Pastor accused of running out Dems quits

The Charlotte Observer/AP ^ | 05/10/05 | TIM WHITMIRE

[rikkir]

WAYNESVILLE, N.C. - A Baptist preacher accused of running out nine congregants who refused to support President Bush resigned Tuesday.

"I am resigning with gratitude in my heart for all of you," the Rev. Chan Chandler said as he left a closed-door meeting at East Waynesville Baptist Church.

[rikkir]

I heard that the real story behind this is some Dems didn't like the moral absolutes the guy was preaching, and took a vote to have him removed a few months back. It didn't work, so they started to heckle him during his sermons. That's when he told them to leave.

[Kenny Bunkport]

[auboy]

AP's version seems somewhat different. I'm shocked. /sarcasm

[demkicker]

If what you say is true, then their entire congregation is pathetic whimps to have let this happen.

[Rightly Biased]

I'd stand with that pastor 100% and here is why.

Can a Christian be a liberal? Short answer: no. There is no way a Christian can buy into neo-liberal ideology and be faithful to the bigger-than-Dallas teachings of the scripture and expect to continue enjoying his hard-won religious liberties.

For the "Christian" to lean politically to the left means that he must blow off huge chunks of the Bible and replace the scripture with the make-believe notions of postmodernism's malleable "Christ." Only after torturing the scripture can the Christian then fit liberalism into his supposed relationship with God.

For the Christian who believes that unfeigned faith in Christ should correspond with Jesus' high view of scripture, it is… now… impossible to believe in God and be an adherent to postmodern liberalism. The twain no longer meet. Liberalism has been hijacked by bizarre special-interest thugs who spit on the Word of God and believe that the Bible has no place in public life, (except maybe in a museum where people can look at it from time to time).

The Christian who has a bent to the liberal left needs to understand something: while he is skipping around the maypole with his rose-colored glasses on, if it were up to the modern, secularized liberal establishment, he would be more restricted than Bill when Hillary's in town. Yes, if the Christophobic thugs had it their way, Christians would be relegated to a marginalized spiritual ghetto on the sidelines of life.

For the naïve Christian voter who thinks he can toss a ballot in the Nuevo liberal direction, please know that a vote toward the secular left could leave you bereft of sacred liberties. Thanks to the aggressive ludicrous liberal lug nuts' anti-Christian agenda, your vote for a liberal, Christian, is a vote for …

1. Christianity to be scrubbed from government and whatever turf the government owns. Thanks to the liberals, the Ten Commandments have about as much acceptance in our government and their properties as Rush Limbaugh would at Al Franken's family reunion. Yes, the Judeo-Christian principles that formed the rock-solid foundation of this great American Experiment are now aggressively fought against by the lascivious left.

If… if… the secularists continue to stay behind the wheel of this American bus, you can kiss all semblance of Christianity good-bye in this heretofore God-graced government. Saint, you might as well say farewell to our government's recognizing Christmas and adios to Good Friday if you're going to vote the liberal ticket. If the secularists have it their way, Easter will be behind your keister, and you can kiss the Cross good-night as an acceptable public symbol that represents your faith and our nation's recognition of Christ's atoning work.

2. Secularism to be continually mainlined into our public school system. Thanks to rabid vapid secularism, our public schools and universities would rather you be a Rocky Horror super freak than a Christian. If your beliefs run to the bizarre or the banal, or if you want to smoke the same philosophical crack that Caligula, Nero, Castro or Lenin freebased, they'll accommodate you.

Our schools are totally open to anyone and to anything, unless, of course, you're a Christian. And if that's the case, then you're likely to get more sympathy from a badger with minimal sleep than you will from liberal educators who are hard at work making your life hard. A vote for the secular left is a vote for Christianity to continue to be officially vilified on campus and Christians to be ostracized in campus life.

3. Public officials, employees and appointees to be pressured to hide their faith in the closet and suppress their public displays of belief in God lest they be grouped with Hitler, Osama, or Mussolini and then fired. Not only will the liberals aggressively work to prohibit the State from green lighting and recognizing Christianity as a legitimate and positive force in our land, they will also attempt to stifle Christians from influencing the path of government.

4. Public attacks on churches and Christians and attempts to restrict them in the private sector. Consider this, Christian pastor and Christian lay person looking to vote for the ludicrous left: the secular Mafioso's intent is to make your ministerial life difficult, your evangelistic work taxing and your voice minimized. And good luck, pastor and church committee, in trying to buy property and get zoning with the anti-Christian libs at the helm.

5. The continued media endorsement of the same putrid hedonistic stuff that sunk ancient Rome. Yes, with the liberals in place, expect more weird crap in movies and on television. Expect to see more paintings of Christian symbols/ saints smeared with elephant dung. Expect Christianity to be bashed and vilified and Christians made out to be buckled-shoed morons with three teeth and an IQ of 50. Expect the culture to coarsen. Expect your kids to continue to be exposed to things that only rock stars see backstage with groupies. A vote for a liberal is a vote to see Christians continue to receive special ridicule and be flogged more than a piñata during a Cinco de Mayo festival.

My clashpoint is this: Modern liberalism tosses the scripture out on several different levels. How a true believer in the Christ defined by the scripture can buy into what Jesus, the prophets and apostles said and also what these secular thugs say is beyond me.

In addition to liberalism's obvious and odious pro-holocaust-like abortion stance, its anti-biblical view of marriage, its scripture-slamming aggressive secularism, and its feckless view of our nation's defense, liberalism completely clashes with the Christian worldview. Secular liberalism's aggressive desire to eradicate Christians' rights should cause Christians to be concerned.

The Democratic Party's liberalism has degenerated over the last 40-50 years in regard to its view of Christianity and Christian rights. This party, which formerly embraced and protected our nation's great Christian heritage and teachings, no longer does so.

Thus, today the Christian is between a rock and a hard place: he can either be a Christian or a liberal, but he cannot be both.

[demkicker]

is are

[rikkir]

CBS is reporting that the IRS may come after this Church.
I am extremely angry about this. If they do, I will not rest until I see every church, that every democrat has ever campaigned in, investigated by the IRS.
I'm going to make it my life's work to see this happen.

[bookworm100]

Here is a typical media report.

Pastor: Dems aren't wanted
Church member says Baptist preacher wants everyone to be Republican

WAYNESVILLE, N.C. (AP) — Some members of a small Baptist church say their pastor led a charge this week to kick out nine members because they don't support President Bush.

They said Pastor Chan Chandler told the congregation before last year's election that they should support Bush and that anyone who planned to vote for Democrat John Kerry should get up and leave.

"It's all over politics," said Selma Morris, a member and treasurer of East Waynesville Baptist Church. "We've never had a pastor like that before."

Morris said some members of the church in this mountain town 125 miles northwest of Charlotte left in October when Chandler first made his ultimatum.

"A week or two before the election he gets up and says we should resign or come to the altar and repent," added Lorene Sutton, who said she and her husband were voted out of the church this week.

Chandler didn't return a message left at his home Friday, and several calls to the church of less than 100 members went unanswered. But Chandler told WLOS-TV in nearby Asheville that the actions were not politically motivated, and then hung up.

But Morris said Chandler is "a Republican and he wants everyone else to be Republican."

At a Monday church meeting, the talk again turned to politics, Morris and Sutton said. It ended with a vote to kick out nine members who didn't support Chandler's political view. WLOS reported that 40 other members resigned in protest.

North Carolina Democratic Party Chairman Jerry Meek sharply criticized the church Friday.

He said Chandler jeopardized his church's tax-free status by openly supporting a candidate for president.

"One of the Bible's most repeated commands is to 'Love your neighbor.' If these reports are true, this minister is not only acting extremely inappropriately by injecting partisan politics into a house of worship, but he is also potentially breaking the law," Meek said.

Sutton said in her 25 years with the church she's never before had such a problem.

Chandler arrived in the pulpit less than three years ago and is "young and he thinks he knows everything," she said.

"He's the kind of pastor who says do it my way or get out," she said. "He's real negative all the time."

For now, she and her husband are without a place of worship.

"We just have to wait and see what happens," she said. "If we can get him out of there, we can go back."

At http://www.decaturdaily.com/decaturdaily/news/050507/pastor.shtml

[StonyBurk]

The state of the church in America today. The congregations
(in general -but certainly not every congregation) does not want a Pastor tolead-they want one that follows and
provides them with entertainment-so they can pretend to be good Christians while supporting and embracing all manner
of behavior that Scripture calls contrary to Gods will.
So long as there can be no discipline in th echurch there
can be no purpose to attend church except to be entertained even a Barry Lynn - or Rev.Al Sharpton can be
be entertaining for anhour but there is hell to pay if any
follow where such lead.

[rikkir]

It is the most amazing thing to watch the DUmmies scream about this. Must be seen to be believed.

[Coldwater Creek]

Love the sign!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[swampfox98]

That's when he told them to leave.

What about the rest of the congregation? If they didn't defend him, he should leave the Baptist Church for good. Too many Baptists are like Jimmy Carter. Trying to teach people like this is casting pearls before swine.

[StonyBurk]

Jesus couln't have been born in a Blue State-- because they
couldn't find room at the Inn,Couldn't find any virgins, and everyone knows there haven't been any wisemen that
register Democrat since Zell Miller voted for Bush.

[rikkir]

The story I heard was from a caller on the Jason Lewis show yesterday. My hunch is that this Pastor has too much class to drag his congregation through any more of the media anal examine they have been receiving.
I am going to watch where this guy lands. Might be interesting to see if he pastors again.

[Coldwater Creek]

Totally disagree with you that you cannot be a Christian and be a liberal. I believe that you can not be a spirit filled Christian and be a liberal, because there would have to be so much disobedience to the Word. People get sidetracked for one reason or another, but if they have had a personal experience with Christ, then they are still a Christian.

[anniegetyourgun]

That makes more sense than the actual "news" accounts. Seems the libs have come to cause strife within the congregation. The church will split, the finances will fall apart, and there will be much sadness.

Pray that what Satan means for evil, God will turn to good.

[WinOne4TheGipper]

It just seems to me that if it were about politics, the whole thing would have hit the news back in Oct. when the members were kicked out. SOMETHING is not being reported, I just don't know if it happened as post one speculates...

[bookworm100]

[Rightly Biased]

Salvation is not a prayer and an experience its a life changing event

[Coldwater Creek]

I wondered how long it would be before the Baptist Bash began!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Coldwater Creek]

You can not be saved without praying a prayer of repentance and that is an experience. I do agree that salvation is a life changing event!!!!!!

[ohhhh]

[My clashpoint is this: Modern liberalism tosses the scripture out on several different levels. How a true believer in the Christ defined by the scripture can buy into what Jesus, the prophets and apostles said and also what these secular thugs say is beyond me.]

Amen, you are rightly biased! They can not but they are foolish and will try. Christianity is exclusive according to biblical doctrine, the Lord's Word is a Rock and we take refuge in His truth.
The world and those who live in it have set their ire, fury and rage against the one true Church and attack the Jesus Christ and the Bible daily now and intend to destroy the only truth a man can build his life on and be free in. We now stand at the crossroads in America as Liberalism vs. Christianity, may the good Lord Jesus Christ bless us and defend us from evil and those who propagate it; may the good Lord find a bible church for this pastor and a group of Christians who would put out unbelieving people who disrupt the bible service.

[Rightly Biased]

Maria,

If one has a personal experience with Christ they live like it and vote like it you can not seperate the two.

Being a Baptist I do not believe one can lose their salvation. But they need to be saved in order to not lose their salvation.

I've backslidden before and I might again I pray not. But where does ones heart lie and there you will find thier salvation.

Interesting that your tagline says "We voted like we prayed"

Prayed to who? or whom?

[grizzly84]

I don't agree with what the pastor did, but I think he had the right to do it. A church or club should have the right to as exclusive or inclusive as they want to be.
Of course I believe we need churchmen who are willing to preach their beliefs to nonbelievers, not kick them out the door.

[don-o]

I don't think so.

imo, the basic problem is the structure of the church in question - and Baptist polity in particular. The congregational principle basically makes the Baptist church into a little democracy. But, that runs up hard against the reality of the One Whom Christians worship. The ultimate Monarch.

This pastor was free to spout off any and every thing that came into his head. Until he said the wrong thing and got himself run off.

Happens all the time in the Baptist and "Bible" churches. The pastor serves at the pleasure of the sheep. Something wrong at the root of it. Can anyone guess what?

[Rightly Biased]

Well being a Southern Baptist I can tell you that my pastor does not serve the pleasures of his sheep.Serving the pleasures of the sheep is wrong the pastor is there to serve Christ first just as the members are.

Our pastor encourages us to be a faithful Church, First!

Not being a member of that church I do not know exactly what the pastor was "spouting".
But I do know that one can not seperate the way they vote and thier Salvation provided by God Almighty through His Son Christ Jesus

[Coldwater Creek]

You are contradicting yourself.

You said that you could not be a Christian and be a liberal, then you said that you believe once saved always saved, but that you have been a backslider.

what does who I pray to have to do with this conversation?

BTW I an a Southern Baptist and I pray to God the Father in the name of Jesus.

[Rightly Biased]

Maria

Over half of professing Christian leave Salvation at the experience and never make the life Change.

RB<><

[swampfox98]

I wondered how long it would be before the Baptist Bash began!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Bashing is not bashing if it is the truth. Jimmy Carter supports every evil thing in the Democrat party, so you would defend him?

I take it you are also defending the liberals in the church who love evil, but hey, they are OK because they wear the name Baptist.

One reason this country is going under is because the so called Christians have voted for Democrats ignoring the evils of society which the Democrat party has forced upon this country. In other words, party comes before religious beliefs. Look at that old idiot Byrdd from West Virginia. Sickening.

[Coldwater Creek]

As a Southern Baptist I do not support Jimmy Carter one iota. I just don't like you lumping all of us in his category.

[swampfox98]

I wondered how long it would be before the Baptist Bash began!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Bashing is not bashing if it is the truth. Jimmy Carter supports every evil thing in the Democrat party, so you would defend him?

I take it you are also defending the liberals in the church who love evil, but hey, they are OK because they wear the name Baptist.

One reason this country is going under is because the so called Christians have voted for Democrats ignoring the evils of society which the Democrat party has forced upon this country. In other words, party comes before religious beliefs. Look at that old idiot Byrdd from West Virginia. Sickening.

[Rightly Biased]

I am not contradicting myself

You cannot be a Christian and be a liberal

Liberals stand for abortion and Homosexual marriage how is that Christian?

I have backslidden and asked Father God to forgive me. Was my original profession of Faith real I don't know but I know I am saved now my life has Changed and I live what I say I believe.

As Christ said."Don't be lukewarm or I will vomit you out of my mouth!"

[Rightly Biased]

I agree Clinton claims to be a Southern Baptist as well don't lump us all together!

[auburntiger]

I am a Catholic but I salute the Baptist preacher. I hope that he finds a new congregation soon. Better yet, he should have a talk with Benni XVI.

[swampfox98]

I just don't like you lumping all of us in his category.

Then don't call me a Baptist basher. Truth is truth, and I'll never apologize for telling it like it is. If his good Baptist congregation didn't support him, he should rethink many things, one being are the Baptists worthy of him? If not, leave.

Sorry for the second post - FR is terribly slow tonight. Oh dear, I am bashing FR.

[Rightly Biased]

Thanks for the support I'm getting beat up over that one.

But I can take it.

(sufferin' for Jesus) ;^D

[niteowl77]

The timing of this alone makes me suspect an unreported agenda on the part of some worldly members of the flock. I'd like to get some unfiltered info, but if he was preaching about the disconnect between scriptural morality and the party of the 'rats as it exists today, I'd walk out with him and not look back.

[auburntiger]

Liberalism is Communism Light. One cannot be a communist and adhere to Christian principles. Suggest you read the 19th century book: "Liberalism is a Sin", ISBN: 0-89555-478-X.

[Coldwater Creek]

That's right!!!!!! I suspect that we agree on more than we disagree. Have a good night!!!!!!!!!

[don-o]

You cannot be a Christian and be a liberal

Liberal: A term which has lost all definition. It mostly now means whatever "I" am against.

[Coldwater Creek]

I completely understand that liberalism is sin, but being a sinner does not keep us from being a Christian. It does keep us from having fellowship with God.

[Rightly Biased]

You as well Maria

Enjoyed the conversation.

[Rightly Biased]

Heck Rush gave the word its current definition.

So I go with it.

[auburntiger]

A good Christian realizes that he is a sinner. But a good Christian also repents and corrects himself for past errors made.

[don-o]

Well being a Southern Baptist I can tell you that my pastor does not serve the pleasures of his sheep

Really? All the Baptist churches I was involved in - the deacon board or a "search committee" would present applicants for any vacancy; and then the congregation voted.

It works different that that in other places?

[don-o]

Heck Rush gave the word its current definition.

I missed that. Please share.

[WoodstockCat]

As a Southern Baptist, here's my take on salvation:

No change, No Christ.

We have watered down the 1st century commitment that Christianity required. We are fat and happy as American Christians. The Chinese or Iraqi or Iranian Christians right now live their lives closer to the original "way" than we do here.

[Rightly Biased]

Well Ive never seen a deacon board present a pastor but I've been on a search committee and it wasn't any fun at all.

Praying and seeking Fathers Will for the local congregation was not a glory job that's for sure.

So fill me in

---

Listen to Rush and He'll tell you what a liberal is and ain't. I do know that they bow down to their god being in power and control and worship at the alter of indecency.

[Rightly Biased]

No change, No Christ.

Thats what I've been saying thanks

RB< >

[don-o]

Bottom line - By whatever means, Baptist congregations hire and fire the pastor. Or, swarm off to start another Baptist church.

The sheep are ruling the shepherd (pastor). Can't you see how wrong that is?

But, it is sure to happen when you buy into a man centered polity. Christ set things up a lot better. Read a lot of church history. Concentrate on the Great Schism of 1054.