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| Fall and rise of the pastor
who had a cross to bear |
Minister sacked in row over Union
Chapel drinks finds new post
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Pastor Mark Shelton carrying the cross at Easter
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CONTROVERSIAL American pastor Mark Shelton was daubed in fake
blood and struggling to carry a wooden cross through Islington when
he last hit the headlines.
The symbolic act of defiance at Easter followed his sacking as minister
at the 124-year-old, grade II-listed Union Chapel at Highbury Corner
in a row over alcohol being consumed in the church during concerts.
But rather than pack his bags and take the first flight back to
Chicago, Mr Shelton now finds his career has been resurrected.
The 35-year-old evangelical minister, who aroused the wrath of the
liberal minded by banning alcohol at concerts in the 1,600-seat
Chapel, has been rescued from the ranks of the unemployed by “good
samaritans” at Cross Street Baptist Church, a mile away at
Angel.
They were able to promise the father of two small children that,
unlike Union Chapel, there would be no bitter late-night rows over
the sale of booze at the 165-year-old church.
Cross Street boasts a small café, open during the week, where
the strongest brew is tea, compared with the Union Chapel venue,
which has a bar, and once hosted concerts by star names Ravi Shankar,
Tori Amos, Procol Harum, Bob Geldof and Bjork.
Mr Shelton is due to be inducted – for the second time in less
than year at a London church – on Saturday, September 17.
A few of his former 25-30 strong congregation have joined him for
the Sunday services he has been conducting at Cross Street.
Mr Shelton always maintained he was not against the sale of alcohol
as such, only its consumption where people worshipped.
Interestingly, since he was sacked from the Chapel, senior officials
are now seriously considering imposing what he had argued for –
an end to drinking in the church during concerts.
Mr Shelton said: “It has been a difficult year, I admit that.
But God has been kind and I’ve got a new job, which I really
enjoy.
“What’s more my children can stay at the local school
and my family don’t have to be uprooted again.”
Cross Street Church elder Robin Dock said it had been searching
for a new minister and Mr Shelton appeared on the scene at the right
time.
He added: “We were saddened by what went on at Union Chapel,
but we’ve got ourselves a new pastor and he’s a very good
man.”
At St Mary’s Church Upper Street, Dr Graham Kings, a friend
and supporter of Mr Shelton, welcomed his new appointment.
He said: “Mark, his wife and family came here from Chicago
last July and were almost immediately pitched into the row over
the sale of alcohol at Chapel functions.
“It put a tremendous strain on Mark. I’m pleased he’s
staying and has found a church that really appreciates him.”
Meanwhile, back at Union Chapel, committee official Greg Edwards
said there were no immediate plans to appoint another minister.
He added: “We obviously wish Mark the very best of luck and
feel he may have found the kind of church more suited to his beliefs.
“It is true we are considering a compromise ban on the consumption
of alcohol during events, but Mark would have had a complete ban.”
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