BishopAccountability.org
	Metro Pastor Resigns after Breaking Church "Moral Guidelines" By Jason Vaughn Fox 4 July 14, 2011 http://www.fox4kc.com/news/wdaf-metro-pastor-resigns-after-breaking-church-moral-guidelines-20110713,0,301891.story?track=rss&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+wdaf-news+%28FOX4KC+Local+News%29 [with video] For over 25 years, Pastor Paul Brooks has led the congregation at the First Baptist Church of Raytown, one of the largest Baptist congregations in the metro. But now the church is looking for a new leader after Brooks abruptly resigned under questionable circumstances. Brooks resigned from the church last Thursday, stunning the almost 5,000-strong congregation. According to a statement released by the church, "(Brooks) retired late last week after concerns surfaced about his activities that may have run afoul of the church's moral guidelines." The church faithful, like long-time member Martha Applebee, called Brooks a strong spiritual leader. "I just didn't think of him ever resigning. I thought our church was growing again," said Applebee. First Baptist personnel committee member Lucretia Raby also confirmed the resignation last week of Pat Windham, a female Christian education leader at the church. The church isn't releasing any details about the activities between the pair, the church statement says "Brooks and the staff member each admitted the activity and both resigned." "Unfortunately, according to the bylaws, there were, as stated, some issues that basically were against our bylaws," said Raby. "We just don't really want to get into details." Brooks is married and father of three adult children. According to church members, Windham is also married and was a long-time member of the church. In 2006, a judge dismissed a lawsuit against Brooks' son, Mark Lewis Brooks, who was accused of sexually assaulting a former church intern while he served on the church staff in 2004. Several members are now praying for their former leader and the future of their church. "He was a good pastor and a good spiritual leader. I was shocked to see this was going on," said church member Billy Pinion. "We will get over it and we'll grow. We'll do fine," said Applebee.
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