1/2: 17+yr member of FBCN and attendee here! JD Greear and his woke cronies attempted a coup at FBC Naples and were thwarted on a grand level. Since the failed vote, other allegations have surfaced. ", Two members of the counting committee, he said, have admitted to leaking confidential early voting results from Saturday night to a lay leader in the church "who then used that information, we believe, to compromise the process.". This models anything but love and mocks justice. Sources close to the church administration have said they fear raising any issues that might bring adverse consequences to them, their children, or their grandchildren. DWCF. This is why I dont attend a church and work on my relationship with God on a daily basis. The Holy Spirit inspired him to write his short epistle to people who were struggling with some of these very same issues. SUNDAY, Dec 11 (7pm) Church leadership announced that a new senior pastor was not hired because the nominee failed to meet the 85% approval threshold. An earlier version of this article named the group accused of stealing the email addresses as concerned FBCN members. You would call Martin Luther King an Uncle Tom Im sure. Racial prejudice a factor in rejection of black pastor, read the headline of a piece published in the Baptist Standard. So we are ambassador-soldiers, reaching out to sinners with the truth even as we make every effort to destroy the lies and other forms of evil that hold them in deadly bondage. the group wrote. Hayes Wicker announced his retirement in January with the intention of reaching a mutually agreed upon exit date with church leadership. "We know this because of the campaign that started just days before by a few disgruntled people in our church.". In closing, I dont desire to argue with anyone; i have nothing to gain. Hayes did not suddenly abandon his faith in the few months between his announcement that he was stepping aside, as he was being felt led to do, to make room for younger leadership and his sudden dismissal by the FBCN leadership. So for now we will go to Tampa & enjoy Church there, as no wish to be seen to support incompetence. Several"inappropriate emails" were sent to Hayes' home church in North Carolina, including to his ministry assistant and his boss, the senior pastor there, "sharing and establishing that certain groups will not vote for him this weekend without a private meeting in advance to have issues of theirs addressed," Dorrill said at the Oct. 24 event. First, there are blacks who strenuously object to books like Woke Church, as well as intersectionality, and reparations for slavery. One screenshot of a tweet included in the email centers around the fatal shooting of a black security guard by a white police officer in suburban Chicago last year. We are ambassadorswith a message of good news for people who walk in a land of darkness and dwell in the land of the shadow of death (Isaiah 9:2). Coffee. The actions described in this article, which by the way are just the tip of the iceberg, were unloving, ungodly, and unbecoming of pastors charged with shepherding Gods flock. Go. Yet despite all thats happened, Wicker said, I pray people would not use this to come against megachurches or seeing all committees as bad.. Even Jesus said so much when he talked a man who started building a tower without counting the cost. Your tax-deductible gift helps our journalists report the truth and hold Christian leaders and organizations accountable. Im too far away to comment on the specific allegations, but whatever the truth of each, its pretty clear that youve got at least two strong factions in church leadership, and possibly also the church as a whole, which need to have a come to Jesus moment in terms of this is how you do, and this is how you do not do, ministry., The utter disrespect shown previous Pastor Wicker is atrocious and unchristian to say the least. And we are soldierscharged with pulling down ideological strongholds and casting down the lies and deception spawned by the forces of evil (2 Corinthians 10:35; 2 Timothy 2:34). Wicker called the allegations appalling., We reached out to Boone, specifically asking about the allegations mentioned in the video, but he did not respond. Keep in touch with Julie and get updates in your inbox! Ready to start serving? Dwight McKissic for comment, but none responded. Give Online. Rather than bringing members who are accused of sin before the church body for examination, members are being removed from the church rolls through actions taken directly by deacons and pastoral staff without a vote of the church body. Church leaders at First Baptist Church Naples have blasted a faction of their congregation, alleging "racial prejudices" contributed to a failed vote late last month to name a black man the church's new senior pastor. I dont think that it was right how they treated him. The petition for a special business meeting was never even ACKNOWLEDGED by the leadership is a Violation of the bylaws. What does this say about Big Eva? I certainly agree with you wholeheartedly, Grant. What would Jesus make of Wokeness intersectionality, and indeed, the movement for resegregation by some of those who are of the Prominent Woke, in light of Galatians 3:28? 3000 Orange Blossom Drive. Notice carefully: Our task as ambassadors is to bring good news to people. Pray for Me; Log In "A portion of the 19% that voted against Marcus Hayes did so based on racial prejudices," Executive Pastor John D. Edie wrote in an Oct. 31 letter to the Southern Baptist Convention. No church creed has ever taught the nonsense that had become so pervasive in evangelicalism. Stop making everything about race. In the email, the group warned that Hayes had endorsed Woke Church, a book that the email claimed was promoting cultural Marxism., The email also objected to Hayes reportedly saying that he rejects the concept that a person can look at a person of color and see no color. The authors wrote, Paul is clear to us in Philippians 3:2-10 that we are to have no confidence in the flesh of our ethnicity.. So sick of this hate and evil which is exactly what this all is. On social media, too, some church members said race played no role in the failed vote. I attended the Saturday evening service with Dr.Marcus Hayes. Last I read about this over at The Wartburg Watch. But, then again, with such an unmistakable history of racism behind it, predicting which way the SBC would jump in response to a charge of racism would be too easy. Naples, FL 34109 (239) 597-2233. Takeaway: So much for a democracy. Caudill added that Dorrill advised Caudill that any pastoral candidates suggested by Wicker would be dead on arrival., In the months leading up to Wickers resignation, the church hired Auxano, a church consulting company, to advise the church on the pastoral transition process. Need to read the book by Shelby Steele White Guilt where he lays out perfectly the Marist agenda going on. A movement, to direct and shape the policies and testimony of the church is quite a thing. ", When asked during the Q&A session whether he considers himself a conservative, Hayes said he is "as conservative as they come.". (The video is now private and requires a password to view.). I am responding simply to share that theres another side the story and I wish I/we had an opportunity to share such a story without fear of legal action (thats right, the church has threatened legal action against me as well as threatened that if I say anything at all negative about the church they will trespass me prevent me from dropping off and picking up my kids at First Baptist Academy. Edie, the church's executive pastor, however, called Hayes "one of the most qualified men in Southern Baptist life to be a Senior Pastor of any church in this country.". Totally the act of Satan in this issue because where the Spirit of the Lord is there is peace. The FBC Naples leaders vowed to deal with this sinful cancer and added that church discipline had already started. So is my wife. The experience with the church was so unnerving for the Wickers that in September, the extended familyincluding two adult children, their spouses, and six grandchildrenpulled up stakes from Naples and moved several states away. @Bernie Lutchman you are so correct. When I look at Jesus and his disciples I do not see anything that looks as atrocious as this mess. Would highly recommended." - Tabitha C "Better prices than other sites." - Diana E. Why is that? And it is must never be carried out with retribution in mind, but always with the hope of restoration. Instead he was charged with this amorphous set of wrongdoings that were later largely or totally shown to be untrue. It may not be sorted out down here but everyone has to give an account, and especially those in leadership positions of the Lords Church for whom He died. Such a loving bunch, arent they?!). So very sorry, but not everything is about race and not everyone is a racist. action has been taken to enact church discipline on the dissenters because of Regardless of what specific concerns were held, its important to know that 1) no evidence of genuine racism on the part of those holding them has surfaced, and 2) the efforts these members made to ask questions and express reservations were not taken seriously. Well Hello!!! Those involved either need to find a way to recover from this, not just cover it up, or decide to step aside for the greater good. Naples, FL 34109 (239) 597-2233. To donate, click here. pastoral staff has publicly accused church members who did not approve of Marcus Raising concerns over a pastoral candidates seeming endorsement of the book Woke Church doesnt make someone a racist. In November, just weeks after the church excommunicated 18 members, John Garippa, a longtime FBC Naples member who led two popular Bible Studies at FBC Naples, left the church. "Unfortunately our church familys business has become fodder for spotlight-seeking bloggers and others who are commenting about Christians whom they do not know personally, and slandering a church that they know little about," Sonya Stearns, a member of the church, said in an email to the Daily News. Select the event you would like to attend below: FRIDAY, Dec 9 (7pm) NO RESERVATIONS AVAILABLE. Christianity Today (CT) reported in November that Neil Dorrill had claimed at a Q&A session that inappropriate emails had been sent to Hayess church in North Carolina, Biltmore Church. From the reporting in this article, it seems clear that more light needs to be shed on events. Following worship services on December 7 and 8, receptions were held to honor Edies six years at the church. We need to see people as fellow human beings made in the image of God. Your tax-deductible gift helps our journalists report the truth and hold Christian leaders and organizations accountable. First, I didnt think it was fair to put a new pastor in the midst of such corruption and confusion. Of course, it is obvious you have a vested interest in attacking those putting out the facts. This is a demonstration of holding a form of godliness, but having denied the power thereof. And Paul goes on to say So, Turn away from these, also. Just because no one blatantly used a racial slur or expressed overtly racist statements does not mean that racism was not expressed or used during the selection process. On May 28, Caudill said the church placed him on disciplinary suspension from the deacon board and the senior pastor search team. If it can happen at FBC Naples, it can happen anywhere. First Naples || Livestream - Streaming live from Naples, FL. After years of delay, Southern Baptists passed a series of reforms in 2022 aimed at addressing abuse in the nations largest Protestant, A former youth pastor at First Baptist Church (FBC) of Bentonville, Arkansas, has accepted a plea deal for his victimization of children, Several churches deemed not in friendly cooperation with the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) have responded to action taken by the SBC Executive. First Naples glorifies God by being a multigenerational, multiethnic, multiplying church, that raises up the next generation of disciple makers, . To make matters worse, FBC Naples is implementing church discipline procedures which are in direct violation to those set forth by Jesus in Matthew 18. Caudill said no one replied to his letter. For the church's leadership, "it exposed a sickness in what we characterize as a cancer within our fellowship," he continued in the letter, which also asked for forgiveness from Hayes and his wife and "any other person who has been offended, hurt, or damaged by the outcome" of the vote. But what was concluded was that all things were not fair nor were they right. The controversy, which quickly spread in religious circles online, has suddenly thrust the North Naples church into an unwelcome spotlight, much to the dismay of some members. If not please hold your comments. Enough racists voted against the pastor. Dorrill also serves on FBC Naples finance committee. This sequence of events raised many questions for me and my wife, Caudill said. In the spring of 1945, Reverend Joseph Engel, his wife and young son were sent by the Brookdale Baptist Church of Bloomfield, New Jersey to plant new churches in South Florida. Yet despite all thats happened, Wicker said, I pray people would not use this to come against megachurches or seeing all committees as bad., Similarly, Caudill stated, First Baptist Naples still has potential to be used greatly by God. The final vote was 81 percent in favor and 19 percent against. In his quote-tweet, Hayes said Roberson was in his student ministry while he was a youth pastor in Chicago. MLKs dream was about us all being seen as equal in VALUE and treated accordingly, regardless of our differences. (Hayes this month took his first senior pastor position at a church in Texas.). Carla, thanks to my excommunicated status, I guess you could call me one of the dissenters and racists. Sad on many, many levels! There are many more than five things you should know about this situation that obviously you either do not know, or have chosen to ignore because they dont support your rhetoric. But while we cannot know the heart of another, this doesnt sound like a case of hearts poisoned intolerance, of minds clouded by prejudice. Wicker said the church never responded to his letter. Who Will Pay for the SBCs Abuse Reforms Over the Long Term? I have no hate here. Gas. Soon, one way or another there will be a woke pastor in the pulpit of FBCN. What they did to Rev Wicker and his Godly family is nothing but sinful. Read the letter from the church to the Southern Baptist Convention, question and answer session with Hayes and his wife, Read the letter from First Baptist to church members regarding voting results, fatal shooting of a black security guard by a white police officer, Police release name of cop who killed black security guard who was corralling a gunman, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. Im inclined to believe it wasnt racially motivated. First Baptist Church Naples, she said,"is not a racist church by any stretch of the imagination. I would know. Stephens said neither she nor any member of her family wrote the e-mail, adding that none of the church staff ever reached out or spoke to me. She also said the detectives told her that no criminal actions had taken place.. What a great and wise man of God he is? Takeaway: One could reject the concerns of the church members and not label them racist. Dorrill near the end of a Nov. 2 service told the congregation that "the integrity of our election last weekend was compromised. Wicker responded with a 16-page letter refuting the charges against him. I also find it interesting that Dorrills past financial misdeeds didnt seem to be a problem for the dissenters until the Hayes vetting process. When you see me, you will see I am a black woman. A portion of the 19% that voted against Marcus Hayes did so based on racial prejudices. After Marcus Hayes failed to receive the necessary 85 percent affirmative vote to install him as pastor, the leadership of First Baptist Church Naples, including the church staff, launched a pogrom against dissenters. Christian Rocker Posts Stunning Response to Recent Apostasy of Christian Leaders, Chicago Radio Host & a Former Bodyguard Say James MacDonald Asked Them to Arrange Murders, James MacDonald Took Millions from Harvest & Now Demands Broadcast Ministry, Mancow Airs Shocking Comments By James MacDonald: My Response. And on December 31, Wicker said the health insurance provided by the church was cut off for him and his wife, who has a serious heart condition. "And, as a result of that, there have been groups who honestly feel a little disenfranchised. Looking for past sermons? Have attended a lot of Southern Baptist Churches. Yet Caudill said that when he spoke up in meetings, the 79-year-old deacon was deemed divisive.. Been here 25+ times. Jonathan Head November 26, 2011. . I guess the good news is that we are all free to move to a different church whenever we like. What Happens Now? In 2001, Dorrill pled guilty to racketeering conspiracy charges in connection with the Stadium Naples corruption scandal. Also concerning to the group was the fact that Marcus Hayes didnt respond to a letter Concerned Members of FBCN had sent him a week earlier, outlining their issues at the church. This remains an elephant in the room at every worship service at that church. Despite his disagreement with the process, Wicker said he submitted to an exit agreement offered by the church, which included a non-disclosure clause. If those sound like difficult assignments to keep in balance and maintain in proper perspective, it is because they are. According to sources, Wicker wanted a long period of transition to the new leadership, with even an overlap to help the transition process. It does not suddenly make a point valid or invalid. I know that can seem like a simple concept, but it seems to be forgotten when the well a black person disagrees with it! argument is used. is a pastoral search committee? The church did not hold a reception to honor Wickers decades of ministry, nor was Wicker permitted to address the congregation. Namely Hayes Wicker. However, Mancini added that the situation at FBC Naples was not typical but did not want to comment on the unique circumstances at the church. However, CT said it was not able to confirm whether Biltmore Church received such communications. FBC Napless accusations and treatment of Pastor Wicker upset dozens of church members. Concerned Members of FBCN says the petition received 800 signatures. Church leaders often seem to operate like smoke filled back room big city politicians. They make me want to Puke profusely second only to Calvary Chapel. For these crimes, he was wrongly treated, humiliated, and denied even basic due process, and most certainly treated anything but Christ like. The film makes note that Marcus Hayes was subsequently ramrodded in Crossroads Church Texas. This man and his family cannot set foot onto church property, he will never again be able to address a congregation where so many hold him in the highest of esteem. Give a gift of $30 or more to The Roys Report this month, and you will receive a copy of "Escaping the Maze of Spiritual Abuse" by Dr. Lisa Oakley and Justin Humphreys. The Story Of First Baptist Church Naples is disturbing and alarming, but it is meant to be an inspiration. FBCNaples | Naples FL Hi. Hayes, a member of the North Carolina executive committee of the Southern Baptist Convention,garnered endorsements from other church leaders, including the president of the Southern Baptist Convention. All of the events need to be understood in the context of the overriding event and the church governance that permitted this to happen. The pastor was amazing, the atmosphere electrifying, we had fallen in love with the pastor. 11,847 were here. Blake Crawford and former deacon, Mike Dolan, said they were also suspended around that time. But I dont see how the spirit of God can move among those people, unless they are willing to understand what has happened and admit that what they have done is absolutely atrocious, ungodly, unjust, and even in violation of their own bylaws.. Photos See More Hours Mon: 8am - 5pm Tue: 8am - 5pm Wed: 8am - 5pm Thu: 8am - 5pm Fri: 8am - 5pm fell short of the 85% vote required to install him as a pastor. We know this because of the campaign that started just days before by a few disgruntled people in our church.. Unfortunately, this did not meet the threshold. That's why Hayes was not officially approved, when in past years he would have been. And second, Mr. Hayes did nothing to convince me that he would embrace me as a disgraced member of the church. into an embarrassing public debacle. Im not sure why you would describe Dr. Kings sentiments as ridiculous and ungodly. Theres only one human race. I dont think you mean ill will, but just want to make you aware of how poorly comments like that tend to land. I believe Hayes was rejected because of racism. The congregation must find a way to publicly be able to bring Hayes Wicker and his family back into this fellowship as loved and former members. It also appears that the SBC concluded too soon who was in the right. Considering slave owners slept with slaves (even in my own ancestry), whites befriended their black help all while denying their equal rights it is possible to have friends and even spouses of other races and still have issues with bias and prejudice. Allegedly he said he was happy to see some people in SBC membership moved to the bottom as others move to the top. Upvote 3 Downvote. Yet Caudill said that instead of calling a special meeting in accordance with church bylaws, the leadership at FBC Naples excommunicated 18 of the Concerned Members, including Caudill. Colson thought so highly of an oath of integrity that Wicker had written that Colson included the oath in his landmark book,The Body. "It had to do with biblical principals that many questioned," she wrote. Toward that end, the site requires that people use their full name when commenting. Jesus said that He wants us to all be in unity and that He is building a church. Wicker said he was shocked by the accusations, but instead of fighting, he tendered his resignation. Hayes pastoral appointment of doing so out of racial prejudice and announced that The first to plead his case seems right, Until another comes and examines him. This is nothing new. Shopping. We were on cloud nine. For adults and children ages 4+, we offer private and group lessons on the church campus with experienced musicians who are devoted to giving their . Ungodly treatment of a Godly man and his entire family, not to mention those whose leadership and dedication to the Lord was well-known and long-standing. It isnt white people who have turned on the evil and hate. Thank you. Only love. As a seasonal member of FBCN during the events you cover here I can share how troubling this is. The leadership structure for the past 500 years in pretty much all of our churches is just refurbished Roman Catholicism. Their considerations related to legitimate theological, moral, and political issues. ", "While racial issues were brought into play, and horrifically there indeed were some who did not approve Rev. "First Baptist Church Naples is doing excellent work through disaster relief," said Wayne Briant, southwest regional catalyst for the Florida Baptist Convention. We live in UK now as did Naples Baptist 1st Associate Minisiter but come to Naples Baptist every Dec/Jan. Voicemails left for Hayes this week were not returned, and Neil Dorrill, chairman of the pastoral search team, referred questions to Bonnett. I am sickened by the way he was treated and am grateful for this exposure. God used their faithfulness and devotion to create a mighty ministry through FBCN.
Rockdale County Election Results 2021,
St Joseph Convent School Website,
Articles F