When the bank had questions, the deacons had questions. According to the Kentucky Post, the First Baptist Church in Cold Spring, Ky., is now under investigation for financial records which may indicate criminal conduct.

Campbell County Commonwealth Attorney Jack Porter said allegations by three people from the church and irregularities picked up by the bank merit the investigation. Irregular transactions reported by the bank included counter checks written for cash amounts of $6,000 and $9,000.

The church's deacons questioned the pastor, Rev. Larry Davis, about the church's bank accounts and recommended he take a paid administrative leave. Davis refused. After that the church's congregation voted to put all 11 deacons on inactive status.

"I feel like they shot the wrong horse," said church deacon Clayton Smith. "I feel we did the right thing, but we're the ones who got shot."

Smith also said he feels the Rev. Davis "has God's hand on him," but that everyone makes mistakes. The congregation subsequently voted to reinstate the deacons.

"In the end, I think people will see that we had the church's best interest at heart," said Smith. "We didn't mean to hurt anyone, but it was a situation that needed to be handled."

Davis would not comment on the investigation. Porter said he is asking the state police to expedite their audit. "I hope the investigation can move very quickly," he said. "There's a lot of concern at the church. I've had parishioners call me and say they want to see something done to make a determination about this."

"I'm glad someone is going to get to the bottom of the trouble," said Smith. "Auditing the books will be a time-consuming chore, and everybody will be holding their breath to hear the results."