Open Letter to the Last Few Members of Castlewood Baptist Church
Folks,
First of all, thanks. After we moved here to the States, Castlewood was the first church to truly welcome me and my brothers to its congregation. People like Pastor Ward and Joey Gardner influenced my brothers in profound ways that will last throughout their lifetime. For me, people like Q, Carey Sanders, and Jason Epps were an integral part of my spiritual service within the church. Pastor Sam, perhaps the most influential, has become our model servant – he taught us ministry through words & hard work, and how to be a servant first.
To those who are left at Castlewood, isn’t it amazing how the people who have had the most lasting influences in our lives are now gone - driven away by church politics and selfishness? What was once a great congregation, led by a dynamic youth group and a humble shepherd, has now become a deserted, towering landmark on Georgia Street. Its membership is now as hollow as its empty hallways. We had a regular attendance of 40 – 50 kids each Wednesday night during Youth worship. Last Wednesday, I met Daniel at the church to visit and he said that not a single kid showed up. Apparently, after the last church meeting, more members left which, in turn, affected the whole youth ministry. It doesn’t really surprise me that you’ve driven away the last good thing in Castlewood. After all, you’ve always despised having dirty, uncivilized, Vallejo kids in your church. Yes, throughout the years, we’ve noticed how much it irritated you folks when tons of high school kids showed up for Wednesday night worship & Sunday morning service. “It may ruin the new carpeting”, someone once said. The only time you appreciated the youth group was when some hard labor needed to be done during church events. Shame on you!
It’s over. It was over when Pastor Sam left. It was over the minute the “old” families took over the church council and excluded the pastor from its decision making. People of Castlewood, when will you realize that the church doesn’t belong to you? It’s not an investment. Just because you’ve contributed to building a great facility, it’s, by no means, give you the right of ownership. A church belongs to one man, God. And the church has one leader, the pastor. For some reason, you still think that the church council should be the voice of the whole congregation. Even up to now, you’re politics continue to drive people away. I think you all will never realize your mistakes. The man that the Southern Baptist Convention assigned to fix the problems of the church even gave up on you. What does that say about your character?
I want to offer a solution, but there are none. Daniel once said that your church has to completely die before it can live again. He’s right. And you know what? Your church has been on life support for a few years now. With hope, it will die soon. You see, if you let evil continue to live, it will never go away. Char once said in front of the church council meeting, that there’s EVIL in this church. People were quite offended with that statement. But, it’s true. EVIL has lingered and has also invested its money and time in to Castlewood. If that doesn’t scare the hell out of you, I don’t know what will.
You folks often say that there’s no such thing as a perfect church. And I always answer, “Why not”? It’s as if you are content to be dysfunctional. I don’t get that. Why can’t a church be like Christ, perfect in every which way? Or at least make an attempt to be perfect. It’s not that tough. All you have to do is show love and compassion to each other. Love one another - simple and sweet.
After I met with Daniel on Wednesday night, I felt truly sad. Our youth room used to be filled with junior high and high school kids – kids that won’t normally go to church at all. During the time while I was a youth leader, we made a decision that we would not let the youth group be affected with what happens in “big church”. Obviously, that move could only last so long, because a church is supposed to be a team. If one part of a team drives the other one down, the whole thing won’t be a success.
Not all is lost, though. The youth leaders of Castlewood have done the job that the elders couldn’t. They have planted seeds within every single kid that stepped foot in that youth room. They have helped the community. They have fought hard for what is right. Little seeds of God’s love and guidance can go a long way. Yes, there were some of them that may have gone astray, but at least these leaders tried. These youth leaders deserve more from you, and you failed them. You failed your community. You failed the future junior high and high school kids that never had the opportunity to hear God’s word or the chance to be part of something positive. To Daniel, Lisa, Chuck, Nathan, Bo, The Hunts, Peggy, Q and family, Jason Epps, Carey Sanders, Joey Gardner, Pastor Sam, and every single youth leader that served throughout the years, I say to you all, “Great job.”
There was once a great congregation on Georgia Street. Once …
Sincerely,
David Malabuyo
First of all, thanks. After we moved here to the States, Castlewood was the first church to truly welcome me and my brothers to its congregation. People like Pastor Ward and Joey Gardner influenced my brothers in profound ways that will last throughout their lifetime. For me, people like Q, Carey Sanders, and Jason Epps were an integral part of my spiritual service within the church. Pastor Sam, perhaps the most influential, has become our model servant – he taught us ministry through words & hard work, and how to be a servant first.
To those who are left at Castlewood, isn’t it amazing how the people who have had the most lasting influences in our lives are now gone - driven away by church politics and selfishness? What was once a great congregation, led by a dynamic youth group and a humble shepherd, has now become a deserted, towering landmark on Georgia Street. Its membership is now as hollow as its empty hallways. We had a regular attendance of 40 – 50 kids each Wednesday night during Youth worship. Last Wednesday, I met Daniel at the church to visit and he said that not a single kid showed up. Apparently, after the last church meeting, more members left which, in turn, affected the whole youth ministry. It doesn’t really surprise me that you’ve driven away the last good thing in Castlewood. After all, you’ve always despised having dirty, uncivilized, Vallejo kids in your church. Yes, throughout the years, we’ve noticed how much it irritated you folks when tons of high school kids showed up for Wednesday night worship & Sunday morning service. “It may ruin the new carpeting”, someone once said. The only time you appreciated the youth group was when some hard labor needed to be done during church events. Shame on you!
It’s over. It was over when Pastor Sam left. It was over the minute the “old” families took over the church council and excluded the pastor from its decision making. People of Castlewood, when will you realize that the church doesn’t belong to you? It’s not an investment. Just because you’ve contributed to building a great facility, it’s, by no means, give you the right of ownership. A church belongs to one man, God. And the church has one leader, the pastor. For some reason, you still think that the church council should be the voice of the whole congregation. Even up to now, you’re politics continue to drive people away. I think you all will never realize your mistakes. The man that the Southern Baptist Convention assigned to fix the problems of the church even gave up on you. What does that say about your character?
I want to offer a solution, but there are none. Daniel once said that your church has to completely die before it can live again. He’s right. And you know what? Your church has been on life support for a few years now. With hope, it will die soon. You see, if you let evil continue to live, it will never go away. Char once said in front of the church council meeting, that there’s EVIL in this church. People were quite offended with that statement. But, it’s true. EVIL has lingered and has also invested its money and time in to Castlewood. If that doesn’t scare the hell out of you, I don’t know what will.
You folks often say that there’s no such thing as a perfect church. And I always answer, “Why not”? It’s as if you are content to be dysfunctional. I don’t get that. Why can’t a church be like Christ, perfect in every which way? Or at least make an attempt to be perfect. It’s not that tough. All you have to do is show love and compassion to each other. Love one another - simple and sweet.
After I met with Daniel on Wednesday night, I felt truly sad. Our youth room used to be filled with junior high and high school kids – kids that won’t normally go to church at all. During the time while I was a youth leader, we made a decision that we would not let the youth group be affected with what happens in “big church”. Obviously, that move could only last so long, because a church is supposed to be a team. If one part of a team drives the other one down, the whole thing won’t be a success.
Not all is lost, though. The youth leaders of Castlewood have done the job that the elders couldn’t. They have planted seeds within every single kid that stepped foot in that youth room. They have helped the community. They have fought hard for what is right. Little seeds of God’s love and guidance can go a long way. Yes, there were some of them that may have gone astray, but at least these leaders tried. These youth leaders deserve more from you, and you failed them. You failed your community. You failed the future junior high and high school kids that never had the opportunity to hear God’s word or the chance to be part of something positive. To Daniel, Lisa, Chuck, Nathan, Bo, The Hunts, Peggy, Q and family, Jason Epps, Carey Sanders, Joey Gardner, Pastor Sam, and every single youth leader that served throughout the years, I say to you all, “Great job.”
There was once a great congregation on Georgia Street. Once …
Sincerely,
David Malabuyo
6 Comments:
All who've left Castlewood stand as a testimony against it.
Wow......
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Hey, did you actually send that letter to the church? That would be awesome.
i'll send it somehow...
daniel
thanks dave... i couldn't have put it better myself
Lisa
your kids are still invited to attend youth on thursday nights! it's not only fun but it's full of the word. i think this youth truly has more potential than what i've experienced with castlewood. seeing these kids participate in reading of the word and worship is remarkable. i never did that in castlewood - even when i was a leader, i had never imagine the work of God unravel in front of eyes. pray for this youth. Those who are seeking to work and help, this is the place to be. every church no matter how large the congregation always need workers. stop wasting time! let it go of the past and move on. Christ is coming and we can sit around waiting for those who will never show up.
Comment to Your Mom... very well said "let go of the past and move on"...
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