Sunday, July 23, 2017

Sunday morning Sermon

If you can't make it to church this morning, enjoy this 1996 sermon by the late Dr. Frank Pollard.  He preached from 1Corinthians 6: 18-20.   Some readers will appreciate the irony of the topic.






Meanwhile, First Baptist Church announced the resignation of the current pastor:


“It is with great sadness that we announce to you today the resignation of our pastor, Dr. Matt Brooks. This resignation comes not because of moral failure or financial mismanagement but because of differences in leadership philosophy with the leadership of First Baptist. He has faithfully preached God's word since his arrival in Jackson.
Our prayers and love will continue for Pastor Matt and his family. We know many people wish for more specifics but it is our policy not to speak publicly to specific issues in personnel matters.”
 Dr. Brooks began his First Baptist pastorate in March 2016.

26 comments:

Anonymous said...

Memo to the blue hairs that are running First Baptist Church Jackson into the ground.......Frank Pollard was a rare breed. You are not going to find another one like him. As of Friday, you have now run off your 3rd pastor off who came in after Dr. Pollard. This is the second straight pastor to last only 18 months and leave due to philosophical differences with the Deacons. No one wants to join a church with a bunch of grumpy old people stuck in the past. Those of you who threatened to "pull your money" if Mark Smith and Matt Brooks did not do what you say ought to be ashamed. Threatening to pull your money is not acting like a church, it it acting like a business. Good luck finding your 3rd pastor in less than 5 years. No one is going to want to walk into the firestorm that is FBCJ!!! Move over blue hairs and accept the fact that it is time to change.

Anonymous said...

Did latest pastor leaving have anything to do with coaching son's baseball team on Sunday morning?

Just curious

Anonymous said...

Resignation battle going on at FBC Jackson.
Timeline Wed. 7/19/17 4 PM The Leadership Committee at FBC Jackson telephoned Senior Pastor Matt Brooks who was in Oklahoma on vacation and fired him. He was caught completely off guard.
Matt drove back to Jackson highly upset to sign his resignation letter and severance package on Friday 7/21/17 at 5 pm. The resignation letter went public after that.
Also, the committee let go was Lance Taylor executive pastor.
Top that the other executive pastor Bob Gladney resigned a week before this.
Worse that the Hugh Freeze debacule.
Dr. Frank Paige changed the by laws of FBC putting over all authority with the new Leadership committee consisting of 4 men & 4 women.

Anonymous said...

Went to First Baptist Church website & all photos of Dr. Brooks,Lance Taylor, & Bob Gladney are scrubbed off. They move fast at that church.

Anonymous said...

@10:11 If you only knew what Matt Brooks did to FBCJ, you would feel that the unanimous decision by those on leadership was made in a spirit filled way. Matt Brooks was running FBCJ into the ground in dramatic fashion, with dwindling attendance and few baptisms to show. Of course it is not all his fault, but now maybe that church can move forward with someone who can preach and someone people like. That is at least how I felt the times I went. I applaud their leadership for doing the right thing.

Anonymous said...

@10:27 no, but it did not help that he lied on a video, saying he was out of town when he was really coaching baseball in Jackson on a Sunday morning. That was small in comparison to how he treated people at the church.

Anonymous said...

The Lord changed my life at FBCJ. I am so blessed by many of the "blue hairs" who have taught me in SS, sang in the choir with me, and prayed for me in my many years. They made the right decision getting rid of Matt Brooks, and I am confident the Lord will use FBCJ in greater ways over the next several years with a preacher who can actually bring the Spirit into the room. I am humbled to say I am a member at such a wonderful place where there are Spirit filled people. Many on the leadership committee are people who I want to be like when I get older. God bless them.

Anonymous said...

It is never easy to ask a preacher to resign, and FBCJ really tried to make this work knowing this would be the third in a seemingly short time. The pulpit has to have a person with the church's best interests at heart. I will not limit God on finding a new pastor to lead this church. We need prayers instead of quick reactions to a situation that some do not understand.

Anonymous said...

Pastor Matt Brooks did not lie. His message saying he was out of town was pre-recorded that week & they were scheduled to be out of town after baseball games that were scheduled. The WEATHER pushed back the schedule of games so that he ended up being in town coaching. Get the facts before accusing someone of lying.

Anonymous said...

Facts - 6 staff members asked to leave First Jackson within 6 months. This church has a leadership problem. "Leadership Team" NOT the Senior Pastor leads FBJ - and that is not a good thing.

Anonymous said...

@7:56 then why was he on a video saying he was in one place when he wasn't, or why didn't he pull the video? I think someone else needs their facts straight.

Anonymous said...

@7:56. Not true. He did lie, claiming on a video that he was gone right then. That is a lie. All he had to do was pull the video. By the way, there wasn't bad weather that weekend so nice try...

Anonymous said...

6 staff members that needed to go. Good for the leadership to clean house.

Anonymous said...

Reply to 9:03 AM 6 staff members needed to go?
Do the math. 6 different GODLY men can't all be bad.
First Baptist Church Jax always prides itself in transparency. However, they are keeping tight lipped about this. We need to call on the Mississippi Baptist Convention to investigate into this. Dr. Matt Brooks was a great guy. Sorry to see him & his family leave. Dr.San Buckley was fired too after he went on vacation. Moral of the story. Don't take a vacation at FBC Jackson.
Go to Dr. Brooks facebook page where he declares he was force to resign.
Also, Dr. Ron Falvey senior pastor of Madison Baptist Church left FBC Jax & Dr.Mark Byrd left FBC Jax for senior pastor job at Ridgeland Baptist Church. Both of these GODLY men are growing their church in a mighty way.
Please FBC Jax what's going on?

Anonymous said...

@10:07 we all know it's you matt. Quit defending yourself. All those facts are pretty wrong.

Anonymous said...

FBCJ needs to quit hiring men to appeal just to "young families," and hire men who can preach the gospel at a level that First Baptist Jackson needs. Scripture is not meant to be preached just to young families. Yes, young families are needed to keep a church going and vibrant, but so are the more mature Christians. Sermons made up of personal stories about your toddlers don't feed a flock of Christians who are hungry for scriptural answers in today's secular world; just as songs that are made up of 11 words sung over and over seven times don't cut it with those brought up to revere the well written words of spiritual hymns and the intricate quality of sacred music.

Anonymous said...

4:34 is right on. The contemporary trend being embraced by the Southern Baptists is turning me off. Sunday morning service at Colonial Heights is like a rock concert. And call me old fashioned (I'm 57), but seeing a minister of music in blue jeans at a Sunday morning service seems to show a certain disrespect for the occasion.

Anonymous said...

There are several problems at FBC Jackson. Most of which is a pride problem which is idolatry. I have actually heard someone there say, "We are first baptist and we don't do it that way!" This made a big impact on my impression of FBCJ. I was a member there for a few years and no matter the pastor the same pride problem existed. Now, any church is going to have its issues but where the rubber meets the road is how leadership deals with it. I know that is a rhetorical statement for most people but some may not realize it. Someone made the statement in this thread that FBCJ has always been transparent and that is simply not true in any sense. It is often ran like a political campaign/office. Gotta make sure the right or worng person doesn't get offended or is privey to certain information etc... FBCJ is the most politically charged environment I have ever seen. That is no small statement considering the number of churches I have been a member of! Now, to be fair there are many many godly members that want the overflowing Spirit of God! Unfortunately there are so many in leadership that run successful businesses and "know" how things should be ran. Also, there is staff leadership that think they "know" how it should be ran but can't see beyond their own ambition to step out of the way and let the right humble, godly leader step in and lovingly shepherd the body of Christ. There needs to be some repentance, and humbling, and getting out of the way that needs to happen. It is hurtful and sad what has happened both to the members and staff. It has been like watching a train wreck in slow motion. I do not know if this blog entry will make it to anyone substantial but I hope someone sees it and considers the admonition given here.

Anonymous said...

This is really dumb. Traditional Baptist churches have become the hall of the Pharisees. The church will be given sermons about forgiveness and loving one another. A way to brush over hurting Matt and his family and ministry. May God judge this false church.

Anonymous said...

Is the Leadership Committee voted on or appointed? Why do just a few select people get to have knowledge. If the Church is not allowed to know why he was let go, then the Church should not have the ability to vote the next pastor in. Just let the Leadership Committee decide. There may need to be replacements on this Committee. People outside the Chuch knew he was leaving before members did. What a mess!

Anonymous said...

Leadership is held by a gag rule, and cannot reveal what all Matt Brooks did to ruin FBCJ. They are appointed by a deacon led committee. It is unfortunate that the world cannot find out about what a false prophet Matt Brooks is. I hope the Lord changes that man's heart, because he led FBCJ into the ground.

Anonymous said...

Please provide examples of the false prophet.

I heard he changed the name of the church from First Baptist Church of Jackson to First Jackson. I heard he wanted to do a $50.0 million overhaul to the entire church.

Are there more details?

Anonymous said...

One thing's for sure. FBCJ needs to stay away from V...... Pastor Search, or whatever is the name of that group that the church hired. And they need to stay away from ministers that want to turn the church into a movie theater with a rock group on stage.

Anonymous said...

4:51,
Matt Brooks wasted thousands of $ after the youth were supposed to go to the beach for youth camp. He demanded that he go, and after the church provided a Motel 6 he said it wasn't good enough. He then wanted a condo so they booked him one. He did not go down there for weather, yet all youth and volunteers did. This wasted FBJ thousands when Brooks did not even go. Was he going to serve or for vacation?
He did no funerals or weddings, no one liked his sermons, and fewer baptisms since the 1950's. All he wanted was to make FBJ Oxford, Starkville, like Pinelake so he could be a celebrity.
When he refused to witness to people when people would email him is when many determined him to be a false prophet.
Even the people who brought him here realized how bad he was and voted for him to leave.

Anonymous said...

This has certainly been a sad series of events over the past few years for FBCJ- a church I love and attended when I lived in JXN.

The question remaining is- where did we go wrong? And where do we go from here?

Pray for the Brooks family. Pray for FBCJ.

How should they choose their next pastor? Not through a hiring company- through prayer. Seek out a man of God who is devoted to the advancement of the gospel. This man might not fill pews. Church of Brook hills in Birmingham took a huge hit in attendance when David Platt came. But you know what? The gospel was preached and the gospel is sometimes offensive. And true believers came to faith- and the gospel was sent out all over the world.

Since this is anonymous- I will say that this church needs to be careful about allowing church members with financial pull to make ministry decisions. Especially using threatening/blackmailing techniques. Those people need to be rooted out and disciplined for their drama causing. It's not spirit lead- and it's obviously a hinderance. Someone has to call these people to repentance.

That being said- I personally know many Christ followers who attend this church. Band together. Fight the good fight. Don't seek the approval of men- but of God. Ask him to redirect the ship for His glory. He can do it. Don't give up on this body of believers. Just set the bar high and battle in prayer.

Love this church and this body,

Praying expectantly

rps said...
This comment has been removed by the author.


Recent Comments

Search Jackson Jambalaya

Subscribe to JJ's Youtube channel

Archives

Trollfest '09

Trollfest '07 was such a success that Jackson Jambalaya will once again host Trollfest '09. Catch this great event which will leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Othor Cain and his band, The Black Power Structure headline the night while Sonjay Poontang returns for an encore performance. Former Frank Melton bodyguard Marcus Wright makes his premier appearance at Trollfest singing "I'm a Sweet Transvestite" from "The Rocky Horror Picture Show." Kamikaze will sing his new hit, “How I sold out to da Man.” Robbie Bell again performs: “Mamas, don't let your babies grow up to be Bells” and “Any friend of Ed Peters is a friend of mine”. After the show, Ms. Bell will autograph copies of her mug shot photos. In a salute to “Dancing with the Stars”, Ms. Bell and Hinds County District Attorney Robert Smith will dance the Wango Tango.

Wrestling returns, except this time it will be a Battle Royal with Othor Cain, Ben Allen, Kim Wade, Haley Fisackerly, Alan Lange, and “Big Cat” Donna Ladd all in the ring at the same time. The Battle Royal will be in a steel cage, no time limit, no referee, and the losers must leave town. Marshand Crisler will be the honorary referee (as it gives him a title without actually having to do anything).


Meet KIM Waaaaaade at the Entergy Tent. For five pesos, Kim will sell you a chance to win a deed to a crack house on Ridgeway Street stuffed in the Howard Industries pinata. Don't worry if the pinata is beaten to shreds, as Mr. Wade has Jose, Emmanuel, and Carlos, all illegal immigrants, available as replacements for the it. Upon leaving the Entergy tent, fig leaves will be available in case Entergy literally takes everything you have as part of its Trollfest ticket price adjustment charge.

Donna Ladd of The Jackson Free Press will give several classes on learning how to write. Smearing, writing without factchecking, and reporting only one side of a story will be covered. A donation to pay their taxes will be accepted and she will be signing copies of their former federal tax liens. Ms. Ladd will give a dramatic reading of her two award-winning essays (They received The Jackson Free Press "Best Of" awards.) "Why everything is always about me" and "Why I cover murders better than anyone else in Jackson".

In the spirit of helping those who are less fortunate, Trollfest '09 adopts a cause for which a portion of the proceeds and donations will be donated: Keeping Frank Melton in his home. The “Keep Frank Melton From Being Homeless” booth will sell chances for five dollars to pin the tail on the jackass. John Reeves has graciously volunteered to be the jackass for this honorable excursion into saving Frank's ass. What's an ass between two friends after all? If Mr. Reeves is unable to um, perform, Speaker Billy McCoy has also volunteered as when the word “jackass” was mentioned he immediately ran as fast as he could to sign up.


In order to help clean up the legal profession, Adam Kilgore of the Mississippi Bar will be giving away free, round-trip plane tickets to the North Pole where they keep their bar complaint forms (which are NOT available online). If you don't want to go to the North Pole, you can enjoy Brant Brantley's (of the Mississippi Commission on Judicial Performance) free guided tours of the quicksand field over by High Street where all complaints against judges disappear. If for some reason you are unable to control yourself, never fear; Judge Houston Patton will operate his jail where no lawyers are needed or allowed as you just sit there for minutes... hours.... months...years until he decides he is tired of you sitting in his jail. Do not think Judge Patton is a bad judge however as he plans to serve free Mad Dog 20/20 to all inmates.

Trollfest '09 is a pet-friendly event as well. Feel free to bring your dog with you and do not worry if your pet gets hungry, as employees of the Jackson Zoo will be on hand to provide some of their animals as food when it gets to be feeding time for your little loved one.

Relax at the Fox News Tent. Since there are only three blonde reporters in Jackson (being blonde is a requirement for working at Fox News), Megan and Kathryn from WAPT and Wendy from WLBT will be on loan to Fox. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both and a torn-up Obama yard sign will entitle you to free drinks served by Megan, Wendy, and Kathryn. Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required. Just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '09 is for EVERYONE!!!

This is definitely a Beaver production.


Note: Security provided by INS.

Trollfest '07

Jackson Jambalaya is the home of Trollfest '07. Catch this great event which promises to leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Sonjay Poontang and his band headline the night with a special steel cage, no time limit "loser must leave town" bout between Alan Lange and "Big Cat"Donna Ladd following afterwards. Kamikaze will perform his new song F*** Bush, he's still a _____. Did I mention there was no referee? Dr. Heddy Matthias and Lori Gregory will face off in the undercard dueling with dangling participles and other um, devices. Robbie Bell will perform Her two latest songs: My Best Friends are in the Media and Mama's, Don't Let Your Babies Grow up to be George Bell. Sid Salter of The Clarion-Ledger will host "Pin the Tail on the Trial Lawyer", sponsored by State Farm.

There will be a hugging booth where in exchange for your young son, Frank Melton will give you a loooong hug. Trollfest will have a dunking booth where Muhammed the terrorist will curse you to Allah as you try to hit a target that will drop him into a vat of pig grease. However, in the true spirit of Separate But Equal, Don Imus and someone from NE Jackson will also sit in the dunking booth for an equal amount of time. Tom Head will give a reading for two hours on why he can't figure out who the hell he is. Cliff Cargill will give lessons with his .80 caliber desert eagle, using Frank Melton photos as targets. Tackleberry will be on hand for an autograph session. KIM Waaaaaade will be passing out free titles and deeds to crackhouses formerly owned by The Wood Street Players.

If you get tired come relax at the Fox News Tent. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both will entitle you to free drinks.Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required, just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '07 is for EVERYONE!!!

This is definitely a Beaver production.

Note: Security provided by INS
.