We cant wait to meet you and get you connected! 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. Items. It is a populist movement of tremendous influence and minimal accountability. Leading the Q&A session, Dorrill alluded to the past year for the church, which saw its longtime senior pastor, Hayes Wicker, leave amid dissatisfaction by some church members over the circumstances of his departure. Wicker said that during the meeting, the men confronted him with an anonymous letter that accused Wicker of financial impropriety, such as not tracking his miles on a church-leased vehicle. "And, as a result of that, there have been groups who honestly feel a little disenfranchised. 3000 Orange Blossom Drive. JD Greear and his woke cronies attempted a coup at FBC Naples and were thwarted on a grand level. I'm New. How about Luke 16:11 So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches? Men who run a church into so much debt that it is soon bankrupt with one plague of pestilence, why do we believe Jesus gave such man any true riches or wisdom at all? Just a couple of points for you to consider. ", "While racial issues were brought into play, and horrifically there indeed were some who did not approve Rev. Thats what REALLY happened. After years of delay, Southern Baptists passed a series of reforms in 2022 aimed at addressing abuse in the nations largest Protestant, A former youth pastor at First Baptist Church (FBC) of Bentonville, Arkansas, has accepted a plea deal for his victimization of children, Several churches deemed not in friendly cooperation with the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) have responded to action taken by the SBC Executive. Wicker spent 27 years as pastor of First Baptist Church of Naples. Our constitution and bylaws stated that a Senior Pastor must be affirmed by at least an 85% or higher vote. 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. 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. We know this because of the campaign that started just days before by a few disgruntled people in our church.. The Story Of First Baptist Church Naples is disturbing and alarming, but it is meant to be an inspiration. ( I wonder what the Aramaic is for fad.). So we are ambassador-soldiers, reaching out to sinners with the truth even as we make every effort to destroy the lies and other forms of evil that hold them in deadly bondage. Budget Crisis at FBC Naples? Pastor John David Edie, who wrote the open letter to the SBC on behalf of leaders at FBC Naples, alleging racism, resigned in early December. In addition, those who have been excommunicated, as well as former Pastor Hayes Wicker, say they feel like their reputations have been sullied. We've got a Bible & Life Group that's perfect for . Hotels. I know that for those with kids this can be tough but if you think things will get better just remember, you cant fight city hall. I guess thats why this slanderous information is labeled as commentary. SATURDAY, Dec 10 (4pm) NO RESERVATIONS AVAILABLE. Former Pastor Accused of Rape Resigns from Churchome After TRR Investigation; Church Official Makes False Claims, EXCLUSIVE: John MacArthur Shamed, Excommunicated Mother for Refusing to Take Back Child Abuser, Days-long Revival Sweeping Asbury University in Kentucky, EXCLUSIVE: John MacArthur Covered Up Pastors Sexual Abuse, Witnesses Say, EXCLUSIVE: John MacArthurs Church Supported Convicted Child Abuser & Pedophile, Records Show, Dante Bowe Posts, Then Removes, Apology for Behavior Causing Split with Maverick City Music, Matt Chandler Steps Aside After Admitting Inappropriate Online Relationship, John MacArthur Pulls Out of Ligonier Conference, Pastor Resigns From Houston Megachurch After Admitting Affair, Televangelist Creflo Dollar Renounces Past Teachings on Tithing, But Questions Persist. We are so glad you've chosen to join us. Food. Greear, SEBTS President Danny Akin, and Rev. Dorrill said at the Nov. 2 service thatdisciplinary action "towards church members who have violated our church covenant by causing dissension, disruption and spreading of misinformation have been taken and are underway. I just wish so many from my former church would open their eyes and see whats going on. The Roys Report seeks to foster thoughtful and respectful dialogue. It also shapes my needs, which tend to go forgotten or overlooked if you refuse to see I am a black woman. Marcus Hayes based upon prejudice, our church loves all people of all colors equally," Stearns wrote. The final vote was 81 percent in favor and 19 percent against. Find Best Western Hotels & Resorts nearby Sponsored. 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. Help Guides What Happens Now? 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. Good Ole Fascist techniques of taking away 1A rights are even occurring within the church. Doesnt matter what denomination or race you are, all of this drama is toxic on a nuclear level for the body and spirit and surely the work of Satan himself. It also appears that the SBC concluded too soon who was in the right. This group was engaged in an email campaign to inform church members about various concerns with Marcus Hayes. Yet, thats what multiple sources have alleged is happening to them. Last fall, First Baptist Church (FBC) Naplesa prominent Southern Baptist megachurch in southwest Floridamade national headlines for rejecting an African American pastoral candidate because of some alleged racist members. SUNDAY, Dec 11 (7pm) Toward that end, the site requires that people use their full name when commenting. If I had known that, there would have been no resignation whatsoever.. Curious timing of raising those concerns. Your tax-deductible gift helps our journalists report the truth and hold Christian leaders and organizations accountable. Visit: firstnaples.org/media. First Baptist Naples is, ethnically, a predominantly white church but we are not a racist church.. But what was concluded was that all things were not fair nor were they right. That is a perfect summary of every Christians duty in the war for the truth. Kenneth Bonnett, pastor of communications for the church, declined to offer specifics about the church's allegations, saying "it would not be proper for us to share that content openly.". 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. But while we cannot know the heart of another, this doesnt sound like a case of hearts poisoned intolerance, of minds clouded by prejudice. Voicemails left for Hayes this week were not returned, and Neil Dorrill, chairman of the pastoral search team, referred questions to Bonnett. Pray for Me; Log In Hayes Wicker announced his retirement in January with the intention of reaching a mutually agreed upon exit date with church leadership. First, I didnt think it was fair to put a new pastor in the midst of such corruption and confusion. This sort of trashing of fine people is becoming commonplace is an SBC I was once very happy to be a part of. However, at some point the church leadership became hostile to the longtime pastor, according to church members. Stop making everything about race. The petition for a special business meeting was never even ACKNOWLEDGED by the leadership is a Violation of the bylaws. You obviously didnt pay attention to everything in that article, only the points you chose to focus on on. 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. Bonnett told the Daily News in an email Wednesday no revote has been scheduled. I am sickened by the way he was treated and am grateful for this exposure. It is widely known that an 85% affirmative vote is unusually high. Almost unbelievable saga of incompetence. Grocery. To donate. ", Dorrill said there had been "a concerted campaign of misinformation filled with destructive and divisive content." Namely Hayes Wicker. Instead, the group alleges that the racism charge was a ruse by men who had recently seized control of the church, expelled and maligned a beloved pastor of 27 years, and then fabricated a basis for excommunicating those who had objected. "Is that what the gospel is all about?". 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. 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: In mid-January, Wicker, 68, Stop reading things into what a person says or writes (Im sure you will do this to me) as being racist. Theyve even released an open letter to the SBC with the same claim. JUST STOP THE HATE. 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. Thats why its so harmful to the church; its born of and encourages the myopic tendencies of American evangelicalism. The power plays, ego trippin (yes, I did say trippin), greed, pride, etc., has been going on throughout church history. Wade Burleson is also part of the smear campaign, too. Marcus Hayes, an African-American who is on staff at Biltmore Church in the Asheville, North Carolina area, was the candidate. close to Wicker, contacted Pulpit & Pen with disturbing details 3000 Orange Blossom Drive, Naples, FL 34109, U.S. Am I not allowed as a deacon and 15+ year member of the church to ask questions about leaders who in my opinion have lied and deceived the church for political gain? No, Again. Terms of Service 3000 Orange Blossom Drive, Naples, FL 34109, U.S. 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. So very sorry, but not everything is about race and not everyone is a racist. The Marcus Hayes vote was used to cry wolf. Soon, one way or another there will be a woke pastor in the pulpit of FBCN. 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. More about this ministry: Welcome to First Naples! If there is any racism its from Pastor Hayes and his endorsement of Woke Movement. You would call Martin Luther King an Uncle Tom Im sure. Wicker called the allegations appalling., We reached out to Boone, specifically asking about the allegations mentioned in the video, but he did not respond. 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. The removal of the original pastor and his ENTIRE family, the threats to members from a law firm, and the mere fact that they were not abiding by their own by-laws are just a few of the issues going on. The petition for a special business meeting was never even ACKNOWLEDGED by the leadership is populist! The smear campaign, too that what the gospel is all about? `` this sort of of. That, there have been groups who honestly feel a little disenfranchised wonder what the gospel all... 4Pm ) no RESERVATIONS AVAILABLE approve Rev fair nor were they right is labeled as commentary ministry. About? `` the way he was treated and am grateful for this exposure grateful for this.. Thats what multiple sources have alleged is happening to them populist movement of influence... 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