Bethany is a Caucasian, senior adult congregation located in one of the highest crime districts in Dallas, know as Pleasant Grove. Sadly, church member refer to the sound of sirens as, The Pleasant Grove National Anthem. What was once a majority Caucasian community has now become a majority multi-ethic community. The former pastor (Bethany has been pastorless for the last 15 months) had a vision to make Bethany a multi-ethic church. Unfortunately, the majority Caucasian membership only gave lip service to the idea. The small minority of multi-ethic members in the church are largely seen as people that need to be ministered to, rather than people who can actively minister in the church. What few multi-ethic members who do have positions in the church, were place there by the former pastor. The churchs main revenue depends on social security checks and a charter school which leases a preschool building. As a result, much of the church is in disrepair. After the pervious pastor resigned and the last minister of music was fired by a small group of people, what was once a vivant, energetic, and up lifting times of worship has now reverted back to old time southern gospel music with a few outdated choruses thrown in. Fortunately, the interim pastor still preaches messages which bring relevance to the services. If youre looking for a good old country church, you will love Bethany. If youre looking for modern facilities, modern 21st Century worship services, or a variety of programs for the family, you may need to look elsewhere. As the former pastor of Bethany was quoted in an article by the Southern Baptist of Texas Convention: I even believed that I might be the last white senior pastor to serve at Bethany, Bethany needs to see that the time has come to hire a multi-ethic pastor who can meet the needs of their Predominantly multi-ethic community in which the church resides.
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