103-year-old Georgia woman banned from her church

[mikesimon]

For nearly a century, 103-year-old Genora Hamm Biggs has attended the Union Grove Baptist Church in Georgia -- even working as the church's secretary for some 40 years.

But Biggs -- a parishioner since she was 11 years old -- was banned last month from attending after she disagreed with the church's pastor over his preaching style, Fox affiliate WAGA-TV reported.

On Sunday, law enforcement was called to the small, white church in Elberton, Ga., after Biggs decided to attend service anyway, according to the station. Police said there was nothing they could do because the matter is a civil dispute between Biggs and the church.

Biggs told the station that she and the current pastor of six years, Rev. Tim Mattox, have long sparred over his preaching style, which she characterizes as a "Holiness style" that she claims doesn't belong in the Baptist church.

"At one point, he had a crew in here and they were hollering and falling out in the middle of the floor," Biggs told the station. "We don't do that in the Baptist Church."

Biggs said tensions came to a head in early August when Mattox sent her a letter stating she could no longer attend church there "for any reason whatsoever," the station reported.

"This letter is to inform you that according to the By-Laws of the Union Grove Baptist Church, and by vote of the active members, any membership or associations that you have had with this church are now officially revoked," read the letter, dated Aug. 2.

Biggs, meanwhile, said nothing will stop her from attending the church.

"This is my church, I love this church, and he cannot stop me from going," Biggs told the station.

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2015/09/15/103-year-old-georgia-woman-banned-from-her-life-long-church/

[Barb135]

I kind of have to agree that if the Pastor is a true man of God, he would not turn away a member of the church.  

By the same token, she can't dictate his preaching style.

Most denominations have policies/guidelines they go by and if the Pastor is straying too far from those policies, she should contact the Southern Baptist Ministry for guidance...

Of course, at 103 yrs old, all she wants to do is be safe and content in the church she's known since she was 11 yrs old.  I say have some compassion and let her come to church as long as she doesn't disrupt the services.

[Vance2335]

Woman: You don't like the style or direction of the church...find a new church. Sorry but a church can change, as my church is going through a transformation right now.

Pastor: You never turn anyone away or say they are not welcome, Jesus did not turn anyone away who are you do turn someone away. For that act alone you should be removed.