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    Another SBC Megachurch Struggles with Transition

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    Here are just a few quotes from FBC members in the article in the Daytona Beach News Journal… a list of ‘gripes’, if you will:

    --Noting the absence of the cross, one church member said Wednesday the church altar looks more “like a Masonic Lodge than a pulpit.”

    --The new senior pastor was accused of selling off the new church property near I-4 to a “beer drinking campground business.”

    --The congregation is also questioning the salaries for Cox and other staffers while many popular programs, such as youth basketball and bus transportation for the under-privileged, have been eliminated.

    --Much of the complaints are also cultural. Critics don’t like Cox’s use of the popular book ”” by , his reference to First Baptist as a “campus” instead of a “church,” and the change in music to a more contemporary sound.

    --"I like the organ,” said Jim Ward at the meeting. “I don’t like the drums, guitars, (but) I’m older.”

    --The group is circulating a petition to force Cox’s ouster, Woolyhand said.

    So… there you have it… music, money, and of course, Rick Warren.

    I’m not saying there may not be some valid concerns; and one may just be that there’s been too much change too quickly.  But I do hope how the dissenters, by taking their conflict to the public arena, have practically guaranteed FBC’s future as a place that unbelievers will have no part of.

    So far, no comment from Emeritus Pastor, .

    Here’s a statement from on FBC’s website:

    Since 1898, First Baptist Church of Daytona Beach has been a lighthouse
    to Volusia County and to people around the world.  During these years
    our church family has made a positive impact for Christ to thousands
    of families and individuals.  It is my prayer and complete confidence
    that in the coming weeks, months, and years First Baptist will continue
    to be that shining light and hope whereby lost people find Jesus Christ
    as personal Savior and Christian members can be built up and edified as
    a result of fellowship, Bible study, worship, ministry and prayer.

    Currently, our church is engaged in a spiritual struggle that is causing
    difficulty, hardship, and much reflection in the hearts of many of our
    members.  This is a time that calls for earnest prayer, contrite hearts,
    and a view to our Lord with His will being of supreme importance.

    Please continue to pray for our church family, our Pastor, and our
    pastoral staff.  We believe that the victory Christ Jesus won on
    the cross will be our ultimate victory in these days ahead.
    May our Lord Jesus get glory and honor and cause “all things
    to work together” for His good as He promises in His Word. (Romans 8:28)

    Dr. David B. Cox
    Senior Pastor

    Your Thoughts?

    Unfortunately, another large SBC church is in the secular press because of transitional problems. This time it's the 4000 member . It was just six months ago that Pastor David Cox officially took over the reigns from well-liked long-term pastor Bobby Welch (the former president of the Southern Baptist Convention). While he served as senior associate under Welch for over two years, the response to his leadership in the first six months has led to a congregational meeting, which, of course, was reported on by the media...

    Comments

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    1. Leonard on Tue, January 16, 2007

      Seems like the good Dr. is going to need some prayer.  No person should ever read the story of Israel marching through the wilderness another 40 years and scorn them for their lack of faith and trust in God.  We see it every day in the church.  Paul warned the Corinthians of this.  It makes me ache.

    2. J.R. on Tue, January 16, 2007

      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

    3. Jade on Tue, January 16, 2007

      Why is this in the media?  Why is it any of the rest of the communities business.  They pretty much ruined the name of probably a good pastor.  Even if they decide to keep this guy what becomes of him?  Someone needs to run to this pastors aide or if he has done wrong help him to repent.


      Again WHY IS THIS IN THE MEDIA?


      Jade

    4. Bruce on Tue, January 16, 2007

      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.

    5. Peter D on Tue, January 16, 2007

      As a person who has helped churches transition from traditional to contemporary formats, this comes as no surprise.  When you transition, you WILL lose many people and they will not understand.  One of my former churchmates from Michigan said it clearly. “I don’t understand it, but I see the need for it.  Church as we have known it is not attractive to the masses, especially the younger generation.  They need a place to worship in a way that is relevant to them, and sometimes us old geezers have to step aside and let the church grow.”


      Possible Solution:  Keep a traditional service for those who prefer it that way.  Put a portable cross for that service.  In the meantime educate the traditionalists of the need to true to the word, yet relevant to those who need Christ.  There is so much more that can be said, but I have been to FBC in Daytona, and this is much needed change for the church and community.  The speed in which it has taken place may be controversial, but wasn’t Jesus controversial?  Not enough said here, but I definitely understand both sides of the coin.

    6. SAB on Thu, January 18, 2007

      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.

    7. Sleepless in Daytona on Fri, January 19, 2007

      This is a “family” matter. We would appreciate our privacy and not to be taunted over the most difficult experience of our entire lives (Bruce). J. R.,  thank you for those wise words. Your discernment is right on track. Also, for the record, the only person I’m truly aware of that went to the “media”, was our pastor. Pray that the best decision will be made, and mostly that the Lord will minister healing to our entire church body.

    8. Bruce on Fri, January 19, 2007

      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

    9. Troy on Sun, January 21, 2007

      I am a former member of FBC Daytona, but now live in another state.  In my heart, I am still a member as I love that church far more than the one I now belong to.  My friends have told me that Dr. Cox has moved too quickly.  Whenever someone would question him, he would respond, “Go find another church if you don’t like it.”  Also, Daytona has a high percentage of senior adults, and FBC Daytona is about 30 percent senior adult. Dr. Cox should have known that many would dislike the contemporary music.  I am only 42 and I can’t stand contemporary music.


      Dr. Cox is a talented preacher.  I pray the church does not vote him out in tonight’s service.  If they do, I fear a church split, as I think he may stay in Daytona, take about 300 or 400 members with him, and start a new church.  On the other hand, if Dr. Cox stays, I pray he will move more slowly and be conservative in his money spending.

    10. Chuck Warnock on Mon, January 22, 2007

      “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!

    11. Brad on Mon, January 22, 2007

      From J.R. “I don’t know how FBC Daytona is structured…” “Again, I don’t know the details of the FBC Daytona situation ...”


      Why do we make these ‘clarifying’ statements?  Is it to rationalize our predesposed mentality to pass judgement?  This type of thing has happened mumerous times lately., and it is a farse.  95-99% of the time the Pastor DOES answer to someone or someones…but 100% of them time church members do not.  They can say what they want, gossip what they want, mis inform people with misinformation - and to what scrutiny? None.  Well, maybe NONE is too absolute.  But when a member at our church looked at our pudget and saw the “Pastoral payroll was $115,000, what did he do? Well he spent weeks sewing desension and planning a cou for the annual business meeting.  So what was the verdict? A church spilt. Desension. Reputation damage.  The interesting thing…no one was competent enought to realize the ‘pastoral payrol’ represented 2 fulltime pastors and 1 part time pastor, NOT just the Senior Pastor.  Yeah, the wind was sucked out of their sails, but the ship was already sunk.  Who was scorned? The Pastor. 


      Don;t tell me about church discipline.  It happens as often as Howard Stern prays.


      Yeah, I’m tired of it.  I’m tired of the media being involved.  I’m tired of people criticing other people for changing, changing too slowly, changing too fast - it doesn’t matter. 


      In this one respect I know Pastors get tired of being like Jesus: They get tired of being criticized, lied about, stabbed in the back, for _________________ fill in the blank, becuase it doesn’t matter the what.

    12. RadicalRon on Mon, January 22, 2007

      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.

    13. Brad on Mon, January 22, 2007

      One other note:


      Being pretty familar with the church…Why all the fuss now about Contempoarary music?  Why is it the issue for the new Pastor, and not for Bobby? (We all know he dealt with it as well, it wasn’t enough to publicly leverage against a man who had invested as much as he had.)


      Lets see, what was that one band that got their start with Bobby out there in Daytona.???..oh, yeah Casting Crowns.

    14. Pat on Mon, January 22, 2007

      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

    15. James on Tue, January 23, 2007

      Shouldn’t we be more concerned about what God wants than we are about whether or not a pastor is “changing things too quickly”?  If you believe God put that man there (and you should if you voted him in) then you don’t have the right to mess with the direction he is getting from God.  Pray for this man and the direction of God’s church in Daytona.

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