MondayMorningInsight - Leadership & Encouragement for Church Leaders

Another SBC Megachurch Struggles with Transition

Posted by: Todd
Posted on: Mon, January 15, 2007
Viewed 178
(23) comments so far

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 ”The Purpose Driven Life” by Rick Warren, 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, Bobby Welch.

Here’s a statement from Pastor David Cox 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 First Baptist Church of Daytona Beach, FL. 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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Troy on Tue, January 23, 2007

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 on Wed, January 24, 2007

The only problem with the phrase by the previous commentor,

“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”

is that no one voted anyone in. There was never a church vote. And if anything was said, it was on a Sunday morning from the pulpit where it was well known that no one would object. Furthermore, the man that leads that church today, is not the same man he was when he started.
Bruce on Wed, January 24, 2007

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
Troy on Thu, January 25, 2007

Dr Cox resigned.

http://www.news-journalonline.com/NewsJournalOnline/News/EastVolusia/evlEAST05012507.htm
James on Fri, January 26, 2007

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.
Larry on Mon, January 29, 2007

When you hear of the large churches that the pastor has been there for 25 or more years is great. However, when they retire, is it in the best interest of that church and their ministry as well as the new pastor to have the former pastor stay on in whatever capacity they choose? There have been severl large or mega churches that have kept the retired pastor in position or another. therfore, undermining the ministry of the present pastor and perhaps the possibility of growing in a new direction.

Yes, the former pastor helped to grow the church to where it is now, but the congregation needs to be able to develop a relationship with the new administration. Having the former pastor still on site prevents that too many times.

If the church is to go forward, the former pastor should gracefully step down and out to allow this to happen. Because with our being human, we have a tendency to go back where we are comfortable and not allow the Holy Spirit to move us to the challenges that lie ahead.

Give the new pastor a break, there are already a lot of hurdles that he has to jump through, without one of them being working around the former pastor and the following that will always be there.
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David Kinderdine on Mon, November 23, 2009

Today�s church CEO Pastors hire and fire staff without due process. One would believe today�s churches and Sr pastors would operate under Biblical guidelines. The biblical principles of grace, forgiveness, fairness, and love have been replaced by ruthless worldly practices.

The irony of it all is that when staff pastors challenge these practices they are reminded by the CEO pastor of Biblical authority and instructed that it is unbiblical to challenge pastoral authority. How convient to have the CEO empowered with pastoral authority and the exclusive right to interpret and convey Biblical principles. Sound like an imbalance of power to me. What became of the pastor who would minister along side his people, console the bereaved, visit the sick, seek the lost, advise the confused and lead by example. Today the CEO pastor is too busy focusing on vision, administration, and meetings.