Dramatic End to Montana Congregational Dispute

Pastor departs his congregation after accepting a call to a church outside LCMS

A leadership dispute at Trinity Lutheran Church in Sidney, Montana, reached a decisive moment this week when Rev. John Baseley announced that he has accepted a pastoral call to a congregation outside the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS): Genesis Lutheran Church.

Pr. Baseley was called to Trinity Lutheran Church in 2022, but disagreements later arose over his pastoral style, preaching tone, worship practices, and governance decisions. A group of congregants compiled their concerns into a petition, alleging unilateral leadership, reduced accessibility, and changes to long-standing customs, and submitted it directly to Montana District President Rev. Ryan Wendt without the knowledge or endorsement of Trinity’s elders.

The dispute has also played out on social media, with fellow pastors weighing in for and against Pr. Baseley.

In summer 2025, Wendt intervened, but Baseley rejected his directives, disputing the complaints and the district’s process. In October 2025, Trinity’s elders and congregational president formally defended Pr. Baseley, stating that they did not believe his preaching or conduct warranted repentance or removal. Rev. Baseley was never accused of false doctrine.

Speaking at the start of Sunday’s (Dec. 14) worship service, Rev. Baseley told the congregation that it would be his final Sunday serving as pastor at Trinity. He stated that he has accepted a call to Genesis Lutheran Church, a congregation not affiliated with the LCMS, and that his acceptance of the call ends both his ministry at Trinity and his association with the LCMS.

Rev. Baseley emphasized that his departure was not due to any changes in doctrine or confession. He reaffirmed his full dedication to the Holy Scriptures and the Lutheran Confessions and stated that his theological stance remains the same. Instead, he attributed his departure to what he described as an unsustainable pastoral situation caused by internal church divisions and involvement from district leadership.

Rev. Baseley stated that Sunday’s service would be his last at Trinity and that his final service as pastor would take place later in the week at St. John Lutheran Church in Fairview, Montana, where he also serves. After that service, he said, he would no longer function as pastor to either congregation.

During the sermon that followed, Rev. Baseley compared the situation to biblical examples of rejection of God’s messengers and cited Matthew 10, which instructs disciples to “shake the dust” from their feet when a community refuses to receive their message. At the conclusion of the sermon, he enacted this gesture by banging together a pair of dusty boots before departing the chancel.