Eskridge ex rel. Members of Jacob Chapel Missionary Baptist Church v. Peacock ex rel. Members of Jacob Chapel Missionary Baptist Church

LEE, C.J., FOR THE COURT:

¶ 1. In this dispute between conflicting groups within a church over electing the new pastor, we must decide whether the chancellor erred by appointing mediators and adopting their findings.

FACTS AND PROCEDURAL HISTORY

¶ 2. Reverend James White, the pastor of the Jacob Chapel Missionary Baptist Church in Sunflower County, Mississippi, died in December 2015. Two groups from the church claimed authority to act on the church's behalf and over the church's three bank accounts. One group was led by Richard Eskridge, a deacon in the church. The other group was led by Louella…