÖÃ¥†ó•—Hª¡%š°ÔZf_fç7¦åÃå.±ZX t—@[e'©azÉ·%¿ÝÐñýè@áÏéIfï Øž8âóè©!Úju)ÔfæTÕ61µ¯ X{Æ=ºbu;féù“jí4j•ÅI]êq®¢Rϸ–¯ùÔz-CÀèâ„!âòHÉÆ É­¾E_Ü®…$lÀ"KµÏm̬^æä w)ĦǎÁtrMÕeŽØ±ÞíаR‚zî깦§éõ%¬Ô Ú Øc£/™óÆLnYýúK˧MzX—ÖÆ©-ïU~È7zm6Dp+0hПQ«­š «¢·¡kSm|°;Žk?·â59~ìŒ!5Dgؾ-ï–ùØŸV$†˜òg=i«;ᢛB1)FÂ~NØVZ¼ê–—=2FÐ!±ÌHÅzÈþØÍ '5—Ø',Q4@sù?£ÙsW[<‘e ùPŽkÔfDîdy}ªp›üÀYö\Ld7 мÐÅ9xCOO9&ö¾ô²Ùdÿæ5’AÊÚæé‘r>wç^Ó&eO .öäÚ±:àˆqž 7Gb#É\ %% UN+ 0ˆy UN ÍO 0D z` ÒÚ 1¬ ^ Ý?éw()Æ,)Æò)Ƹ*Æ~+4D,NX,Z,i,Ek, mm,m,m,m,m,m,m,m,m,m,m,m,m,m,m,m,m,m,m,m,m,m,m,b„,„,„,„,„,„,„,„,„,„,„,„,„,„,„,„,„,„,„,„,„,„,„,„,„,„,„,„,„,„,„,„,„,„,„,„, 0ëŒ,Œ,Œ,Œ, Bw-w- 0¤”- D38. D-k. 0K˜.˜. ASã.Æ6/ 0¤ü/ 0D 0 A«ä0˜HP LaserJet 4250 PCL 5eÈÈ,,,,ÈÈ0»(ÖÃ9 Z‹6Times New Roman Regular(`£ª$¡¡Ñ€.ÑÑ8€½­»»d»»d8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  Ó(í€"  Z6Times New Roman Regular ÃÝ ƒRÍá$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú1Ú  ÚóóÔ€ôíò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_Ô€òòò òSeeó óóó€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€48„67„101€òòet€seqóó.€(2002).(#Ã$òòÚ  Ú0Ú  Úóó ˜C:\PROGRA~1\COREL\WORDPE~1\TEMPLATE\CUSTOM~1\REVISE~1.WPTC:\Program Files\Corel\WordPerfect Office 2000\Template\Custom WP Templates\revised standard opinion.wpt 'Ý ƒRÍá$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú2Ú  ÚóóÔ€ôíò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_Ô€ð ðThere€are€two€distinct€forms€of€church€organization,€congregational€and€hierarchical.ðð€€77€Ô_ÔC.J.S.Ô_Ô€òòReligiousÐ ° ÐSocieties€óóðð€5€(1994).€€ð ðA€congregational€church€is€a€church€where€each€local€body€is€self„governing€and€independent.€Ð tÄ ÐIt€is€governed€by€its€membership,€or€by€some€other€local€organism,€such€as€a€church€board.ðð€€òòId.óó€€Äx›3î  5Ý ƒRÍá$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú3Ú  ÚóóÔ€ôíò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_Ô€Even€if€the€Members€had€raised€their€excommunication€from€MBCC€as€a€cause€of€action€in€their€complaint,Ð ° Ðthe€act€of€excluding€them€from€membership€would€not€vest€the€chancery€court€with€subject€matter€jurisdiction.€€OurÐ tÄ Ðsupreme€court€has€previously€held€that€questions€regarding€the€admission€and€expulsion€of€members€to€a€church€areÐ 8ˆ Ðpurely€ecclesiastical€in€nature,€stating:Ð üL ÐÌÓ °ÓÓ °Óà ¸ àThe€relations€of€a€member€to€his€church€are€not€contractual.€€No€bond€ofÐ „Ô Ðcontract,€express€or€implied,€connects€him€with€his€communion€or€determines€hisÐ H ˜ Ðrights.€€Church€relationship€stands€upon€an€altogether€higher€plane,€andÐ  \ Ðchurch-membership€is€not€to€be€compared€to€that€resulting€from€connection€withÐ Ð  Ðmere€human€associations€for€profit,€pleasure,€or€culture.€€The€church€undertakes€toÐ ” ä  Ðdeal€only€with€the€spiritual€side€of€man.€€It€does€not€appeal€to€his€purely€human€andÐ X ¨  Ðtemporal€interests.€€Admission€to€its€fold€is€prescribed€alone€by€the€church,Ð  l   Ðprofessing€to€act€only€upon€the€word€of€God.€€It€claims€the€power€of€the€keys€byÐ ° Ðdivine€and€not€human€authority.€€Its€right€to€determine€the€grounds€of€admission€hasÐ tÄ Ðnever€been€questioned.€€Why€shall€the€co-ordinate€right€of€exclusion€be€scrutinizedÐ 8ˆ Ðby€the€civil€power?€€No€property€rights€of€a€personal€kind€depend€uponÐ üL Ðmembership.€€No€pecuniary€right,€or€civil€right€of€any€character,€was€affected€byÐ À Ðexpulsion.€.€.€.€Although€expulsion€deprived€the€member€of€his€rights€as€a€corporatorÐ „Ô Ðto€vote€for€trustees,€yet,€as€his€rights€as€a€corporator€depended€upon€his€connectionÐ H ˜ Ðwith€the€church,€he€was€held€to€have€no€action€against€the€corporation€or€any€rightÐ  \ Ðto€be€re„instated.Ð Ð  ÐÌà ¸ à.€.€.€.Ð X ¨  ÐÌÓ °UÓÓ °ÓÓ °GÓÓ °ÓWe€are€not€to€be€understood€as€approving€an€expulsion€from€church-membershipÐ à 0  Ðby€irregular€methods€and€without€notice€to€the€member.€€But€here€we€have€a€fact€toÐ ¤ô  Ðbe€dealt€withð"ðthe€fact€that€this€church,€sitting€as€a€court,€has€determined€for€itselfÐ h¸  Ðthat€it€had€the€power€and€the€right€to€exclude€these€complainants.€€They€have,€as€aÐ ,|  Ðjudicature,€adjudged€that€they€had€the€jurisdiction,€and€that€the€usage€and€law€of€theÐ ð@  Ðchurch€did€not€demand€other€trial€or€notice€than€such€as€attended€the€public€actionÐ ´  Ðof€the€church.€€The€law€of€the€church€provides€for€no€appeal€to€a€higher€tribunal.€òòÐ xÈ  ÐThey€may€have€erred€in€their€procedure.€€It€is€not€for€a€civil€Court€to€revise€theirÐ <Œ Ðaction€in€a€matter€so€vital€to€their€freedom€as€a€churchóó.Ð P ÐÌà ¸ à.€.€.€.Ð ˆØ ÐÌà ¸ àð ðIn€this€country€the€full€and€free€right€to€entertain€any€religious€belief,€toÐ ` Ðpractice€any€religious€principle,€and€to€teach€any€religious€doctrine€which€does€notÐ Ô$ Ðviolate€the€laws€of€morality€and€property,€and€which€does€not€infringe€personalÐ ˜è Ðrights,€is€conceded€to€all.€€The€law€knows€no€heresy,€and€is€committed€to€theÐ \¬ Ðsupport€of€no€dogma,€the€establishment€of€no€church.€The€right€to€organizeÐ  p Ðvoluntary€religious€associations,€to€assist€in€the€expression€and€dissemination€of€anyÐ ä4 Ðreligious€doctrine,€and€to€create€tribunals€for€the€decision€of€controverted€questionsÐ ¨ø Ðof€faith€within€the€association,€and€for€the€ecclesiastical€government€of€all€theÐ l¼ Ðindividual€members,€congregations,€and€officers€within€the€general€association,€isÐ 0€  Ðunquestioned.€òòAll€who€unite€themselves€to€such€a€body€do€so€with€an€impliedÐ ôD! Ðconsent€to€this€government,€and€are€bound€to€submit€to€it.€óó€But€it€would€be€a€vainÐ ¸" Ðconsent,€and€would€lead€to€the€total€subversion€of€such€religious€bodies,€if€any€oneÐ |Ì# Ðaggrieved€by€one€of€their€decisions€should€appeal€to€the€secular€courts€and€haveÐ @ $ Ðthem€reversed.€€It€is€of€the€essence€of€these€religious€unions,€and€of€their€right€toÐ !T% Ðestablish€tribunals€for€the€decision€of€questions€arising€among€themselves,€that€thoseÐ È!& Ðdecisions€should€be€binding€in€all€cases€of€ecclesiastical€cognizance,€subject€onlyÐ Œ"Ü' Ðto€such€appeals€as€the€organism€itself€provides.ððÐ P# ( ÐÌà ¸ à.€.€.€.Ð Ø$( * ÐÌà ¸ àð ðThis€Court,€having€no€ecclesiastical€jurisdiction,€cannot€revise€or€questionÐ `&°!, Ðordinary€acts€of€church-discipline€or€excision.€€Our€only€judicial€power€in€the€caseÐ $'t"- Ðarises€from€the€conflicting€claims€of€the€parties€to€the€church-property€and€the€useÐ è'8#. Ðof€it.€€And€these€we€must€decide€as€we€do€all€other€civil€controversies€brought€toÐ ¬(ü#/ Ðthis€tribunal€for€ultimate€decision.€€òòWe€cannot€decide€who€ought€to€be€members€ofÐ ° Ðthe€church,€nor€whether€the€excommunicated€have€been€justly€or€unjustly,€regularlyÐ tÄ Ðor€irregularly€cut€off€from€the€body€of€the€churchóó.€€òòWe€must€take€the€fact€ofÐ 8ˆ Ðexpulsion€as€conclusive€proof€that€the€persons€expelled€are€not€now€members€of€theÐ üL Ðrepudiating€church,€for,€whether€right€or€wrong,€the€act€of€excommunication€must,Ð À Ðas€to€the€fact€of€membership,€be€law€to€this€Courtóó.Ð „Ô ÐÓ °ÞÓÓ °¾ÓÌò òòòNance€v.€Busbyóóó ó,€18€S.W.€874,€879ð!ð81€(Tenn.€1891)€(emphasis€added);€ò òòòsee€also€Fowler€v.€Baileyóóó ó,€844€P.2d€141,€145Ð  \ Ð(Okla.€1992)€(ð ðChurch€membership,€by€itself,€is€not€a€civil€or€property€right€subject€to€civil€judicial€regulation,€and€weÐ Ò " Ðwill€not€compel€a€church€to€reinstate€a€member.ðð).Ð – æ  ÐÌLevel 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5‚Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5„Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5…Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5ËtÖ2ê:i¢×+003|x ÿU‹ÿÀÀÀ- ù-(|G2Íá$¤¤Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€RÍ»»dd8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  Ýà  àòòÚ  Ú0Ú  ÚóóÔ€ôíò»»Ô d(|3GŽ$££Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€RÍ»»dd8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  ÝVVVV'ÿÿdxd)!ÈÈÈÈdxdx( ±þ$’’ò òFigure€Ú  Ú1Ú  Úó ó^_X`YEþÿ<<CÿÿƒLevel 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5(|3GŽ$¢¢Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€RÍ»»dd8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  Ý($$””ò òÚ  Ú1Ú  Úó óX[Z&OLE 2.0 Box <=8ÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿCÿÿ HKKKKÝ ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€RÍ»»ddÈ8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  ÝÔ_ÔÑ  ÑÔ€¼RÍ»»»ÔÑ8€ ÕXXdì»»d8ÑÑ  Ñà@ü ü ìàÔ‡î^Øî»¼RÍÔIN€THE€COURT€OF€APPEALS€OF€TENNESSEEˆÐ ° Ðà@õõ%ìàAT€JACKSONÔ#†¼RÍ»îî^Ø #ԈРÖ& ÐÓ  ÓAUGUST€23,€2005€SessionÐ üL ÐÔ‡X ÕX»¼RÍÔÌò òÔ#†¼RÍ»XX Õò#ÔMELVIN€FOSTER,€òòet€al.óó€v.€HAROLD€COLLINS,€òòet€alóó.Ô‡X ÕX»¼RÍÔó óÐ úJ ÐÌà@@½½ìàò òDirect€Appeal€from€the€Chancery€Court€for€Shelby€CountyÐ ú J Ðà@@øøìàNo.€CH„02„1880„1€€€€€€Walter€L.€Evans,€ChancellorÐ æ 6 ÐÌÌà@@ìì*ìàßA€V) °°` d€÷E<©` AßÐ ªú  ÐÌà@@TTìàNo.€W2004„01959„Ô_ÔCOAÔ_Ô„R3„CV€„€Filed€December€27,€Ô_Ô2005Ô_ÔÐ ¥õ  ÐÌßA€V) °°` dE<|` AßÐ }Í  Ðó óÌÓ  ÓÔ‡X ÕXXX ÕÔFourteen€members€of€a€church€filed€a€complaint€against€the€church€leadership€seeking€an€injunctionÐ xÈ  Ðto€prevent€the€church€from€renewing€the€pastorððs€contract€and€to€enjoin€the€church€leadership€fromÐ d´ Ðutilizing€church€funds€in€a€manner€which€displeased€them.€€The€parties€ultimately€settled€the€caseÐ P  Ðby€entering€into€a€settlement€agreement,€which€the€chancery€court€incorporated€into€its€orderÐ <Œ Ðdismissing€the€case€with€prejudice.€€Shortly€thereafter,€the€members€filed€a€petition€seeking€to€holdÐ (x Ðthe€church€leadership€in€contempt€for€violating€the€terms€of€the€settlement€agreement.€€TheÐ d Ðchancellor€found€the€church€leadership€to€be€in€civil€and€criminal€contempt€of€the€order€dismissingÐ P Ðthe€case€and€imposed€fines€and€jail€time.€€The€church€leadership€appealed€to€this€Court.€€AfterÐ ì< Ðreviewing€the€record€in€this€case,€we€hold€that€the€chancery€court€lacked€subject€matter€jurisdictionÐ Ø( Ðover€this€case€from€the€outset.€€Accordingly,€the€resulting€order,€which€served€as€the€basis€for€theÐ Ä Ðchancery€courtððs€finding€of€contempt,€is€void.€€We€reverse€the€chancery€courtððs€ruling€in€this€caseÐ ° Ðand€dismiss€the€case€in€its€entirety.Ð œì ÐÔ#†X ÕXXX ÕÐ#ÔÔ#†¼RÍ»XX Õs#ÔÔ‡X ÕX»¼RÍÔÌÓÄÓÌò òTenn.€R.€App.€P.€3;€Appeal€as€of€Right;€Judgment€of€the€Chancery€Court€Reversed€andÐ `° ÐCase€Dismissedó óÐ L œ ÐÌòòÓ  ÓÔ#†¼RÍ»àX Õ #ÔÔ‡X ÕX.¼RÍÔAlan€E.€Ô_ÔHighersÔ_Ô,€J.óó,€delivered€the€opinion€of€the€court,€in€which€òòW.€Frank€Crawford,€Ô_ÔP.J.Ô_Ô,€Ô_ÔW.S.Ô_Ô,óóÐ $"t! Ðand€òòDavid€R.€Farmer,€J.óó,€joined.Ð #`" ÐÌÌÌÌÌÌÌÌÌÌÐ 4-„(-ý ÐArchie€Sanders,€Memphis,€TN,€for€Appellants,€Harold€Collins,€as€Moderator€of€MississippiÐ ° ÐBoulevard€Christian€Church,€Inc.,€Ô_ÔKymÔ_Ô€Barnett,€Ô_ÔEldredgeÔ_Ô€Williams,€Ô_ÔDeloresÔ_Ô€Ô_ÔFlaggÔ_Ô,€Susie€Williams,Ð œì ÐJulia€Bennett,€Edward€Reid,€Ô_ÔSheilahÔ_Ô€Ô_ÔEasterlingÔ_Ô,€Leroy€Norton,€Theodore€Peasant,€Tessera€MartinÐ ˆØ ÐÔ_ÔHardawayÔ_Ô,€Clyde€Hunt,€James€Hudson,€Ô_ÔErvinÔ_Ô€Ô_ÔIsomÔ_Ô,€Anthony€Brown€and€Veda€Ô_ÔBankheadÔ_Ô,€as€theÐ tÄ ÐChurch€Council€of€Ô_ÔMBCCÔ_ÔÐ `° ÐÔ#†¼RÍ»XX Õ… #ÔÔ‡X ÕX»¼RÍÔÌJohn€Ô_ÔS.GolwenÔ_Ô,€Ô_ÔKristenÔ_Ô€Wright,€Memphis,€TN,€for€Appellant,€Dr.€Frank€Thomas€as€Senior€PastorÐ 8 ˆ Ðof€Mississippi€Boulevard€Christian€ChurchÐ $ t ÐÌPatricia€A.€Ô_ÔOdellÔ_Ô,€Memphis,€TN,€for€Appellees,€Melvin€Foster,€Ô_ÔErmaÔ_Ô€Foster,€Laura€Cade,€Ô_ÔAlleneÔ_Ô€C.Ð ü L  ÐMcGuire,€Ô_ÔRholediaÔ_Ô€Morgan,€Marie€Brooks,€James€H.€Banks,€Nevada€M.€Banks,€Ô_ÔBettyeÔ_Ô€M.€Friends,Ð è 8  ÐEdward€J.€Friends,€Juanita€H.€McCoy,€and€Ô_ÔBettyeÔ_Ô€Briggs,€Concerned€Members€of€MississippiÐ Ô$  ÐBoulevard€Christian€Church,€Inc.Ð À  Ðà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  à¹ÓV ÓÌò òOPINIONó óÔ#†¼RÍ»XX ÕO#ÔÔ‡X ÕX»¼RÍÔÐ „Ô  ÐÌòòóóÔ#†¼RÍ»XX Õ#ÔÔ‡X ÕX»¼RÍÔÓ  Óò òÔ‡X ÕXXX ÕÔà@Õ Õ ìàI.€€òòFactual€Background€and€Procedural€HistoryóóˆÐ \¬ ÐÌó óà  àMississippi€Boulevard€Christian€Church,€Inc.€(hereinafter€ð ðÔ_ÔMBCCÔ_Ôðð)€is€a€Tennessee€non„Ð 4„ Ðprofit€corporation׃×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú1Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€affiliated€with€the€Christian€Church€and€is€located€in€Memphis,€Tennessee.€Ð  p ÐÔ_ÔMBCCÔ_Ô€is€congregationally€governedÔ_Ô׃ V×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú2Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×Ô_Ô€pursuant€to€its€constitution€and€bylaws.€€Dr.€Frank€ThomasÐ  \ Ð(hereinafter€ð ðDr.€Thomasðð)€became€the€Senior€Pastor€of€Ô_ÔMBCCÔ_Ô€pursuant€to€an€employment€contractÐ øH Ðentered€into€on€July€6,€1999.€€Pursuant€to€the€contract,€Dr.€Thomas€would€continue€to€serve€as€SeniorÐ ä4 ÐPastor€indefinitely,€with€his€employment€being€subject€to€review€every€three€years.€Dr.€ThomasÐ Ð  Ðreceived€a€base€salary€of€$125,000.00,€and€the€leadership€of€Ô_ÔMBCCÔ_Ô,€in€their€discretion,€possessedÐ ¼  Ðthe€authority€to€award€Dr.€Thomas€an€annual€merit€bonus€ð ðcommensurate€with€the€growth€of€theÐ ¨ø ÐChurch.ðð€€The€employment€contract€also€established€a€partnership€between€Dr.€Thomas€and€anÐ ”ä Ðorganization€called€The€Ministry€of€Hope€for€Life€International,€Inc.€(hereinafter€ð ðHope€for€Lifeðð).€Ð €Ð ÐThe€stated€purpose€of€Hope€for€Life€was€to€ð ðfacilitate€the€global€(national€and€international)Ð l¼ Ðpreaching,€teaching,€writing,€and€consulting€ministry€of€Dr.€Frank€Thomas,€.€.€.€especially€in€Africa.ðð€Ð X ¨ ÐDuring€the€initial€three„year€term€of€Dr.€Thomasðð€contract,€Ô_ÔMBCCÔ_Ô€agreed€to€pay€$90,000.00€to€HopeÐ D!” Ðfor€Life€to€further€its€stated€goals.€Ð 0"€  ÐÌà  àOn€September€30,€2002,€fourteen€members€of€Ô_ÔMBCCÔ_Ô€(hereinafter€the€ð ðMembersðð€orÐ $X" Ðð ðAppelleesðð)€filed€a€ð ðComplaint€for€Injunctive€Reliefðð€against€Dr.€Thomas€and€the€leadership€ofÐ ô$D # ÐÔ_ÔMBCCÔ_Ô€(hereinafter€the€ð ðChurch€Leadershipðð€or,€collectively€with€Dr.€Thomas,€the€ð ðAppellantsðð)€inÐ à%0!$ Ðthe€Chancery€Court€of€Shelby€County.€€In€September€of€2002,€the€Church€Leadership€beganÐ Ì&"% Ðnegotiating€the€renewal€of€Dr.€Thomasðð€contract.€€As€a€result€of€these€negotiations,€the€ChurchÐ ° ÐLeadership€approved€a€new€contract€with€Dr.€Thomas€to€take€effect€on€January€1,€2003.€€TheÐ œì ÐMembersðð€complaint€set€forth€the€following€as€its€primary€purpose:€ð ðThis€lawsuit€is€being€filed€toÐ ˆØ Ðenjoin€[the€Church€Leadership]€and€any€of€their€agents€or€assigns€from€entering€into€any€contractÐ tÄ Ðwith€[Dr.€Thomas]€to€continue€as€Pastor€of€[Ô_ÔMBCCÔ_Ô]€without€the€members€first€having€an€opportunityÐ `° Ðto€vote€on€whether€they€desire€Thomas€to€remain€as€pastor.ðð€€The€Members€also€sought€to€enjoin€theÐ L œ ÐChurch€Leadership€from€ð ðcontinuously€denying€the€members€of€their€rights€as€enumerated€in€theÐ 8 ˆ Ðconstitution€and€bylaws.ðð€€The€Membersðð€complaint€contained€the€following€additional€statement:Ð $ t Ðð ðThis€suit€is€not€purely€an€ecclesiastical€dispute,€it€involves€property€rights€so€that€this€court€hasÐ  ` Ðjurisdiction€to€hear€and€determine€the€matters€hereinafter€set€forth.ðð€€Regarding€their€alleged€propertyÐ ü L  Ðrights,€the€Members€alleged€the€following:Ð è 8  ÐÌÓ °ÓÓ °Ó17.à0 ¸ àAt€the€time€Thomas€was€hired€as€pastor,€[Ô_ÔMBCCÔ_Ô]€was€debtÐ À  Ðfree€with€reserve€funds€in€excess€of€2.6€million€dollars€in€theÐ ¬ü  Ðtreasury.€€During€Thomasðð€tenure,€tithes€and€offerings€haveÐ ˜è  Ðgreatly€reduced€which€has€caused€the€church€to€encroach€uponÐ „Ô  Ðthe€reserve€for€the€day„to„day€operation€of€the€church.€€TheseÐ pÀ Ðstatistics€do€not€reflect€financial€growth,€which€would€entitleÐ \¬ Ð[Dr.€Thomas]€to€an€annual€bonus.ÐH˜¸ x¸ x ÐÌà ¸ à.€.€.€.Ð  p ÐÌ19.à0 ¸ àThe€[Church€Leadership]€approved€the€payment€of€bonuses€toÐ øH ÐThomas€without€a€finding€that€he€had€properly€earned€theÐ ä4 Ðbonuses€by€satisfactory€completion€of€predetermined€andÐ Ð  Ðagreed€upon€goals.м ¸ x¸ x ÐÌà ¸ à.€.€.€.Ð ”ä ÐÌ21.à0 ¸ àThe€employment€contract€between€[Dr.€Thomas]€andÐ l¼ Ð[Ô_ÔMBCCÔ_Ô]€provided€for€a€Partnership€Agreement€betweenÐ X ¨ Ð[Ô_ÔMBCCÔ_Ô]€and€Thomas.€€The€Partnership€is€entitled€[Hope€forÐ D!” ÐLife].€€Over€the€past€two€and€a€half€years€[Ô_ÔMBCCÔ_Ô]€hasÐ 0"€  Ðcontributed€$90,000.00€to€[Hope€for€Life]€without€ThomasÐ #l! Ðproviding€any€accounting€of€the€use€of€the€funds€nor€hasÐ $X" ÐThomas€provided€any€information€to€reflect€that€theÐ ô$D # Ð$90,000.00€was€used€for€the€Ministries.Ðà%0!$¸ x¸ x ÐÌÓ °$ÓÓ ° $ÓThe€Members€asserted€that€they€would€suffer€immediate€and€irreparable€harm€if€an€injunction€wereÐ ¸'#& Ðnot€issued€(1)€to€prevent€the€Church€Leadership€from€entering€into€a€new€contract€with€Dr.€ThomasÐ ¤(ô#' Ðwithout€congregational€approval,€(2)€to€require€Dr.€Thomas€to€account€for€funds€paid€to€Hope€forÐ )à$( ÐLife€and€to€return€those€funds€to€Ô_ÔMBCCÔ_Ô,€and€(3)€to€require€the€Church€Leadership€to€produce€proofÐ |*Ì%) Ðthat€Dr.€Thomas€earned€the€bonuses€he€received.€Ð h+¸&* Їà  àIn€an€attempt€to€resolve€the€dispute,€the€Church€Leadership€agreed€to€conduct€a€specialÐ ° Ðelection€on€December€15,€2002€for€the€purpose€of€allowing€the€congregation€to€vote€on€Dr.€ThomasððÐ œì Ðretention.€€On€December€2,€2002,€the€chancellor€submitted€a€notice€to€the€congregation€of€Ô_ÔMBCCÔ_ÔÐ ˆØ Ðinforming€them€of€the€upcoming€election€and€setting€forth€the€following€ballot€to€be€voted€on:€(1)Ð tÄ Ðð ðShould€[Dr.€Thomas]€be€retained€as€Senior€Pastor€of€[Ô_ÔMBCCÔ_Ô]?ðð€and€(2)€ð ðShould€the€[Ô_ÔMBCCÔ_Ôððs]Ð `° ÐConstitution€and€By„laws€be€amended€to€specifically€reserve€for€the€congregation€the€right€toÐ L œ Ðapprove€annually€the€retention€of€the€Senior€Pastor€and€the€Senior€Pastorððs€employmentÐ 8 ˆ Ðcompensation?ðð€€On€December€3,€2002,€the€chancellor€entered€an€ð ðOrder€Establishing€FurtherÐ $ t ÐElection€Guidelinesðð€which€purported€to€set€the€times€for€voting,€appointed€a€special€master€toÐ  ` Ðoversee€the€election,€and€instructed€that€ð ðten€(10)€Shelby€County€Deputies€and€a€Supervisor€shallÐ ü L  Ðassist€the€Special€Master€in€conducting€the€election€at€no€expense€to€Ô_ÔMBCCÔ_Ô.ðð€€On€December€15,Ð è 8  Ð2002,€a€majority€of€the€congregation€of€Ô_ÔMBCCÔ_Ô€voted€to€retain€Dr.€Thomas€as€Senior€Pastor€andÐ Ô$  Ðvoted€against€the€congregationððs€involvement€in€an€annual€review€of€the€Senior€Pastorððs€retentionÐ À  Ðthereafter.€Ð ¬ü  ÐÌà  àDissatisfied€with€the€result€of€the€election,€the€Members€filed€an€ð ðAmended€Complaint€forÐ „Ô  ÐInjunctive€Relief€and€Derivative€Action.ðð€€The€amended€complaint€sought,€in€essence,€the€sameÐ pÀ Ðinjunctive€relief€prayed€for€in€the€original€complaint.€€However,€the€Members€subsequently€assertedÐ \¬ Ðthat€their€property€rights€were€not€addressed€by€the€election,€therefore,€they€submitted€the€amendedÐ H˜ Ðcomplaint€to€reiterate€these€issues.€€The€amended€complaint€also€contained€a€derivative€cause€ofÐ 4„ Ðaction€asserting€that€Dr.€Thomas€and€the€Church€Leadership€misappropriated€church€funds.€€On€theÐ  p Ðsame€day€that€they€filed€their€amended€complaint,€the€Members€also€filed€a€petition€for€contemptÐ  \ Ðalleging€that€Dr.€Thomas€and€the€Church€Leadership€violated€the€chancery€courtððs€December€3,€2002Ð øH Ðð ðOrder€Establishing€Election€Guidelines,ðð€which€ordered€that€ð ðthe€parties€are€enjoined€fromÐ ä4 Ðundertaking€or€directing€any€acts€of€harassment,€retaliation€or€threat€toward€each€other.ðð€€On€MarchÐ Ð  Ð24,€2003,€the€Church€Leadership€answered€the€Membersðð€amended€complaint€raising€the€followingÐ ¼  Ðdefense:€ð ðThe€Court€lacks€subject€matter€jurisdiction€of€[the€Membersðð]€claims€on€the€basis€that€theÐ ¨ø Ðissues€raised€in€the€Amended€Complaint€are€of€an€ecclesiastical€nature€and€are€therefore€notÐ ”ä Ðjusticiable.ðð€Ð €Ð ÐÌà  àOn€July€29,€2003,€the€parties€appeared€for€a€hearing€on€the€Membersðð€petition€for€contempt,Ð X ¨ Ðhowever,€they€spent€the€entire€day€negotiating€a€settlement€of€the€case.€€Later€that€day,€the€partiesÐ D!” Ðappeared€before€the€chancellor€to€announce€that€they€had€reached€an€agreed€settlement€in€the€case.€Ð 0"€  ÐAs€a€result,€the€chancellor€entered€an€order€on€August€1,€2003,€stating:€ð ðComes€now€the€parties€andÐ #l! Ðannounce€to€the€Court€that€all€matters€in€controversy€have€been€compromised€and€settled€pursuantÐ $X" Ðto€the€attached€Settlement€Agreement.€€Accordingly,€this€matter€shall€be€dismissed€with€prejudice.ðð€Ð ô$D # ÐThe€chancellor€attached€the€agreement€to€the€order€and€entered€both€into€the€record.€€At€some€pointÐ à%0!$ Ðduring€the€course€of€the€proceedings€in€the€trial€court,€the€Members€were€apparentlyÐ Ì&"% Ðexcommunicated€from€Ô_ÔMBCCÔ_Ô.€Ð ¸'#& ÐÌà  àShortly€after€the€chancery€court€entered€the€order€dismissing€the€case,€some€of€the€MembersÐ )à$( Ðbegan€filing€petitions€for€contempt€alleging€that€Dr.€Thomas€and€the€Church€Leadership€violatedÐ |*Ì%) Ðvarious€provisions€of€the€settlement€agreement.€€The€parties€settled€all€but€one€of€the€petitions€forÐ h+¸&* Ðcontempt.€€After€conducting€a€hearing€on€the€remaining€petition,€the€chancellor€entered€an€order€onÐ ° ÐAugust€13,€2004€finding€Dr.€Thomas€and€the€Church€Leadership€in€civil€and€criminal€contempt€ofÐ œì Ðthe€chancery€courtððs€August€1,€2003€order.€€Despite€the€Appellantsðð€continued€assertion€that€theÐ ˆØ Ðchancery€court€lacked€subject€matter€jurisdiction€over€the€matter,€the€chancellor€found€that€ð ðthisÐ tÄ ÐCourt€has€the€authority€to€adjudicate€the€breach€of€contract€controversy€pending€in€this€proceeding.ðð€Ð `° ÐThe€chancellor€sanctioned€the€Appellants€by€imposing€fines€and€jail€time€for€various€violations€ofÐ L œ Ðthe€previous€order.€Ð 8 ˆ ÐÌà  àThe€Appellants€filed€a€timely€notice€of€appeal€to€this€Court€presenting€a€myriad€of€issues€forÐ  ` Ðour€consideration,€primarily€arguing€that€the€chancery€court€erred€when€it€found€them€in€contemptÐ ü L  Ðof€the€courtððs€order.€€The€Appellees€present€the€issue€of€whether€the€chancery€court€erred€by€notÐ è 8  Ðrestoring€their€membership€rights€at€Ô_ÔMBCCÔ_Ô€when€it€ruled€on€their€petition€for€contempt.€€FindingsÐ Ô$  Ðof€civil€and/or€criminal€contempt€are€properly€appealable€to€this€Court.€€ò òòòSeeóóó ó€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€16„4„Ð À  Ð108(b)€(1994).€€We€have€determined€the€following€to€be€the€sole€Ô_ÔdispositiveÔ_Ô€issue€in€this€case:Ð ¬ü  Ðwhether€the€chancery€court€had€subject€matter€jurisdiction€over€the€case€from€the€outset.€€AfterÐ ˜è  Ðreviewing€the€record,€we€conclude€that€it€did€not,€therefore,€we€reverse€the€chancery€courtððs€rulingÐ „Ô  Ðon€the€Appelleesðð€petition€for€contempt€and€dismiss€the€case€entirely.Ð pÀ Ðà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À à¹Ó  Óò òII.€€òòDiscussionóóÐ H˜ ÐÌó óÓ  Óà  àIn€the€August€13,€2004€order€finding€the€Appellants€in€contempt,€the€chancellor€stated€thatÐ  p Ðhe€had€the€authority€to€rule€on€the€Membersðð€petition€for€contempt€because€the€court€wasÐ  \ Ðð ðÔ_Ôadjudicat[ingÔ_Ô]€the€breach€of€contract€controversy€pending€in€this€proceeding.ðð€€The€Appellants€argueÐ øH Ðthat,€by€entering€into€the€settlement€agreement,€they€did€not€waive€their€ability€to€assert€their€FirstÐ ä4 ÐAmendment€rights.€€In€conformity€with€this€position,€the€Appellants€argue€that€the€chancery€courtÐ Ð  Ðdid€not€have€subject€matter€jurisdiction€to€adjudicate€the€contempt€petition€because,€in€doing€so,€theÐ ¼  Ðchancellor€was€required€to€impermissibly€decide€matters€which€were€entirely€ecclesiastical€in€nature.€Ð ¨ø ÐConversely,€the€Members€argue€that,€when€the€trial€court€incorporated€the€settlement€agreement€intoÐ ”ä Ðthe€order€dismissing€the€case,€the€settlement€agreement€became€the€order€of€the€court.€€The€MembersÐ €Ð Ðcontend,€therefore,€that€subsequent€violations€of€the€provisions€of€the€settlement€agreement€are€theÐ l¼ Ðproper€subject€of€a€petition€for€contempt.€Ð X ¨ ÐÌà  àð ðThe€phrase€ððcontempt€of€courtðð€is€generic,€embracing€within€its€legal€signification€a€varietyÐ 0"€  Ðof€different€acts.ðð€€17€Ô_ÔC.J.S.Ô_Ô€òòContemptóó€ðð€3€(1999).€€ð ð[Ô_ÔA]tÔ_Ô€common€law,€the€power€of€courts€to€punishÐ #l! ÐÔ_ÔcontemptsÔ_Ô€was€vast€and€undefined.ðð€€ò òòòBlack€v.€Ô_ÔBlountÔ_Ôóóó ó,€938€S.W.2d€394,€397€(Tenn.€1996)€(citingÐ $X" Ðò òòòState€v.€Ô_ÔGallowayÔ_Ôóóó ó,€45€Tenn.€(1€Cold.)€326,€331€(Tenn.€1868)).€€As€a€result€of€the€unfetteredÐ ô$D # Ðdiscretion€exercised€by€courts€at€common€law,€the€legislature€promulgated€statutes€to€governÐ à%0!$ ÐÔ_ÔcontemptsÔ_Ô€of€court€in€this€state.€€ò òòòId.óóó ó;€ò òòòsee€also€Reed€v.€Hamiltonóóó ó,€39€S.W.3d€115,€118€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.Ð Ì&"% Ð2000).€€The€scope€of€a€courtððs€power€to€enter€a€finding€of€contempt€of€court€is€now€limited€to€theÐ ¸'#& Ðfollowing:Ð ¤(ô#' Ðâ âÐ )à$( ÐÓ °ÓÓ °Óà ¸ àThe€power€of€the€several€courts€to€issue€attachments,€andÐ ° Ðinflict€punishments€for€Ô_ÔcontemptsÔ_Ô€of€court,€shall€not€be€construed€toÐ œì Ðextend€to€any€except€the€following€cases:Ð ˆØ Ðâ âà ¸ à(1)€€The€willful€misbehavior€of€any€person€in€the€presence€ofÐ tÄ Ðthe€court,€or€so€near€thereto€as€to€obstruct€the€administration€ofÐ `° Ðjustice;Ð L œ Ðà ¸ à(2)€€The€willful€misbehavior€of€any€of€the€officers€of€suchÐ 8 ˆ Ðcourts,€in€their€official€transactions;Ð $ t Ðà ¸ à(3)€€The€willful€disobedience€or€resistance€of€any€officer€of€theÐ  ` Ðsuch€courts,€party,€juror,€witness,€or€any€other€person,€to€any€lawfulÐ ü L  Ðwrit,€process,€order,€rule,€decree,€or€command€of€such€courts;Ð è 8  Ðà ¸ à(4)€€Abuse€of,€or€unlawful€interference€with,€the€process€orÐ Ô$  Ðproceedings€of€the€court;Ð À  Ðà ¸ à(5)€€Willfully€conversing€with€jurors€in€relation€to€the€meritsÐ ¬ü  Ðof€the€cause€in€the€trial€of€which€they€are€engaged,€or€otherwiseÐ ˜è  Ðtampering€with€them;€orÐ „Ô  Ðà ¸ à(6)€€Any€other€act€or€omission€declared€a€contempt€by€law.Ð pÀ ÐÌÓ °5QÓÓ °CQÓTenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€29„9„102€(2000).€€The€courts€of€this€state€retain€their€inherent€authority€to€inflictÐ H˜ Ðpunishment€for€Ô_ÔcontemptsÔ_Ô€of€court€in€the€instances€set€forth€in€the€statute.€€ò òòòSee€Graham€v.Ð 4„ ÐWilliamsonóóó ó,€164€Ô_ÔS.W.Ô_Ô€781,€782€(Tenn.€1913);€òòò òReedóóó ó,€39€S.W.3d€at€117ð!ð18.€€The€statute€expresslyÐ  p Ðmakes€disobedience€of€an€order€of€the€court€a€contemptuous€act.€€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€29„2„102(3)Ð  \ Ð(2000);€ò òòòÔ_ÔThigpenÔ_Ô€v.€Ô_ÔThigpenÔ_Ôóóó ó,€874€S.W.2d€51,€53€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1993).€€Thus,€in€order€to€properlyÐ øH Ðfind€the€Appellants€in€contempt,€the€chancery€court€necessarily€needed€to€find€that€they€violated€aÐ ä4 Ðspecific€order€of€the€court.€€ò òòòSee€Doe€v.€Bd.€of€Ô_ÔProfððlÔ_Ô€Responsibility€of€the€State€of€Tenn.óóó ó,€104Ð Ð  ÐS.W.3d€465,€471€(Tenn.€2003)€(ð ðIt€is€fundamental€that€one€may€not€be€held€in€contempt€unless€heÐ ¼  Ðor€she€violates€a€specific€order€of€a€tribunal€properly€having€jurisdiction€of€that€person.ðð).Ð ¨ø ÐÌà  àð ðThe€resolution€of€disputes€by€agreement€of€the€parties€is€to€be€encouraged.ðð€€ò òòòÔ_ÔHarbourÔ_Ô€v.Ð €Ð ÐBrownóóó ó,€732€S.W.2d€598,€599€(Tenn.€1987).€€ð ðThe€purpose€of€compromise€is€to€avoid€trial€of€sharplyÐ l¼ Ðdisputed€issues€and€to€dispense€with€wasteful€litigation.ðð€€15A€Ô_ÔC.J.S.Ô_Ô€òòCompromise€&€Settlement€óóððÐ X ¨ Ð1€(2002).€€It€is€well€established€that€ð ð[a]€compromise€and€settlement€agreement€is€merely€a€contractÐ D!” Ðbetween€the€parties€to€litigation€and,€as€such,€issues€of€Ô_ÔenforceabilityÔ_Ô€of€a€settlement€agreement€areÐ 0"€  Ðgoverned€by€contract€law.ðð€€ò òòòÔ_ÔEnvtlÔ_Ô.€Abatement,€Inc.€v.€Ô_ÔAstrumÔ_Ô€R.E.€Corp.óóó ó,€27€S.W.3d€530,€539Ð #l! Ð(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€2000);€ò òòòsee€also€Ô_ÔBenneckerÔ_Ô€v.€Ô_ÔFickeissenÔ_Ôóóó ó,€No.€E2004„02129„Ô_ÔCOAÔ_Ô„R3„CV,€2005Ð $X" ÐTenn.€App.€LEXIS€706,€at€*6€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€Nov.€10,€2005);€ò òòòÔ_ÔOððMaryÔ_Ô€v.€Ô_ÔProtechÔ_Ô€Builders,€Inc.óóó ó,Ð ô$D # ÐNo.€E2000„02539„Ô_ÔCOAÔ_Ô„R3„CV,€2001€Tenn.€App.€LEXIS€430,€at€*9€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€May€12,€2001);Ð à%0!$ Ðò òòòÔ_ÔMoxhamÔ_Ô€v.€Ô_ÔCraftonÔ_Ôóóó ó,€No.€M2000„00803„Ô_ÔCOAÔ_Ô„R3„CV,€2001€Tenn.€App.€LEXIS€322,€at€*17€(Tenn.Ð Ì&"% ÐCt.€App.€May€4,€2001);€ò òòòWallace€&€Wallace,€Inc.€v.€Ô_ÔRosengreenÔ_Ôóóó ó,€No.€688,€1987€Tenn.€App.€LEXISÐ ¸'#& Ð2441,€at€*5€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€Jan.€16,€1987).€€ð ð[A]€consent€judgment€does€not€represent€the€reasonedÐ ¤(ô#' Ðdecision€of€the€court€but€is€merely€the€agreement€of€the€parties,€made€a€matter€of€record€by€theÐ )à$( Ðcourt.ðð€€ò òòòÔ_ÔHarbourÔ_Ôóóó ó,€732€S.W.2d€at€599ð!ð600€(citing€ò òòòVan€Ô_ÔDonselaarÔ_Ô€v.€Van€Ô_ÔDonselaarÔ_Ôóóó ó,€87€N.W.2dÐ |*Ì%) Ð311,€314€(Iowa€1958)).€€However,€ð ð[a]€compromise€is€the€law€between€the€parties€and€a€judicially„Ð h+¸&* Ðentered€settlement€agreement€that€becomes€part€of€the€stipulation€that€ends€the€litigation€has€the€forceÐ ° Ðand€effect€of€a€judicial€decree.ðð€€15A€Ô_ÔC.J.S.Ô_Ô€òòCompromise€&€Settlement€óóðð€33€(2002);€ò òòòsee€alsoÐ œì ÐÔ_ÔMoxhamÔ_Ôóóó ó,€2001€Tenn.€App.€LEXIS€322,€at€*17€(ð ðWe€note€that€a€settlement€agreement€signed€by€allÐ ˆØ Ðthe€parties€may€be€enforceable€like€other€contracts,€but€it€does€not€become€the€judgment€of€the€courtÐ tÄ Ðuntil€it€receives€the€approval€of€the€trial€judge.ðð).€€Thus,€it€is€well€settled€that€the€courts€of€this€stateÐ `° Ðretain€the€inherent€power€to€enforce€settlement€agreements.€€ò òòòSee€Ô_ÔBenneckerÔ_Ôóóó ó,€2005€Tenn.€App.Ð L œ ÐLEXIS€706,€at€*7;€ò òòòWallace€&€Wallace,€Inc.óóó ó,€1987€Tenn.€App.€LEXIS€2441,€at€*4.Ð 8 ˆ ÐÌà  àThere€is,€however,€another€body€of€well„settled€law€which€must€guide€our€resolution€of€thisÐ  ` Ðappeal.€€ð ðA€court€cannot€render€a€valid€judgment€unless€it€has€jurisdiction€over€the€subject€matterÐ ü L  Ðof€the€litigation€or€the€cause€of€action.ðð€€49€Ô_ÔC.J.S.Ô_Ô€òòJudgmentsóó€ðð€18€(1997).€€On€appeal,€theÐ è 8  ÐAppellantsðð€arguments€focus€upon€whether€the€chancery€court€lacked€subject€matter€jurisdiction€inÐ Ô$  Ðrelation€to€the€contempt€proceedings.€€When€looking€at€the€chronology€of€this€litigation,€we€mustÐ À  Ðbegin€our€examination€of€the€trial€courtððs€jurisdiction€over€the€subject€matter€of€this€case€at€a€muchÐ ¬ü  Ðearlier€point.€€When€a€case€is€submitted€to€this€Court€for€review,€we€must€ð ðconsider€whether€the€trialÐ ˜è  Ðand€appellate€court€have€jurisdiction€over€the€subject€matter,€whether€or€not€presented€for€review.ðð€Ð „Ô  ÐTenn.€R.€App.€P.€13(b)€(2005);€ò òòòState€v.€Ô_ÔSeagravesÔ_Ôóóó ó,€837€S.W.2d€615,€617ð!ð18€(Tenn.€Ô_ÔCrimÔ_Ô.€App.Ð pÀ Ð1992).Ð \¬ ÐÌà  àð ðSubject€matter€jurisdiction€is€the€basis€for€the€courtððs€authority€to€act€and€cannot€be€waived.ðð€Ð 4„ Ðò òòòFirst€Tenn.€Bank€Ô_ÔNatððlÔ_Ô€Ô_ÔAssððnÔ_Ô€v.€Whiteóóó ó,€No.€03A01„9711„CV„00514,€1998€Tenn.€App.€LEXIS€579,Ð  p Ðat€*2ð!ð3€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€Aug.€20,€1998)€(citing€ò òòòLanders€v.€Jonesóóó ó,€872€S.W.2d€674,€675€(Tenn.Ð  \ Ð1994)).€€Likewise,€a€lack€of€jurisdiction€over€the€subject€matter€of€a€controversy€cannot€be€conferredÐ øH Ðupon€the€court€by€the€consent€of€the€parties.€€ò òòòCounty€of€Shelby€v.€City€of€Memphisóóó ó,€365€S.W.2d€291,Ð ä4 Ð292€(Tenn.€1963);€ò òòòBaker€v.€Mitchellóóó ó,€59€Ô_ÔS.W.Ô_Ô€137,€138€(Tenn.€1900);€ò òòòGillespie€v.€Stateóóó ó,€619€S.W.2dÐ Ð  Ð128,€129€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1981);€ò òòòÔ_ÔTritschlerÔ_Ô€v.€Cartwrightóóó ó,€333€S.W.2d€6,€8€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1959).€Ð ¼  ÐThe€trial€courtððs€lack€of€subject€matter€jurisdiction€may€be€raised€at€any€time€by€the€parties€to€theÐ ¨ø Ðaction€or€by€the€appellate€court€òòÔ_ÔsuaÔ_Ô€Ô_ÔsponteÔ_Ô€óóon€appeal.€€ò òòòSeeóóó ó€Tenn.€R.€Civ.€P.€12.08€(2005)€(stating€thatÐ ”ä Ðð ðwhenever€it€appears€by€suggestion€of€the€parties€or€otherwise€that€the€court€lacks€jurisdiction€of€theÐ €Ð Ðsubject€matter,€the€court€shall€dismiss€the€actionðð);€ò òòòCounty€of€Shelbyóóó ó,€365€S.W.2d€at€291€(noting€theÐ l¼ Ðduty€of€the€appellate€courts€to€òòÔ_ÔsuaÔ_Ô€Ô_ÔsponteÔ_Ô€óóconsider€the€issue€of€the€trial€courtððs€subject€matterÐ X ¨ Ðjurisdiction);€ò òòòTravers€v.€Abbeyóóó ó,€58€Ô_ÔS.W.Ô_Ô€247,€248€(Tenn.€1900)€(stating€that€the€subject€matterÐ D!” Ðjurisdiction€of€the€trial€court€ð ðcould€be€raised€at€any€time,€and€is€fatal€whenever€presentedðð);€ò òòòScalesÐ 0"€  Ðv.€Winstonóóó ó,€760€S.W.2d€952,€953€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1988)€(ð ðThe€issue€of€subject„matter€jurisdictionÐ #l! Ðcan€be€raised€in€any€court€at€any€time.ðð);€ò òòòReynolds€v.€Hamiltonóóó ó,€77€S.W.2d€986,€988€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.Ð $X" Ð1934)€(ð ðWhere€the€court€has€no€jurisdiction€of€the€subject„matter,€the€question€may€be€raised€at€anyÐ ô$D # Ðtime,€by€either€the€parties€or€the€court.ðð).Ð à%0!$ ÐÌà  àThe€First€Amendment€to€the€United€States€Constitution€provides,€in€relevant€part,€thatÐ ¸'#& Ðð ðCongress€shall€make€no€law€respecting€the€establishment€of€religion,€or€prohibiting€the€free€exerciseÐ ¤(ô#' Ðthereof.ðð€€U.S.€Const.€amend.€I.€€ð ðThe€First€Amendmentððs€Free€Exercise€and€Establishment€ClausesÐ )à$( Ðhave€been€made€applicable€to€the€states€by€incorporation€into€the€Fourteenth€Amendment.ðð€€ò òòòStateÐ |*Ì%) Ðex€rel.€Ô_ÔCommððrÔ_Ô€of€Transp.€v.€Med.€Bird€Black€Bear€White€Eagleóóó ó,€63€S.W.3d€734,€760€n.41€(Tenn.Ð h+¸&* ÐCt.€App.€2001)€(citing€ò òòòÔ_ÔEversonÔ_Ô€v.€Bd.€of€Educ.óóó ó,€330€U.S.€1,€8€(1947);€ò òòòÔ_ÔCantwellÔ_Ô€v.€Conn.óóó ó,€310€U.S.Ð ° Ð296,€303€(1940)).€€ð ðTennessee€Courts€have€long€recognized€that€civil€courts€have€no€jurisdiction€overÐ œì Ðinner[„]ecclesiastical€matters€of€the€church.ðð€€ò òòòÔ_ÔAusleyÔ_Ô€v.€Shawóóó ó,€No.€M2004„02244„Ô_ÔCOAÔ_Ô„R3„CV,Ð ˆØ Ð2005€Tenn.€App.€LEXIS€709,€at€*8€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€Nov.€9,€2005)€(citing€ò òòòLewis€v.€Ô_ÔParteeÔ_Ôóóó ó,€62€Ô_ÔS.W.Ô_ÔÐ tÄ Ð328,€333€(Tenn.€1901));€ò òòòsee€also€óóó óMarjorie€A.€Shields,€Annotation,€òòConstruction€and€Application€ofÐ `° ÐChurch€Autonomy€Doctrineóó,€123€A.L.R.5th€385€(2004)€(discussing€the€application€of€the€doctrineÐ L œ Ðto€various€actions);€77€Ô_ÔC.J.S.Ô_Ô€òòReligious€Societies€óóðð€85€(1994)€(ð ðThe€courts€have€no€jurisdiction€over,Ð 8 ˆ Ðand€no€concern€with,€purely€ecclesiastical€questions€and€controversies.ðð).€€ð ðTogether,€the€FirstÐ $ t ÐAmendment€and€Article€I,€Section€3€of€the€Tennessee€Constitution€severely€circumscribe€the€roleÐ  ` Ðof€civil€courts€in€resolving€religious€disagreements.ðð€€ò òòòÔ_ÔEdmondsonÔ_Ô€v.€Church€of€Godóóó ó,€No.€85„151„II,Ð ü L  Ð1986€Tenn.€App.€LEXIS€3572,€at€*15€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€May€16,€1986).Ð è 8  ÐÌà  àð ðCivil€Courts€deal€only€with€civil€and€property€rights,ðð€and€ð ðhave€in€this€country€noÐ À  Ðecclesiastical€jurisdiction.ðð€€ò òòòÔ_ÔNanceÔ_Ô€v.€Busbyóóó ó,€18€Ô_ÔS.W.Ô_Ô€874,€879€(Tenn.€1891).€€ð ðHowever,€a€civilÐ ¬ü  Ðcourt€need€not€stay€its€hand€in€every€case€involving€church€disputes€because€not€every€civil€courtÐ ˜è  Ðdecision€in€such€cases€will€jeopardize€values€protected€by€the€First€Amendment.ðð€ò òòò€Ô_ÔEdmondsonÔ_Ôó óóó,€1986Ð „Ô  ÐTenn.€App.€LEXIS€3572,€at€*16€(citing€ò òòòPresbyterian€Church€in€the€U.S.€v.€Mary€Elizabeth€BlueÐ pÀ ÐHall€Ô_ÔMemððlÔ_Ô€Presbyterian€Churchóóó ó,€393€U.S.€440,€449€(1969)).€€ð ðThe€jurisdiction€of€a€civil€Court€toÐ \¬ Ðadjudge€any€ecclesiastical€matter€must€result€as€a€mere€incident€to€the€determination€of€someÐ H˜ Ðproperty€right.ðð€€ò òòòÔ_ÔNanceÔ_Ôóóó ó,€18€Ô_ÔS.W.Ô_Ô€at€876;€ò òòòsee€also€Church€of€God€in€Christ,€Inc.€v.€Middle€CityÐ 4„ ÐChurch€of€God€in€Christóóó ó,€774€S.W.2d€950,€952€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1989)€(ð ðCourts€have€jurisdictionÐ  p Ðto€adjudge€ecclesiastical€matters€only€as€a€mere€incident€to€the€determination€of€some€propertyÐ  \ Ðright.ðð);€ò òòòRoyal€Heights€Church€of€Christ€v.€WillÔ_ÔiamsÔ_Ôóóó ó,€No.€87„60„II,€1987€Tenn.€App.€LEXIS€2995,Ð øH Ðat€*5€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€Oct.€21,€1987)€(ð ðThe€courts€do€have,€however,€jurisdiction€to€decide€casesÐ ä4 Ðwhere€control€of€property€is€involved,€even€though€the€resolution€of€the€dispute€may€require€theÐ Ð  Ðlimited€examination€of€ecclesiastical€matters.ðð).€€ð ðHowever,€when€our€courts€have€taken€jurisdictionÐ ¼  Ðover€an€action€arising€from€an€ecclesiastical€dispute,€they€have€been€careful€to€decide€only€the€issuesÐ ¨ø Ðdealing€with€the€civil€or€property€right€involved€using€neutral€principles€of€law.ðð€€ò òòòÔ_ÔEdmondsonÔ_Ôóóó ó,€1986Ð ”ä ÐTenn.€App.€LEXIS€3572,€at€*17€(citing€ò òòòÔ_ÔLandrithÔ_Ô€v.€Ô_ÔHudginsÔ_Ôóóó ó,€120€Ô_ÔS.W.Ô_Ô€783,€807€(Tenn.€1908);Ð €Ð Ðò òòòÔ_ÔNanceÔ_Ôóóó ó,€18€Ô_ÔS.W.Ô_Ô€at€879;€ò òòòFairmont€Presbyterian€Church,€Inc.€v.€Presbytery€of€the€Ô_ÔHolstonÔ_Ô€of€theÐ l¼ ÐPresbyterian€Church€of€the€U.S.óóó ó,€531€S.W.2d€301,€306€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1975)).Ð X ¨ ÐÌà  àIn€their€complaint,€the€Members€sought€to€enjoin€the€Church€Leadership€from€entering€intoÐ 0"€  Ða€new€employment€contract€with€Dr.€Thomas€until€such€time€as€the€congregation€could€vote€onÐ #l! Ðwhether€to€retain€Dr.€Thomas€as€Senior€Pastor.€€In€an€effort€to€resolve€the€dispute,€the€ChurchÐ $X" ÐLeadership€agreed€to€hold€a€special€election€to€allow€the€congregation€to€vote€on€the€retention€of€Dr.Ð ô$D # ÐThomas.€€Instead€of€allowing€the€church€to€handle€the€matter,€the€chancellor€proceeded€to€draft€aÐ à%0!$ Ðballot;€submit€a€notice€of€the€election€to€the€congregation;€and€enter€an€order€establishing€theÐ Ì&"% Ðguidelines€for€the€election€process,€which€included€the€appointment€of€a€special€master€to€overseeÐ ¸'#& Ðthe€election€and€the€insertion€of€sheriffððs€deputies€into€the€church€to€assist€the€special€master€inÐ ¤(ô#' Ðadministering€the€election.Ð )à$( Ðâ âÐ |*Ì%) Ðà  àð ðThe€selection€and€termination€of€clergy€are€generally€ecclesiastical€matters€with€which€civilÐ ° Ðâ âcourts€cannot€interfere.ðð€€77€Ô_ÔC.J.S.Ô_Ô€òòReligious€Societies€óóðð€89€(1994);€ò òòòsee€also€óóó óDale€R.€Ô_ÔAgtheÔ_Ô,Ð œì ÐAnnotation,€òòJudicial€Review€of€Termination€of€Pastorððs€Employment€by€Local€Church€or€Templeóó,Ð ˆØ Ð31€A.L.R.4th€851€(1984).€€In€ò òòòMason€v.€Ô_ÔWinsteadÔ_Ôóóó ó,€265€S.W.2d€561€(Tenn.€1954),€our€supreme€courtÐ tÄ Ðaddressed€a€chancellorððs€actions€in€a€church€dispute€similar€to€the€one€presently€before€this€Court.€Ð `° ÐIn€òòMasonóó,€the€congregation€elected€the€pastor€in€1948€to€serve€indefinitely,€subject€to€terminationÐ L œ Ðat€will€by€a€majority€of€the€church€members.€€ò òòòId.óóó ó€at€562.€€When€the€pastor€began€to€useÐ 8 ˆ Ðð ðobjectionable€languageðð€from€the€pulpit€when€referring€to€certain€members,€discord€spreadÐ $ t Ðthroughout€the€church.€€ò òòòId.óóó ó€€Ultimately,€six€of€the€trustees€of€the€church€filed€a€complaint€in€theÐ  ` Ðchancery€court€seeking€an€injunction€to€enjoin€the€pastor€ð ðfrom€conducting€services€or€any€otherÐ ü L  Ðbusiness€in€said€church.ðð€€ò òòòId.óóó ó€€The€chancellor€ordered€the€Clerk€and€Master€to€oversee€an€electionÐ è 8  Ðin€which€all€of€the€church€members€were€to€vote€on€retention€of€the€pastor.€€ò òòòId.óóó ó€at€563.€€TheÐ Ô$  Ðcongregation€voted€unanimously€to€dismiss€the€pastor.€€ò òòòId.óóó ó€Regarding€the€actions€of€the€chancellor,Ð À  Ðthe€supreme€court€ruled€as€follows:€ð ðWe€think€this€procedure€was€outside€the€scope€of€the€pleadings,Ð ¬ü  Ðand€also€beyond€the€jurisdiction€of€the€court,€as€the€removal€of€a€pastor€is€an€ecclesiastical€matter,Ð ˜è  Ðand€the€tribunals€of€the€church€have€exclusive€authority€in€such€cases€without€interference€from€theÐ „Ô  Ðcivil€courts.ðð€€òòò òId.ó óóó€(citations€omitted);€ò òòòsee€also€Travers€v.€Abbeyóóó ó,€58€Ô_ÔS.W.Ô_Ô€247,€248€(Tenn.€1900).Ð pÀ ÐÌà  àThe€decision€as€to€whether€to€retain€Dr.€Thomas€as€Senior€Pastor€at€Ô_ÔMBCCÔ_Ô€is€purely€anÐ H˜ Ðecclesiastical€matter.€€Accordingly,€the€chancery€court€did€not€have€subject€matter€jurisdiction€overÐ 4„ Ðthis€aspect€of€the€Membersðð€complaint.Ð  p ÐÌà  àOur€inquiry€does€not€end€at€this€point.€€In€an€effort€to€ensure€review€by€the€chancery€court,Ð øH Ðthe€Members€inserted€the€following€statement€into€their€complaint:€ð ðThis€suit€is€not€purely€anÐ ä4 Ðecclesiastical€dispute,€it€involves€property€rights€so€that€this€court€has€jurisdiction€to€hear€andÐ Ð  Ðdetermine€the€matters€hereinafter€set€forth.ðð€€It€is€clear€from€the€statements€in€the€MembersððÐ ¼  Ðcomplaint€they€were€alleging€that,€by€using€church€funds€in€a€manner€they€deemed€inappropriate,€theÐ ¨ø ÐChurch€Leadership€and€Dr.€Thomas€infringed€upon€the€Membersðð€property€rights.€€In€fact,€theÐ ”ä ÐMembers€conceded€at€oral€argument€that€one€of€the€purposes€of€their€lawsuit€was€to€challenge€theÐ €Ð Ðspending€practices€at€Ô_ÔMBCCÔ_Ô.Ð l¼ ÐÌà  àIn€a€previous€case,€we€addressed€the€very€argument€set€forth€by€the€Members€in€the€complaintÐ D!” Ðfiled€in€this€case,€stating:€ð ðSince€members€of€a€church€have€no€property€rights€in€their€contributionsÐ 0"€  Ðto€the€church,€unlike€shareholders€in€other€corporations,€we€cannot€conclude€that€erecting€corporateÐ #l! Ðfacade€over€a€religious€institution€thereby€secularizes€the€churchððs€activities€so€as€to€conferÐ $X" Ðjurisdiction€to€civil€courts€over€ecclesiastical€questions.ðð€€ò òòòFirst€Pentecostal€Church€of€Jackson,€Inc.Ð ô$D # Ðv.€Johnsóóó ó,€1984€Tenn.€App.€LEXIS€2619,€at€*5€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€Jan.€24,€1984).€€ð ð[Ô_ÔT]heÔ_Ô€mere€assertionÐ à%0!$ Ðof€a€property€right€is€not€sufficient€to€invest€a€civil€court€with€jurisdiction€over€what€is€essentiallyÐ Ì&"% Ða€religious€dispute.ðð€€77€Ô_ÔC.J.S.Ô_Ô€òòReligious€Societies€óóðð€85€(1994).€€Thus,€the€chancery€court€lackedÐ ¸'#& Ðsubject€matter€jurisdiction€over€this€aspect€of€the€Membersðð€complaint€as€well.Ð ¤(ô#' ÐÌà  àFinally,€we€examine€the€effect€the€lack€of€subject€matter€jurisdiction€had€on€the€chanceryÐ |*Ì%) Ðcourtððs€subsequent€actions.€€ð ðA€court€acting€without€jurisdiction€is€acting€without€authority€of€law,Ð h+¸&* Ðand€its€decrees€are€absolutely€void.ðð€€ò òòòÔ_ÔSheffyÔ_Ô€v.€Mitchellóóó ó,€215€Ô_ÔS.W.Ô_Ô€403,€404€(Tenn.€1919);€ò òòòsee€alsoÐ ° ÐCounty€of€Shelby€v.€City€of€Memphisóóó ó,€365€S.W.2d€291,€292€(Tenn.€1963)€(noting€that€an€orderÐ œì Ðentered€without€subject€matter€jurisdiction€is€a€nullity);€ò òòòMora€v.€Moraóóó ó,€No.€W1999„02483„Ô_ÔCOAÔ_Ô„R3„Ð ˆØ ÐCV,€2001€Tenn.€App.€LEXIS€422,€at€*12€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€June€4,€2001)€(ð ðAny€order€entered€by€aÐ tÄ Ðcourt€without€subject€matter€jurisdiction€is€a€nullity€and€is€therefore€unenforceable.ðð);€ò òòòScales€v.Ð `° ÐWinstonóóó ó,€760€S.W.2d€952,€953€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1988)€(ð ðIt€is€the€duty€of€any€court€to€determine€theÐ L œ Ðquestion€of€its€subject€matter€jurisdiction€on€its€own€motion€if€the€issue€is€not€raised€by€either€of€theÐ 8 ˆ Ðparties,€inasmuch€as€any€judgment€rendered€without€jurisdiction€is€a€nullity.ðð).€€ð ðIf€the€ChanceryÐ $ t ÐCourt€had€no€jurisdiction€of€the€subject€matter€in€this€case,€the€only€decree€that€could€be€entered€byÐ  ` Ðthat€Court€or€this€Court€would€be€a€dismissal€of€the€suit.ðð€€ò òòòÔ_ÔTritschlerÔ_Ô€v.€Cartwrightóóó ó,€333€S.W.2d€6,Ð ü L  Ð8€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1959)€(citations€omitted).€€We€are€cognizant€of€the€need€to€promote€complianceÐ è 8  Ðwith€the€orders€issued€by€the€courts€of€this€state.€€However,€the€following€general€principle€of€lawÐ Ô$  Ðcontrols€our€resolution€of€this€contentious€case:€ð ðDisobedience€of€a€mandate,€order,€judgment,€orÐ À  Ðdecree€which€is€void€or€issued€by€a€court€without€jurisdiction€òòis€not€a€contemptóó,€but€disobedience€ofÐ ¬ü  Ðan€erroneous€order,€if€made€by€a€court€within€its€jurisdiction,€constitutes€contempt.ðð€€17€Ô_ÔC.J.S.Ô_ÔÐ ˜è  ÐContempt€ðð€16€(1999)€(emphasis€added);€ò òòòsee€also€State€v.€Ô_ÔRagghiantiÔ_Ôóóó ó,€167€Ô_ÔS.W.Ô_Ô€689,€690ð!ð91€(Tenn.Ð „Ô  Ð1914)€(ð ðððòòUnless€an€injunction€order€is€void€upon€its€face€for€lack€of€jurisdiction€on€the€part€of€theÐ pÀ Ðjudge€who€granted€itóó,€it€must€be€obeyed,€however€erroneous€the€granting€of€it€may€have€been,€untilÐ \¬ Ðit€is€dissolved€on€motion€or€appeal€or€some€other€method€of€direct€review€in€the€action€in€which€itÐ H˜ Ðwas€granted.ðððð)€(emphasis€added)).€€Since€the€order€on€which€the€chancery€court€based€its€findingÐ 4„ Ðof€contempt€is€void€as€a€matter€of€law,€the€chancery€court€erred€in€finding€that€any€disobedience€ofÐ  p Ðthat€order€constituted€contempt.Ð  \ ÐÌÓ  Óò òIII.€€òòConclusionóóó óÐ ä4 ÐÌÓ  Óà  àIf,€after€reviewing€the€record,€we€are€able€to€ascertain€that€the€trial€court€lacked€subject€matterÐ ¼  Ðjurisdiction€over€the€controversy,€we€must€dismiss€the€case€outright.€€ò òòòReynolds€v.€Hamiltonóóó ó,€77Ð ¨ø ÐS.W.2d€986,€988€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1934).€€Having€so€found,€we€reverse€the€chancery€courtððs€orderÐ ”ä Ðfinding€the€Appellants€in€contempt,€and€we€dismiss€this€case€in€its€entirety.€€Insofar€as€the€AppelleesÐ €Ð Ðsought€reinstatement€to€the€membership€rolls€of€Ô_ÔMBCCÔ_Ô€in€the€course€of€the€contempt€proceedings,Ð l¼ Ðâ âwe€find€this€issue€to€be€Ô_ÔpretermittedÔ_Ô€given€our€need€to€dismiss€this€case.׃ ×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú3Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€€Costs€of€this€appeal€are€Ð X ¨ ÐÐ ° Ðto€be€taxed€to€the€Appellees,€Melvin€Foster€òòet€al.óó,€for€which€execution€may€issue€if€necessary.Ô#†X ÕXXX Õ¤#ÔÔ#†¼RÍ»XX Õv#ÔÔ€X ÕX»¼RÍÔÐ ° Ðâ âÌà  àThis€Court€entered€an€Order€on€August€19,€2004,€addressing€the€Appellantsðð€motion€for€aÐ ˆØ Ðstay€of€the€chancery€courtððs€ruling€pending€the€outcome€of€this€appeal.€€Therein,€we€granted€saidÐ tÄ Ðmotion€on€condition€that€the€Appellants€post€a€bond€in€the€amounts€designated€in€the€Order.€€GivenÐ `° Ðour€disposition€of€this€case€on€appeal,€we€now€release€the€bonds€and€vacate€our€prior€Order.Ð L œ ÐÌÌà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  à___________________________________€Ð  ` Ðà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  àALAN€E.€Ô_ÔHIGHERSÔ_Ô,€JUDGE