I read with interest on the outcome of a vote at Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church in Florida this past Sunday. They voted to keep or kick the pastor.
This is the church of the famed D. James Kennedy whose preaching mixed right-wing politics with Christian Faith. This church was a very traditional Reformed member of the Presbyterian Church in America. Kennedy served a gazillion years and then died shortly after his health made him give up the pulpit, radio, and TV broadcasts.
So the church prays, seeks God’s guidance and then calls the grandson of Billy Graham, Pastor Tullian Tchividjian, to lead the church into the future. A Young, talented, gifted communicator – but no James Kennedy. Change comes with his new vision/mission for the church. The traditions of James Kennedy are let slide.
So who leads the charge to get him dismissed from the pulpit? Kennedy’s daughter and some stick-in-the-mud traditionalists. Mind you, this young pastor is not being called to question for theological, moral, or ethical wrong doing. He doesn’t weart a pulpit robe and prefers drums over a pipe organ – to reach the younger generation for Jesus!
So they held a congregational meeting yesterday and voted. Church members cast ballots at a closed 11 a.m. meeting, and backed Tchividjian by a vote of 940-422, a margin of about 69 percent to 31 percent. You can read more here.
From my own experience: a relative of a former pastor who stays in the church has three options: 1) Support the new pastor and not criticize behind his back or publicly; 2) Accept that CHANGE is the nature of a healthy church and grow with it, or; 3) Leave and attend another church.
This divisive tactic of forcing people to take sides over a new pastor puts a bad mark on the church in the wider community. I’m happy for the outcome of that church’s vote in support of the pastor. May the losers move out and move over for the new thing God is doing at Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church.
I am speechless, yet this happened to a church we were at. It turned out so differently.People of God are ripping His church apart over things trivia. Are they any different then those that supported the Salem witch trials. It can start so subtly. Can it happen in our church? It can but I pray it doesn’t.
I posted this story because it happened to my brother-in-law and a friend. Both left the ministry after such an ordeal! Churches get be bitten by a “mean spirit” and turn off many people. My brother-in-laws family was deeply wounded and ruined his kid’s belief in the church and God. My friend brought in needed changes and renewal to the church but the “old guard” made life so miserable for him he went back into the market place and reported, “People at my secular job are so much more ‘Christian’ than in the church.” Sad comment on the state of “Consumer Christianity” in America!
A pastor worth his salt will be sorely missed. He leaves behind a legacy of love and accomplishment. He and his congregation forged a mutual comfort zone over the years, made up of inherited traditions AND those he established. But here’s the thing – No matter how much a pastor is loved, he cannot be cloned. And although I’m sure to choke on these words some day, that’s a good thing.
A church, in order to remain vital, must not hang on for dear life to “we’ve always done it that way.” If it does, the “we” is going to be a handful of seniors and the church will die along with them. Don’t get me wrong seniors, you have much to contribute and you are the keepers of tradition. However, make room, there are others joining you in the pews. There is room for you both. If you want the younger generations to stay, and you should, you have to give them a chance. What they say might just be important.
Likewise, a new and presumably younger pastor might not adhere to the old ways but he brings refreshing new ones, ideas that are God-inspired, growth-driven. He is entitled to be heard, he is entitled to lead, he is entitled to loyalty and respect. Odds are, if a congregation puts God first, followed by the well-being the church; enthusiasm for this new young upstart will follow.
Steve, so this comment isn’t about this story, but a good, success story! Did you see at covchurch.org the story of your friend Ed Lee’s church in Houston!
It’s a great story.
with infinite hope, Jim