The Southern Baptist youth pastor who was suspended after giving teens stickers that read “I ♥ Hot Youth Pastors” is back from administrative leave, sources indicate. But two other pastors at his church have left.
Cory Wall, student pastor at Fairview Baptist Church of Greer, South Carolina, was placed on leave in October amid major backlash over the stickers, The Roys Report (TRR) noted at the time.
Fairview Greer called Wall’s action “a poor decision and a mistake” and said it would undertake “a thorough and comprehensive investigation.”
The church has made no further statement since then and did not respond when TRR asked about Wall’s status and the findings of its investigation. The regional Baptist association, Three Rivers Baptist Association, did not respond either when TRR reached out.
But Wall remains listed as Fairview Greer’s student pastor, and shared information this week about the church’s student ministry on social media. A source confirmed to TRR that Wall is no longer on leave.
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While Wall is still with Fairview Greer, its former children’s, families and administrative pastor quit in December, and its former lead pastor retired in January.
“The events that have happened are in conflict with my convictions and now I have conflict in leadership,” Scott Shipes wrote in a letter to the church announcing his resignation as the children’s/families pastor and administrator. “Therefore, as with Abraham and Lot, I have to separate myself to allow God to continue to use me by removing myself out of the conflict.”
Shipes didn’t specify what events moved him to resign. He had written an email in October addressing the stickers Wall had distributed, TRR previously reported.
Shipes’ last day in office was December 18, according to his resignation announcement. He had worked at Fairview Greer for five and a half years.
Eddie Leopard, who retired as Fairview Greer’s lead pastor, wrote in his announcement that he had considered waiting to retire until a succession plan had been formed. He also thought about remaining on an interim basis after retiring, he wrote.
“However, I do not feel that I can continue to effectively lead this Church or our Church staff,” he wrote. “I feel that Fairview needs new and vibrant leadership to steer her toward the future.”
Leopard retired on January 22 after nearly 10 years as Fairview Greer’s lead pastor, according to the South Carolina Baptist Association’s newspaper.
TRR reached out to both Shipes and Leopard for comment but did not hear back.
Cory Wall started as Fairview Greer’s student pastor just over a year ago, according to the church’s social media. Before that, he had worked at Northbrook Baptist Church in Boiling Springs, South Carolina, since 2015. Northbrook’s senior pastor did not respond when TRR reached out for comment.
Fairview Greer announced Wednesday it has appointed an interim administrative pastor and an interim children’s director. Its deacons are interviewing several candidates for interim pastor, a church announcement indicated last week.
Sarah Einselen is an award-winning writer and editor based in Texas.
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6 Responses
I am of the mind that the model most American churches use for youth/student ministry led by a (generally) younger generation pastor has maybe seen better days. We may need to rethink grouping young people together by age and allowing them be led and greatly influenced by someone with little more life experience than they have themselves.
The sticker referenced is a not so subtle reference to sexuality, and the kind of message which is highly
Inappropriate for use by anyone serving in any capacity in a Christian Church. I personally would have to leave a Church which approves and sanctions the use of such things.
This is further evidence that the real groomers are in the church.
The fallout in the leadership is so strange here. The church would rather keep Wall and lose Shipes, it would seem. I wonder how that will work out in five year’s time?
My personal best guess is that given all the facts (kept confidential here under the guise of a personnel issue, no doubt), Shipes went directly up against the lead paster and voiced his opinion that this “lapse” shows Wall unfit for youth minstry. Then there was the usual discussion about how we all make mistakes, and Cory has apologized, and Christ said we are to forgive our brothers 7 x 70 times. Then Shipes chose to leave rather than be complicit in putting more children at risk under the shepherding of this young wolf.
So much for transparency. I wouldn’t visit an SBC church if I were on vacation and it was the only church for miles; I wouldn’t donate a dollar to them or through them for any cause.they sponsor..
Hey Cory,
Get a decent job, make some money, wisen up and do not think about “ministry”. Love your Church and Family and become a strong man of character. You are setting yourself up, buddy. There is a season for everything.