Members of Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church turned back an attempt to fire Pastor Tullian Tchividjian, voting in his favor today by a two-thirds margin.
After a contentious, two-hour congregational meeting closed to non-members, Tchividjian won 940 of 1,362 ballots cast at the Fort Lauderdale church.
“It’s a younger and more energetic congregation,” explained church elder Bill Ashcraft. “He’s young, he relates to them and he motivates them to put shoe leather on their beliefs.”Tchividjian, 37, did not attend the meeting, but promised a statement later today. Sources said he was visiting his father who is in Broward General Medical Center recovering from liver transplant surgery.
Today’s vote had been required by church law after dissidents turned in nearly 400 petitions calling for his ouster.
The meeting took the place of the church’s regular 11 a.m. worship service. Members of the Presbyterian Church in America, based in Atlanta, ran the meeting to ensure fairness, said Mark DeMoss, a Christian public relations specialist hired as church spokesman. (read the rest here.)
There will always be disgruntlement when a new pastor takes over, and I am not sure that some didn’t vote for him to see if they could find someone else who didn’t cause controversy. But, we will see.
September 20th, 2009 7:09 am
its sad when people think they "own" a fellowship. The identity of 'church' with times, programs and locations is a great heresy.
September 20th, 2009 7:09 am
I'd say that hit the nail somewhere near the head, Sonny
September 20th, 2009 7:09 am
i should have written 'identification' instead of identity….
September 20th, 2009 7:09 am
According to one news source, "The much younger Tchividjian has brought a less formal style to the church and has rejected politics as the most important way to change the country." Another source writes, "He has come under scrutiny ever since he vowed to the set the church on a different path from that charted by his predecessor, D. James Kennedy, who built Coral Ridge into a religious and political powerhouse on a bedrock of Christian conservatism. … They faulted him for not maintaining the legacy of Kennedy and for altering traditions, such as calling for visitors to come to Jesus at the end of every sermon." GASP! Burn him!!!
September 20th, 2009 7:09 am
Better to start a new group than try to change an old one…especially one that has had ONLY the founding pastor for 30+ years. A recipe for disaster. If Tchividjian is smart he already has a new position lined up. a two thirds margin is not a vote of confidence. He will be undermined at every turn.
September 20th, 2009 7:09 am
You know, I might actually have a chance at beating Jim West (fun contest, ha ha and all) if people commented on the actual blog post!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Kidding of course, it's about being read and interacting really. You got that right! Burn him. How dare he remove politics from the pulpit and actually ask people to come to Christ.
September 20th, 2009 7:09 am
Sonny, I believe that you are correct. I know that the two churches merged, so, how many of that 70% was his members which merged into Coral Ridge?
September 20th, 2009 7:09 am
doesn't matter. 400+ people that don't want you around outweigh 900+ who do. A sad fact of life.
September 20th, 2009 6:21 pm
Just my take, as I know some people in this Church (some net friends here), but the older folk (my age bracket) wanted an older pastor. Time will tell? Filling the shoes of James D. Kennedy will not be easy! He was a force in this mega ministry. His kind are rare!
Fr. R.
September 20th, 2009 6:52 pm
It is always hard on a pastor who takes the place of a long-standing pastor.
This is a sad situation and may explain your other post about people being asked to not return.
September 20th, 2009 8:41 pm
Hey I would take 69% anyday! lol But thank God they don’t vote me in for my position in ministry.
Fr. R.
September 21st, 2009 12:03 pm
The more fervently you commit your life to service to God, the more other religious people will seek to oppose. Jesus experienced this, Billy Graham experienced this, Tchividjian is experiencing this. The devil and Jesus-haters must be laughing right now…at the division and fighting in the Church. CHURCH-stop fighting each other. Instead, do what Jesus called you to do. Unite as one, work together…do what is RIGHT.
September 25th, 2009 5:44 pm
Give God the glory. God is cleaning house. The opposition might of disrupt the plans and blessings that He has for this congregation and calling this pastor to set things straight according to His word. Let all the people rejoice and be glad. God is in the midst.
February 1st, 2010 11:24 pm
Interesting how those on the outside make assumptions and publish them as truths. Consider this. Tullian only comes to the church 2-3 times per week, including Sundays. He never preaches on Sunday night, preferring to spend time with his family watching football. He’s disregarded the church charter and fired people without just cause. He tells pastors on staff to resign or they will be fired without severence pay. He’s told teachers that they cannot take biblical stands against abortion or gay rights. He’s cancelled the concert series which brought many non-members to the church. Then he steals electricity from his next door neighbor for his Christmas lights. Led by God?
February 2nd, 2010 7:50 am
Steve, where is the proof of your allegations?
September 20th, 2009 7:04 pm
Amen, Bitsy. I have to wonder, as others, if he will not simply resign or will we see a split with the older group leaving?
September 20th, 2009 7:30 pm
Well, he may resign. 940 out of 1,362 is only 69% support. However, no support is still enough if this is where God would have him serve.
September 20th, 2009 7:31 pm
Amen!
September 21st, 2009 12:48 pm
Well said, Paul