William Graham Tullian Tchividjian (pronounced cha-vi-jin) is a Florida native, the pastor of Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church in Fort Lauderdale, a visiting professor of theology at Reformed Theological Seminary, and a grandson of Billy and Ruth Graham. More…
Surprised by Grace
God's Relentless Pursuit of Rebels
by Tullian Tchividjian
Unfashionable
Making a Difference in the World by Being Different
by Tullian Tchividjian
Do I Know God?
Finding Certainty in Life's Most Important Relationship
by Tullian Tchividjian
Sep
20
2009
Praise God from whom all blessings flow!
Thank-you all for your prayers and your support. God has used so many of you to sustain my family and me through this difficult season of our lives.
Click here to read the official press release about what happened today at the congregational meeting called to determine whether or not to dissolve my relationship with Coral Ridge.
Click here to read my Op-Ed piece for the Ft. Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel.
Onward Christian soldiers…
89 Comments
This is a very fitting end to all these growing pains. Fort Lauderdale is being blessed–God is so good! What an amazing time! All the best blessings to you, Pastor, and your family. So pleased you stayed the course, but I should have known you would . . .
One of my dearest friends from college days (35 years ago) moved to Ft. Lauderdale 2 years ago and joined Coral Ridge. She shared the sermons and I started reading Pastor Tullian’s blog. My friend and I are both PK’s and I was sadened beyond belief to hear of the strife at Coral Ridge. Four years ago a large Presbyterain Church in Kansas had a few members that ousted a Godly pastor who did leave even though the congregation voted to keep him. My daughter was in high school and it created a faith crisis for many. Many of those youth, now in college, have turned away from the church, including my daughter. It was so painful for me that I said at the time if I was new in my faith I would probably turn away from religion. I was seasoned enough to know it was the work of satin, not God. I attend another church now. I prayed for Coral Ridge and will continue to. Many others who read this blog I would ask you to pray for youth everywhere who think they don’t believe in God (including my daughter) because of the unholy ways imperfect Christians sometimes act. While I am over joyed by this outcome, what Pastor Tullian had to go through is a very painful reminder of the hate and strife that can infect the body of Christ.
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart,
as working for the Lord, not for men.
Colossians 3:23 NIV
You have exemplified this for me and I thank you.
No Weapon made by the devil Shall Propser. For we are more than conquerors in Christ Jesus.
You and your family are always in our prayers.
Thank You for staying strong and fighting the good fight and being our Pastor!
This scripture has been floating around in my head for the last week. It has encouraged me and I can’t wait to see the “New Thing” that God is going to do as we move ahead as “ONE” new church.
Isaiah 42:8-13 (English Standard Version)
I am the LORD; that is my name;
my glory I give to no other,
nor my praise to carved idols.
Behold, the former things have come to pass,
and new things I now declare;
before they spring forth
I tell you of them.”
Sing to the LORD a New Song
Sing to the LORD a New song,
His praise from the end of the earth,
you who go down to the sea, and all that fills it,
the coastlands and their inhabitants.
Let the desert and its cities lift up their voice,
the villages that Kedar inhabits;
Let the habitants of Sela sing for Joy,
let them shout from the top of the mountains.
Let them give Glory to the LORD,
and declare his praise in the coastlands.
The LORD goes out like a mighty man,
like a man of war he stirs up his zeal;
he cries out, he shouts aloud,
he shows himself mighty against his foes.
Praying for healing of hurting hearts and Unity,
Tammy
AlrightOkUhhuhAmen
Praise the Lord. Still praying for you all.
Tullian,
I am so glad to hear that as Romans 8:28 says “all things work together for good to those who love God and are called according to his purpose.” God has great things in store for Coral Ridge and throughout this process God was working everything out for good.
I just wanted you to know that our church took some time on Sunday to lift up you, your family and Coral Ridge. We believe that God is in the unity business and He is uniting the church together to do something great in South Florida.
From myself and Coastal Community Church, we are so excited to see what God is going to do through Coral Ridge.
Pastor Tullian, We are rejoicing with you. To Him be the glory and praise and honor!!!!
Push, pull or get out of the way! It is no time to be lukewarm in God’s kingdom. A soul is either on the bus or off the bus when it comes to pulling lost souls out of the valley of the shadow of death. Let’s get on with the mandate of winning lost souls to Christ. Their eternity depends on it.
I am pleased with the outcome. In moving forward, I pray that the boasting will stop, more praying for reconciliation with the ones who were opposed will begin, and a united peaceful feeling will be back to Coral Ridge once again. Let us stop “naming names” and “throwing darts back” or true healing cannot happen.
Dear Tullian,some 33 years ago, my husband and I .and family,joined Coral Ridge,and my husband became a staff member as Comptroller among other duties in the business office..Coral Ridge was young and growing at a rapid pace..we put in the first computer !!A few short years later,Hugh Reed was gone(1984)All this to say ,.even then there was strife..and don’t think for a minute that you are home free..Satan will now try even harder to get you any way he can..I see you a very strong young man and I am so proud of the way that you are handling al of this..I am following your blog and I am praying for you daily ..Tullian…put on the robe…would it hurt ???Maybe once a month ??God Bless you..If I EVER get back to Fla. I will look forward to meeting you..Babs Reed
Dear Brethren of Coral Ridge,
I am so happy about the outcome of your congregational meeting. We’ve been praying for you. I will continue to pray that unity, peace and love abound as you grow together.
I believe the changes I have heard your new pastor is advocating are good ideas which will improve your ministry to many people. I was greatly blessed by Dr. Kennedy’s ministry and example and I anticipate new blessings from your new pastor, too.
May God in Christ be our delight in all that we do together as His people.
For His glory and your good in Christ Jesus,
Rick
As painful as it was, I’m glad there was a congregational meeting to allow both sides to speak…There were three important messages that I got from the meeting:
1. While we waited for the ballots to be counted John Wilson led the entire congregation in a heart-felt, impromptu hour of hymn singing: we called out the numbers of our favorite hymns and even laughed after what had been a very stressful meeting. During that brief time, I really felt that we were all united in Christ, depsite our different opinions.
I wish that we’d have more of that in both the 9 and 11 am services…it would be a real accomplishment if we could incorporate both the contemporary band and the larger choir at both services (and encourage more young people to join the choir!). Just think how nice that would be at Christmas!
2. One of the more vocal requests I’ve heard over the past month has been a desire to hear our pastor issue a regular invitation to salvation from the pulpit. Rather than being a criticism, I see this as a positive hunger from the congregation to hear the story of salvation and to have our pastor lead the church’s efforts to bring more people to Christ. As we welcome so many new people through our doors each week, or as new people hear the message via radio or internet, how wonderful it would be if the sermon ended with an invitation to join the body of Christ?!
3. The Presbytery Moderator made a very wise comment at the end of the meeting when he stated that we now have a choice: will CRPC’s greatest days be behind us or ahead of us?
I believe that choice is up to all of us now, old members, new members, staff, and pastor. I hope we will use this affirming vote to put the past behind us, to heal and unite both sides as one greater church that will become a beacon in the community that inspires others to join us. I hope that with compassion we will realize that both sides had compelling points and that in wisdom and compassion, we will take the best of those ideas and incorporate them into our new church to make us a stronger, united church.
Tullian, It was our pleasure to be back home in South Florida for a few days and to hear your message on Sunday. What a beautiful reflection you are of Christ as you trust and rest in HIM through everything that is going on. Upon the recommendation of my son, I’ve been reading through John Piper’s series the swans are not silent. Currently I’m in book two, “The Hidden Smile of God”, concerning the fruit of affliction in the lives of John Bunyan, William Cowper, and David Brainerd. This is an amazing quote that brought you to my mind today . . . “All of us come to our tasks with a history and many predispositions. I come to John Bunyan with a growing sense that suffering is a normal and useful and essential element in Christian life and ministry. It not only weans us off the world and teaches us to live on God, as 2 Corinthians 1:9 says, but also makes ministers more able to strengthen the church and makes missionaries more able to reach the nations with the Gospel of the grace of God.” (p. 44) Through what has just happened, you are now stronger to strengthen the church both locally and around the world. Through what we’re going through right now in Honduras God is equipping us for all that we need to continue the ministry. “For nothing glorifies God more than maintaining our stability and joy when we lose everything but God.” (p. 46) May the Lord continue to strengthen you for everything you need each day to continue the work that He sets before you. Our prayers are with you dear Pastor as you are faithful in proclaiming the gospel. May healing and restoration be the mark of your ministry and the church in the days to come.
Pastor Tullian,
Though we have not met, probably won’t, and I am not a Presbyterian. But know that you have been on my heart and in my prayers for some time. I lost my church through unhealthy conflict at the same time my brother was dying. I am also praying for your father.
I rejoice in the vote and pray for courage for you. I encourage you to follow Abraham Lincoln’s great example after the Civil War and be 100% gracious to those who opposed you. It will either melt their hearts, or cause them to leave as they will not be able to stand in the presence of such grace.
May you be strengthened by grace and filled with courage to lead forward.
Job 37:13
Praise God for His continual deliverance and sustaining presence! Have read your recent blog entries, praying for your dad and family, your endurance and encouragement through the Scriptures, and that the God of all encouragement and endurance would grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ there in SoFlo (Rom 15:5-6 … except the SoFlo thing).
Tullian,
I am an RCA pastor who 20 years ago took a church of 250 and went on a journey to be biblical/evangelical/reformed/relevant and growing. The change was hard but God gave me strength to hang in there. We are now a church that is 3,500+, on 3 sights and people are coming to Jesus and being saved. This is all God’s doing. My word to you is to hang in there. God wins. I pass on to you 1 Corinthians 3:4-9. Dr. Kennedy was like “Paul” and you are the Apollos. The church will explode when they realize that God does the growth. You are in my prayers.
Blessing,
bob
Praise God for vindicating a pastor who firmly refused to bow down to the pressure of the “Judaizers”. Change in any matter or situation has never been welcomed openly by all involved. Yes, sometimes, perhaps more often than not as happens to be the case, change has to be stymied if it is a deviation from doctrinal orthodoxy and biblical purity. But when it does not relate to matters involving biblical doctrine or the purity of the gospel, and becomes more of a sticking to traditions, those traditions become enslaving.
I think the American church in general needs to cut down a little in getting involved in political issues. Yes, the church needs to champion moral issues in the society, but the American church has gotten itself way too entangled with and bogged down in culture wars that the so called right-wing “evangelical” (God alone knows where the real meaning is gone), pro-Republican (as if it is a party formed by God himself) christians have forgotten completely about walking the talk and talking the walk.
Pastor Tullian,
Glad to see how you are persevering and I will be praying for you and your family! I live in West Palm Beach and work for my own Pastor John Hawkins for many years. Many times he has been up against those who oppose and he remains stedfast in the call God has placed on his life. It breaks my heart to see good Pastors and their families having to be hassled by those who will not follow on the methods that you feel will enhance the church. If they would let go of the sacred cows and follow they will see by their obedience just what God can do ~ to watch people argue over how the church should be run when God called the Pastor in as a leader is just insanity to me but I see it all the time. I see how people try to tie the hands of the Pastor and the church to get their way and one day they will answer for their obstinance. They have no idea the harm they are causing the church, the community and the cause of Christ. Thank you for sharing your journey because you are an encouragement to me personally and I pray you are able to continue to do what God has called you to do. May God bless your family and meet all your needs especially during this difficult time with your father’s health. Keep moving forward!
We gather together to ask the Lord’s blessing;
He chastens and hastens His will to make known.
The wicked oppressing now cease from distressing.
Sing praises to His Name; He forgets not His own.
Beside us to guide us, our God with us joining,
Ordaining, maintaining His kingdom divine;
So from the beginning the fight we were winning;
Thou, Lord, were at our side, all glory be Thine!
We all do extol Thee, Thou Leader triumphant,
And pray that Thou still our Defender will be.
Let Thy congregation escape tribulation;
Thy Name be ever praised! O Lord, make us free!
I’m so happy to know your staying and now we can move forward!
Suzanne,
Dr. Wilson does lead the congregation in an impromtu hymn sing on Sunday nights, from 6:15 to 6:30. The children especially enjoy it, because John is gracious to let them call out the hymns their parents have suggested. The only Sunday night when we don’t do this is the first Sunday of the month, which is reserved for congregational prayer.
Robin Revier, you are precious! I’ll have that coffee if Tullian doesn’t want it!
God’s blessing and decision to keep you there is evident! I think this situation has only brought more light to the church and your ministry.
Just imagine, news that the church has voted twice to keep you is spreading the Gospel further through mainstream media. Nothing wrong with a 2nd opinion. Maybe vote three times so it can hit national news!
Greetings Tullian,
I am praying for you.
I started praying for you when I read of your call to Coral Ridge as I suspected it might be a bumpy road. I myself answered a new call to be the Senior Pastor at Grace Presbyterian Church in Plano, TX (it’s a PCUSA church). Our circumstances are not the same, this church is much smaller (about 500 in attendance) and they were ready for a new pastor.
Anyway, the Lord led me to the articles about your recent challenges. I have been praying and I am glad the Lord has brought you through.
Be at peace, I have no advice for you. Just encouragement. No need to respond.
Bryan Stamper
Grace Presbyterian Church (PCUSA)
http://www.gracepc.org
http://www.gracepcfamily.org
Thank you Suzanne….Three good points…it’s time to go forward…: “By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” John13:35.
And the commandment we have from Him: that he who loves God must love his brother also. 1 John 4:21
The “world” is watching to see how “Christians” resolve their differences..pray ..The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, a broken and a contrite heart –these, O, God, You will not despise. Psalm 51:17
Asutosh, your comment regarding the oppostion in the confirmation vote being Judaizers is a poor choice of words. Perhaps you need to see how the Apostle Paul used that word before you make this unfounded accusation against your brothers and sisters in Christ. A Judaizer is one who denies the gospel of salvation by grace alone. Paul condemned Judaizers for not believing the gospel. The opposition may have some reservations about different issues but they certainly do not deny the law free gospel as Paul taught. Please watch your choice of words.
Praise the Lord. We in Massachusettes have been praying that your congregation would die to themselves and allow The Lord to direct their paths. There is mending through the preached Word that will surpass all understanding. May the Lord grant you and Coral Ridge the grace to grow in His Grace.
Keep on Preaching the God News! God Bless Now!
Thought you might be encouraged to know that here in Arkansas we are studying your book and my cousin in Missouri has been keeping me up on your status…God has His hand on you and He keeps His people covered in prayer–even from over here in “fly-over” country.
Acts1:8
The Lord has spoken and God is with you. Take on the whole armour of God and spread His word.
It is now time to move on and forgive and forget making the congregation whole. Be the peace maker.
May God richly bless CRPC and you and yours.
I am so glad that CRPC members have voted to reject the motion to oust their new pastor, Rev. Mr. Tullian Tchividjian.
I believe that he has been raised up by God for such a time as this.
Pastor Tullian has recently been preaching from Isaiah Ch6 Vs1-8; then follows some of the most difficult and uncomfortable verses in the Bible. Perhaps, Pastor Tullian’s God given mission is not to bring salvation, but to bring condemnation. I hope not. I also think not.
To be fair to Dr Kennedy’s daughter, Jennifer, I suspect that some of her opposition to Pastor Tullian, may come from a sense that any change is an insult to her father. I do not think that it is so. I have myself heard Dr Kennedy quote, “if you ever find the perfect church, don’t join it, you will only spoil it”; he believed that, I do too. Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church was not perfect when Dr Kennedy was alive, and it will never be so under Tullian’s pastorship. We live in a fallen world. We are not perfect, but hopefuly, we know the One who IS. Only He is Perfect!
Similarly it must hurt Mrs Kennedy to see change in CRPC, but as her late husband knew, and stated, that nothing happens outside of God’s Providence.
One more thing that I must state: I have heard that there is controversy about the wearing of robes.
One of the issues addressed at the time of the Reformation was that of the wearing of special dress by the clergy.
The wearing of priestly “vestments” was fiercely opposed by the reformers: the garments themselves did nothing, they were merely pieces of cloth. Ministers of the Reformation wore normal street clothing. If you disagree, look at pictures of the Puritan preachers. They wore the normal clothing of their times.
As far as I know, (since it is hard to prove a universal negative), Dr Kennedy NEVER wore “vestments”, or even “Clerical robes”. (Nor has any other minister at CRPC)
The robe that Dr Kennedy wore was an “Academic Robe” since he had the academic qualifications to wear such a robe; i.e. a doctorate.
Tullian, may God bless you in your commission: and if you ever receve a doctorate, you may wear your doctorial robes wherever you wish.
Hey Tullian,
Congratulations from a perfect stranger on your gracious and mature response to the challenges to your ministry at Coral Ridge. I knew your parents and part of your family when your dad was working on his PhD back at Marquette. I am a psychologist who has taught in graduate schools, including Trinity divinity school (Deerfield) for a number of years and have written a lot. Because of our common profession I got to know your dad many years back. I pretty much lost contact with the Tchividjians except from a distance and my wife and I were delighted when we learned that you were to become senior pastor at Coral Ridge. We are praying for you and for your church. Keep moving forward, young brother, taking the high road, and never stooping to use the methods of some who might be critical. Your gracious spirit can be used by God to bring a lot of healing. God bless you. (And to others who might read this blog, I apologize for taking your time to post a more personal note to your pastor).
Hi Gary, of course I remember you. My mom and dad have always spoken very highly of you and are deeply grateful for the contributions you made to their lives. I am grateful for your prayers, brother.
As I was reading my devotional this morning, God brought me to this short clip from Max Lucado’s book – In the Grip of Grace. I felt impressed to share with each of you.
Have a super blessed day!
_________________________________________________________________________
We are many, but in Christ we are all one body. Each one is a part of that body.
Romans 12:5
God has enlisted us in His navy and placed us upon His ship…to carry us safely to the other shore. This is…a battleship…Each of us has a different task. Some…are snatching people from the water. Others…man the cannons of prayer and worship. Still others devote themselves to the crew…Each can tell of a personal encounter with the Captain, for each has received a personal call…We each followed him upon the gangplank of His Grace onto the same boat.
I am the wife a a young pastor who went through very similar circumstances…I applaud you for the grace that you have shown during this crazy time…we have been there and know how hard it is…from the wife’s point of view, I pray for your wife and children. We go through a whole other set of emotions and at times bury some of those struggles and feelings we have to protect our husbands and even ourselves. I believe that after the vote the healing will begin for you and your wife and children…I will pray for you and your family. We were forwarded it an article and just became aware of your ordeal. Take some time to spend alone and away with your family for a few days and just “regroup.” We needed that and it helped so much to cry and release it…together…
Age and distance bring needed perspective I think, Tullian.
I was a member of Coral Ridge, a former deacon, a former elder, and member of the Chancel Choir for eighteen years. One of my greatest joys was to meet your grandfather and sing in the choir behind him when the church was dedicated in 1974.
During the years I was there I loved the traditional style of music and worship. I also worked for one of the first ministries started there. I have watched and prayed for the church all through the years. I’m sad to say that I saw this sad day coming for the church. As much as I loved Jim Kennedy, he really didn’t prepare the church for a day when he would not be there to lead them.
I loved what you said to the Sun-Sentinel, Tullian. The church is not yours. And it wasn’t Jim’s. It belongs to Jesus Christ.
When I heard that the Search Committee had selected you and that the church had overwhelmingly voted to bring you in as its pastor, I was thrilled! I went out and bought your first two books and read them. I could see the church returning to its founding roots and vision. The church was committed to teaching and preaching the Word of God, following the teachings of the Westminster Confession of Faith, seeking to glorify Jesus Christ and make Him known, and focusing on evangelism, discipleship, and nurturing believers. I can see that these are things you are committed to and bringing to Coral Ridge. All I can say is “Amen!”
I moved away in 1982 following another less public “split” at Coral Ridge that was life shattering for me and many others. It took years for me to understand that God knows how to multiply by dividing and that He is going to be about “building His church” as long as we are here on earth. While I grieve to see division among the body I love at Coral Ridge and when I read the unkind and hurtful comments of so many in the newspapers, my heart breaks. But I know that God is still on His throne, still supporting all of you there, and still faithful.
Even after the public split between Paul and Barnabas in Scripture, there came a time when Paul asked Barnabas to send John Mark to him, because “he was profitable for the ministry.” In time the Church saw that the division finally resulted in reconciliation, that the Church had grown even during the division, and that Christ was still glorified and worthy to be praised.
As long as you, the leaders of Coral Ridge, the members who have stayed and supported you, and those who have left remain faithful in seeking Christ in all of this, good will eventually come from it. I’m reminded of something those of us who were so wounded by the previous split followed. We were asked to spend an equal amount of time praying about what had happened every time we found ourselves talking about it (or gossiping about it). God answered those prayers and drew us closer to Him and eventually back to one another.
This split has been reported to have been more about style than substance. When the substance is the Word of God, the Westminster Confession of Faith, honoring Jesus Christ, evangelism, discipleship, and nurture of believers, that is the essential part!
The tempo and style of music are much less essential. And when the new music brings more people into the church and relationship with Jesus Christ, that is a wonderful thing. At age 63, I might still like the old music better. But worthip music doesn’t have to be written in the 1800′s to be worship music. One of my pastors several years ago reminded us that the Word says, “Sing unto the Lord a new song!” Sometimes I think He gets tired of hearing the same ole’ music. I know that I do!
If I had been there when you first were affirmed by the congregation to be the church’s pastor, I would have voted for you with gratitude and joy. I would have voted for you again with gratitude and joy on September 20th. And I believe from his perspective in heaven, Jim Kennedy would have too!
God bless you! I’m praying for all of you. Those remaining at the church and those who have departed.
I’m also praying for your family, Tullian. And for your father especially and mother too. God be with you!
In Christian love,
Richard
Dear Pastor Tullian,
We heard a while ago about the possible discord within your church body. We were saddened by it but prayed for you and for the church body as a whole. Change is inevitable in every area of life. Some people can handle it better than others. I am glad that the church voted to keep you on.
My husband and I loved to listen to the message brought by Dr. Kennedy when they were carried on T.V. When he went home to heaven, we knew that it would be a tough transition for the church. However, when we heard about the church calling you, we felt very positive. I know God has special plans for this church body. There are so many out there that need to hear the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
We will continue to pray for healing both of your family and the church family so that God alone will receive all the glory!
Dear Pastor Tullian,
I am pastor of the First Baptist Church in Marathon, Florida! Just a brief note of thankfulness for you. I want to express my support and happiness in the way how the Lord has shown Himself faithful in keeping you in the pulpit and pastorate of Coral Ridge. Dr. Kennedy was a faithflul servant of the Lord Jesus who stood strong and faithful in a time of great compromise at a critical time in our nations history. He and I met on several occasions and he was a true hero of the faith to me. He was a true Man of God–faithful in everyway!!! Yet, it is important to remember the words of Scripture, “Moses my sevant is dead!” Then comes the call to Joshua to enter the ministry and the specific place the Lord has for this new leader of the people of God. While every pastor’s style and techinques are unique to them. I must admit your style and approach are more in step with my own. (Preaching book by book, taking the passages as they come and not overlooking any, at the same time, not getting on one topic at the expense of another. (FAITHFUL EXPOSITIORY PREACHING OF THE WHOLE COUNSEL OF GOD. So, I want to let you know of my continual prayers for you and the good work God is doing through you there at Coral Ridge. You have a friend and prayer partner in the gospel at First Baptist in Marathon. Thank you for your faithfulness to the Christ and His Word! May You Enjoy His Success in the coming days! Pastor Dan Keever
Pastor Tullian.
Thank you for your ministry. You are blessing more lives then you probably realize. My prayers are with you and your family and the leaders of Coral Ridge. May He always find you faithful.
Kindest Regards
Donna