I thought it was over when my dad was excluded from Ashburn Baptist Church on March 31, 2021, which I’ve detailed in the article, Lyons’ Last Stand. But, why did I think it would it be over?
Vernon C. Lyons had always said he didn’t believe in retirement; and certainly leaving the church he founded in 1951 would have never entered his mind. But he did submit to a plan voted by the entire church to seek a new lead pastor who would be transitioned into his position over one year’s time. At the end of that year he then took the role of associate pastor. But, a year later when asked to accept the unpaid role of pastor emeritus, he refused and stated on Facebook he was being fired.
Then, even though he was excluded from the church membership a year later, he kept attending Sunday morning services and Wednesday prayer meetings. I’m told it was his routine to sit in the back of the auditorium, moving from section to section counting heads in order to keep a personal record of attendance.
From his continual, critical surveillance he compiled an extensive list of things that had changed since Thompson became the lead pastor. Half of the list was what had been added, the implication, superfluous or objectionable; and the other half is what had been taken away, presumably great losses. This list of “changes” was mailed to 76 former members along with a request for an anonymous response on an enclosed, self addressed, postage paid postcard that said, “I left Ashburn Baptist because…”
He’s also been assisted by some tech savvy supporters in producing YouTube videos. In the only one I happened to watch he was being critical of the changes at Ashburn in a creatively indirect manner.
A notable example of VCL’s morally deficient character was demonstrated recently when the deacons needed him to sign off on some cemetery lots that were donated to “Ashburn Baptist Church-Vernon Lyons.” He refused to sign unless he was given access to certain records and allowed to become a church member again. Tell me why he would even want to be a member of a church that could be so easily manipulated and compromised? I guess, it would be fine if he’s the one doing the manipulating. How fitting that this act of betrayal involves burial plots.
The “final straw” for Tommy Thompson was when after the prayer meeting on July 6, 2022 my dad interrupted a conversation Thompson was having with someone in order to hand him an envelope and say, “This is good news.” When he opened it later, he found a copy of an article enhanced with VCL underlinings that made it feel like he was being shot with arrows from behind a bush.
The cumulative effect of these and other actions prompted Thompson to appeal to the deacons to officially ban Vernon Lyons from both of Ashburn’s properties, which they did on July 7th. Since it was Orland Park police who served him notice of the ban, what do you think my dad’s next move was? Oh, I know you can’t think like he does. I’m guessing it occurred to him that the Orland Park Police have no jurisdiction in Chicago. So, the next Sunday he showed up at the morning service in the city, quietly sat in the back and when it was over quietly left, defying the order, but very strategically.
What’s next? I’ve given up trying to guess. But, I’m pretty sure he will not quit looking for ways to criticize, provoke and basically maintain his role as Thompson’s chief antagonist.