Chet Samuels
Farmers Branch, Texas – Two years ago Chet Samuels became the worship and arts pastor at the Farmer’s Branch Outreach Center, a large independent church in the burgeoning Dallas suburbs. He initially felt at home in his new setting and the church seemed to be receptive to his ministry.
His problems started when he began to open the weekly worship practice with a brief devotional based upon the devotional, ”Our Daily Bread.” Some of the worship team felt it was a waste of time and they should read it at home on their own if they chose to do so. Some felt it was “legalistic” that he would even bring it up.
But his real problem surfaced when he began to insert a hymn into the 45 minute worship set. The final straw came when he directed the congregation away from the Powerpoint screen and instructed them to turn in their hymnals. Many did not even know what he meant and began to pass the hymnals up to the front creating chaos in the church.
On Friday he was dismissed from his position.
Senior pastor Sam Smucker explained, “Hymns are generally regarded as ‘not cool’ and in this extremely competitive Dallas church market we just can’t afford to be identified as anything but “cutting edge cool.” The Living Word Community Church over in Grapevine is just killing us and we have lost a steady stream to them. The last thing we need is a hymn to destroy the church. Furthermore, many of our members complain they just can’t ‘get into worship’ if they sing a hymn. Chet is a nice enough fellow but just doesn’t fit around here. With his gifting he would probably be a better fit in a small town in the panhandle.”
A very candid Chip Hopkins who serves on the FBOC board elaborated, “Chet just wasn’t cool enough. We tried to get him to style his hair and wear a Bluetooth ear device at all times (even when he sleeps.) We wanted him to dress with an open front shirt (preferably Hawaiian) but he had the gall to periodically wear a tie. That is so uncool!”
Pastor Chet does have an Ipod and Iphone but some have noticed he seems to have trouble using them. Hopkins stated, “He just sort of fumbles with the controls and seems unsure of himself. It sure doesn’t do much to instill confidence in his leadership.”
Chet was disappointed at his dismissal and wondered how it would look on his resume but is seeking direction from God. He feels there just must be some place he can serve although he does recognize he is perceived by many as rather old-fashioned.
Note: To avoid any further confusion the custodial staff collected the remaining hymnals in the FBOC sanctuary and will try to donate them to a homeless shelter or nursing home.
12 responses so far ↓
David Fisher // November 13, 2007 at 11:03 am
Satire or truth? Who knows! The sad thing is…this could actually be true in some of our “contemporary” and “cool” churches.
When I mentioned (and this is true) that we should dig the dusty boxes of hymn books out of the church closet and at least give the hymnals to families in the church to use as a devotional tool, one of the elders asked to meet with me because he felt I was complaining about the church too much.
Now…if I could only find my tie!
David
JoAnna Gardner // November 13, 2007 at 11:13 am
I would say that I agree that this is a sad state of the church and unfortunately many churches today are focusing so much on being “cool” and “gaining people” that I’m afraid we’ll lose the real sense of worshiping God for all generations and people groups. I appreciate this young man and his strong stance of worshipping God in many forms to enhance the worship service. I feel unfortunately, this church is missing the key point of what worship is really about. May we take this story as inspiration to be a church that is wanting to worship God and not one that is about “gaining people and popularity.”
Kevin Kohler // November 13, 2007 at 11:23 am
Has political correctness (PC) come to the church? May it never be! Chet, my brother, God will direct you to a home where He’s welcome too. I love choruses with the best of them, but I also love the hymns and Our Daily Bread
Jealous for The holy catholic Church // November 13, 2007 at 1:14 pm
Nice post. Unfortunately that is not far from the truth.
Under the “Today” section of yesterday’s local paper there appears a large image of an “old” toy from the 80’s which made a big hit in this past summer’s box office entitled, “Transformers”. The caption along the side reads the following, “Nostalgia will only get you so far, the brands have to keep revitalizing and revamping to be relevant to today’s kids.”–Chris Byrne, toy analyst. I wish I had a nickel for every time I heard that same phrase from the church, only substitute “churches” for “brands”. Is the church nothing more than a nostalgic toy that needs to conform to the world? Romans 12:2
Barb // November 13, 2007 at 5:37 pm
I was sent this by a friend who had been sent it from a pastor. I immediately thought ’satire’, but it could all be true. I know, in our church, they’ve taken out the hymnals, and we hardly ever hear one. Would love for those to come back!
Sally Tan // November 13, 2007 at 8:00 pm
Worship is a personal & senitimental relationship with our HOLY Heavenly DAD who we adore & appreciate.
There are different gifts bestowed upon different churches & ministers; thus we also need to seek GOD’s wisdom to discern how we fix into the church of old and modern.
While one door is closed, another window or door is open as our Gracious God will never takes us where His grace will not keep or protect. When our hearts are really & ready to serve HIM, He will qualifies the called as GOD doesn’t call the qualfied.
While the fired for not “being cool enough” pastor seek HIS potential new pasture, the remaining church needs re building probably going back to GOD’s words from Eph. 4:11-12 on rebuilding the Church again.
May GOD’s peace & love keep the church as the whole body of Christ is surely being affect in this instance. GOD’s amazing love is for all after all.
The above are penned with concern, care & love of GOD. IMMANUEL
Warmest regards from Sally Tan
Singapore
Kenneth Wish // November 13, 2007 at 8:31 pm
There are elements of this that could very easily be true. One of the comments in the piece that perhaps is all too often true is, “…in this extremely competitive Dallas church market we just can’t afford to be identified as anything but “cutting edge cool.”
First, it is entirely possible that the prevailing attitude in a lot of areas is that that the “church market” is high competitive, rather than complimentery and second that the thriving church is too often identified with being cool rather than with Jesus Christ.
The article does give one pause to think ….. and pray.
T Miller // November 14, 2007 at 10:32 am
Our pastor said that, when he became the new pastor at our current church, he told his “board” that he wanted to focus the ministry on youth, bringing them in, raising them up and sending them out. He was told that “Youth don’t put money in the offering plate.” The church was already dying at that point so obviously the effort to attract the people who CAN put money in the offering plate wasn’t working.
He did upgrade the “cool” factor of the church (see website) and the youth ministry is very strong but the mission has always been to make people feel welcome in a relaxed atmosphere where they can feel free to worship and learn to “do life with” and love the Lord. I’m a parent of teens and I am glad to put money in the plate every week for this mission. Cool or not, learning how to “do life” with Jesus…Isn’t that what it’s supposed to be about?
stephen // November 14, 2007 at 10:40 am
It is time to think and conclude whether we are serving ourselves or GOD.
We should do all things in the fear of GOD and in the leading of the Holy Spirit.
We need to pray for the ”REVIVAL OF THE HOLY SPIRIT”.
Was this happening among the early Christians?, was anything like ”Dismissal”?.
GOD’s judgement is coming soon. Jesus is the only head of the church and he oversees everything that takes place in the church and not anybody.
We are commissioned by Christ to uphold and strengthen church and not dismissed or sacked.
GOD will help and have mercy upon the present days so called and self-aclaimed Christians.
I prefer and very proud of ”OLD TIME FAITH” practiced by the early Christians.
To GOD be the Glory.
Mike Book // November 17, 2007 at 6:29 pm
Power point slides projected on the front of our sanctuaries have reduced the use of hymnals but they lack one very important element - the music notes. Singing in harmony together is becoming a lost art and I fear that our people are quickly losing the ability to sing in harmony. Our church uses both and encourages both. Having good old hymn sings in the church and occasionally singing acapella is still a blessing. As far as I am concerned, this is still very cool. (Take it from one who is surrounded by middle schoolers daily– coolness needs to be taught and modeled.)
Most sincerely, The “way cool” -Mr. Book
Mike Book
Rick Redmond, Chicago // May 16, 2008 at 6:56 pm
I am an experienced Worship Pastor, song-writer and I do itinerant music ministry in and around the Chicago area with original contemporary material. And I have just enough experience to pick up on this kind of UNBIBLICAL approach and attitude within a church real quick so that they wouldn’t have to fire me. Upon discovering this type of approach to worship ministry and after 1 or 2 efforts to lead and redirect folks back to what Scripture calls us to do in that regard, I would very easily and decisively RESIGN and move on.
The Church is not Walmart! It’s not “ChurchMart” or “Super ChurchMart!”
Max Brand // June 11, 2008 at 9:55 am
Chet, it is unfortunate what has happend to you. Churches are made up of people who at times make decisions that hurt others. The belended service and focus on scripture is the knd of service that meets needs of many. If you read this post please contact me.
Max Brand
Pastor, New Hope Church Navasota Tx
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