From the time he came to the church in 1989 until the spring of 1992, Pastor West was the center of conflict at Community Church of Christ. Soon after he arrived, he was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. The disease itself made some people uncomfortable. Others were concerned that, being ill, he might not be able to give the congregation vigorous leadership. But from compassion as well as a sense of obligation, many of the lay leaders – particularly the older ones – rallied around the pastor. They let it be known that they would support his tenure as long as he was healthy enough to do the job. Early in 1992, he announced his intention to retire in June, and the church formed a committee to search for his replacement. Although people saw this as a difficult, painful, and frustrating time, the dispute did not concern how to deal with an ill pastor.

Members understood the conflict to be about the pastor as a person – his style, and particularly his inability to become close to people. A small group of vocal lay leaders made their dissatisfaction with him widely known. Two events in particular bothered this group. Soon after he arrived, Pastor West performed a joint service with the former (interim) pastor. The service included a christening, which the former pastor was supposed to perform.