(RNS) The Rev. Tullian Tchividjian, the grandson of evangelist Billy Graham, will remain as pastor of Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., after dissidents failed in their attempt to oust him.
At a congregational meeting on Sunday (Sept. 20), members of the congregation rejected, 69 percent to 31 percent, a motion to end their relationship with Tchividjian.
“My family and I thank the Coral Ridge family for standing behind us and supporting me as your new pastor,” Tchividjian said after the vote. “While conflict is never easily resolved, this matter was handled in accordance with our denomination’s guidelines and we now look forward to moving forward with the work I believe God has called us to do in this community.”
He succeeded the founding pastor, the Rev. D. James Kennedy, a prominent conservative religious broadcaster, who died in 2007. When Tchividjian was accepted as pastor in March by 91 percent of the voting members, Coral Ridge merged with the South Florida congregation he had founded, New City Church.
Prior to Sunday’s vote, supporters and opponents of Tchividjian’s leadership aired their views in a process overseen by officials of the Presbyterian Church in America.
Dissidents, including Kennedy’s daughter Jennifer Kennedy Cassidy, were upset that, unlike Kennedy, Tchividjian has shunned a clerical robe and chosen not to focus on political issues from the pulpit.