A pastor's sermons on social justice causes conflict among congregation

Summary

Consider This from NPR: A Pastor's Sermons on Social Justice Causes Conflict Among Congregation

Release Date: January 31, 2025
Host: Sascha Pfeiffer
Podcast: Consider This by NPR

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1. Bishop Mary Ann Buddy's Controversial Sermon

The episode opens with Episcopal Bishop Mary Ann Buddy delivering a poignant sermon at the Washington National Cathedral shortly after President Donald Trump's second inauguration. Addressing themes of fear and persecution, Bishop Buddy directly appeals to the president:

Bishop Mary Ann Buddy (00:00): "In the name of our God, I ask you to have mercy upon the people in our country who are scared. Now there are gay, lesbian and transgender children in Democratic, Republican and independent families, some who fear for their lives."

Her sermon continues with a heartfelt plea for compassion towards immigrants facing the threat of deportation under the new administration:

Bishop Mary Ann Buddy (00:47): "I ask you to have mercy, Mr. President, on those in our communities whose children fear that their parents will be taken away."

The direct address to President Trump and the focus on marginalized communities sparked significant reactions across social media and national news platforms. The backlash from Trump supporters was swift and vehement, with voices of dissent emerging prominently. Lorenzo Sewell, pastor of Detroit's non-denominational 180church and a speaker at the Republican National Convention, expressed his dismay on Fox News:

Lorenzo Sewell (01:14): "I could not believe that she would use that moment to speak a demonic message as if she was using the Bible. She used her platform to practice theological malpractice. It was horrible. It was the worst message I've ever been in in my life."

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2. Internal Struggles at Myers Park Baptist Church

Transitioning from national reactions, the episode delves into a localized conflict within a liberal-leaning church in Charlotte, North Carolina—Myers Park Baptist Church. Despite its rich history in civil rights, the church recently ousted its pastor, Ben Boswell, igniting debates on the role of social justice in religious communities.

Background on Pastor Ben Boswell:

Pastor Boswell, known for his fervent advocacy for racial and social justice, sought to transform the church's approach to inclusivity. He emphasized confronting "whiteness" within the church structure, aiming to decolonize its practices:

Pastor Ben Boswell (03:40): "Pastor Ben Boswell says he was determined for Myers Park Baptist Church to confront its whiteness."

Deacon Robert Doolin echoed these sentiments during an online anti-racism seminar:

Deacon Robert Doolin (03:50): "We have a wedding policy that has been described by our current chair of deacons as WASPy. Our space as a church, very colonialist in style, and it needs some decolonization. We're going to be in a constant process of doing what I call a whiteness audit."

Despite Boswell's progressive initiatives, he faced resistance from some congregants. Instances include demands to remove Black Lives Matter signs from the church premises, showcasing the tension between forward-thinking leadership and traditionalist members:

Pastor Ben Boswell (04:08): "Boswell says he ran into resistance from congregants who, for instance, told him to take down Black Lives Matter signs. Boswell persisted."

The Turning Point: Ousting of Pastor Boswell

In a decisive move, the church's Board of Deacons convened via Zoom and voted overwhelmingly (173-0) to request Boswell's resignation. The primary reasons cited were declining attendance and perceived mismanagement:

Deacon Robert Doolin (05:36): "We gotta put more butts in the seats. Butts in the seats, butts in the seats. Everything else is just jaw flapping."

Additionally, the financial strain was palpable as the church's budget had dwindled by nearly a quarter since Boswell's tenure began in 2016:

Bishop Mary Ann Buddy (05:23): "We have gone from approximately 350 members attending on average each week at service in 2016 when Ben arrived, to approximately 150 members attending on average each week in 2024."

Diverse Congregational Reactions:

The decision to remove Boswell polarized the congregation. Supporters mourned the loss of his visionary leadership, while detractors felt alienated by his emphasis on social justice issues. Lorenzo Sewell, representing a faction of the congregation, underscored the discord:

Lorenzo Sewell (07:11): "It will be very difficult for us to continue to sell the narrative that we are this inclusive, open to all, one welcoming, growing community, when what will come out is that we snatch the keys from the 10-year minister who had been pushing us to confront whiteness, to challenge racial justice in our community."

Conversely, others expressed exhaustion over what they perceived as an overemphasis on progressive causes at the expense of pastoral care:

Deacon Allen Davis (05:59): "I'm tired of being indicted because I'm white. I'm tired of being banged over the head every week about immigrants and LGBTQ. And I just want to come to church and be encouraged."

Personal Stories Reflecting Division:

Individual congregants voiced their feelings of betrayal and division. Bruce Griffin, a warehouse worker in Charlotte, recounted his disillusionment:

Bruce Griffin (08:32): "I feel the church betrayed me. I feel the congregation betrayed me. Just today at this Meeting some of the same people that I feel betrayed me came in and it was straight to business. There was no hugging. There was no. No fellowship."

Another member, Elizabeth Peterson, shared her sense of exclusion and her contemplation of leaving:

Elizabeth Peterson (09:21): "I wished that he could have brought his energy for diversity and for change of the culture of the church and included us to come with him."

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3. Broader Implications and National Trends

The conflict at Myers Park Baptist Church serves as a microcosm of the larger national debates surrounding social justice and diversity initiatives. Deacon Robert Doolin highlighted the challenges faced by institutions attempting to balance progressive values with traditional congregational expectations:

Deacon Robert Doolin (10:06): "When you've been the dominant culture for so long, focus and attention on anyone who's been marginalized feels like a slight against you."

Pastor Boswell emphasized that the situation at Myers Park reflects a nationwide pushback against diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs:

Pastor Ben Boswell (10:24): "He says the conflict at Myers park is part of a much bigger national trend to roll back things like diversity, equity, and inclusion programs."

Former board member Bob Thomason provided insight into the church's struggles in balancing social justice with pastoral care:

Bob Thomason (10:44): "Most of us, all of us, are very supportive of social justice, but for some people, being able to focus on social justice, it would be a welcome luxury because they have alcoholic spouses, they have children that are addicted, they have cancer, they have these personal needs."

Despite the internal strife, the church leaders assert their commitment to continuing their mission of racial and social justice, even as they navigate the aftermath of Boswell's departure.

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4. Conclusion

This episode of Consider This from NPR provides a comprehensive look into the fraught intersection of faith, leadership, and social justice within American religious communities. Through the lens of Myers Park Baptist Church’s internal conflict, the podcast elucidates the broader societal debates on inclusivity, diversity, and the role of religious institutions in advocating for marginalized populations. The featured narratives and firsthand accounts underscore the complexities and emotional toll of navigating progressive reforms within established communities.

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Produced by Elena Burnett and edited by Katherine Laidlaw and Jeanette Woods. Executive Producer: Sammy Yenigun.

Transcript

[Bishop Mary Ann Buddy]

In the name of our God, I ask you to have mercy upon the people in our country who are scared. Now there are gay, lesbian and transgender children in Democratic, Republican and independent families, some who fear for their lives.

[Sascha Pfeiffer]

That's Episcopal Bishop Mary Ann Buddy giving a sermon at Washington National Cathedral earlier this month. This was at an interfaith service held the day after the second inauguration of President Donald Trump. In her sermon, she spoke directly to the president, who was seated up front with Vice President J.D. vance and their families. Bishop Buddy went on to talk about immigrants who may be at risk of deportation under new Trump policies.

[Bishop Mary Ann Buddy]

I ask you to have mercy, Mr. President, on those in our communities whose children fear that their parents will be taken away.

[Sascha Pfeiffer]

Reactions to her sermon lit up social media and national news outlets. The backlash from Trump supporters was immediate and intense. Lorenzo Sewell is the pastor of Detroit's non denominational 180church, and he spoke at the Republican National Convention. He attended that sermon and shared his outrage on Fox News.

[Lorenzo Sewell]

I could not believe that she would use that moment to speak a demonic message as if she was using the Bible. She used her platform to practice theological malpractice. It was horrible. It was the worst message I've ever been in in my life.

[Sascha Pfeiffer]

Consider this. Across the country, people are wrestling with how to approach issues of racial and social justice in a polarized environment. And divisions aren't just between the political left and the political right. Even people with shared political views often disagree on how much is too much. Coming up, NPR's Frank Langfit reports on a liberal church in North Carolina with a rich civil rights history, yet it pushed out its pastor, who had spent years promoting racial justice and who had repeatedly called out Donald Trump. From npr, I'm Sascha Pfeiffer.

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[Sascha Pfeiffer]

It'S consider this from NPR. Publicly, church leaders at the liberal leaning Myers Park Baptist in Charlotte, North Carolina, say the recent move to oust their pastor had not to do with politics or his preaching. But some congregants feel betrayed. They say the conflict inside their church reflects a broader one within the American left. NPR's Frank Lankfit takes it from here.

[Pastor Ben Boswell]

Pastor Ben Boswell says he was determined for Myers Park Baptist Church to confront its whiteness. As he explained during an online anti racism seminar he hosted several years ago.

[Deacon Robert Doolin]

We have a wedding policy that has been described by our current chair of deacons as WASPy. Our space as a church, very colonialist in style, and it needs some decolonization. We're going to be in a constant process of doing what I call a whiteness audit.

[Pastor Ben Boswell]

Boswell says he ran into resistance from congregants who, for instance, told him to take down Black Lives Matter signs. Boswell persisted.

[Deacon Robert Doolin]

I like to joke churches have sacred cows. Sacred cows make the best hamburgers.

[Pastor Ben Boswell]

Myers park is a white liberal church in a neighborhood where mansions can sell for more than $4 million. After the November election, Boswell gave a sermon in which he likened this moment to what he called the gathering dark of Hitler's rule. He referenced Christ's resurrection and urged congregants to maintain hope.

[Deacon Robert Doolin]

Where do we go from here?

[Pastor Ben Boswell]

We go back to the beginning. We do what our ancestors have done. We get up and we walk toward the tomb. Because the fight's not over. It's just beginning. Amen. Provocative sermons were nothing new for Boswell, who'd been at the church for nine years. But a few weeks later, the church's Board of Deacons, its governing body, met on Zoom. They voted 173 to ask Boswell to step down. NPR obtained the audio. It provides a rare window into the thinking of an organization when the tone of its social or political messaging clashes with its business model. Marcy McClanahan was head of the board in the meeting. The first reason she cited for Boswell to leave was plunging attendance.

[Bishop Mary Ann Buddy]

We have gone from approximately 350 members attending on average each week at service in 2016 when Ben arrived, to approximately 150 members attending on average each week in 2024.

[Pastor Ben Boswell]

Fellow Deacon Robert Doolin was more direct.

[Deacon Allen Davis]

We gotta put more butts in the seats. Butts in the seats, butts in the seats. Everything else is just jaw flapping.

[Pastor Ben Boswell]

In an email to npr, Doolin said he personally loved what he calls Boswell's powerful prophetic preaching. The Problem, he says, is that it had worn thin with others. Here's how Dolan put it in the meeting.

[Deacon Allen Davis]

A lot of these people left the church a few years ago. In the last few years, if any of you talked to them, you heard the same thing over and over again. I'm tired of being indicted because I'm white. I'm tired of being banged over the head every week about immigrants and lgbtq. And I just want to come to church and be encouraged.

[Pastor Ben Boswell]

As people left, their contributions left with them. Since 2020, the church's budget has shrunk by nearly a quarter. Doolin says it's been one financial fire drill after another.

[Deacon Allen Davis]

Ben needs to leave in order for our church to take a different direction and grow because we are dying on the vi.

[Bishop Mary Ann Buddy]

Good morning. We are glad that you are here with us.

[Pastor Ben Boswell]

Myers Park Baptist is a cavernous red brick church with a big white steeple, and it wears its progressive politics really right on the front of the church. You've got a giant sign here that says 80 years of inclusivity, community, spirituality and justice. And on the other side, open to all now and forevermore. In the meeting, Deacon Allen Davis warned that getting rid of Boswell would undermine that very message.

[Lorenzo Sewell]

It will be very difficult for us to continue to sell the narrative that we are this inclusive, open to all, one welcoming, growing community, when what will come out is that we snatch the keys from the 10 year minister who had been pushing us to confront whiteness, to challenge racial justice in our community.

[Pastor Ben Boswell]

Davis was among three deacons who resigned in Protestant. In an interview, McClanahan called Boswell a fantastic and visionary preacher, and she insisted the church would continue to advance racial and social justice. But some of Boswell's supporters say the conflict at Myers park is part of a much larger one.

[Deacon Robert Doolin]

This is just a continuation of the issues we saw throughout the disagreements in the Democratic Party writ large.

[Pastor Ben Boswell]

Nicholas Rine has attended Myers park since Preschool. He's now 30.

[Deacon Robert Doolin]

There's a group of us who are younger and more passionate and maybe a tad more progressive who are fed up with just being told to wait. Don't worry.

[Pastor Ben Boswell]

After services in December, the church leadership met with the congregation behind closed doors to discuss Boswell's departure. Afterwards, many parishioners were eager to talk.

[Bruce Griffin]

My name is Bruce Griffin. I am a warehouse worker in Charlotte.

[Pastor Ben Boswell]

Griffin wore a San Francisco 49ers jacket. He said Boswell created a wonderful, open community here. Now he's bitter.

[Bruce Griffin]

I feel the church betrayed me. I feel the congregation betrayed me. Just today at this Meeting some of the same people that I feel betrayed me came in and it was straight to business. There was no hugging. There was no. No fellowship.

[Pastor Ben Boswell]

I mentioned that some white congregants felt beaten down by Boswell's continued emphasis on social and racial justice.

[Bruce Griffin]

As a black man, our response that I feel beaten down every day.

[Pastor Ben Boswell]

Are you gonna stay here at the church?

[Bruce Griffin]

I will not.

[Pastor Ben Boswell]

While Griffin was talking about leaving Myers Park, Elizabeth Peterson was returning. For the first time in years, Reverend.

[Elizabeth Peterson]

Boswell has divided the church rather than unifying the church.

[Pastor Ben Boswell]

Peterson says that for a long time, Myers park seemed more focused on people of color and LGBTQ folks.

[Elizabeth Peterson]

I wished that he could have brought his energy for diversity and for change of the culture of the church and included us to come with him.

[Pastor Ben Boswell]

When you say us, who's us?

[Elizabeth Peterson]

People of my age. I'm over 65, definitely not wealthy.

[Pastor Ben Boswell]

But do you think you'll come back to the church now?

[Elizabeth Peterson]

I think I might. Yes, I think I will.

[Pastor Ben Boswell]

Pastor Ben Boswell has heard these sorts of things before.

[Deacon Robert Doolin]

When you've been the dominant culture for so long, focus and attention on anyone who's been marginalized feels like a slight against you.

[Pastor Ben Boswell]

He says the conflict at Myers park is part of a much bigger national trend to roll back things like diversity, equity, and inclusion programs.

[Deacon Robert Doolin]

We just happen to be in a moment now in American history where that work is coming with a cost and people are getting tired and backing away from it.

[Pastor Ben Boswell]

But church leaders say their concerns extended to Boswell's management. Others say he focused too much on social justice and not enough on tending the flock, one of the church's strategic goals. Bob Thomason is a former chairman of the Board of Deacons. He said he was speaking as a longtime member with a perspective on how the church had fared under Boswell.

[Bob Thomason]

Most of us, all of us, are very supportive of social justice, but for some people, being able to focus on social justice, it would be a welcome luxury because they have alcoholic spouses, they have children that are addicted, they have cancer, they have these personal needs. And that gets to the other part of the strategic plan, which was caring for the internal community, pastoral part of the job. Not so great. There we were basically taking care of ourselves as best we could.

[Pastor Ben Boswell]

Boswell says he was committed to pastoral care and devoted a Stafford to it full time. Boswell knows that some people think he made a mistake by focusing so much on racial and social justice, but he says he'd do it again and will continue to preach that message whatever he does next.

[Sascha Pfeiffer]

NPR's Frank Lankfit reporting from Charlotte, North Carolina. This episode was produced by Elena Burnett and was edited by Katherine Laidlaw and Jeanette Woods. Our executive producer is Sammy Yenigun. It's Consider this from npr. I'm Sacha Pfeiffer.

[Elizabeth Peterson]

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[Elizabeth Peterson]

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