Parish rift forms at prominent Florida megachurch
August 12, 2009
Parish rift forms at prominent Florida megachurch
AP – Tue Aug 11, 1:52 pm ETMIAMI - Descendants of two of the country's most influential evangelical leaders — Billy Graham and the late D. James Kennedy — are feuding over control of a Florida megachurch that is a bedrock of the religious right.
via news.yahoo.com
It is one thing, and a very bad thing, to cause divisiveness in a small and unknown church. It damages the reputation of the kingdom of God, embarrasses the church, and destroys God's work in a community through that church, sometimes for generations.
When the church has national visibility and prominence, it is a sin against the entire Body of Christ as well as against God. It paints a picture of Christians as petty, backbiting, power hungry, and vindictive.
It also suggests that God was not involved in the calling of the pastor.
D. James Kennedy would not have approved of this behavior whether or not he would have approved of his successor.
No matter what the issues are and who is right or wrong, it is clearly wrong to circulate petitions trying to fire a pastor whose doctrine is sound and morality is not suspect.
Those causing the dissent should repent, seek reconciliation with the church, and then decide whether or not they can remain and support their pastor. Until that happens, the congregation is correct in excluding them from participation.
I am embarrassed to discuss this. it should have remained an internal matter within the congregation or even its board of elders. However, since it has "gone public," it provides an opportunity to highlight some essential truths about how a church should operate - and that is never by people flexing their political muscle in order to have things their own way.
The church is THE witness to the world of reconciliation in Christ. The church's behavior ought to point the way to the merciful and gracious love of God.
God bless the Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church. it has been a beacon of hope to many through the years. May it continue to be such. We pray for the church and its pastor and for those who have sought to disrupt its witness. May they be restored.
May the rest of us watch and learn.