Dr. Tim Carson resigns from UCC

Culture Wars wrote:

The vindictives against UCC simply reflect a religious bias - you just don't want to do church in a certain way. Well, too bad. Others want to live out the gospel differently than you. You pick up your favorite selective themes - like accusations of infidelity, problems with "the journey" (so what if someone wants to use that metaphor?) and judge the place as going to hell. If it has problems, and it does, it's not because of the reasons you list. Just go off to fundamentalist land and enjoy some of their scandals - which are many. The real problems at UCC are internal and not theological as you continue to state. Give it up. You can't control the form of spirituality of others. We frankly don't care if you do or don't like the theological direction of the congregation - we're not asking for your opinion or agreement. The problems that led to this resignation reside elsewhere.

The only Words that we would want to hear are as the Lord stated in MAT 25:23 "well done good and faithful servant" . In the end we will all stand alone to give our account to the Lord. The Lord will know our deeds and desires of our hearts already. UCC or no UCC it will matter not much. We watched UCC spin out of control and moved on like Paul. Philippians 2:12-13..."work out your own salvation with fear and trembling..." Amen

Editor wrote:

<quoted text>Dr. Tim Carson is a man of exceptional depth, and multilayered vision. There has been a small contingent of people who want to exert their influence on the leadership of the University Christian Church. They found that they could, through criticism, gossip, and leverage through some members of the congregation, and possibly even ambitious staff members, create pressure on Dr. Carson. They took people who wanted to stampede the eldership through stories like: "I was unhappy with something at UCC and Dr.Carson told me that perhaps I should look for another church.". Of course, if someone is unhappy at a church, they should find one that they can love! Dr. Carson exemplified a compassionate, loving, minister and the congregation (if it had been asked) would have overwhelmingly voted him a long term tenure. His departure is more a reflection of the "lessor" people at UCC than anything. UCC will suffer if it allows vocal "wingnuts" run the church through a "tyranny of minority."

I'm sorry for you and your church but it sounds from this forum that our church has benefited from your loss. We lost our beloved senior minister and his associate to retirement. It has been very hard on our church because they are so loved. Our search committee has been criticized and scrutinized and as seems to be human nature, members are looking for anything flawed in the new minister.

I can't wait to meet Dr. Carson and his wife. It sounds like your loss is our gain. I hope things will settle down in your church as the will in ours. You are always welcome to visit us in Columbia, MO.

Dear BCC Member,

We are one of those UCC families that deeply love and sincerely appreciate Dr. Tim Carson personally as well as his creative vision and commitment. Losing him has been a heartbreaking experience for so many of us. We still cannot believe it really happened.

It sounds from your posting that Tim has found a new church home in Columbian, MO. If this is the case, know that your new minister is a rare and wonderful man. We will come and visit and celebrate his ministry with you.

BCC Member wrote:

<quoted text>
I'm sorry for you and your church but it sounds from this forum that our church has benefited from your loss. We lost our beloved senior minister and his associate to retirement. It has been very hard on our church because they are so loved. Our search committee has been criticized and scrutinized and as seems to be human nature, members are looking for anything flawed in the new minister.
I can't wait to meet Dr. Carson and his wife. It sounds like your loss is our gain. I hope things will settle down in your church as the will in ours. You are always welcome to visit us in Columbia, MO.

Dr. and Mrs. Carson are, indeed, your gain. Congratulations to Broadway Christian and to the larger Columbia (MO) community.

We are so happy for Tim and Kathy!! Broadway Christian promises to be an intelligent and wise as well as welcoming and supportive congregation. They are indeed fortunate to have such a fine couple coming into the ministry at their church. It is a gift to both the Carsons and the new church.

We hope that those of you who miss the Carsons will join us from time to time and fee the Broadway Spirit, as we like to call it. Ours is welcoming, spiritual church in which we hope everyone feels the presence of God while enjoying the fellowship of the Broadway family.

It sounds like Tim and Kathy will fit right in and be great leaders.

Blessings

We so hope Tim and Kathy find the kind of church home where they can serve and love and be loved in return. They certainly deserve it. They are a great couple and we are going to miss them terribly. Tim is a wonderful minister and Kathy's talents are endless! Hope we can come to Columbia sometime to see them and worship at BCC. It must be a very special place.

BCC, you are indeed a fortunate church to have the dynamic combo of Tim and Kathy. Take care of them and love them. I'm confident they will do the same for you. Many of us here in Fort Worth did and will miss them greatly. I'm glad the Carsons are able to shake the Texas dust off their feet and move on.

I was a member of the church Tim left to go to Texas. Though I understood he had to answer the call, I was heartbroken as he was a bright shining presence in my spiritual life. I won't comment on what happened in Texas since I have no knowledge, but I'm indeed saddened for any grief Tim and Kathy and the congregation have suffered. BCC is indeed blessed to have them. Selfishly I wish he could have come back to this area as I would have broken land speed records to attend his church. Godspeed to them and many prayers to the Texas church as you deal with the aftermath.

BCC Member wrote:

We hope that those of you who miss the Carsons will join us from time to time and fee the Broadway Spirit, as we like to call it. Ours is welcoming, spiritual church in which we hope everyone feels the presence of God while enjoying the fellowship of the Broadway family.
It sounds like Tim and Kathy will fit right in and be great leaders.
Blessings

The Broadway Spirit was not very welcoming for the Carsons.

The Broadway Spirit was not very welcoming for the Carsons.

UCC 23 wrote:

<quoted text>The Broadway Spirit was not very welcoming for the Carsons.

I agree - I would in a heartbeat go to any church that had Tim Carson as pastor and Kathy Carson as the active participant she was here. Tim Carson has the unique ability to make you think about your theology and your role in this world. He always reminded us to seek the leading of the Spirit. May God bless the Carsons and BCC as they begin this ministry together!

We hear that University Christian's giving is down, attendance is down. No wonder. It appears that a Dr. Kendall, and a small group of malcontents had started a gossip and second guessing campaign to force him out. It has now been disclosed that they got into the church email server (with the help of who?) and circulated emails of Tim Carson, his secretary, and in the process exposed private correspondence with many individuals. It seems that the leadership of UCC hasn't been up to the task of true leadership. The ones who should be cited and caused to leave are that little group. They have long been considered a source of "talk" within the church, and their little telephone campaigns have done much to hurt this church. As for Tim Carson, he has moved on to a better place. We are glad for him, but sorry the leadership of UCC has not yet figured out how to be true spiritual leaders. Many of us fear that UCC has been wounded deeply by this. Tim Carson was a good minister, and was well thought of in the community. Except for a few with an "agenda".

"Angel of conscience" apparently heard correctly. There are many in the church whom I hear have had their trust in the leadership, both lay and clergy, has been shattered by the actions of a few and the failure to act by the many in the shameless way Dr. Tim Carson was treated. The future of the church appears to be hanging in the balance.

Angel of conscience wrote:

We hear that University Christian's giving is down, attendance is down. No wonder. It appears that a Dr. Kendall, and a small group of malcontents had started a gossip and second guessing campaign to force him out. It has now been disclosed that they got into the church email server (with the help of who?) and circulated emails of Tim Carson, his secretary, and in the process exposed private correspondence with many individuals. It seems that the leadership of UCC hasn't been up to the task of true leadership. The ones who should be cited and caused to leave are that little group. They have long been considered a source of "talk" within the church, and their little telephone campaigns have done much to hurt this church. As for Tim Carson, he has moved on to a better place. We are glad for him, but sorry the leadership of UCC has not yet figured out how to be true spiritual leaders. Many of us fear that UCC has been wounded deeply by this. Tim Carson was a good minister, and was well thought of in the community. Except for a few with an "agenda".

UCC is simply out of control. UCC is a messy place. =(

UCC may be getting their "come-up-ens". Stay clear. As Pres. Bush once said "just a bunch of evil doers".

There is not a leader among them. Their flock has been used, abused and led astray. There is a not a shepherd there to protect anyone. It is a what the Bible warns us about.