Zachery Tims Death: Florida Megachurch Adopts 'Move Forward' Slogan
Zachery Tims' church, New Destiny Christian Center (NDCC), has changed its official website message and is asking church members to "continue to grow with us as we move forward."
It was only last week when Minister Samuel Anderson, executive administrator of NDCC, told CP of the church's stance by saying, "We're looking forward to moving on with the ministry."
Now, in light of the swirl of information concerning the investigation into Tims' untimely death, the church is stressing cohesion as it moves ahead.
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This has been an unsettling time for NDCC which is currently in the process of determining the candidate who will be the most effective replacement for the inspirational Tims.
The task of "moving on" or transitioning after having lost the leadership of such an individual can be a difficult one, leaving many to question the wisdom of megachurches, such as NDCC, to vest the identity and interest of these institutions into the person of one central charismatic leader.
Recently, CP presented this issue to Anderson, who felt that the inherent pitfalls of such leadership could be offset by advanced planning. "As long as there is good succession planning," there should not be too much of an issue, Anderson explained, exuding confidence at the church's prospects for the future.
Except for official reports that Tims, 42, was found dead in a Times Square hotel on Aug. 12, the cause of his death remains unknown to the public.
According to the New York Daily News, the mother of the Florida pastor has sued the Xity of New York, as well as the medical examiner's office, to keep the cause of Tim's death sealed.
Through its new slogan, NDCC is inviting its church community to join with it in putting past controversies behind and work with it as it moves ahead.
To further underline NDCC's new theme, the church's Facebook page has announced the closing of Tims' Facebook and Twitter accounts as of Oct. 31, 2011, with the added message, "Stay connected with us while moving forward with the vision."
