The Elders of the Bellevue Community Church, a church right up the road from me, have fired David Foster, the very man who founded the church and until last week was the pastor. His wife was also fired (she headed up youth ministries).

If you have a moment, before you read on, please read this article from the Tennessean.

Now, my feelings of BCC aside, this seems to be a pretty shady act on the part of the Elders. In my church (PC-USA) the Elders are elected to represent the congregation, I would imagine that the BCC's Elders are elected on the same principles. The BCC is non-denominational and does not report to any larger governing body. If the Elders represent the congregation, why don't they bring this before the congregation? I am wondering if there's something the Elders aren't telling the public. It would have to be a pretty big transgression for them to kick him out and literally change the locks.

What disturbs me is the non-compete clause. Is this standard in independent churches? This is just odd to me. It's a ministry, not a business.