Wichita congregation says Terry Fox left under a cloud

? The Rev. Terry Fox, who last month abruptly resigned from the church where he led a statewide fight against same-sex marriage, left in part because he had used church money to support his radio program, leaders at Wichita’s Immanuel Baptist Church said.

After serving as pastor of Immanuel Baptist for more than nine years, Fox resigned on Aug. 6, saying his frequent nationwide travels to speak on political, social and religious issues prompted his departure.

On Wednesday, Chairman of the Deacons Don James issued the church’s first official comment about the unexpected resignation.

The prepared statement said witnesses testified that Fox had threatened to sue “individuals who might say anything negatively” about him and that his behavior “reflected negatively on the Scriptural qualifications expected of a pastor.”

Fox, who now leads services for Summit Church inside a Western-themed amusement park, denied he threatened to sue anyone when he spoke with Immanuel leaders.

“What I said to them is as people are talking and rumors and allegations are made, anyone in America has a right to be protected,” he said, “including Baptist preachers.”

Fox, whose new church also is affiliated with the Southern Baptist Convention, also dismissed claims that he had improperly used church donations for his nationally syndicated radio show, “Answering the Call.”

Fox typically speaks out about abortion and other social issues on the program he co-hosts with the Rev. Joe Wright, a retired pastor. The two men spearheaded the push last year for a state constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriages.

Church leaders said that a “careful examination of the church’s financial records revealed reallocation of cooperate (sic) program funds. A portion of the reallocation was used for a radio program – not affiliated with the church.”

Immanuel uses cooperative program funds, typically comprised of donations, to support its missions and ministries. The statement, which was presented to the congregation Sunday, did not specify whether the church would pursue legal action against Fox, nor how much money was reallocated.

The church responded to calls for additional comment by saying it wanted to keep such matters private.

The director of the Wichita-area association of Southern Baptist said churches can grant their pastors the authority to reallocate funds.

Fox said as senior pastor, he had the authority to use the money, and said he hadn’t spent “a sizable amount.” He said church leaders knew he had used mission funds for his radio show and did not question him about it at the time.

“I absolutely saw ‘Answering the Call’ as a tremendous way to give a biblical view and to share the Gospel,” Fox said, adding that he viewed the show as the church’s mission work.