First Baptist members say pew to new pastor's changes [Excerpts]



The Rev. David Cox modernized the altar of First Baptist Church of

Daytona Beach with a hardwood stage, twin movie screens and music

equipment worthy of a rock band.



Cox is under fire on everything from his spending habits to his taste

in

church music.



"I've tried my best to reach out to every one of you," Cox said at the

beginning of the town hall style meeting that let the congregation vent

its frustrations.



"To the extent I've fallen short, I hope you'll forgive me."



For many, the renovated altar has symbolized excess and misplaced

priorities under Cox's leadership.



Noting the absence of the cross, one church member said Wednesday the

church altar looks more "like a Masonic Lodge than a pulpit."



Church members put the cost of the renovations at somewhere between

$300,000 and $450,000, which many say is impractical due to the timing.



That many longtime church staffers have left since Cox took over is

another source of contention, according to a church handout, which

defended their leaving as voluntary. At the town hall meeting, the

congregation complained about the departure of at least five staffers

by

name, including one who was fired only two years from retirement.



The congregation is also questioning the salaries for Cox and other

staffers while many popular programs, such as youth basketball and bus

transportation for the under-privileged, have been eliminated.



At Wednesday's meeting, church members said staff salaries comprise

about 60 percent of the church budget.



Much of the complaints are also cultural. Critics don't like Cox's use

of the popular book "The Purpose Driven Life" by Rick Warren, his

reference to First Baptist as a "campus" instead of a "church," and the

change in music to a more contemporary sound.



(Haug, Daytona Beach News Journal, 1/13/07)



[TBC: This is one more example of consumer driven Christianity.]