Published: January 22, 2009
The grandson of world renown evangelist Billy Graham, William Tullian Tchividjian, is now preparing to become the next senior pastor of the Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
The Fort Lauderdale church will welcome Tchividjian to become the only second senior pastor it has ever had. Their first, Rev. D. James Kennedy, who also founding the church, died in September 2007 at the age of 76.
Officials for the Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church report that when asked about becoming their next pastor, Tchividjian said he was 'flattered' but that the church would have to take in him and his church or 'not at all.'
"I said, 'I'm flattered, but God put me at New City Church,'" Tchividjian told the Sun Sentinel, a South Florida newspaper. "We talked informally about a merger last summer, but I thought neither church was ready."
Tchividjian is one of seven children of Gigi Tchividjian,, the eldest daughter of Billy and Ruth Graham. Born in Jacksonville and raised in South Florida, Tchividjian's full name isWilliam Graham Tullian Tchividjian -- named after Tertullian, a theologian of the second and third centuries.
According to the Sun Sentinel, Tchividjian is the only one of the famous evangelist's grandchildren to be the senior pastor of a church; his older brother Stephan Jr., is a minister at Calvary Chapel of Fort Lauderdale.
Dr. Dan Westphal, head of Coral Ridge's search committee, said "This will be an exciting legacy for both Dr. Kennedy and Billy Graham. I've come to know Tullian well, and he is a godly man." Representatives however on both sides stressed that the possible merger, and Tchividjian's proposed Coral Ridge pastorate, still are not definite.
In a statement released by the New City Church, the church Tchvidjian currently pastors, "Both churches have agreed to consider a merger." However the statment also added that legal, financial, ministerial, philosophical and "structural" matters would have to be worked out.
Tchividjian has earned degrees in philosophy at Columbia International University in South Carolina, and in divinity at Reformed Theological Seminary in Orlando. He is also the author of two books for Multnomah Press: Do I Know God? Finding Certainty in Life's Most Important Relationship, and Unfashionable: Making a Difference in the World by Being Different, due out in April.
Dr. Westphal said that if the merger is approved, Tchividjian will preach a guest sermon, followed by a congregational vote. Tchividjian's current church, New City, is known for blending traditional beliefs with modern methods, mixing hymns and contemporary Christian songs, which has excited Coral Ridge members.
Tchividjian said he shares Coral Ridge's "passionate preaching" and "robust theological commitment," while valuing a collegial church culture. He believes his selection as pastor shows the older church remains flexible.
"For anyone who thinks Coral Ridge can't change," says Tchividjian,"this demonstrates that that is just not true."
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