An associate pastor whose vulgar tweets drew criticism last week from two members of the Palo Alto City Council resigned last Tuesday from his position at First Baptist Church.
Gregory Stevens, whom the church had hired in August 2015 to be its Associate Pastor for Faith and Formation and Family Life, agreed to step down one day after his tweets bashing Palo Alto became an issue during the council’s discussion about the church’s application for a conditional use permit.
The tweets, which were publicly circulated before the May 14 meeting, included ones in which he calls Palo Alto “disgusting” and “elitist,” professes his hatred for Palo Alto police and makes fun on seniors in the congregation and states, at one point, “I hate Palo Alto.”
Stevens’ March tweets came up several times during the long public hearing, with Vice Mayor Eric Filseth calling them “disturbing” and suggesting that parents should consider these public statements in deciding whether to let their children attend church activities. Councilwoman Karen Holman described the tweets as “vile” and suggested that the church needs to do something to address them.
The reaction was swift. The Rev. Rick Mixon, pastor at First Baptist Church, told the Weekly that Stevens’ departure was a “mutual parting of ways.” The day after the council’s May 14 meeting, Mixon had a conversation with Stevens in which they agreed that it was best for Stevens to step down from his position.
Mixon said he reported Stevens’ departure to the church council Tuesday. On Sunday, the news was shared with the First Baptist congregation, he said.
“For us, the issues were the inappropriateness of the language in the tweets and any sense that it’s representative of the church’s position — which it’s not,” Mixon said. “We really regret that this happened and apologize for the way in which this all played out.
“It in no way represents who we are as a congregation or who we want to be as a congregation.”
Stevens, whose contract was set to expire in August, wrote in an email to the SFGate.com, over the weekend that he tweeted to vent his frustration and acknowledged that he did so “in an unprofessional and often hurtful way.” He continued to criticize the city, however.
“I believe Palo Alto is a ghetto of wealth, power and elitist liberalism by proxy, meaning that many community members claim to want to fight for social justice issues, but that desire doesn’t translate into action,” Stevens wrote, according to SFGate.
Despite the distraction of Stevens’ tweets, the council voted 7-2 to grant the church a community use permit that would allow it to function as a “community center” and retain its existing tenants.
Not very Christian of him. The church was wise to get rid of him.
Whereas everyone deserves to have their own opinions and expect some personal privacy about them, when they are posted on a public social media site they then go outside their own personal domain. It is important in this age for us all to never put something in writing or social media which may later be regretted or used as evidence against you. In this day and age, many have posted in haste and regretted in leisure a hasty posting, tweet or whatever, and had to pay the price.
However, saying all this, what I feel is that apart from the fact that this was brought to light in a City council meeting, these tweets would never have been made so public and this pastor would still have his job, or would be able to get a new job quite easily. I think now that this individual has ruined his ability to be hired in a similar capacity anywhere and although he may have held controversial views they would not have been able to be used against him at this time or at any time in the future.
There has to be a moral for us all here.
Very unprofessional behavior.
No place to behave this way in our community.
Must repent.
Putting aside the inappropriate and hateful language, I would like to know if residents of Palo Alto think there is any truth in what the pastor wrote. Could the rich be doing more to help the poor in their own community?
The hypocrisy of local liberalism is breathtaking, clearly his delivery was not good, but the essence of what he is saying is spot on. This relates to the local controversy of the organiztions like the Silicon Valley ‘COMMUNITY’ Foundation which in three years allocated only ~317K (over 3 years) of their 13 Billion in assets to Mountain View’s Community Services Agency serving those truly in need. An example of how their affluent donors turn a blind eye to the crisis of homelessness. I guess we are going to kill the messenger here with total disregard for the message.
I think many of the EPA institutions and schools are well supported with funds and volunteer time for our area.
We do many of our donations overseas, where we think the need is greater. We’re not turning a blind eye. But we’re looking at our donations with a global perspective, not a specifically local one, though we do local donations as well. I don’t think this is a bad thing.
I would not characterize this language as “vulgar” and he is speaking his truth. For those of us who have grown up and lived in this community we know that what he is saying is true. His words may not have been polished, but they are his truth. Its not always easy to say unpopular things. And ps, in this day, with this administration, these words should raise hardly an eyebrow. I am confident that Gregory will continue to fight for what he believes is right, will show love and compassion, will fight for justice…and make us all think about how we conduct ourselves.
His statement “many community members claim to want to fight for social justice issues, but that desire doesn’t translate into action” is correct. Lots of lipservice, not many walk the talk. Which is appalling considering the obscene amount of wealth in this area.
How Christian and fair-minded of him to slam ALL Democrats and all Democratic officials. His comments are now making national news. not just local and regional news.
@charitable choices YOU SAID THIS PERFECTLY, IT IS THE CRUX OF THE PROBLEM, YOU SAID “We do many of our donations overseas, where we think the need is greater. We’re not turning a blind eye. But we’re looking at our donations with a global perspective, not a specifically local one, though we do local donations as well. I don’t think this is a bad thing.”
If you think needs are greater overseas you clearly ARE turning a blind eye. We have issues with homeless living on the streets, in RV’s, in encampments, it is a CRISIS. Global causes are worthwhile but they receive funding from worldwide sources, there is not NEARLY enough local philanthropy dollars directed to local safety net organizations. If your house is burning down, do you look for a fire a hundred miles away to put out before you save your own house? Of course not, we have a fire here, and we are fighting it with a garden hose. Suggest you spend time on the ground with your local social services agency for a reality check.
@Charitable choices-SERIOUSLY?
So what are you doing about it?
The minister is from Florida. People come to California and then complain. Palo Alto has always been very expensive since I lived here as a college student 40 years ago and moved from one cheap room to another as the buildings were sold to developers.
There is a lot of opportunity in this community with jobs at Stanford and tech companies, and many people who came here with nothing are doing better than before. There are many resources for all types of people. The culture and natural beauty are abundant and free in many cases. The elders in this community have a tremendous history and record of volunteerism and support for children, the environment and peace.
I would characterize this language as vulgar, especially coming from a Baptist minister in a completely public forum.
“Palo Alto “disgusting” and “elitist,” professes his hatred for Palo Alto police and makes fun on seniors in the congregation and states, at one point, “I hate Palo Alto.”
Looks like Stevens got his 15 min of fame:
https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2018/may/22/silicon-valley-pastor-gregory-stevens-wealth-liberals
One of his tweets questioned why he “couldn’t grow a church.” Is anyone surprised ? His level of hate for the community he served wouldn’t support him growing a cactus in a desert.
I think he needs to do some real soul searching and question himself as to whether or not this is the right career choice.
As for Rev. Mixon, it’s hard to believe he didn’t have an inkling as to what was going on right under his nose. His comments that the issues were the “inappropriateness of the language” ignores the despicable content of his messages. To paraphrase Mixon at the City Council meeting last week, when questioned by Karen Holman who called him out on the content of the associate pastors’ tweets, his response…”I can see where he’s coming from,” just doesn’t pass the smell test. One would think that maybe he agrees with Stephens.
Perhaps it’s time for the FBC council to take Mixon to task for his weak response to this issue and lack of remorse for what happened.
@Judge Not – you clearly do not get it and your comment is a clear example of what he is talking about.
@me 2: I give generously to our local social services agencies (as well as to some global causes). We are not poor, doing just fine, but have not hit the IPO jackpot either, however there are many very wealthy people in this valley who prefer not to ‘see’ the problem, example: Silicon Valley Community Foundation, with 13 BILLION in assets (most of it from very wealthy people) gave about 300k to Mountain View’s community services agency over 3 years, providing safety net services to those truly in need. That is my point, this is a donor advised fund, where is this money going? Hope that answers your question, sorry to dare criticize someone in PA.
” sorry to dare criticize someone in PA.”
Whatever. It’s easy to spend other people’s money, which you seem so fond of wanting to do, I see.
The pastor is SPOT ON with his assessment. I am second generation Palo Alto native, and I am absolutely disgusted with what our town has become. This elitist bubble makes me sick to my stomach. Just because you drive a Tesla does not mean you are helping to make the world a better place.
The language in this article was quite cleaned up from the Assitant Pastor’s actual treats. Before anyone defends his comments they should read the actual tweets. https://www.cityofpaloalto.org/civicax/filebank/documents/65063 Vulgar doesn’t begin to describe them.
“I am second generation Palo Alto native, and I am absolutely disgusted with what our town has become”
It’s what happens when you don’t have enough market-rate housing. If you’re a residentialist, you need to look in the mirror.
I can see you are really angry. But we have traveled a good deal, and we are familiar with the needs locally and overseas. There are many destitute areas in the States as well (e.g., read this https://www.nytimes.com/2018/05/22/opinion/alabama-poverty-sewers.html) We also donate a good deal to environmental causes, because if the Earth is ruined, then none of us is going to make it very far.
So, no, we do not donate the majority of our charitable funds to people living in Silicon Valley. These are choices that we are making based upon our values and experience. Your outright hostility directed towards our choices seems less than charitable.
How, pray tell, will more market-rate housing help the homeless, the “gig” contract workers and the impoverished?
The former pastor is not just slamming Palo Alto residents for their charity to the poor. He slammed senior citizens for going to sleep early. He slammed Beyonce fans (not sure if that is because of ethnicity or age or something else). He slammed specific local residents because of their personal hygiene. He slammed conservatives who blame all the world’s problems on Hillary. He slammed Silicon Valley for not having enough violent anarchists. He made a number of comments about homosexuals, Mormons, capitalists, and white supremacists that I don’t really understand. He made some comments about “pigs” that I assume refers to law enforcement in general and other comments that refer specifically to the Palo Alto Police Department.
These comments were all printed out and submitted to the city council and are still available to read on the city website: https://www.cityofpaloalto.org/civicax/filebank/documents/65063
@ Bob….The pastor is not “spot on” with his assessment. His tweets indicate that he is a radical progressive anarchist. Read them uncensored. As a 42 year resident I can agree with you on what this city has become regarding elitism, however the pastor has blinders on. There are many people whom you may consider elitist that do a lot of good in this community locally, nationally, and globally, but prefer anonymity. Five years ago they were driving Prius and Leafs, or is it Leaves ?
Another voice I agree! The elitism just kills me in this town. As a kid I used to be able to play with my neighbors, we would hunt crawfish in matadero creek, and ride bikes to All American and the Liquor Barn to buy candy, and build haunted houses for halloween with the neighborhood. I don’t see any of that happening today. Neighbors don’t even speak to each other! The sense of community has nearly evaporated.
My God, what would ever make a Pastor speak out against a community in this manner, and continue to do so…Perhaps, that is the question that needs to be examined…
Matthew 19:24
It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God…
Why are there even homeless people in Palo Alto? All the people living in cars is shameful. Hey Stanford why not help to solve this problem, eh?
http://www.housingfinance.com/news/kaiser-permanente-announces-200-million-affordable-housing-investment_o
There are many thriving churches in Palo Alto and nearby with large congregations with visions of helping those who need help in the community as well as the world at large. Don’t judge Christianity by one church or by one man. All have sinned and come short of the glory of God.
I used to teach in Palo Alto, but was eventually priced-out by rapid gentrification. The young people I encountered were experiencing devastating mental health consequences from their community’s greedy, hard-driving ethos. Many of them also felt helpless and demoralized about the inequalities they were seeing. I now live in Germany which has much more robust social welfare and, you know what, kids are happier. (Take a look at this UNICEF report on child wellbeing in rich countries…with the US and UK at the bottom: https://www.unicef.org/media/files/ChildPovertyReport.pdf).
This is all to say: this pastor is spot-on and I’m pleased that he spoke to truth to power. I also find it telling that there are some _REAL_ hate preachers in Silicon Valley (in case no one has looked at the Church of Latter Day Saints’s views on gender equality and LGBTQ recently), but because they don’t challenge the entrenched financial status quo of the community, they don’t receive this kind of public scrutiny. Also, if the most substantive critique you can make of this guy is “vulgarity,” then 1. You’re completely dodging the content of his arguments and 2. Maybe you should examine the state of public discourse in America. The President called poor nations s—hole countries and his supporters echoed his sentiments. And this was motivated purely by racism and a blood-and-soil style fascism which is categorically unwilling to share this country’s stolen wealth with poorer people. Maybe this state of affairs is so awful that it does prompt someone to say, “Wow! What a s— den!” And instead of getting hung-up on “vulgarity”—maybe you should be aware that in the context of growing Nazi ideology in the country, this guy is your ally.
The pastor is correct.
Stephens must have a great PR firm working for him. Talk about spin. He is now being viewed by some as a progressive martyr. I’m sure he’ll find a church in S.F. or wind up with a cushy city government job there.
Wonder if Stephens is a Saul Alinsky follower and advocate of “Rules for Radicals”?
The main goal of Alinskyites is to cause social instability through subversive and divisive rhetoric. He has certainly stirred the pot here with his vile and despicable tweets.
He states that he’s inspired by “radical ministry” in an e-mail to the Daily Post. Food for thought?
I agree with the Pastors comments presented in this article.
Palo Alto needs to look at itself in the mirror and consider the truth of the Pastors criticisms, instead of squelching opinions they don’t like to hear.
“White Guilt” is a beautiful thing for people like Stephens. It shifts the conversation from the despicable comments in his tweets to a false narrative. This guy is good.
How’s Glenn Beck these days? Or have you migrated to Alex Jones recently?
All the triggered folks must now vent. Meanwhile, an actual life is being lived by the rest.
I’m shocked, but not surprised. The former pastor seems quite the man of contradictions–chiefly among them in decrying our city’s ‘hatefulness’ in a tirade that ranges from vile to bizarre. Palo Alto has social problems, to be sure, but we also have talented, caring members of the community who get to work and try to solve them. They don’t post on twitter about how hard it is, and they don’t abuse Palo Alto residents online while doing it. They get things done. The man’s comments typify a mind diseased by egotism–a lack of respect for his community, and a derisive dismissal of good works that do not align with his political absolutism. His outrage is backed by a deep frustration at his own lack of relevance to the moral center of this city, and his personal failings in pastoral care. I do not think for a moment that when First Baptist retained his services, they were unaware of these attitudes. Indeed, I think they recognized one of their own. This is exactly the attitude that one would expect from a church that believes zoning requirements do not apply to them. Let’s not beat about the bush–First Baptist knew of the zoning requirements, and chose to willfully ignore them, raising revenue illegally at the expense of the neighborhood’s residential character. They stole that from their neighbors, knowing full well what they were doing. Their indignation at being caught mocks us all. So too does the City Council’s pandering to the church’s chief client, iSing. iSing and First Baptist are the authors of a months-long deceitful campaign to paint our city as intolerant of religion and the arts, much in the same way that these tweets seek to besmirch our good name. Quite simply their motivation is financial gain–Rev. Mixon himself has admitted that the rental scheme benefitted his church enormously, and I’m sure contributed to his ongoing employment. iSing, whose tuition revenues exceed half a million dollars, and pay minimal facility costs, makes their profit by passing on this savings in salary to their co-founders. Delp Somers, Troll, and Mixon feel entitled to use First Baptist as they please. Simply, they are not–the shameful entitlement exhibited by these two organizations is why zoning is important. To those who believe that this matter is closed because of Mr. Stephens departure, I put to you that Stephens is the tip of an iceberg that’s the same way right to its core. We must urge the City Council to reconsider the granting of the conditional use permit, and think hard about a responsible, measured solution the question of community services.
he’s right about a lot of points, and so what if he swears, its time someone tells it like it is. PA is an overcrowded overpriced stuck up BORING city with no decent food/art/music (you know..culture) …and it CLOSES at 9pm…BOOOOORING
People pay 3 million for a home for that?
here is an article on his comments-
https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2018/may/22/silicon-valley-pastor-gregory-stevens-wealth-liberals
@ Beggars Belief….clearly, the most accurate post on this thread. Thank you for your thoughtful and civil commentary.
I am not sure how we are caring community – we still have a “Kill” Animal Shelter.
Palo Alto has been for many years now a heaven for land developers, foreign money and tech companies who made the absurdly expensive and nothing but an ultra expensive office park. The politicians and lobby groups like PAF have been putting all their energy into creating housing for well paid tech workers, not making the town affordable to those with modest means. They are working hard to make PA even more economically segregated.
The pastor was absolutely right and I’m not bothered by his language even a bit. I have felt cleansed and purified since I left Palo Alto. When I come to check out on my house I feel like taking a shower.
I’d be curious for my Palo Alto neighbors to directly respond to points that the pastor is making that they believe are false:
Do you believe we are not elitist in Palo Alto?
Do you believe that our community is doing its fair share to address poverty, homelessness, and inequality that is plaguing our region and nation?
Just another old guy frustrated and not willing to accept the societal change taking place around him, lashing out at some perceived enemy group who is to blame for his anger and sadness.
Unfortunately for him and others like him they rarely end up seeing that the anger and sadness lives within themselves, and if they could only help themselves, they might one day feel at peace.
Most die angry, and that’s very sad.
Birds of the same feather flock together. Gregory Stevens comments and Pastor Mixon’s beliefs align. Mixon knew full well what Stevens thought of our community, the elderly and other faiths.
Note: this is repost from a dead article. remove both if the violate the rules. Yes I know my “ Civics Book larnin’. I had to pass Civic to graduate from MVHS. Class of ’73 in the downtown building.
Anyone complaining about any church has to deal with the FEDERAL GOVERNMENT on Separation of Church and State issues; even Code Enforcement issues violate the Separation of Church and State FEDERAL RULES. You do not like them: MOVE. That also applies to the City of Palo Alto; YOU HAVE NO JURISDICTION over any issues in the way ANY church is run; one of the richest churches is the Catholic Church, yet it cannot be taxed on it’s wealth.
Palo Alto is already a “ problem city “ for the Federal Government. Why add another Federal problem? Want more OCR problems? The separation of Church and State violations keeps the national eye on Palo Alto and not in a good way.
Disclosure: I am a card carrying pastor of the Church of the Subgenius. My Clench is performed when I feel the need for one. 8P……
ISing has a responsibility to keep their students safe. As Councilman Filseth said, “I wouldn’t let my kids go to an activity at that church.” Both pastors at the Baptist Church and the male owner of ISing have anger management issues. The anger of the ISing leadership has poisoned their students because of their divisive conduct which the children have witnessed.
There’s a community-dividing CUP issue with Castilleja.
There’s a community-divIding CUP issue with First Baptist.
I wonder how many more such issues are going to emerge and if PACC (specifically the majority) will ever gain a reputation for enforcing agreements and defending neighborhoods.
The Council Members who voted for the CUP should vote to reconsider the approval.The comments of the former Assistant Pastor posted by the City Clerk should have been identified legally by the City Attorney as prohibited speech against public participation. The Assistant Pastor’s comments also should be taken in context to accurately characterize the First Bapist Church as something other than a religious institution but rather a business which references religious beliefs with commercial tenants who perform services that can benefit the community. The allowed commercial community serving uses are something very different than a gathering of parishioners organizing efforts for the Bishop’s relief fund to address good causes such as child abuse or to raise capital for schools in underprivileged areas. This (the CUP) was government action to financially benefit the First Baptist Church which is prohibited First Amendment support of The First Baptist Church. Once again no comment from the City Attorney. Practically and factually the First Baptist Church is miles and worlds away from the Baptist institutions and faith exemplified by Congressman John Lewis. What the CUP approved was not a religious use but a commercial use in a residential zone. This approval also deftly avoided any environmental review under CEQA by claiming an exemption under CEQA. The absence of comment by Staff on this issue is disappointing, possibly evidencing a bias. Personal observation and data collection of several neighbors and other Palo Alto residents documented the generation of over 2000 vehicle trips per day, severely inadequate parking, blocking of fire hydrants and numerous noise complaints. Any reasonable review of that evidence would conclude that fair argument was made that environmental review should have been accomplished. Staff also did not present the required balanced view of whether the uses proposed were consistent with the SEVERAL Comprehensive Plan goals to preserve residential neighborhoods. The objecting Council Members got it right. The rationale behind the majority decision would allow Starbucks because some of its patrons would pray while drinking coffee. The approval should be reconsidered.
@Bill Ross, thank you. It would be special if most of the PACC and the city’s attorney started do their homework.
City hasn’t even formally issued the CUP, two weeks after City Council approved it.
Are they reconsidering? Are there legal issues?
Pastor Mixon poked at a hornet’s nest when he rented to New Mozart School, which caused traffic and noise disruptions. The permit for the music school was denied. At the same he said the church needed the rental money. But in his statement at the recent city council meeting he said the church didn’t need the money from rentals. So which is it?
People criticizing entitled Palo Altans should also remember that an associate of one of the richest people in the world,a Palo Altan, said he would pay for the air conditioning in the church’s hall. Another neighbor paid for sound-insulating windows in the one of the buildings.
If I were on the church’s governing council I’d think about whether a change in leadership is needed. The church continues to shrink and is alienating its neighbors. New leadership might reverse the situation.
More and more people are driven to lose their tempers. I see it all the time.
When I am driving and someone else makes a mistake and proactively flips
me the bird for it. Most not as comical.
We are all creating and contributing to this world … though some more than
others. It creeps ahead corporately because that is like a bull-dozing juggernaut
operating with dark tinted glass in secret running over people, there is a
sense of what is going to happen next for all of us. Not many places to go
to protest or work with others to change it.
I don’t know the reality of this guy, and it sounds like maybe the necessary reaction
was forced, but these days If you lose your temper it is a way of marginalizing
people, like it was to marginalize minorities by holding them to a different standard
or just being selective in enforcement of laws – criminalizing people and then
blaming them for it. Remember sticks and stones … and Twitter.
I think finding out what was actually done and what the guy says about it and
whether he apologized or what … most likely no need to warn the whole about
this guy if he just lost his temper. I seem to remember a guy losing his temper
in the money-lenders temple and overturning tables and kicking them out.
Chill. When someone sees an easy way to slam someone else and they think
it is righteous they do go crazy
@Brian, “When someone sees an easy way to slam someone else and they think it is righteous they do go crazy.”
So, off-topic, how ya votin’ on Persky?
(and yes I caught edgy the South Park reference)
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
How is that hard to understand in a city of “ Rocket Scientists “?
That includes ANY religion, including “ The Church of the Subgenius “ an actual condition of a church to exist. For a rather extreme set of examples:
” A Church of the Old Religion “ ( some “ witchcraft “ )
” A Church of Satanism ( an upside down version of the Christian Cross as token )
Any mosque that teaches ALL the surahs, including subjugation of all other religions and infidels must be put to the sword…yes, that is in the Koran, Q’ran, what ever.. You have to understand your enemy before you destroy one..
These are only a few of the examples. What if the Church violates Federal laws? That truly is the only way to force that Church to leave our country.
Those “ Civil Rights Days “ when the KKK just got rid of an All Black Church by killing off the members..Are Palo Altans better than that? I suggest the City Lawyer look up the laws and apply them properly AND inform the people quickly about Federal Jurisdiction in a Church vs State issue. A silence implies consent to the Federal Jurisdiction in this case..
https://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2018/05/the-preacher-who-wanted-to-save-silicon-valleys-soul/561425/