Church Suddenly Loses Pastor of 35 Years

[Steve Epley]

Originally Posted by Bro. Robbins

Brother Epley, not sure about who was the originator, but Bishop Banks has been Presiding Bishop for at least 30 years now. He pastors the church in Donelson on Lebanon Pike, beautiful campus, nice good sized facility, runs about 20 on Sundays right now.

Also, though there may be within the church that teaches Sancitification as a second work of grace, that is not an official teaching within the Articles of Faith. Looking at the church doctrine book in front of me, not an official teaching.

Sidebar, it's no longer the official teaching of the COG either, I was COG for 18 years. There are now some within the COG that believe second work of grace, but many will teach progressive Sanctification, and then some in the COG preach a mixture of both. It's not even in their Articles of Faith anymore, but is in their Doctrinal Commitment, but was re-worded in the 80's so that it doesn't push second work of grace or progressive. Now as a Doctrinal Commitment it just says, Sanctification subsequent to justification. Romans 5:2; 1 Corinthians 1:30; 1 Thessalonians 4:3; Hebrews 13:12.

They had a rather large congregation before the horrid incident that preceeded Bishop Banks. I forget the lady's name who lead the group for years? They must have revised their teaching since they most certainly did teach sanctification as the second definite work of grace. It was really a cardinal teaching among them. Their church in Donelson is indeed beautiful as was the Nashville church. There was a rather large split on the Northside of Nashville I forget the name of that church it was something Church of Christ Oneness?