By Tony Cartledge
Embattled pastor Chan Chandler announced his resignation during a business meeting May 10, surprising both supporters and detractors at East Waynesville Baptist Church in Waynesville N.C.
Chandler, 33, had been pastor of the church for two and a half years. He and the church became the focus of national media attention after a heated church conference May 2, in which nine longstanding members said they were voted out by a group of newcomers because they refused to endorse the pastor's political views.
In an audiotape of a sermon preached by Chandler one month prior to the November 2004 presidential election, the pastor said: “If you vote for John Kerry this year, you need to repent or resign. You have been holding back God's church way too long. And I know I may get in trouble for saying that, but just pour it on.”
Legal experts said the pastor's apparent endorsement of a candidate prior to a presidential election could violate federal laws that prevent churches and other charities organized under Section 501(c)(3) of the tax code from officially endorsing political candidates or parties.
Long-term members said they grew tired of politically flavored sermons that condemned those who did not agree with the pastor. “It was all about politics,” said one member. Several said they agreed with the pastor's stand on issues such as abortion, but didn't want to be told how to vote.
The nine ousted members said they walked out of the May 2 meeting after the pastor said he had decided to make East Waynesville Baptist a politically active church, and if they didn't like it, they should leave. As they left, some other members cheered, they said. The nine were then voted out of membership, witnesses said.
Saying the action violated church bylaws, the nine retained a lawyer. Chandler also hired an attorney. But David Wijewickrama, who represented the nine ousted members, said he had no knowledge of any negotiations for the pastor to resign.
As members arrived for the 7 p.m. meeting May 10, they were greeted by TV cameras and clicking shutters from about two dozen media representatives.
More than 40 members who opposed Chandler's introduction of politics to the pulpit entered through the front door and settled mostly near the back of the sanctuary. Most of those present were long-term members who had helped build the church, said Edna Davis, seated with other senior adults. “We just don't want what we have worked for together for so long to be torn apart,” she said.
Meanwhile, about 35 of Chandler's supporters-mostly younger adults who had come to the church during Chandler's pastorate-entered a side door and gathered in the church fellowship hall.
Norman Jameson, communications director for the Baptist state convention, who was present as an observer, said Chandler met with the group, announced his plans to resign, and encouraged his supporters to be charitable in their relations with other members. Several supporters told Chandler they would leave with him, Jameson said, and offered their homes as alternate meeting places, but Chandler did not indicate plans to accept. His attorney, John Pavey, said Chandler planned to complete his master's degree at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary and to follow other opportunities.
After Chandler's supporters entered the sanctuary and gathered near the front, he came to the pulpit and offered a prayer, then read his resignation. Chandler said his “words and actions have been misunderstood and misinterpreted,” but that he had “no choice” but to resign because he did not wish to be a focus of dissension in the church.
Chandler said he had to live under the dictates of Scripture, “especially 1 Corinthians 6:1-8.” That passage warns ministers against causing dissension within the church. “I am resigning with gratitude in my heart for all of you,” Chandler said. “My concern was to give a voice to those who have no voice, to secure the lives of the pre-born before they leave the safety of their mother's womb.”
His words were not a violent protest, he said, but reflected a deeply held religious conviction.
Afterward, he left the church without speaking to the media. As Chandler left, his supporters stood and followed him out. One shouted, “I resign all my positions!” Two others accused the remaining members of lying, calling out biblical verses against false witness. Outside, supporters accused the media of blowing the conflict out of proportion.
The remaining members sat in silence for several minutes before a man went to the piano and began to play. Afterward, deacon chair Blount Osborne came to the pulpit. Quietly, he said, “I feel this is the Lord's will. We're strong enough with God that we can pick up the little pieces and make big pieces.”
Osborne thanked those present for standing up for what they believed. “Those that left, left of their own accord,” he said. Regarding Chandler, Osborne said, “I just pray that he'll find something and have a better life.”
Deacon Frank Lowe, one of those voted out May 2, said: “This is a sad hour. It is a shame that it had to come to this.” Despite the charges of those who had left, Lowe said, “I don't think lies is what caused this separation.”
“If you've ever been loyal to your church,” Lowe said, “this is the time.”
Associated Baptist Press
Tony Cartledge is editor of the Biblical Recorder, newsjournal of the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina.