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Vote To Oust Cocaine Convicted Pastor is Inconclusive: Fate May Rest With Michigan Judge
Orginally published on Wednesday, September 20, 2006 at 7:00 AM
by Todd Rhoades
FLINT - A Genesee County Circuit Judge may have to decide if the Rev. Derrick Aldridge stays as pastor of Foss Avenue Baptist Church. By a slim margin Tuesday, members of the north side congregation voted to oust Aldridge, who is due to be sentenced Monday on several charges stemming from an arrest in Flint early this year. But Carl Bekofske, a Flint attorney appointed to conduct the election, said the secret-ballot vote was inconclusive: The votes of 28 people were not counted because their names were not on the official list of 661 eligible voters. The 28 cast "provisional votes," Bekofske said.
Bekofske said it will be up to Circuit Judge Archie Hayman to determine if the votes will be allowed.
In a secret ballot conducted over a 10-hour period, 208 members voted to dismiss the beleaguered son of church founder the Rev. Avery Aldridge, while 193 voted to retain him.
Two ballots were spoiled and another person walked out without voting, Bekofske said after the balloting ended at 8 p.m.
Aldridge, 51, pastor of the church since 2003, pleaded guilty Aug. 7 to improper possession of a firearm in a motor vehicle, a 90-day misdemeanor, and possession of cocaine, a 4-year felony. He is due to be sentenced by Circuit Judge Judith A. Fullerton.
Hayman ordered the vote by members of the congregation after Flint attorney David Megdell filed suit on behalf of a majority of the church deacon board in June. Megdell asked that Aldridge be prohibited from functioning as Foss Avenue pastor and Hayman to determine who governs the church.
Aldridge was not at the church for the vote, said a church member who did not give his name. Members would not speak publicly on the issue other than to say the vote was “inconclusive” as they left the church.
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This article is from MLive.com. Would your church split a vote if your pastor was convicted on drug and firearms charges?
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Hi... I'm Todd Rhoades. I'm a Christ-follower, husband, father and I love to connect leaders with other leaders. Hopefully you'll find something here at MMI you like and will return often. If you want, you can find out more about me or follow my every step on Twitter.
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Posted by kent
Wednesday, September 20, 2006 at 8:13 AM
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Wednesday, September 20, 2006 at 8:51 AM
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Wednesday, September 20, 2006 at 9:36 AM
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Posted by Pastor Dave
Monday, September 25, 2006 at 4:07 PM
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Posted by notebooker
Tuesday, August 12, 2008 at 5:55 AM
Post Your Comments:Oh for crying out loud. Is there no limit to our stupidity?
Am I missing something? Why would you even need to vote? He pleaded guilty to the charges. What is there to vote on?
I guess I have to ask if the cocaine fried Aldridge’s brain so he lost any common sense that he may have had? He’s created enough damage and stress on this congregation with 2 criminal charges and now he allows this to go to a vote? WHY?
What he needs to do is show some dignity and repentance by going into a rehab program, asking for public forgiveness (perhaps he’s done that already?) and then working someplace else for a while before considering ministry again. If ever.
I would think that even those that voted to retain him will always have a question mark about him and the split that is happening will continue.
Once again, here is another reason for the world to watch the church and say, “no thank you.”
Lawyers?? Judges?? This is specifically addressed in 1 Corinthians 6. Also, having a written Constitution or set of by-laws detailing under what process a pastor can be removed, who is eligible to vote, what constitutes voting membership, etc. would do wonders to keeping a church’s scandals out of courtrooms and local newspapers.
AMEN Bishop Dave. But I’ve seen cases when even good by-laws didn’t keep things out of court. The only thing that assues that is mature, biblical, spiritually centered leaders that actually lead the congregation.
1.) What, when, or how will we know if he is able to minister again?
2.) Who has not sinned (I probably sinned today) and does God view our sins as big and small, does sin only count if it is big or we get caught and then need to leave the ministry or does my private uncaught sin require me to leave ministry?
3.) How does the body of Christ come along side and support this man without supporting his sin?
This man needs to be loved by his church. He needs to be supported, etc. They can offer to help him with rehab, pay for his stay at a center. We all sin, but he broke the law and pleaded guilty to it. Therefore, he must pay his debt to society and recover. This is paramount in his life, not whether or not he should pastor a church again. Get better first. Should he pastor again? I don’t know, depends on what God does in his life during his recovery. But he shouldn’t pastor right now. For me, I just don’t think that requires a vote.
Bart, Interesting questions.
1.) What, when, or how will we know if he is able to minister again?
Visible evidence of repentance and humility. Wouldn’t you rather see your brother submit to the board and accept any discipline? Risking a split in the church so you can hold on to your position despite the public embarassment caused to the church--how is that Christ-like? James 3 tells us leadership has a higher standard to meet.
2) Who has not sinned (I probably sinned today) and does God view our sins as big and small, does sin only count if it is big or we get caught and then need to leave the ministry or does my private uncaught sin require me to leave ministry?
When we lose our credibility, we become ineffective. Sometimes our private uncaught sins make us so ineffective, we don’t realize it so we keep right on plugging away. And our churches suffer for it. Yes, sins have varying degress of consequence. Murder and lying are both sins. We shouldn’t do either one. But they have different levels of consequence (don’t turn that into something I didn’t say, please).
3) How does the body of Christ come along side and support this man without supporting his sin?
This goes back to humility. If somebody won’t confess, God tends not to put much energy into blessing their life. Example: Caine kills his bro.; God reaches out to Cain drawing him to repentance; Cain won’t confess nor repent; what kind of support does Cain need at that point? If the brother is more concerned with retaining postition than restoring his character, the body can’t help much. By taking action such as removing him (permanently or temporarily, up to the local body) or withdrawing total fellowship from him until certain conditions are met, the church is attempting to wake him up to the peril he is in (Matt 18:15-20). I can’t see how we are able to support those who live in denial or rationalize their actions with “everyone else sins also.” When that repentance is expressed, and he is honest with his bros and sis in Christ about why and to what extent he is involved in the activity that led to the arrest, he should be humble enough to allow discipleship, rehab, accountability group, etc. Not knowing any more about the situation than what’s posted here, I don’t get a sense of humility/repentance/confession on his part. Yes, he pled guilty; so why couldn’t he take his lumps and step down and keep this out of the courts while healing took place?
Once again. AMEN BISHOP DAVE! Good call.
Kent,
Isn’t that the truth! :-(
Blessings,
Al
I agree that this man needs to step down immediatly, and that the courts have no business in this matter. It just seemed that the early comments were somewhat harsh on a brother that has fallen. I am unsure how a church could vote to keep this pastor, unless they wanted to keep him on the payroll as a way to support him and his family as they go thru this difficult time. I’m praying for this church, this brother, and his family.
If I were to be caught up in deliberate sin, I would not wait for the congregation to vote on whether to keep me or oust me. I would immediately meet with the elders and tender my resignation. Should they be able to forgive to the point of ministering prayers, food, money, etc to my family in my absence, I would be grateful. If not, I would bear no malice. We are, after all, obligated to love one another.
The Devil is happy for the behavior of the Pastor - and for the behavior of the church!
Dear Father - I pray that You will destroy me before You would allow me to do this kind of damage to your People and to Your holy name!
Heartbreaking!
Ok folks - Derrick got 90 days behind bars and a couple years probation. The judge is a fine Christian. Derrick has for many years faltered while trying to be as his father, Avery, was. Avery was one of Michigan’s most prominent black ministers and was an amazing man. Derrick’s mother was/is a wonderful lady. Derrick first got himself into trouble back in the late ‘70’s and has been in trouble with the law, in felony territory, at least four times...so this is not just an incidental situation. He’s been convicted of embezzlement, drug possession, concealed weapon, etc. He should have stepped aside and avoided all this voting nonsense. He needs a lot of help. BTW I don’t attend the church but have several friends who do.
To deliberatly split God’s church is Inconscionable. That Aldridge has started a new “church” by raiding the membership list at Foss Avenue ( as well as raiding the church of office equipment and furniture) is so low. Those that have followed him have been decieved. I only hope that when they come to themselves, they won’t be too ashamed to come home.
NB, I couldn’t agree more! A “new church” indeed! “Raiding” is wrong whoever does it. Even if he had “pioneered” the church, one must not treat the body of Christ in that manner. I also agree with Pastor Dave. I, too, would rather God “take me” than to disgrace Him in this manner. There are some things worse than death.
It really hurts to see the stupidity of people. How many times does the man have to prove he’s up to no good? Derrick Aldridge has personally offended me, stollen my property and lied to my face!!! The man has no decency but bragged about how he could get the church to do whatever he wanted; all he had to do was say God gave him the vision. I am quick to forgive, but here you are just dealing with a pimp, con artist, drug addict. He has no interest in changing. His interest is in finding another congregation to pay for his drug habit. Looks like he succeeded! It’s a shame and a disgrace.
No judge, peace on all people!
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