Former Shades Mountain Baptist pastor in Vestavia Hills, Alabama, accused of creating hostile work environment, leaders say

Rev. George Wright resigned earlier this month as senior pastor of Shades Mountain Baptist Church in Vestavia Hills, Alabama. Some church staff have since alleged that Wright created a hostile work environment that contributed to multiple resignations.

The allegations were disclosed at a meeting at the church last Wednesday with nine leaders, including executive staff members, deacons and committee leaders, according to AL.com. In one of his final sermons at the church on May 3, Wright said his abrupt departure stemmed from a leadership disagreement, one he compared to the dispute between the Apostle Paul and Barnabas in Acts 15 that led the two to separate and pursue different ministry paths.

Church leaders said Wright, who was hired in 2021, was regarded by some as a “great preacher” and a friend. Colleagues allege that his interactions with the church’s 76-member staff and leadership created a hostile work environment that led to at least 15 deacon resignations. One executive staff member also reportedly resigned because of the work environment. Lisa Davis, the church’s adults plus pastor, said Wright would summarize staff meetings by saying “the executive staff has approved,” even when there was disagreement. She said an April 13 meeting was the point at which the executive staff member resigned while raising the same concern.

Church treasurer Randy Pittman, who sits on the committee that conducts annual performance evaluations, said that when the issues first emerged in 2023, Wright was offered a plan of action to correct his behavior. “At the end of the day, he had lost the trust of his team,” Pittman said. “He chose to resign himself, and I applaud him for that decision.”

Deacon Greg Morrison, who chaired the 33-member deacon board in 2023, said, according to AL.com, that “there were concerns in 2023.” He said the concerns were addressed by deacons at a January 2024 meeting, after 15 deacons had resigned. Wright, for his part, has said he “felt like a square peg in a round hole.”

Pittman said church leaders chose to clarify the circumstances of Wright’s departure because of ongoing speculation on social media about the man who replaced longtime pastor Danny Wood in 2021. He addressed that speculation directly: “He didn’t steal anything; there was no marital infidelity. They’re not true. Don’t go there.” Leaders presented their account to the congregation’s leaders in order to set the record straight, a step taken in line with the call to speak truthfully (Proverbs 18:17).

Before coming to Shades Mountain, Wright served as senior pastor of Shandon Baptist Church in Columbia, South Carolina, for more than four years, according to the Hoover Sun. Earlier, he planted Cedarcrest Church in Acworth, Georgia, and led it for 11 years.

Responding to the speculation about his resignation, Wright said he remains committed to preaching God’s Word despite the disagreement with church leaders. “My purpose and my calling [have] not changed,” he said. “My life purpose is this — to love and worship King Jesus by faithfully loving and serving my family, preaching God’s Word, and pursuing his mission all the days of my life.”

Source: Read the original report