Richmond Mayor Dwight C. Jones is firing back against allegations that he allowed City Hall to become entangled with the church where he is senior pastor, First Baptist Church of South Richmond.

As members of his church organized “war room” prayer sessions last weekend to show support for the embattled preacher-politician, the mayor issued a strongly worded statement Tuesday denouncing efforts to cast suspicion on his administration or city workers who happen to be members of his church.

“Where employment is concerned, the City of Richmond looks at qualifications and credentials, not where you go to church,” he stated in rejecting any implication that his church members have an easier time obtaining city jobs.

“All hires are done using accepted business practices,” he continued in rebuffing any claim that he or anyone else tried to force a department to hire a church member.

And everyone who works for the city is required “to abide by the rules and regulations regardless of where they worship,” he added.

According to the administration, at least six of the 58 people in key management positions are members of First Baptist, although city officials have declined to identify them.

Stating that he consciously has sought to ensure a separation between the church and city business since his initial election as mayor in 2008, he acknowledged that he was “disappointed when I heard the allegations concerning our director of public works,” Emmanuel O. Adediran.

The allegations were contained in a report last week from City Auditor Umesh Dalal that claimed that Mr. Adediran had spent 38 hours of city time over the past 18 months to serve as project manager for First Baptist’s new satellite sanctuary in Chesterfield County.

Mr. Adediran is a volunteer assistant pastor at First Baptist.

Mayor Jones said his administration had “gone to great lengths to take corrective action to avoid even the appearance of impropriety.”

As punishment, Mr. Adediran surrendered 38 hours of vacation, worth about $2,500, and closing the case.

However, to the mayor’s dismay, that has not stopped the uproar.

Instead, “city workers are now being victimized and being asked where they go to church,” he stated.

“Richmond is the home of religious liberty,” he noted recalling last year’s dedication of the new First Freedom Center that commemorates a Virginia law guaranteeing religious liberty.

“I have to question the motives of people who are asking city employees about their religious affiliation,” he continued, referring to reporters who have requested information about city workers who attend the mayor’s church.

“I hope that none of this is politically motivated and that respect can be shown for the wall of separation between church and state.”

In an email circulated late last week to church members and supporters, First Baptist asked people to call in at 8 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 9, and at 6:30 a.m. Sunday, Jan. 10, to activate a prayer “war room” for Mayor Jones and others.

It stated that the challenges and questions about Mayor Jones’ integrity are arising as the church is completing its second worship site and the mayor has worked on “de-concentrating poverty, economic development and promoting education — an extension of the ministry he has always advocated for as our Senior Pastor.”

“We need to enter the ‘War Room’ to come together to pray for our Senior Pastor, our ministry team, the City of Richmond, its leadership and even those who would seek to cause hurt or harm,” according to the email.

“We believe our best defense is to go to God in prayer,” it said. “We should expect attacks as we move towards accomplishing great things for the Kingdom of God.”