This is not a good look.
A pastor from North Carolina has been put on administrative leave following allegations of misusing $540 from his small-town church’s funds for personal use. Cole Altizer, the 34-year-old pastor of Maggie Valley United Methodist Church in Maggie Valley, is facing one count of felony larceny by an employee.
Altizer, while not providing extensive public comments on the allegation, expressed cooperation in uncovering the truth. He acknowledged his pride in the church’s work but expressed disappointment in the situation’s distractions.
The missing money was discovered during a routine count of the church’s funds, as confirmed by Ken Brown, the church board chair. Maggie Valley Police Chief Matthew Boger mentioned that the investigation is ongoing, hinting at potential additional charges, although Brown expressed hope that Altizer might not be found guilty.
The pastor has already been replaced, with signs bearing his name removed from the church premises. Mike Shirley, the new pastor, declined to comment on the situation.
The church and the small town are grappling with the repercussions of the incident, leaving members disheartened. Concern and disappointment were voiced by locals, including a church volunteer and nearby shop owner Barbara Tyson.
Altizer’s fate will be decided by the bishop of the Western North Carolina Conference of the United Methodist Church after December. Aimee Yeager, from the church’s communications department, acknowledged the situation’s difficulty and expressed prayers for all involved.
Despite the turmoil, Altizer emphasized the church’s long-standing positive contributions to the community, hoping that people will remember the goodwill the church and its members have shown over the years.