Tulsa pastor resigns from church after arrest

A Tulsa pastor who was arrested this week has resigned from his church. <br/><br/>News on 6 reporter Emory Bryan says the resignation ends an almost four year pastorate by Doctor Lonnie Latham at South

Friday, January 6th 2006, 10:08 am

By: News On 6

A Tulsa pastor who was arrested this week has resigned from his church.

News on 6 reporter Emory Bryan says the resignation ends an almost four year pastorate by Doctor Lonnie Latham at South Tulsa Baptist Church. South Tulsa Baptist made it clear Friday; Latham will never again have an active role in the leadership of that church.

Latham was picked up late Tuesday in Oklahoma City by an undercover vice officer. Latham was released from jail Wednesday and returned home to Tulsa that night.

The deacons of the church immediately placed him on paid leave and Thursday night, in a meeting that went into the night, Latham resigned and the deacons decided what they need to do next. Russell Slack with South Tulsa Baptist Church: "Last night the church leaders met with doctor Latham and he delivered his resignation and there was some conversation with him and then he left and the leaders continued the conversation about what we need to do and how we need to move forward."

Pastor Latham also resigned from his positions with the Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma and the national Southern Baptist Convention.

South Tulsa Baptist would not elaborate on whether Latham offered an explanation or apology.

At church this Sunday, a guest speaker will fill the pulpit, with a sermon on dealing with such a crisis.