BRENTWOOD, Calif. — A pastor who was fired recently said he plans to resume his ministry at the church until God directs him to step down, the Contra Costa Times reported.

The Rev. Bob Allen made a surprise return to Pathways Church Jan. 11, eliciting both applause and disapproving remarks from a congregation divided over whether the former senior pastor is still the rightful leader of the church.

Allen was fired by the church board Jan. 4 after refusing to resign. He said he was wrongfully terminated and chose to ignore his dismissal.

In September, the newspaper reported, Allen announced he had decided to take a "healing break" so he could focus on becoming a more effective leader and learn how to resolve conflict better.

It was during this period church leaders first asked him to step down.

When Allen unexpectedly returned to the pulpit, he admitted to having an "inappropriate relationship" with a woman nine years ago at another church where he was pastor, but said they did not engage in sexual intercourse.

"That step over the line has never happened before or since," said Allen, who denies allegations that he made sexual overtures to women at Pathways Church.

He admitted his abrasive style contributed to problems at Pathways.

"Sometimes I bump into people relationally," he said, contending he is often too forceful and controlling as a senior pastor. He said he scaled back his ministry and sought counseling three years ago in an attempt to remedy the situation.

"My heart was always to love," he said. "I was trying too hard to do things right."

Church leaders have not publicly indicated how they intend to respond to Allen's return. Matt Cronk, the interim pastor, did not show up for work Tuesday.

Problems at the church are not new, according to the newspaper.

The Delta Ministerial Association, a group of pastors and other church leaders, began investigating allegations of manipulation and other forms of emotional abuse by Allen as well as other leaders at Pathways Church in mid-2001, said DMA President Dennis Santiago.

The association was acting at the behest of some families at the Hayward church Allen pastored before he moved to East County.

After meeting with Allen, the church's elders and board of directors, the DMA asked the entire church leadership except Cronk to step down, but they refused.

The future of the church remains uncertain, the newspaper reported. Founded in 1999, church attendance grew to about 450, but has dwindled over the past few months to about 50.

Facilities Manager Ed Bauman said neither he nor others who walked out of the service Allen interrupted plan to return except perhaps to retrieve important business and legal documents.

"I don't think anyone wants to be in the building anymore," Bauman said.