Elder may sue pastor for distress, church for negligent supervision

An appellate court in Washington has allowed an ordained woman church elder, who was employed as a fundraiser, to sue the pastor for negligent infliction of emotional distress based on his abusive behavior toward her, and to sue the church for negligent supervision and retention of the pastor.  The Court has reversed a trial court’s decision that the courts had to accept the findings of the highest adjudicatory authority within the church hierarchy.