Jonathan Head November 26, 2011. Per the church's constitution and bylaws, a senior pastor must be affirmed by a margin of at least 85% of the vote, but Hayes only garnered 81%of the vote, with 1,552 "yes" votes compared to 365 "no" votes. However, Mancini added that the situation at FBC Naples was not typical but did not want to comment on the unique circumstances at the church. Hayes, a black man married to a white woman, According to the inside source, soon after his employment at FBC Naples ended, Wicker was banned from the church campus. When HE transitioned the church from Elders to committees the ground work was laid for unbiblical polity. The church did not hold a reception to honor Wickers decades of ministry, nor was Wicker permitted to address the congregation. If this pastoral candidate supportes a book that divides the church along ethnic lines and stirs up divisions in the body of Christ, it is sad that he received as many votes as he did. The First Naples School of Worship Arts exists to develop Christ-honoring worshipers through quality instruction for the purpose of exalting the Lord with their God-given talents and abilities. Wicker said several weeks later, the church emailed him, stating that Wicker had facilitated and cooperated with a rival faction in the church, which voided his exit agreement. An earlier version of this article named the group accused of stealing the email addresses as concerned FBCN members. church as large as FBC Naples. Nothing new in this article. {I realize, Im using the word black rather than African American. I personally do not care for the term African American, and there are black people who dislike it more than I do.} Racism had Nothing to do with voting!It had to do with biblical principals that many questioned ( CRT, SJM, "Woke" Church). their sin. I am responding simply to share that theres another side the story and I wish I/we had an opportunity to share such a story without fear of legal action (thats right, the church has threatened legal action against me as well as threatened that if I say anything at all negative about the church they will trespass me prevent me from dropping off and picking up my kids at First Baptist Academy. "To our knowledge, he has never handleda multi-million-dollar budget, building programs, fundraising and/or staffing issues as required by a Senior Pastor," the group wrote. By Jessica Pigg Last updated Nov 2, 2021 NAPLES Since Alan Brumback's call as lead pastor and his arrival in mid-September, First Baptist Church in Naples has seen baptismal waters stirred every weekend, having celebrated 42 baptisms in October and already scheduling another 15 in November. FBC Naples also sent several cease and desist letters from prominent law firm, Holland & Knight, to several church members suspected of having involvement with the Voices of FBCN email. Your Connection Portal. Marcus D. Hayes, a pastor from Hendersonville, North Carolina, was brought before the church congregation on the weekend of Oct. 26 and 27 by the church'spastor search committee to affirm him as the next senior pastor. "It seems all cops ever see is black," the attorney continued. Give Online. Our Vision. By circumventing the clear teachings of Matthew 18:15-17 regarding church discipline, this process showcases glaring problems with approaches to discipline that rely entirely on church oligarchies. It also shapes my needs, which tend to go forgotten or overlooked if you refuse to see I am a black woman. I saw that simply as a distraction from the devil.. The search for a senior pastor continues, with Dorrill leading the search committee. On May 28, Caudill said the church placed him on disciplinary suspension from the deacon board and the senior pastor search team. this approach to transition can become a helpful model for other churches.. "We know this because of the campaign that started just days before by a few disgruntled people in our church.". The turmoil at FBC Naples began about a year ago, when longtime Senior Pastor Hayes Wicker announced to the church that he was stepping down to make way for younger fresher leadership.. 3000 Orange Blossom Drive. Come see the Living Christmas Trees. Of course they did. Just because no one blatantly used a racial slur or expressed overtly racist statements does not mean that racism was not expressed or used during the selection process. To be blunt, it stinks and the whiff of corruption I detect is an autocratic sense of entitlement, with a touch of greed, perhaps, as well. Who Will Pay for the SBCs Abuse Reforms Over the Long Term? The process did not adhere to or reflect any biblical model. This is why I dont attend a church and work on my relationship with God on a daily basis. We are so glad you've chosen to join us. Greear, SEBTS President Danny Akin, and Rev. If this were a Calvary Chapel organization, or any other offshoot of Chuck Smiths piracy, no one would be surprised. Sandra received her Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education from our local college, Florida Gulfcoast University in 2001. ", "While racial issues were brought into play, and horrifically there indeed were some who did not approve Rev. I will say this with as much humility as I can muster at this time.The letter from FBCN was a lie! Hayes did not suddenly abandon his faith in the few months between his announcement that he was stepping aside, as he was being felt led to do, to make room for younger leadership and his sudden dismissal by the FBCN leadership. Despite his disagreement with the process, Wicker said he submitted to an exit agreement offered by the church, which included a non-disclosure clause. I think there were people in the church who were afraid of having a black pastor, especially one who does not subscribe to the ridiculous and ungodly notion of colorblindness and one who holds the racial views that Hayes does. What a great and wise man of God he is? First Baptist Church Naples, she said,"is not a racist church by any stretch of the imagination. The Asbury Revival Is Over. FirstNaples.org My Account Login Instead of the transition period Wicker announced, the staff strong-armed Wicker out after over a quarter of a century of service to the people of FBC Naples, sources told the Capstone Report. For the church's leadership, "it exposed a sickness in what we characterize as a cancer within our fellowship," he continued in the letter, which also asked for forgiveness from Hayes and his wife and "any other person who has been offended, hurt, or damaged by the outcome" of the vote. I'm New. When I look at Jesus and his disciples I do not see anything that looks as atrocious as this mess. We see this is the third article this month youve found worth reading. While methods may change, our commitment to Biblical doctrine is a non-negotiable. "And, as a result of that, there have been groups who honestly feel a little disenfranchised. He also didnt meet the qualifications for the job. Specialties: First Baptist Church Naples is a church family that is unified on several basic theological understandings, which are based in our understanding of God's Word. I voted no to Mr. Hayes for two reasons. To make matters worse, FBC Naples is implementing church discipline procedures which are in direct violation to those set forth by Jesus in Matthew 18. Instead, Wicker was quickly forced out. Sadly, friction in the pastoral transition at FBC Naples has been present from the outset. The Marcus Hayes vote was used to cry wolf. Im not sure why you would describe Dr. Kings sentiments as ridiculous and ungodly. Theres only one human race. It also noted that Hayes didnt meet the criteria members had stated for the next senior pastorthat he have five years of experience as a senior pastor. SUNDAY, Dec 11 (7pm) However, no one even begins to acknowledge that this system is the product of Hayes ministry. I read about this over at The Wartburg Watch. This is nothing new. With two young children at home, she dedicated her time to being a stay at home mom until 2007 when the Lord opened the door for her to be a preschool teacher at First Baptist Academy in Naples. He said the church was hopeful that Hayes would allow his name to be reconsidered as the church's next senior pastor or interim pastor. Gas. And as of March 1, the churchs $14 million budget had a shortfall of $1.2 million. Sources close to the church administration have said they fear raising any issues that might bring adverse consequences to them, their children, or their grandchildren. Christians should model justice and love to the world. Bonnett told the Daily News in an email Wednesday no revote has been scheduled. is a pastoral search committee? No church creed has ever taught the nonsense that had become so pervasive in evangelicalism. Hayes Wicker announced his retirement in January with the intention of reaching a mutually agreed upon exit date with church leadership. Melisa do you attend First Baptist ? Member of the Evangelical Theological Society And because it promises rewards to individuals and organizations influence, students, platform it is both very hard to criticize and functionally unaccountable to any but its own. An economy of power, people, and indeed money which is non-ecclesiastical but highly influential within evangelical churches. What have we done, indeed? "A portion of the 19% that voted against Marcus Hayes did so based on racial prejudices," Executive Pastor John D. Edie wrote in an Oct. 31 letter to the Southern Baptist Convention. And thats shepherding many hundreds of people over many years., In its open letter to the SBC, FBC Naples lay leaders and staff wrote that they know racial prejudice contributed to Marcus Hayess failed vote because of the campaign that started just days before by a few disgruntled people in our church., Presumably, the campaign to which the letter is referring is an email that was sent from the Concerned Members to those who had signed the petition shortly before the Hayes vote, requesting a special business meeting. Read the letter from the church to the Southern Baptist Convention, question and answer session with Hayes and his wife, Read the letter from First Baptist to church members regarding voting results, fatal shooting of a black security guard by a white police officer, Police release name of cop who killed black security guard who was corralling a gunman, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. Great! However, CT said it was not able to confirm whether Biltmore Church received such communications. He and his wife live in the Washington, D.C. area with their son. Hayes, a member of the North Carolina executive committee of the Southern Baptist Convention,garnered endorsements from other church leaders, including the president of the Southern Baptist Convention. about the pastoral transition process at the church, a process which has descended "It has nothing to do with race," said William Ericksen, a member of the church for five years and part of the group. It is widely known that an 85% affirmative vote is unusually high. Edie, the church's executive pastor, however, called Hayes "one of the most qualified men in Southern Baptist life to be a Senior Pastor of any church in this country.". So very sorry, but not everything is about race and not everyone is a racist. Also concerning to the group was the fact that Marcus Hayes didnt respond to a letter Concerned Members of FBCN had sent him a week earlier, outlining their issues at the church. No, Again. Wicker also was pastor for 20 years to evangelical author and founder of Prison Fellowship, Chuck Colson. Im too far away to comment on the specific allegations, but whatever the truth of each, its pretty clear that youve got at least two strong factions in church leadership, and possibly also the church as a whole, which need to have a come to Jesus moment in terms of this is how you do, and this is how you do not do, ministry., The utter disrespect shown previous Pastor Wicker is atrocious and unchristian to say the least. *Please note that the preceding is my personal opinion. Upvote 3 Downvote. Some of these blacks are church leaders. And if He wanted us all to be the same, He wouldve made us the same. Our mission as soldiers is to overthrow false ideas. So for now we will go to Tampa & enjoy Church there, as no wish to be seen to support incompetence. Get directions, reviews and information for First Baptist Church - Naples in Naples, FL. The 26-year-old guard, Jemel Roberson, was detaining a suspected gunman who opened fire at the bar where Roberson worked when the police officer fatally shot Roberson. God has done great things among us and we believe that greater things are yet to come! Hi, Carla. Southern Baptist Faith & Message Explained, Woke Purges, Show Trials: What First Baptist Church Naples reveals about the future - Capstone Report, BREAKING: FBC Naples sics lawyers on dissenting church members - Capstone Report, SBC Elites defend credibly accused standard to ruin lives, Bart Barber flipflops on pledge to bring vote to ban Women Pastors in SBC, Evangelical Elites lied you to about the origins of Covid, Woke SBC Elites Delete History To Hide Their Schemes. *I use scare quotes because the Woke phenom is only relevant in a certain context: it is very Americentric (talking like all white people are the same, for example), and not culturally or ethnically sensitive at all when on looks at the ethnic makeup of the church IN OTHER COUNTRIES. Instead, Ericksen said Hayes has no experience as a head pastor and said that his political views wouldn't go along with a conservative church. First Baptist Church has had problems for years. Now, church members who have been removed from membership over their opposition to the appointment of Marcus Hayes are in fear that they may be unable to witness their children graduate. First Naples || Livestream - Streaming live from Naples, FL. We are frankly disappointed that no resolution is making it impossible as at now for all the lovely folks within Naples to move forward. Sadly, that did not come to fruition. Racial prejudice a factor in rejection of black pastor, read the headline of a piece published in the Baptist Standard. Ungodly treatment of a Godly man and his entire family, not to mention those whose leadership and dedication to the Lord was well-known and long-standing. Need to read the book by Shelby Steele White Guilt where he lays out perfectly the Marist agenda going on. FBA@FBALions.org. We are grateful to the Lord for His continued blessing upon the school ministry of First Baptist Church Naples. Sadly, too many people are more committed to idols than to truth and righteousness. Hi. And this statement was made by an African American pastor on Moody Radio. It does not suddenly make a point valid or invalid. ", Church officials, however, have been largely mum on the details of the alleged campaign and racism. Again, more lies and half-truths. I had the privilege of knowing this young man! Wicker said Dorrill banned him from pastoral search team meetings, and the chairmen of the personnel and finance committees told Wicker his oversight was not needed. Your tax-deductible gift helps our journalists report the truth and hold Christian leaders and organizations accountable. Submit. Takeaway: So much for a democracy. So is my wife. I am not lesser or better, but different. I am saying that, as I have countless experiences of colorblind people saying or doing insensitive, offensive things because they forgot Im black. But while we cannot know the heart of another, this doesnt sound like a case of hearts poisoned intolerance, of minds clouded by prejudice. Two weeks later, Garippa started another church called The Naples Gathering. The church leadership released a statement explaining how the church membership wasnt supposed to vote their conscience, but rather rubberstamp the search committees recommendation: As most of you know, in Southern Baptist life,when a Senior Pastor comes in view of a call by the recommendation of a Search Committee, the actual vote is most always viewed as a ceremonial and celebratory affirmation of the Spirits leading within the hearts and minds of the Search Committee that has extended the call. Namely Hayes Wicker. **Statements about the actions taken by FBC Naples leadership assume the fidelity of Pulpit & Pens inside source. "They are reaching their community and showing the care and love that the community desperately needs." 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