40 Year Mt. Zion

Dear Editor:I applaud your acts to preserve free speech and freedom of the press, especially as it relates to the continuing issues, “known as the Mt. Zion Mess”, at Seattle’s Mt. Zion Baptist Church of which I have been a member for more than 40 years.Many members of Mt. Zion have recognized that the current situation at Mt. Zion results directly from the actions, conduct, “in your face” leadership style and goals of the senior pastor, Reverend Dr. Leslie D. Braxton. Some have made public their conclusion that Rev. Braxton should vacate the pulpit.I have also concluded that Rev. Braxton should vacate the pulpit to allow the congregation to heal and get on with the mission of the church. In my opinion, healing would be very difficult with him remaining as pastor. He has lost too much trust and credibility with too many members. For example, I attended a fireside chat with some of the church’s longtime members who honestly expressed their concerns and their recognition of his talents. The meeting ended with a prayer for him and the laying of hands on him. It did not seem to help because on the following Sunday morning he went back to his same old ways which have continued.After Rev. Braxton’s first year at Mt. Zion he sensed that he had not served the congregation will and used the entire 7:30 and 10:45 services to apologize to the congregation for his mistakes or for “starting off on the wrong foot.” Since that apology his leadership style and conduct did not improve; instead it worsened in more ways than can be listed here.How he sees his role is clearly shown in a color coded recommended organization chart on page four of the December 12, 2004 edition of the Vision 21st Century document. The organization chart shows the senior pastor with all ministries, committees and boards reporting directly to him. The only box above him says congregation but because part of that box has the same color as his box it is hard to determine who has the last say over the business of the church – Rev. Braxton or the congregation. This chart does not clearly show checks and balances. However, the pastor has said that the congregation has the last word. Looking at this chart it is easy to conclude that either Rev. Braxton and/or the congregation would have the last word over all church matters, including finances. The recommended organization chart, Rev. Braxton’s leadership style, temperament and bully pulpit actions raise questions about the direction which he would lead the church, especially since his actions thus far have shown a penchant for indoctrination and control.See the following examples of this tendency.1. Indoctrinationa. His decision to teach new member classes which were formerly taught by his lay members.b. His decision to teach leadership requirement courses and not a third party.2. Controla. Silencing of the diaconate.b. Silencing members at advisory council meetings.c. Requiring completion of leadership courses to hold church offices.d. Requesting members who attend leadership courses to sign covenants “to speak well of the pastor”e. Suspending the constitution revision committee in 2002. The committee was approved by the congregation in 2000. Suspension was made without approval of the congregation.f. Challenging the Medium for publishing paid advertisements by The Concerned Members of Mt. Zion.This letter summarized only some of Rev. Braxton’s actions that have created the great divide within the congregation, and in my opinion, a divide which he cannot bridge.Rev. Braxton should vacate the pulpit for the benefit of the congregation.Clarence Larry, O.D. – Member