Posted on 05/14/2005 1:06:50 PM PDT by micheknows
Rev. Chandler speaks out — at last
Rev. Chan Chandler, who has refused to publically comment on church incidents after a religion/politics debate heated up at East Waynesville Baptist Church, told the Baptist Press (BP) Tuesday afternoon he has “never endorsed any candidate” and said his focus has always been issue-oriented, not based on political preferences or affliations.
“This never has been about politics,” Chandler told the BP. “It’s always been about whether the Bible applies to the entire life of a Christian.”
Chandler spoke briefly with The Mountaineer Sunday and promised the controversy, which he called a “great misunderstanding,” would be settled soon. He said any comments he made would be released through the “Christian press,” and indicated he felt victimized by the intense national scrutiny focused on his church. He said he had received a number of threats.
The BP reported that Chandler said several months of disharmony within the church might have resulted from “his preaching about Christians’ responsibility to be reflective of the Bible in the way that they vote.” He admitted citing Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry’s views on abortion and homosexuality in one sermon, the article stated, but also mentioned the names of two Republicans “who were out-of-step with the Bible.”
He characterized his pre-November election sermons as “negative endorsements” — never a positive endorsement.”
{some parts are omitted for space requirements}
Chandler’s initial written statement released through his attorney was that no church member had ever been “voted from the membership of this church due to an individual’s support or lack of support for a political party or candidate.”
On May 8, Chandler’s attorney said he did not know what happened at the meeting or what the vote was about.
In the BP interview, Chandler said nine church members initually left voluntarily.
(Excerpt) Read more at themountaineer.com ...
And, I'm sorry, I made a mistake. The Mountaineer is a newspaper in Waynesville, NC, not Asheville, NC.
You just knew there had to be more to this story....it didn't make any sense as reported by the MSM.
The interesting thing is.. (and I hate to admit this..but) I stay SOOO busy that I'm NEVER home except late at night. So, I know my neighbors in passing, but that's about it. In one of the articles in the Mountaineer, I just now discovered that my next door neighbor was not only one of the 9, but was the spokesperson for the 9. (Yes, I live in Waynesville...about 5 or 6 "blocks" from the church, actually)
It didn't have to make sense. As long as it showed how eeeevil those nasty Christian Republicans are, it served its purpose.
Sounds like a classic case of church members not liking the feeling that comes when YOUR own toes are the ones stepped on. Our pastor doesn't endorse candidates, but he flat addresses the issues and this exact responsibility this preacher talked about. The bottom line is this: Voting for a Democrat at the national level is now a tacit endorsement of infanticide, the homosexual agenda, and myriad other positions that are simply antithetical to Christian values. This fact needs to be stated from the pulpits, just like other known-sin issues need to be addressed. There should not be "stay away" issues founded in members' desire to not be made uncomfortable.
MM
I figured as much. The 9 democrats that left couldn't handle being alerted to their own sinfulness. As usual, they threw a temper tantrum and spun the story to make them "victims of offense."
There are churches out there who'll do nothing but tickle the ears of their parishioners in order not to offend, and the parishioners end up supporting the vileness of the left wing and not even realize the evil they're supporting.
Someone has to let them know. Kudos to Rev. Chan Chandler
That's according to this guy's version of events, which may not be the whole story any more than the other side's version. I'd say the jury is still out on what really happened.
So do you believe Anything that is not personally experienced by yourself? Or do you just not trust
Preachers?The jury is still out on you too.
Put it this way. I don't automatically believe a preacher just because he's a preacher. I don't automatically distrust them, but neither do I put any more credence in them than I do any other human being. Because at the end of the day, that's all they are, human beings, same as your and me.
We have two versions of events, depending on which side is telling the story. Both sides have a reason to spin it in a way that puts them in a favorable light and the other side in an unfavorable one. Flip a coin as to who's right.
As far as I'm concerned there's not enough information to determine what really happened. But if I had to guess, I'd say there's plenty of blame to go around in. There usually is in these scenarios.
Does it matter? What are the infant sacrificers, sodomite supporters, Earth worshipers, and pro-tax collectors doing in a church anyway?
I believe the pastor.
I'm sure the MSM will give their corrections the same amount of space as they gave the hit pieces they ran about this minister. If I were this man, I'd get an attorney and sue some people.
Maybe some folks ought to get together and form a Christian church for conservatives who believe in living their lives according to what the Bible teaches. It would give the MSM the vapors.
#8...uh...I'll take the pastor's word over the nine!
Yes, like why the bright bulbs would admit voting for Kerry in the first place unless they were trying to cause trouble.
Notice they all got together and hired themselves a shark. Baptists believe Paul when he says Christians should not use the courts to settle their internal disputes. But that's the liberal way to settle problems: run to mommy and claim the big bully violated your rights.
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