Texas church ousts 165 members from its roll

CORPUS CHRISTI — Gardendale Baptist Church, Corpus Christi, Texas, removed 165 members from its church roll after they voted against affirming the pastor’s leadership.

Becoming frustrated with the “gossip, rumors, slander and secret meetings” of those who opposed the actions at the church, Pastor Micah Davidson sent a letter to the congregation explaining that a vote would be held during a mid-July business meeting to affirm or denounce his leadership of the church, according to a report by the Southern Baptist Texan. Davidson said in the letter that he would leave immediately if voted down, but if not, then those who voted against him would lose their membership at the church.

Some church members had become upset with the way Davidson was leading the church, including his decisions to stop holding regular business meetings, hire new pastors without the consent of members and to stop holding Sunday evening and Wednesday night services.  (TAB)