Coral Ridge Experiencing Turmoil; D. James Kennedy's Daughter Banned From Congregation

This is very sad to see. I loved Dr. Kennedy’s ministry. I missed meeting him in person on three different occasions, but his messages continue to have an impact on me to this day. God really used him in my life as a “bridge” to bring me out of my Lutheran background, and I continued to learn from him even though I did not wholly follow his theology or practice.
I am sure that there are many lessons to be learned from this situation, but I will leave the explanations of them to others. I am saddened to know of this kind of division, whoever may be at fault. May God bring healing in His way.

If I’m not mistaken, his daughter was on the pulpit committee that called the new pastor; I guess she’s having buyer’s regret.

Let them be themselves and not have to follow path of predecessor.

Helpful blog post about this: http://www.pastormatthew.net/blog09/?p=341

HT (Larry): http://stuffoutloud.blogspot.com/2009/08/on-calling-new-pastor.html

What would be the proper way to do this sort of thing in a Presbyterian church government? The dissidents, whatever the merits of their case, seem to be acting like Congregationalists.

I don’t know what this group of people expected, they only had to attend the church he already pastored and which merged with Coral Ridge to get an understanding of what kind of ministry he would have.

Jennifer Kennedy Cassidy is on the board of Coral Ridge Ministries and even has a video blog:

http://www.coralridge.org/videoblog/default.aspx

I hope SharperIron has a little tolerance for speculation. My guess is that the new pastor’s distancing from politics doesn’t agree with the kind of ministry Dr. Kennedy had or that Coral Ridge Ministries still has (as the video blog titles his daughter has recorded seems to indicate). I’m not sure the connection between the church and Coral Ridge Ministries. Maybe the pastor is trying to reign it in.

[Red Phillips] What would be the proper way to do this sort of thing in a Presbyterian church government? The dissidents, whatever the merits of their case, seem to be acting like Congregationalists.

This story broke on a Reformed discussion board, and the overwhelming response was shock that Mrs. Kennedy would use such methods. This is not anywhere near the due process specified in the PCA Book of Church Order. I admit that I’m ignorant as to all the specifics of what one should do in this situation, but it wouldn’t be hard to check. I’m also quite sure that mass-mailing the congregation with rumors is not the delineated method.

The issue seems to be that certain people want a Dr. Kennedy Junior. No Presbyterian pastor, though, is obligated to continue the ethos or idiosyncrasies of a previous pastor or church. Since Tullian was legitimately called by the congregation, he cannot be ousted unless he is shown to be in conflict with the Westminster Standards or to have a disqualifying moral failing.

How can they (the offending parties) be banned? Was church discipline properly exercised in this matter??