Frank Langfitt

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.

Myers Park Baptist is a cavernous red brick church with a big white steeple and it wears its progressive politics really right on the front of the church. You've got a giant sign here that says 80 years of inclusivity, community, spirituality, and justice. And on the other side, open to all now and forevermore.

Myers Park Baptist is a cavernous red brick church with a big white steeple and it wears its progressive politics really right on the front of the church. You've got a giant sign here that says 80 years of inclusivity, community, spirituality, and justice. And on the other side, open to all now and forevermore.

Myers Park Baptist is a cavernous red brick church with a big white steeple and it wears its progressive politics really right on the front of the church. You've got a giant sign here that says 80 years of inclusivity, community, spirituality, and justice. And on the other side, open to all now and forevermore.

In the meeting, Deacon Alan Davis warned that getting rid of Boswell would undermine that very message.

In the meeting, Deacon Alan Davis warned that getting rid of Boswell would undermine that very message.

In the meeting, Deacon Alan Davis warned that getting rid of Boswell would undermine that very message.

Davis was among three deacons who resigned in protest. In an interview, McClanahan called Boswell a fantastic and visionary preacher, and she insisted the church would continue to advance racial and social justice. But some of Boswell's supporters say the conflict at Myers Park is part of a much larger one.