Reply #79: Pastor tries to calm waters over political oustings

[MadisonProgressive]

Targeted members want pastor to leave
Sunday, May 8, 2005 Posted: 4:59 PM EDT (2059 GMT)

WAYNESVILLE, North Carolina (AP) -- Calling it a "great misunderstanding," the pastor of a small church who led the charge to remove nine members for their political beliefs tried to welcome them back Sunday, but some insisted he must leave for the wounds to heal.

The Rev. Chan Chandler didn't directly address the controversy during the service at East Waynesville Baptist Church, but issued a statement afterward through his attorney saying the church does not care about its members' political affiliations.

"No one has ever been voted from the membership of this church due to an individual's support or lack of support for a political party or candidate," he said.

Nine members said they were ousted during a church gathering last week by about 40 others because they refused to support President Bush. They attended Sunday's service with their lawyer and many supporters.

http://www.cnn.com/2005/US/05/08/church.politics.ap/index.html