A Tennessee man is suing his former church claiming he was hurt during a charismatic prayer service.

Matt Lincoln claims to have been "slain in the spirit" at the Lakewind Church of Knoxville.

He says he fell back and no one was there to catch him, causing permanent injury to his back and head.

Lincoln is suing because his church's insurance denied his medical claim, including two surgeries since the June 2007 injury.

But the church's insurance denied his medical claims because they say his story is not accurate.

Attorneys for the church say other congregants saw him on the floor laughing after his fall. They say Lincoln failed to look out for his own safety.

Lincoln wants $2.5 million from the church for medical bills, lost income and pain and suffering.