Hello Springfield!
Most if not all of you know me!  
But to set the record straight, my name is:

Carlton Lee Dowdy
I have been a member of Spring Babtist Church for more than 70 years.  I live in California BUT Spring Babtist Church had heard from me on a monthly basis for as long as I can remember.

The last time I was here (only a few months ago), I told you that I have always had this feeling that if Cgrist was not born here in our community He, very likely, has walked along Springfield Road.

Today my heart is bleeding for you, for us and for the deceased members of our families who are resting in our back yard!

Over the last several months I have long conversations with several of the members of Springfield Baptist Church as well as with our pastor.  

And none of those conversations lead me anywhere.  Basically what I got was:

That's what they said, that's what he said and that's what is happening at our beloved Springfield Baptist Church.

After hearing and trying to weigh both / all sides of this confusion I initially recommended that we bring in an outside un-basis arbitrator to help us get to the bottom of this situation.  

I have since changed my mind about having an arbitrator come in.  Why?  Because no matter what he, she or anyone says or recommends, the end results will be the same. 

"A man convince against his will is of the same opinion still." -  In other words, you can not force someone into agreeing with you.   This happens only when the opinion aligns with their belief systems, otherwise they'll always disagree deep down.

That being the case! 
I believe that we must place the well being of Springfield Baptist Church and its members first and foremost in our hearts and minds.  

We must consider the 150 years of Good & Faithful service of Springfield Baptist Church to our community as our First and foremost priority.

During my long talk with Rev. Bradshaw he told me that he Loved Springfield Baptist Church.  I told him I believed he did.  I also told him that I also Loved Springfield Baptist Church and I reminded him that it would be extremely difficult for him to love Springfield Baptist Church after five or six years as much as I did after 70 plus years.

Springfield Baptist Church is a most unique church.  Almost all of us are kin to all of us!  

A poor decision about how we move forward could and very like will tear our church and our families apart.  

Suppose we vote on what we should do!  What good will that do?  In the end the split would likely emerge.