05.08.05
Posted in faith at 10:30 pm by
Greg‘ll have to eat his words now. Satan is real, and it appears that he’s pastoring a Church in Waynesville, North Carolina:
WAYNESVILLE, N.C. (AP) — Some in Pastor Chan Chandler’s flock wish he had a little less zeal for the GOP.
Members of the small East Waynesville Baptist Church say Chandler led an effort to kick out congregants who didn’t support President Bush. Nine members were voted out at a Monday church meeting in this mountain town, about 120 miles west of Charlotte.
“He’s the kind of pastor who says do it my way or get out,” said Selma Morris, the former church treasurer. “He’s real negative all the time.”
Chandler didn’t return a message left by The Associated Press at his home Friday, and several calls to the church went unanswered. He told WLOS-TV in Asheville that the actions were not politically motivated.
The station also reported that 40 others in the 400-member congregation resigned in protest after Monday’s vote.
During the presidential election last year, Chandler told the congregation that anyone who planned to vote for Democratic Sen. John Kerry should either leave the church or repent, said former member Lorene Sutton.
Some church members left after Chandler made his ultimatum in October, Morris said.
George Bullard, associate executive director-treasurer for Baptist State Convention of North Carolina, told the Asheville Citizen-Times that a pastor has every right to disallow memberships if a church’s bylaws allow for the pastor to establish criteria for membership.
“Membership is a local church issue,” he said. “It is not something the state convention would enter into.”
Via Bad Catholic
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Posted in faith at 10:30 pm by
Greg‘ll have to eat his words now. Satan is real, and it appears that he’s pastoring a Church in Waynesville, North Carolina:
WAYNESVILLE, N.C. (AP) — Some in Pastor Chan Chandler’s flock wish he had a little less zeal for the GOP.
Members of the small East Waynesville Baptist Church say Chandler led an effort to kick out congregants who didn’t support President Bush. Nine members were voted out at a Monday church meeting in this mountain town, about 120 miles west of Charlotte.
“He’s the kind of pastor who says do it my way or get out,” said Selma Morris, the former church treasurer. “He’s real negative all the time.”
Chandler didn’t return a message left by The Associated Press at his home Friday, and several calls to the church went unanswered. He told WLOS-TV in Asheville that the actions were not politically motivated.
The station also reported that 40 others in the 400-member congregation resigned in protest after Monday’s vote.
During the presidential election last year, Chandler told the congregation that anyone who planned to vote for Democratic Sen. John Kerry should either leave the church or repent, said former member Lorene Sutton.
Some church members left after Chandler made his ultimatum in October, Morris said.
George Bullard, associate executive director-treasurer for Baptist State Convention of North Carolina, told the Asheville Citizen-Times that a pastor has every right to disallow memberships if a church’s bylaws allow for the pastor to establish criteria for membership.
“Membership is a local church issue,” he said. “It is not something the state convention would enter into.”
Via Bad Catholic
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Trent said,
May 9, 2005 at 8:14 am
It’s a local church issue as long as you’re not gay. I seem to recall the North Carolina Baptist Convention kicking out a church a few years ago when they baptized a couple of gay men into membership. Seems that they’re more interested in who you welcome in than in who you kick out. Truly a sad day for the church.
Lara said,
May 9, 2005 at 11:59 am
This story keeps changing in the media, and I wonder if it has possibly been a bit more sensationalized than it actually is.
Brandon said,
May 9, 2005 at 1:11 pm
Oh, probably. Because it’s not really new (although the story itself is new news) ideas…more than anything, it’s just a good laugh. A sad ‘good’ laugh…but a laugh nonetheless.
*Christopher said,
May 9, 2005 at 1:52 pm
Well those Demoncrats had to be rooted out from the wheat at some point
Sad. But this seems to be the zeitgeist. May we not too take that path in thinking in kind about those whom we oppose.
Audrey said,
May 9, 2005 at 2:59 pm
So, how many of us expect the IRS to investigate this action and revoke the congregation’s tax-exempt status? IRS regulations are pretty clear that church’s aren’t permitted to participate in a partisan fashion.
Churches walk along a fine line when they choose to comment on political events, when they choose to participate in voter registration campaigns, and when they choose to participate in voter education projects.
Nevertheless, some things are clearly beyond the pale. One of those things is a political endorsement in a partisan campaign. Mr. Chandler has apparently gone beyond a simple endorsement. If there were any integrity left at the IRS an investigation would be forthcoming.
But I don’t expect one, either.
Audrey
tyana said,
May 10, 2005 at 12:40 am
“not politically motivated”? bullshit.
it’s about time someone’s standing up for what’s right in this country, though.
oh my GOSH i’m totally kidding. bastards.
Audrey said,
May 12, 2005 at 12:24 pm
I’m pleased to note that Mr. Chandler resigned his post as pastor of East Waynesville Baptist Church.
Audrey