www.msnbc.msn.com/id/7769149
Politics Political North Carolina pastor resigns Pastor was accused of ousting members who voted against Bush The Associated Press Updated: 8:42 pm ET May 10, 2005 WAYNESVILLE, NC - A Baptist preacher accused of running out nine congre gants who refused to support President Bush resigned Tuesday.
Click Here I am resigning with gratitude in my heart for all of you, particularly t hose of you who love me and my family, the Rev. Chan Chandler said duri ng a meeting at East Waynesville Baptist Church. Congregants of the 100-member church in western North Carolina have said Chandler endorsed Bush from the pulpit during last years presidential c ampaign and said that anyone who planned to vote for Democratic nominee Sen. The church members said he continued to preach about politics after Bush won re-election, culminating with a church gathering last week in which the nine members said they were ousted. Speaking from the pulpit Tuesday night, Chandler opened the meeting with prayer before telling the gathered congregation that, For me to remain now would only cause more hurt for me and my family. Strong sentiments on abortion Chandler made no mention of Bush or Kerry, saying only that the dispute w as rooted in his strong feelings about abortion. He then left with his wife and drove away from the church escorted by pol ice. A few moments later, about 40 of his supporters many in tears c ame out of the church while other church members remained inside. I dont believe he preached politics, said Rhonda Trantham, one of Chan dlers supports. I dont believe anyone should tell a preacher not to p reach whats in the Bible. said the pastor has not apologized fo r anything he said and would continue to speak out against abortion. He said the dispute inside the church had nothing to do with politics, a co ntention seconded Tuesday by Chandlers supporters. The only thing I wanna say is that everything thats been in the press i s a lie, said Misty Turner. Asked if she would remain a member of East Waynesville, she said, Im no t going to serve with the ungodly. IRS investigation urged Chandlers resignation came a day after a national group that lobbies for church-state separation urged the Internal Revenue Service to investiga te the tax-exempt status of the East Waynesville Baptist Church. IRS rules bar clear-cut politicking by tax-exempt groups. Last October, d ays before Bush won a second term, the IRS said it was investigating abo ut 60 charities and other tax-exempt groups about a third of them chur ches for potentially breaking rules that bar them from participating i n political activity. The IRS is barred from naming the organizations it investigates or announcing case results. At Sundays service, the 33-year-old Chandler said the flap over the chur ch members dismissal was a great misunderstanding and he tried to wel come them back. No one has ever been voted from the membership of this church due to an individuals support or lack of support for a political party or candida te, he said in a statement. But the dismissed members, who attended the service with their lawyer and other supporters, said there was no misunderstanding and the only way t o heal the rift is for Chandler to leave. This material may not b e published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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