Frank Langfitt

Boswell says he ran into resistance from congregants who, for instance, told him to take down Black Lives Matter signs. Boswell persisted. I like to joke churches have sacred cows. Sacred cows make the best hamburgers. Myers Park is a white liberal church in a neighborhood where mansions can sell for more than $4 million.

Boswell says he ran into resistance from congregants who, for instance, told him to take down Black Lives Matter signs. Boswell persisted. I like to joke churches have sacred cows. Sacred cows make the best hamburgers. Myers Park is a white liberal church in a neighborhood where mansions can sell for more than $4 million.

After the November election, Boswell gave a sermon in which he likened this moment to what he called, quote, the gathering dark of Hitler's rule. He referenced Christ's resurrection and urged congregants to maintain hope.

After the November election, Boswell gave a sermon in which he likened this moment to what he called, quote, the gathering dark of Hitler's rule. He referenced Christ's resurrection and urged congregants to maintain hope.

After the November election, Boswell gave a sermon in which he likened this moment to what he called, quote, the gathering dark of Hitler's rule. He referenced Christ's resurrection and urged congregants to maintain hope.

Provocative sermons were nothing new for Boswell, who'd been at the church for nine years. But a few weeks later, the church's board of deacons, its governing body, met on Zoom. They voted 17 to 3 to ask Boswell to step down. NPR obtained the audio. It provides a rare window into the thinking of an organization when the tone of its social or political messaging clashes with its business model.

Provocative sermons were nothing new for Boswell, who'd been at the church for nine years. But a few weeks later, the church's board of deacons, its governing body, met on Zoom. They voted 17 to 3 to ask Boswell to step down. NPR obtained the audio. It provides a rare window into the thinking of an organization when the tone of its social or political messaging clashes with its business model.

Provocative sermons were nothing new for Boswell, who'd been at the church for nine years. But a few weeks later, the church's board of deacons, its governing body, met on Zoom. They voted 17 to 3 to ask Boswell to step down. NPR obtained the audio. It provides a rare window into the thinking of an organization when the tone of its social or political messaging clashes with its business model.

Marcy McClanahan was head of the board. In the meeting, the first reason she cited for Boswell to leave was plunging attendance.

Marcy McClanahan was head of the board. In the meeting, the first reason she cited for Boswell to leave was plunging attendance.

Marcy McClanahan was head of the board. In the meeting, the first reason she cited for Boswell to leave was plunging attendance.

Fellow deacon Robert Doolin was more direct.

Fellow deacon Robert Doolin was more direct.

Fellow deacon Robert Doolin was more direct.

In an email to NPR, Doolin said he personally loved what he calls Boswell's powerful prophetic preaching. The problem, he says, is that it had worn thin with others. Here's how Doolin put it in the meeting.

In an email to NPR, Doolin said he personally loved what he calls Boswell's powerful prophetic preaching. The problem, he says, is that it had worn thin with others. Here's how Doolin put it in the meeting.

In an email to NPR, Doolin said he personally loved what he calls Boswell's powerful prophetic preaching. The problem, he says, is that it had worn thin with others. Here's how Doolin put it in the meeting.

As people left, their contributions left with them. Since 2020, the church's budget has shrunk by nearly a quarter. Doolin says it's been one financial fire drill after another.

As people left, their contributions left with them. Since 2020, the church's budget has shrunk by nearly a quarter. Doolin says it's been one financial fire drill after another.

As people left, their contributions left with them. Since 2020, the church's budget has shrunk by nearly a quarter. Doolin says it's been one financial fire drill after another.