Pastor resigns from N.C. church

In an interview with a church publication Tuesday, Chandler denied endorsing any candidate from the pulpit, as critics had charged.

''I don't know how these folks voted," he told Baptist Press, a Nashville-based media arm of the Southern Baptist Convention. ''And I never endorsed any candidate."

But he acknowledged citing from the pulpit what he believes are the ''unbiblical values" of some political hopefuls. ''But those were negative endorsements -- never a positive endorsement" of any candidate, he said.

Chandler admitted in the interview that he cited Democratic presidential candidate John F. Kerry's views on abortion and homosexuality in one sermon. He said he also mentioned two Republicans whose views he said were out of step with the Bible.

He was not more specific, and stressed that his sermons were issue-oriented and not based on party affiliation.

''This never has been about politics," Chandler said. ''It's always been about whether the Bible applies to the entire life of a Christian."

Some church members had said that they were told to leave if they voted for the Massachusetts senator.

''For me to remain now would only cause more hurt for me and my family," Chandler said to the church members. ''I am resigning with gratitude in my heart for all of you, particularly those of you who love me and my family."

Beyond politics, the dispute that engulfed East Waynesville Baptist Church in recent months would have sounded familiar to many American congregations: An aging congregation brings in a dynamic young preacher to turn things around. The new pastor attracts young members who push for change in traditional ways of doing things, leading to a battle.

As Chandler and his wife drove out of the church's parking lot followed by a police escort, about 40 of his supporters walked out as well, with many saying they were resigning their memberships.

''I'm not going to serve with the ungodly," Misty Turner declared.

But Maxine Osborne, 70, among those who stayed behind, had a different view. ''A lot of these young people had not been in the church more than a year," she said. The Chandlers ''brought in a lot of young people, but they also brainwashed them."