(ChurchLeaders) One hundred fifty official members have been expelled from a conflict-ridden congregation in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Leaders of First Baptist Church (FBC), led by Pastor James Welch, recently terminated the membership of a “discontented” and “disaffected minority” who had rebelled against leaders.
The dissenters had formed an Advocacy Group and voted out the church’s leadership last fall. But church leaders say those actions are invalid and warrant “biblical discipline.” Attempts to solve the disagreement, including arbitration, have been unsuccessful.