This looks eerily similar (if the article is accurate) to something I experienced in another FL SBC church, only I experienced it from the inside (i.e. elder/trustee).  I don’t know how FBC Daytona is structured but in my case:  Sr Pastor comes in, only “answers to God”, decides he knows what the model church is (as if there is only one model), refusese to consider congregrants’ views and concerns, cancels most, if not all, outreach and support programs, runs off the seniors, fires much of the staff (er, they left voluntarily), and overnight grows a thriving 1300 person church (attendance-wise) to 500.

So, I can empathize with the congregation of FBC Daytona.  I’ve seen how my congregation felt.  And if the FBC congregation is like them, they probably fear what they cherish is being destroyed.  And that they have no say, and hence, no recourse.  It’s a frustrating, and for some, frightening position to be in.

I’m not advocating going to the media nor am I advocating one church style over another (in fact I was fine with the style).  I am, though, advocating pastors strongly considering the congregation’s view (after all, the church is for the members TOO) and the impact it will have on them, as well as realizing that there isn’t a cookie cutter approach to church style.  I’m also tired of the pastor-led movement.  You know, the one where everyone else in the church (elders, trustees, church members) are accountable to one another but the pastor only answers to God.

Again, I don’t know the details of the FBC Daytona situation but it feels like Groundhog Day to me.  :0

Welcome to the wonderful world of Southern Baptist (or baptist in general) Church politics. This is far too common of a story..............

Take the whole story out of the Christian/Church context...........doesn’t it all sound like a bunch of kids whining over their toys? Who moved MY toys? Who bought me that NEW toy? I want THAT toy instead.  Bobby TOOK my toys.

I am an inactive member of First Baptist Daytona Beach.  I do attend many services throughout the year, but am not active in Sunday School or the missions of the church.  I have been a Baptist for 43 years and a Southern Baptist for 32 of those years.  I do believe that I have a more objective view since I am not as close to the situation as my more faithful brothers and sisters.

Pastor David has just moved too quickly in the changes that he has made.  Brother Bobby just retired in August and the dynamics have changed tremendously.  The Church had already committed to a new “campus” west of Daytona Beach.  They support this wholeheartedly.  They are not objecting to change.  This church has been progressive for many years.  Bobby Welch was a progressive pastor. 

The Church is the membership.  The Church is NOT the pastor.  He is the leader of the congregation, but must still be accountable to the members, not just to God.

I hate to see this have to come to a vote of the church membership but it seems to be coming to just that.

I am sorry you took personal offense to my words. My words were not directed at any individual.

I do stand by my general observation about Baptist Church life Sadly, this is the rule rather than the exception. Why is it that congregations turn over every few years and pastors rarely stay for more than 2-3 years before moving on? 

This is a public news article. If everyone wanted to keep it in the family (and we ALL are part of the family) they shouldn’t of went to the press (both pastor and member) and notes should not be published on the Church website.

Once again, I am sorry you took offense.

Bruce

“Moving too quickly” is always the objection to change.  From the civil rights movement to church politics, those on the outside always think its “too quickly.” The only question for leaders is, “What is the new future God is creating here? And are we willing to pay the price to get there?”
But if FBC Daytona is just now doing the “Purpose-Driven Church,” they are already behind the curve.  Gonna be rocky road ahead!

This article is a classic example of a train wreck between a church steeped in mammade traditions and a young pracher trying to duplicat an approach that was designed as nothing more than a gudeline. It also highlights the need for church planters to begin new work.

The outgoing pastor was still the paradigm in the minds of the people of the church. With no interim between the old regime and the new, people always hold tightly to what they know. Conversely, the new “pastor” was obligated to share his vision before its inplementation.

Changing anything viewed as sacred - removing the cross, changing music, and introducing new terminology are a non-issue in a church plant. You don’t have to fight with the malcontents who want it the way it’s always been. There is enough spiritual struggle helping the people headed to a hopeless and Christless eternity, that we don’t have time to fight with religious people.

Jesus warned about mending an old garment with a new piece of cloth, and he accused the pharisee of searching the scriptures ofr God, and failing to recognize the incarnate God in their midst. We are also warned by Paul not to take our disputes with one another into the secular courtroom.

God gets blame enough from people in the world. Why would overly rambunctious preachers and crooked old sticks in the church continue to blame their actions on God’s will? Maybe both need to take a step back, examine their own hearts and egos and pray together for God’s will in their midst?

A new church plant could be located across the street from every established church in the US and it would grow. God uses different wrappers, but as long as the message stays true to the Bible and lost, broken and bound people are being touched by his grace he still gets the glory.

In case anyone has forgotten, God is still in control. No pastor, deacon, elder, pharisee or other church bred malcontent has been given the right to sit on his throne.

It is not the music.  The church has for many years had blended music something for the old and something for the young. A great church was turned over to David Cox by a great leader Dr. Bobby Welch. The church maybe could have used a little tweaking here and there. Like Bro. Bobby used to say, “I love this church even though I do not like everything. He would say their are many things if it was my perference I would change but it is not my church”. David Cox has a leadership problem. To much change to quick without proving himself as a leader who could be trusted.  He does not know how to listen to wise many wise men who tried to help and keep him out of trouble. He has a dogged determination to do it his way. This I consider an ego problem. He is the one that is guilty of getting the church in the mess that it is in today. He is the one who is quilty of getting the media involved. If he had listened to wise counsel and not been in such a hurry to change this would have never happened. Daivd Cox is going to be guilty of killing a great church if he does not humble himself and leave.
Over 600 strong leaders of the church that have been faithful members for many years have signed a petition to ask for a vote to keep or dismiss the pastor. He could do himself and the church a favor by stepping down and letting the church continue to move forward. David Cox has messed up a great oppertunity to lead a great church.

Please pray for the long time members of First Baptist Church that have invested their time, talent and tithes to this great church for many years.

Please pray for David Cox that he will learn what it means to be accountable for his actions and that a great leader does just that he leads he is not a dicator.

Pat

I think that one lesson from this is that the church, not the beloved pastor about to retire, should select the new pastor.  Obviously, Dr. Cox’s method of leadership differs from what the church wants from its pastor.  However, since he was Bro. Bobby’s hand selected successor, I would be surprised if any questions were ever asked.

Isaac,

Your comment changes my opinion about all of this completely. If there was no Church vote over the new pastor (and it is a BAPTIST Church) then I can understand that Church members are upset.

This form of Baptist papal successionism has NO PLACE in Evangelical Churches.

I’d be upset too.

Bruce

I didn’t know that no one voted on the new pastor.  What a sad, sad day for FBC Daytona.  This church will be in my prayers as they seek to heal from this time and seek the man God has to lead them.  What has happened is done it is now time to move forward and be the church God has called them to be.