Live Oak Community Church elders are working to turn a bitter situation into a sweet one.

The Oakley church suffered a blow when its pastor, Arcadio "Larry" Pineda, resigned in March after being accused by elders of fraudulently taking out a loan using the church's building as collateral. The Contra Costa County District Attorney's Office filed criminal charges against him last week.

Now the church is using money that would have paid Pineda's salary — nearly $4,000 a month — to donate goods to the needy during the holidays.

The church, which consists of roughly 40 members, on Monday gave away 27 turkey dinner; earlier in the month, it gave $500 to women's shelter Shepherd's Gate in Brentwood for food, diapers and other supplies.

Giving had been minimized for financial reasons while Pineda was pastor, elder Albert Dunmore said, but he and the rest of the leadership wanted to get back to helping the community. Several people offered to volunteer at the church, freeing money for other uses.

"We don't take in as much," Dunmore said, "but we have just as much because we don't have any paid employees."

In quick succession, the church lost Pineda and more than half its congregation, and a lien was placed on its historic building, after evidence was discovered of a $110,000 loan taken out on the church. The church sued Pineda, his wife Lucretia Amendola, former church secretary Ruby Hattaway and the lender.

Controversy

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regarding whether the church should have sued Pineda divided the congregation. With fewer members, the church received fewer tithes and offerings used to fund work around the church and pay staff members. But the remaining members kept the church functioning.

Dunmore and two other pastors have rotated giving sermons on Sundays, and several members have offered to cut grass and do other tasks around the church, Dunmore said. Even his granddaughter volunteers on Saturdays to clean the sanctuary, he added.

"It's been wonderful," Dunmore said. "Nobody complains. We haven't any problem with getting volunteers."

Church leaders learned Pineda was arrested Monday while they handed out Thanksgiving meals. Pineda was charged Friday with three felonies — grand theft and two counts of filing false documents.

Leaders responded by saying a prayer for Pineda.

"We shouldn't hold any grudges," Dunmore said. "We have to be forgiving."

Trustee Robert Reeves said the arrest and a potential conviction could help the church's case against the lender, BDM Mortgage Services, seeking removal of the lien, without spending thousands in legal fees. The church's money should be used in other ways, he said.

"This has been very expensive, and we really don't want to waste God's money," Reeves said.

The giving will continue around Christmas, with the church handing out food and gifts, Dunmore said. He's also confident the church will survive this difficult period.

Reaching out and regaining trust within the community will be key to rebuilding the church.

"We are going to be a giving church, and we are going to continue to give," Dunmore said. "We'll be reaching out in the community, and very soon we'll be handing out fliers."

Reach Jonathan Lockett at 925-779-7174.