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

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

Have a super blessed day!

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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.

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).

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.

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.