Comments on: FBC Daytona Beach struggles after Welch

By: Dave Saffle

Dave Saffle — Tue, 30 Jan 2007 17:21:15 +0000

Why has Bobby Welch been silent on this? Was he not in favor of bringing Cox on several years ago? Did he not prayerfully agree that Cox would be the “Joshua” to his “Moses”? Could this not have been stopped had Welch stepped up one last time and pointed the people back to followship? Where are the real leaders that once stood in the gap for the church and stood at appropriate times like men and lovingly corrected error? It appears that none are left. I dare say those who would’ve provided leadership to our SBC churches have left our denomination like so many of our gifted, young pastors…not wanting to focus their time and energy on the foolishness of self-centeredness…but starting new, fresh works willing to choose substance over sentiment and reach this lost generation for Jesus Christ. I wonder what Adrian Rogers would say to those in his congregation if he could stand one last time with the Word of God in his hand?

By: Nancy Fox

Nancy Fox — Tue, 30 Jan 2007 14:00:27 +0000

David Cox has been one of he most inspiring pastor who truly loves the Lord that I have ever had the opportunity to know. No, I am not a youngster, but an older member of my church. I had the priviledge of being on a Faith team with David Cox in N.C. and I saw him witness and lead lost people to the Lord many times. He always made me feel closer to the Lord when I was in his presence because of his love for the Lord and his love for the lost. David Cox is surely a soul saver for the Lord, and I am praying constantly for David and his family during this transition time. I will also pray for FBC-Datona Beach.

By: David Phillips

David Phillips — Tue, 30 Jan 2007 12:00:30 +0000

Full Court,

I understand your position as an anti-PDC, anti-SBC, fundamentalist baptist. You probably don’t like Chris Tomlin’s music, or Third Day, or others like them.

However, FBC Daytona has at least 3 years (according to one article I read) before they start building. In those three years they could stay stagnant, not try to do all they could to reach young adults and just hold off and do nothing. Or, they could make the changes necessary to reach their community. The money was spent to make the place look better and sound better. NOTE: Not all that money was spent on the “rock styled sound system” as you put it.

By: Full Court

Full Court — Mon, 29 Jan 2007 21:49:05 +0000

“It also seems that updating the sound system and adding a little rhythm is against the will of God as well.”

Cox spent $450,000 on a new rock concert styled sound system, when the church is moving in a few years anyway. He also eliminated the Bus Ministry.

And you people accuse the congregation of being wrong????????

By: David Phillips

David Phillips — Sat, 27 Jan 2007 18:22:09 +0000

Michael,

What do you mean that you don’t ever change? It seems that this is what the church was after by calling a younger pastor, than Welch.

I’m not real sure that I understand what you’re talking about. I never said that I don’t change. Does it seem that people don’t change? Absolutely, and what the folks at FBC Daytona are fighting is an upgrade to the worship experience for young adults. I would dare say that these guys who eventually pushed Cox out were older, and/or culturally out of touch. Bobby Welch has gone, and it’s time for the church to move on as well.

I don’t know about how things are done there in Danville, VA, but I’ll bet in the last 15 years at Daytona, any vote that was taken was a token vote to rubber stamp what Welch wanted to do. Here in Delaware, as a SBC church that I pastor, we don’t vote on ANYTHING, so to make the claim that SBC churches have to vote to make changes is untrue. Think Adrian Rogers had his church vote on ticky-tacky stuff? How about WA Criswell? How about Charles Stanley? Jerry Vines? If they did, again it was a token vote.

Sure, Cox was a younger pastor and had been running the church for 2 years while Welch was bouncing around the country. But what they wanted was Bobby Welch, Jr, not to let the man come in with a Biblical vision for reaching the kingdom.

Was Bobby to blame? Absolutely. He should have either left the church or stood up for Cox. It appears he did neither, and in his silence was was giving tacit approval to those trying to rid Cox.

By: Michael

Michael — Sat, 27 Jan 2007 16:58:48 +0000

David Phillips,

What do you mean that you don’t ever change? It seems that this is what the church was after by calling a younger pastor, than Welch.
And besides this is a southern baptist church and things are not just CHANGED with out the church voting to do so. It seems to me that it all come down to Welch, it looks to me that he wants the best of both worlds. Pastor the church and President the association. He can’t do both so he should have left FB and let the new man take over, but no. I’m sure in his travels, he knew plenty of church where this has happened. And as far as Cox’s spending habits LOOK AT THE CHURCH. Everything there is over the top now. So what’s a little more. And his salary, the church did not have to give him so much, it is up to the church you know. He took what he was given.

By: Shawn Michael

Shawn Michael — Fri, 26 Jan 2007 13:11:23 +0000

I would like to clarify my comment. My comment is not directed toward the embattled pastor. I don’t know him however it is clear that he is Kingdom-minded in that he is actually reaching people for Christ in innovative ways in the marketplace. My comment is directed toward the “old guard” group that refuses growth and God’s work because they want things to change… ever.

By: david nodine

david nodine — Fri, 26 Jan 2007 06:19:42 +0000

i cant believe this is happening.6 years ago march 18th dr cox led me to the lord on a faith visit at my home in north carolina. my life has never been the same.i have seen this mans heart.he has a heart for the lost like no one i have ever seen.sometimes change has to happen.like when he left north carolina to go to fbc daytona.no i didnt like it but i trusted that it was the lords plan. i have served along side of david long enough to know that everything he does is for the lord jesus.i have read some very hateful comments and right now i am struggling with what i have read.there is no way on the face of this earth that david would tell someone that if they didnt like the church then go somewhere else.thats absurd.i hope this dont sound like i am just venting but if so then god please forgive me.since when is music the reason we go to church.i thought we went to hear from gods word and teaching from the bible.people are being reached these days in a whole different approach then back in the 50s and 60s.i know that change can be difficult but there is a lost and dying world out there.lots and lots of young people.and this business about beer drinking campground whatever.i wont even waist my breath with that nonsense.
david cox is gods man.i love him and miss him and his family.i will continue to pray for him and fbc of daytona.

By: Shawn Michael

Shawn Michael — Thu, 25 Jan 2007 12:47:30 +0000

People with no mission & no Kingdom purpose are an annoyance to the Kingdom. I have little patience with this sort of bickering in the shadow of the cross. I would ask them when is the last time they led someone to Christ? Never comes to mind.

By: David Phillips

David Phillips — Mon, 22 Jan 2007 00:02:55 +0000

MinEurope,

I agree, but he started making changes it appears, and you just don’t do that. It’s like following Bear Bryant or Don Shula…You don’t want to be the first guy, you want to be one down the road a piece.