So what's going on here?" she asked standing outside the preschool building, her three-year-old daughter tugging at her hand. "My son went here too, and—well—something's changed."

"Yeah, ever since Pastor Thomas* left, and that's been over two years ago," replied another mother. "They said the preschool director decided to retire, but you get the feeling the whole story hasn't come out yet."

"A friend of mine used to go to church here, and she says the bishop may step in and do something. I think they're getting a new pastor."

"Another one? Well, I hope they do something soon, before everybody leaves. Amazing how quickly it all went downhill."

"It's a shame the new pastor—Jackson—didn't work out. The preschool's always been good."

The first woman responded. "Did you ever hear why Pastor Thomas quit? Did he go to another church?"

"I don't know. Seems there's more to that story than's been told."

Seeds of discontent

"Oh, you're from the fireworks church?" people would say, ...