Pastor resigns after conflict over politics

By Tony W. Cartledge

BR Editor

WAYNESVILLE - Embattled pastor Chan Chandler announced his resignation during a business meeting May 10, surprising both supporters and detractors at East Waynesville Baptist Church.

Chandler, 33, had been pastor of the church for two and a half years. He and the church became the focus of national interest after a heated deacons' meeting-turned church conference on 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. (Click here to read the story.)

Members said Chandler had called on members to repent or resign from their church positions if they voted for Democrat John Kerry.

Chandler had steadfastly avoided the media except for an interview with Baptist Press, but issued a statement through his attorney saying party affiliation was not an issue for him. "The church fellowships openly with all who embrace the authority and application of the Bible regardless of political affiliation, including current members who align themselves with both major political parties, as well as those who affiliate with no political party," he said.

In the statement, Chandler also denied that any one had been voted from membership "due to an individual's support or lack of support for a political party or candidate."

Long-term members said they were tired of politically flavored sermons that condemned those who did not agree with the pastor. "It was all about politics," said one member. Several members 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 members in question said they had walked out of the May 2 meeting after the pastor said he had decided to make East Waynesville a politically active church, and if they didn't like it, they should leave. As they left, some other members cheered, they said. Later, the nine members, including several deacons, were told that they had been voted out of membership.

The nine said the action violated the church bylaws, and 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 during the half hour leading up to the scheduled 7 p.m. meeting, they were greeted by TV cameras and clicking shutters from about two dozen media representatives. More than 40 long-term members who opposed Chandler's introduction of politics to the pulpit entered through the front door and settled in clusters, mostly near the back of the sanctuary.

Edna Davis, seated with several other senior adult women, said she didn't know what to expect from the meeting. Most of those present were long-term members who had helped build the church, she said. "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.

BSC Executive Leader for Public Relations and Resource Development Norman Jameson, who attended the meeting to offer a BSC ministry presence, said Chandler met with the group, announced his plans to resign, and encouraged his supporters to be charitable in their relations with other members. He said the eyes of America are on them and it was imperative they conduct themselves as Christ would.

Amid muffled cries, several supporters told Chandler they would leave with him, Jameson said, and they offered their homes as alternate meeting places. Chandler who said "opportunities" had arisen that very day that he would have to pray over, 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, but reflected a deeply held religious conviction, he said.

Chandler called on retired minister Claude Conard, a former pastor and current member of the church, to pray. 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 "Proverbs 19:5!" and "One of the 10 Commandments is, 'thou shalt not lie!'"

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. "No one said nothing to them."

Regarding Chandler, Osborne said, "I just pray that he'll find something and have a better life."

Ron Casey stood and said, "Remember that God loves everybody here, and God loves everybody that left ... we all need to wipe out any animosity."

Deacon Frank Lowe, one of those who had been voted out, said, "This is a sad hour. It is a shame that it had to come to this."

Lowe said he was proud of those present for not verbally retaliating when some of the departing members made remarks. Despite the charges of those who had left, Lowe said, "I don't think lies is what caused this separation."

"Comments that were taped ... facts and statements the pastor made were the cause of this ... I don't think you are responsible for it."

"If you've ever been loyal to your church," Lowe said, "this is the time."