from the Rev. Greg Magruder

Gainesville, FL

October 9, 2001

Dear Friends,

Here is the latest update on Parkview Baptist Church. We have been spending an incredible amount of time on this issue in meetings, phone conversations, emails, etc.  We have had all kinds of rumors and misunderstandings circulated about Parkview and the issue to be discussed October 14 at our Associational Annual Meeting. Please be in prayer for us as this situation has spread far beyond the initial question of Lynn William's ordination.

Since my last report there have been several new developments. I have enclosed the Credential's Committee report and the cover letter from the chairperson. You can judge for yourself as to the merits of their report. I recently sent out a church newsletter on Fundamentalism and have received calls from pastors on how "offended" they were by the article. Well maybe they need to look carefully at the CC report and decide if maybe Fundamentalism is at their doorstep.

Lynn received a reply from John Sullivan requesting to meet with him personally to discuss why she has been removed from leadership positions in the State convention.   He finally admitted he had her removed. He said she had a right to do what she did and he had a right to do what he did and said we all have to live with the consequences of our decisions.

The Gainesville Sun called to do an interview based upon an ABP article they had found out of Texas. Lynn and I interviewed with them and encouraged them to contact all the parties involved so that they would get the whole story from all sides. We are really feeling the heat for having talked to the press. We have consistently avoided taking this to the secular press locally so that the Credentials Committee could do their job without interference. Now the issue is public and we felt we should give our side of the story personally rather than have someone else put words in our mouths.>

It is amazing how many side issues have entered into the discussion. There was so much innuendo and half-truths being circulated that we decided to send out the original complaint letter and the CC report to every church with our own cover letter explaining why we opposed the report.

Basically, if the report is correct then no church can have ordained people other than the pastor and the deacons. Any staff position that is not senior pastor would not be allowed ordination. Second, a woman could never be ordained according to them. Third, the committee was told this was not a CBF related issue and to say that it is is a lie. Finally, the CC suggests that anyone who has a view contrary to theirs is violating God's Word. That is very arrogant and scary.

Please pray for us this Sunday between 3-5 PM when Parkview is on trial.

God bless,

Greg Magruder