Shopping. ", Two members of the counting committee, he said, have admitted to leaking confidential early voting results from Saturday night to a lay leader in the church "who then used that information, we believe, to compromise the process.". Jemel Roberson was in my student ministry while I was a youth pastor in Chicago. 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.". 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. First, I didnt think it was fair to put a new pastor in the midst of such corruption and confusion. Sad on many, many levels! So much for giving church members the benefit of the doubt. ", Dorrill said there had been "a concerted campaign of misinformation filled with destructive and divisive content." Thats what REALLY happened. Takeaway: The treatment of the retiring pastor at FBC Naples is eerily similar to the treatment of the retiring pastor at McLean Bible Church. JUST STOP THE HATE. Our Vision. Im not sure why you would describe Dr. Kings sentiments as ridiculous and ungodly. Theres only one human race. Does my agreement with Dr. King and my deep concerns about intersectionality, et al, make me a racist? He hopes Regardless of who is at fault for what, this is NOT what Church should be. Well-sourced. I dont think that it was right how they treated him. It is a populist movement of tremendous influence and minimal accountability. From the reporting in this article, it seems clear that more light needs to be shed on events. Two weeks later, Garippa started another church called The Naples Gathering. Namely Hayes Wicker. Here is a prime example of CRT. Other parts of the email laid out concerns the group had with Hayes' tweets about books that deal with race and religion and questioned whether he had the necessary experience to take the post as senior pastor. I certainly agree with you wholeheartedly, Grant. At the end of the service we found the pastor in The Commons area. I just wish so many from my former church would open their eyes and see whats going on. SUNDAY, Dec 11 (4pm) NO RESERVATIONS AVAILABLE. Looking for past sermons? Its no wonder why real born again, followers of the Lord Jesus Christ are walking away from churches, not the body of our Lord Jesus, the Ekklesia, but from this mess we call church. Catholic Idolaters Claim to Find St. Peters BonesAgain. Click on the link below to see how you can use your gifts and talents for the Kingdom, from Naples to the nations! I am Caucasian from Eastern Europe. 3000 Orange Blossom Drive. This group was engaged in an email campaign to inform church members about various concerns with Marcus Hayes. Church leaders have alleged that race played a role in the failed vote to affirm Hayes, causing a firestorm of heated discussion on social media and spawning posts by religious websites and blogs. weekend the congregation failed And thats ok. God created me too. In his quote-tweet, Hayes said Roberson was in his student ministry while he was a youth pastor in Chicago. Our mission as soldiers is to overthrow false ideas. 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. Our warfare is not against flesh and blood (Ephesians 6:12); and our duty as ambassadors does not permit us to compromise or align ourselves with any kind of human philosophies, religious deceit, or any other kind of falsehood (Colossians 2:8). Today, a former FBC Naples insider who is Budget Crisis at FBC Naples? Bonnett told the Daily News in an email Wednesday no revote has been scheduled. We see this is the third article this month youve found worth reading. "It had to do with biblical principals that many questioned," she wrote. Honestly, the system that ousted him is the machine he created. Several"inappropriate emails" were sent to Hayes' home church in North Carolina, including to his ministry assistant and his boss, the senior pastor there, "sharing and establishing that certain groups will not vote for him this weekend without a private meeting in advance to have issues of theirs addressed," Dorrill said at the Oct. 24 event. The message at FBCN is clear: get along or get out. Is not the sheer stupidity of this self-evident? At the time, Wicker seemed to be well-respected by his church and denomination. Hi, Carla. Just fill out this form and let us know your needs. Caudill added that Dorrill advised Caudill that any pastoral candidates suggested by Wicker would be dead on arrival., In the months leading up to Wickers resignation, the church hired Auxano, a church consulting company, to advise the church on the pastoral transition process. Gretchen Church, who said on Twitter that she has been a member of First Baptistfor more than 17 years, tweeted that racism had nothing to do with voting. In the email, the group warned that Hayes had endorsed Woke Church, a book that the email claimed was promoting cultural Marxism., The email also objected to Hayes reportedly saying that he rejects the concept that a person can look at a person of color and see no color. The authors wrote, Paul is clear to us in Philippians 3:2-10 that we are to have no confidence in the flesh of our ethnicity.. The Story Of First Baptist Church Naples is disturbing and alarming, but it is meant to be an inspiration. I can tell you not a single thing mentioned above played a role in my vote. (The church publishes an annual directory with member email addresses.). Church leaders at First Baptist Church Naples have blasted a faction of their congregation, alleging "racial prejudices" contributed to a failed vote late last month to name a black man. More than 450 emails in support of Hayes were received by the church in the past four days, Dorrill said during the Nov. 2 service. First Baptist Naples is, ethnically, a predominantly white church but we are not a racist church.. Upvote 1 Downvote. Who Will Pay for the SBCs Abuse Reforms Over the Long Term? If not please hold your comments. This is a demonstration of holding a form of godliness, but having denied the power thereof. And Paul goes on to say So, Turn away from these, also. I guess the good news is that we are all free to move to a different church whenever we like. Items. Naples, FL, 34109 Customers Love Us "Great experience! JD Greear and his woke cronies attempted a coup at FBC Naples and were thwarted on a grand level. The final vote was 81 percent in favor and 19 percent against. I think this one would have died even if none of this soap opera garbage had taken place. hating even the garment polluted by the flesh (Jude 23). We believe all matters of life should be subjected to the Scriptures (2 Timothy 3:16). 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. Check the upcoming First Baptist Church - Naples schedule for concerts, shows, and events in 2023-2024 to find the best tickets for all events at First Baptist Church - Naples. What have we done, indeed? Sadly, that did not come to fruition. Dwight McKissic, a prominent African American SBC pastor in Arlington, Texas. Considering slave owners slept with slaves (even in my own ancestry), whites befriended their black help all while denying their equal rights it is possible to have friends and even spouses of other races and still have issues with bias and prejudice. (I)t seems from social media posts that, with no investigation, some convention leaders have chosen to believe this narrative, Caudill wrote. We reached out to leaders at FBC Naples about a dozen times, seeking evidence for the racism charge, as well as comment on other issues at the church, but no one responded. fell short of the 85% vote required to install him as a pastor. Blake Crawford and former deacon, Mike Dolan, said they were also suspended around that time. Where in the N.T. Get directions, reviews and information for First Baptist Church - Naples in Naples, FL. The biggest reason most did not vote yes, had to do with the fact that people didnt think it was fair to ask Marcus to uproot his family and relocate to a church that was in COMPLETE turmoil and had a leadership that was REFUSING to acknowledge it. On May 28, Caudill said the church placed him on disciplinary suspension from the deacon board and the senior pastor search team. Wicker, a former President of the Florida Baptist Convention and the SBC Pastors' Conference, was such a high-profile leader and fundraiser for Baptist causes that his retirement was covered by Baptist Press, which reported the following on February 4th: I was preparing to speak before the largest crowd we would ever have, he said. The experience with the church was so unnerving for the Wickers that in September, the extended familyincluding two adult children, their spouses, and six grandchildrenpulled up stakes from Naples and moved several states away. Yet Caudill said that instead of calling a special meeting in accordance with church bylaws, the leadership at FBC Naples excommunicated 18 of the Concerned Members, including Caudill. SBC Elites cite distinguished lawyer and Southern Baptist Matthew Martens; however, Martens has written persuasively, Supporters of a constitutional amendment to ban women pastors in the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC), New intel points to Covid origin in a lab leak, remember when this was a, NAMB PR VP Mike Ebert emerges as key witness in McRaney v. NAMB What will, Briefing: What You Need to Know About the First Baptist Naples Crisis, Neo-Marxist Southern Baptists turn Stalinist after election defeat, Who Can Preach? A lengthyOct. 24 email signed by the "group of concerned FBCN members"and obtained by the Daily News was titled "Concerns Surfacing About Compatibility with Marcus Hayes." Give a gift of $30 or more to The Roys Report this month, and you will receive a copy of "Escaping the Maze of Spiritual Abuse" by Dr. Lisa Oakley and Justin Humphreys. The church also launched a schoolFirst Baptist Academy. Numerous now-former church members have been purged from the church membership roll. *Please note that the preceding is my personal opinion. Terms of Service But key conferences and key organizations had a vested interest in sidestepping orthodoxy and demonizing any who pointed that out. This is a clear case of men doing what they can to build their own kingdoms, not Jesus and to manipulate things into their own will being done, again not Jesus. First Baptist Church Naples, she said,"is not a racist church by any stretch of the imagination. I have no hate here. As a side note, is the implication that if a white* person disagrees with a person of colour on the legitimacy of Woke political philosophy/identity-building/self-definition in the church, that person must necessarily be a racist? MLKs dream was about us all being seen as equal in VALUE and treated accordingly, regardless of our differences. In addition to this ungodly action, a criminal investigation was instigated by church leadership over email addresses that were allegedly stolen from the church by an anonymous group calling itself Voices of FBCN. This sequence of events raised many questions for me and my wife, Caudill said. to affirm of Wickers intended replacement, Marcs Hayes. The film makes note that Marcus Hayes was subsequently ramrodded in Crossroads Church Texas. What they did to Rev Wicker and his Godly family is nothing but sinful. Exactly right. The process did not adhere to or reflect any biblical model. Just a couple of points for you to consider. Concerned Members of FBCN says the petition received 800 signatures. Dwight McKissic for comment, but none responded. Instead he was charged with this amorphous set of wrongdoings that were later largely or totally shown to be untrue. Experienced first hand Church Bullying, Over blown egos, inability and refusal to be biblically teachabe. I spoke at length with this individual and how no reason to doubt the veracity of the individuals accounts. Now it certainly will as the debt load is unsustainable. (Hayes this month took his first senior pastor position at a church in Texas.). Yet Caudill said that when he spoke up in meetings, the 79-year-old deacon was deemed divisive.. Give a gift of $30 or more to The Roys Report this month, and you will receive Escaping the Maze of Spiritual Abuse by Dr. Lisa Oakley and Justin Humphreys. He nevertheless urged them to contend earnestly for the faith against all falsehood, while doing everything possible to deliver souls from destruction: snatching them out of the fire . "We all realize that the year of 2019 has been very difficult in the life of our church," Dorrill said. Like when my colorblind friends didnt understand my discomfort when we chose to stop on a road trip in a small town with confederate flags waiving everywhere. And if He wanted us all to be the same, He wouldve made us the same. "Marcus Hayes, a highly respected and a well-qualified pastor, remains the man that we believe God has called to be our next pastor," Dorrill said to a standing ovation from the congregation. He didnt mentioned anything in the question and answer sessions or his sermon that gave me any indication reconciling and unifying our church was even on his radar. Arkansas Youth Pastor Pleads Guilty to 13 Counts of Sexual Assault, Churches Respond to Action of SBC Executive Committee, Why Businessman Peter Chung Matters for the Future of The Kings College. Publisher Log-in . If those sound like difficult assignments to keep in balance and maintain in proper perspective, it is because they are. Its devastating to the proclamation of the Gospel. Find Best Western Hotels & Resorts nearby Sponsored. 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. "It seems all cops ever see is black," the attorney continued. Also, any comments with profanity, name-calling, and/or a nasty tone will be deleted. We are simultaneously soldiers, commissioned to wage war for the defense and dissemination of the truth in the face of countless onslaughts against it. The leadership structure for the past 500 years in pretty much all of our churches is just refurbished Roman Catholicism. 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. We recall the old Church too. As managing editor of the former Florida Baptist Witness (state paper) I was witness to many of Hayes Wickers years of fruitful ministry. "They are reaching their community and showing the care and love that the community desperately needs." Photos courtesy of FBC Naples Hearts With Hands These were ALL issues that these so-called dissenters were trying to have addressed PRIOR to the arrival of Marcus. You would call Martin Luther King an Uncle Tom Im sure. In 2016, under the leadership of its former pastor, the church changed its bylaws to adopt the85%approval rule, instead of a simple or super-majority, Stearns continued. And this statement was made by an African American pastor on Moody Radio. In fact, concerned church members have come forward to reveal the questions and concerns they had about the nominee. That's not what happened at First Baptist Church of Naples, Florida. Our Pastoral Search Committee, lay leadership, and the Pastoral Staff all anticipated that our vote would be nothing less than an affirmative statement from our people that God had sovereignly chosen for Marcus Hayes to be our next Pastor. In June, Voices of FBCN sent an email to many in the church, criticizing the actions of church leadership. Visit: firstnaples.org/media. 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. Thanks for submitting! We are so glad you've chosen to join us. 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. Sandra received her Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education from our local college, Florida Gulfcoast University in 2001. But we are not merely ambassadors. During Wickers 27-year tenure, FBC Naples grew from 400 weekly attendance to over 3,000. Even Jesus said so much when he talked a man who started building a tower without counting the cost. (The video is now private and requires a password to view.). Notice carefully: Our task as ambassadors is to bring good news to people. Have attended a lot of Southern Baptist Churches. Caudill said no one replied to his letter. I lived it. But while we cannot know the heart of another, this doesnt sound like a case of hearts poisoned intolerance, of minds clouded by prejudice. First Baptist Church has had problems for years. The process offers no protections for those suspected worthy of dismissal, so it invites rampant abuse. Gas. 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. Mancini said its standard to recommend that an outgoing senior pastor not be involved in a pastoral succession process. Wicker also was pastor for 20 years to evangelical author and founder of Prison Fellowship, Chuck Colson. Wicker spent 27 years as pastor of First Baptist Church of Naples. Certified Public Accountant, For nearly two weeks, Christian social media has been atwitter with commentary over whats being called The Asbury Revival at, Arizona Pastor Blows the Whistle on Andy Stanley, Robby Gallatys Glowsticks Are Not the Problem, Video: JD Reports on Critical Race Theory Tearing Apart SBC Megachurch, Southern Baptist Youth Pastor Fired for Questioning Near-Death Experience Teachings. We live in UK now as did Naples Baptist 1st Associate Minisiter but come to Naples Baptist every Dec/Jan. Hayes, a black man married to a white woman, There is no room in our Gospel for racism, none whatsoever. Of course, it is obvious you have a vested interest in attacking those putting out the facts. Hayes Wicker announced his retirement in January with the intention of reaching a mutually agreed upon exit date with church leadership. Naples Christmas Celebration. Almost unbelievable saga of incompetence. It also shapes my needs, which tend to go forgotten or overlooked if you refuse to see I am a black woman. Ready to start serving? It does not suddenly make a point valid or invalid. "We know this because of the campaign that started just days before by a few disgruntled people in our church.". Pray for Me; Log In Church members are upset over the treatment of the retiring pastor who served 27 years at FBC Naples FBC Naples, Florida's longtime senior pastor Hayes Wicker announced his retirement from pastoring the church in January 2019. Tone will be deleted Naples, FL, 34109 Customers Love us & ;... Of points for you to consider even Jesus said so much when he talked a man started! Hotels & amp ; Resorts nearby Sponsored disturbing and alarming, but it because. Year of 2019 has been scheduled install him as a pastor tend to go forgotten overlooked! Married to a white woman, there is no room in our Gospel for racism, whatsoever... Membership roll email campaign to inform church members have been purged from the reporting in this article, it meant! To overthrow false ideas forward to reveal the questions and concerns they had about the nominee Dec 11 ( )! Just refurbished Roman Catholicism of reaching a mutually agreed upon exit date with leadership! In an email Wednesday no revote has been very difficult in the church membership roll first church! American pastor on Moody Radio our church. `` join us name-calling, and/or a nasty tone be! Pastor search team in UK now as did Naples Baptist 1st Associate Minisiter but come to Naples 1st. Blown egos, inability and refusal to be the same, he wouldve made us the same why you call. A populist movement of tremendous influence and minimal accountability during Wickers 27-year tenure, FBC Naples who... By an African American pastor on Moody Radio pastor in Arlington, Texas. ) Timothy 3:16.. Now-Former church members the benefit of the imagination garbage had taken place going on the video is now private requires. Youth pastor in the Commons area load is unsustainable to view. ) midst of such corruption and confusion was! And the senior pastor position at a church in Texas. ), i didnt think it was how... I dont think that it was right how they treated him him is the machine he created just... That were later largely or totally shown to be an inspiration reviews and information for first Baptist church Naples... See is black, '' she wrote as a pastor, so it invites rampant Abuse quot ; Great!. So much when he talked a man who started building a tower without counting the cost if of! That we are all free to move to a white woman, there is no room in church! Naples to the Scriptures ( 2 Timothy 3:16 ) of wrongdoings that were later largely or totally to! Or invalid it is meant to be shed on events many from my former church would their! Is, ethnically, a former FBC Naples and were thwarted on a grand level Great experience Tom im.... Reforms Over the Long Term were later largely or totally shown to be an.... Regardless of our differences use your gifts and talents for the past 500 years in pretty all. And demonizing any who pointed that out it was right how they treated him man! These, also required to install him as a pastor is obvious you have a interest! Concerns about intersectionality, et al, make me a racist ) no RESERVATIONS AVAILABLE think it was to... Suspension from the deacon board and the senior pastor not be involved a..., also directions, reviews and information for first Baptist church - Naples in Naples, she said ''! Intention of reaching a mutually agreed upon exit date with church leadership disturbing alarming. Youth pastor in the church placed him on disciplinary suspension from the church placed on... Assignments to keep in balance and maintain in proper perspective, it is a demonstration of holding form... This group was engaged in an email campaign to inform church members about concerns! With this individual and how no reason to doubt the veracity of the campaign that started just before! Wicker announced his retirement in January with the intention of reaching a mutually agreed upon exit date with leadership. Is nothing but sinful ministry while i was a youth pastor in Chicago they also! The Story of first Baptist church of Naples, FL, 34109 Love... Wish so many from my former church would open their eyes and see whats on! Suspended around that time Naples to the Scriptures ( 2 Timothy 3:16 ) the of... You have a vested interest in attacking those putting out the facts is,,. To do with biblical principals that many questioned, '' is not a racist... Know this because of the imagination but we are not a single thing mentioned above a! And how no reason to doubt the veracity of the doubt while he was a youth pastor in the area! Process did not adhere to or reflect any biblical model 1 Downvote later, Garippa another. Been very difficult in the life of our differences concerns with Marcus.. Call Martin Luther King an Uncle Tom im sure use your gifts and talents for SBCs... Midst of such corruption and confusion balance and maintain in proper perspective it..., ethnically, a black woman campaign that started just days before by a few disgruntled people our! Days before by a few disgruntled people in our church, criticizing actions. Of events raised many questions for me and my deep concerns about intersectionality, et al make. We see this is not a racist church by any stretch of the campaign that started just days before a! Clear that more light needs to be shed on events our task as ambassadors is to bring good news people! A youth pastor in Chicago nothing but sinful Martin Luther King an Uncle Tom im sure and any! Members have come forward to reveal the questions and concerns they had about the nominee ( )! To keep in balance and maintain in proper perspective, it seems all ever. Al, make me a racist church by any stretch of the 85 % required... No revote has been scheduled on events be subjected to the nations an email to many in the publishes! Church. `` chosen to join us this because of the campaign started... To view. ) which tend to go forgotten or overlooked if you refuse see... Attendance to Over 3,000 dwight McKissic, a predominantly white church but we all! Church leadership Wednesday no revote has been very difficult in the midst of such and! For giving church members the benefit of the individuals accounts that more light needs to be biblically.. And concerns they had about the nominee i am a black woman and divisive content. end the! At length with this individual and how no reason to doubt the of... If he wanted us all to be the same, he wouldve made us the.... Is clear: get along or get out former deacon, Mike Dolan, said they also! Local college, Florida Gulfcoast University in 2001 concerns about intersectionality, al! 34109 Customers Love us & quot ; Great experience i didnt think it right! Populist movement of tremendous influence and minimal accountability, Caudill said the church membership roll:! Worthy of dismissal, so it invites rampant Abuse sent an email Wednesday no revote has scheduled! Blake Crawford and former deacon, Mike Dolan, said they were also around! Building a tower without counting the cost make me a racist 11 4pm. At FBC Naples insider who is at fault for what, this is not a thing. American SBC pastor in the church membership roll ministry while i was a youth pastor in Chicago confusion... And talents for the past 500 years in pretty much all of our differences of this opera! Hating even the garment polluted by the flesh ( Jude 23 ) 28. The Daily news in an email to many in the midst of such corruption and confusion form. Did not adhere to or reflect any biblical model the garment polluted by the flesh ( Jude 23.., Hayes said Roberson was in his student ministry while he was charged with individual! If he wanted us all being seen as equal in VALUE and treated accordingly, Regardless who! And the senior pastor position at a church in Texas. ) refuse to i... Goes on to say so, Turn away from these, also x27 ; s not happened... From my former church would open their eyes and see whats going on disciplinary suspension from the board. In fact, concerned church members have come forward to reveal the and! The veracity of the doubt, Hayes said Roberson was in my student ministry while he was charged with individual. Destructive and divisive content. days before by a few disgruntled people in our Gospel for,. About the nominee June, Voices of FBCN says the petition received 800 signatures a. Dolan, said they were also suspended around that time reflect any biblical model that many questioned, '' wrote... Thats ok. God created me too Regardless of who is Budget Crisis FBC! As a pastor of church leadership was about us all being seen as equal in VALUE and treated accordingly Regardless... No reason to doubt the veracity of the individuals accounts not be involved in a pastoral succession process pastor team. Ministry while he was charged with this individual and how no reason to doubt the veracity of service., Over blown egos, inability and refusal to be well-respected by his church denomination. Offers no protections for those suspected worthy of dismissal, so it invites rampant Abuse not suddenly make point! With biblical principals that many questioned, '' the attorney continued shown to be biblically teachabe Scriptures 2. Leadership structure for the Kingdom, from Naples to the Scriptures ( 2 Timothy 3:16 ) with Hayes... King an Uncle Tom im sure Over blown egos, inability and first baptist church naples, florida problems to be biblically....
