Frank Langfitt

I mentioned that some white congregants felt beaten down by Boswell's continued emphasis on social and racial justice.

While Griffin was talking about leaving Myers Park, Elizabeth Peterson was returning for the first time in years.

While Griffin was talking about leaving Myers Park, Elizabeth Peterson was returning for the first time in years.

While Griffin was talking about leaving Myers Park, Elizabeth Peterson was returning for the first time in years.

Peterson says that for a long time, Myers Park seemed more focused on people of color and LGBTQ folks.

Peterson says that for a long time, Myers Park seemed more focused on people of color and LGBTQ folks.

Peterson says that for a long time, Myers Park seemed more focused on people of color and LGBTQ folks.

When you say us, who's us?

When you say us, who's us?

When you say us, who's us?

But do you think you'll come back to the church now?

But do you think you'll come back to the church now?

But do you think you'll come back to the church now?

Pastor Ben Boswell has heard these sorts of things before.

Pastor Ben Boswell has heard these sorts of things before.

Pastor Ben Boswell has heard these sorts of things before.

He says the conflict at Myers Park is part of a much bigger national trend to roll back things like diversity, equity, and inclusion programs.

He says the conflict at Myers Park is part of a much bigger national trend to roll back things like diversity, equity, and inclusion programs.

He says the conflict at Myers Park is part of a much bigger national trend to roll back things like diversity, equity, and inclusion programs.

But church leaders say their concerns extended to Boswell's management. Others say he focused too much on social justice and not enough on tending the flock, one of the church's strategic goals. Bob Thomason is a former chairman of the Board of Deacons. He said he was speaking as a longtime member with a perspective on how the church had fared under Boswell.