Why Conservative Christians Bug Me

OK, so not all conservative Christians bug me. Not even most of them. Actually, most of my friends would call me a conservative Christian. So really I'm talking about a select group of conservative United Methodist Christians who are particularly outspoken in matters of church politics.

I was reminded of this in the September/October issue of Good News magazine. Rev. Riley Case wrote an article called "The Church Will Live Another Day". It's a summary of 3 proposed constiutional amendments (one on inclusiveness, the world-wide nature of the church amendments, and local pastor voting rights). At the conclusion of each section he says, "So,...the church will live for another day." I don't intend to argue for the amendments in this post. But I'm bothered by the implication that if we don't grant local pastors rights that they have never had somehow the church will not live another day. Or that if we did restructure the church we would not live another day. Can't you just make your point without sensationalizing?

But that's what the Good News/Confessing Movement wing of the church does. Every four years we find out that the UMC is once again on the verge of heresy because of the impending change in our position on homosexuality. If we don't act now (and send in lots of money), the church won't live another day. The fact that the church's position has remained virtually unchanged since 1972 apparently has no relevance to the urgency of the vote. My biggest disappointment with the constiutional amendments is that by even being proposed we don't get even one year of peace this quadrenium.

Earlier in the same magazine Rob Renfroe writes on "Speaking the Truth in Love". He reminds us that Jesus tells us "we need the truth to be 'set free' of the lies and misconceptions and the sins that entangle us." But it seems as if the real truth is that the real motivator too often is politics, not seeking God's will. I mean really, it's not hard to figure this out. The Worldwide Nature of the Church amendments would take away the vote of the generally conservative Central Conferences in some matters. Clearly not in the most important and controversial matters. We want the conservative votes, so we'll pull out the homosexuality card and put that amendment to bed. We want the votes. Local pastors generally vote more conservatively. So in this case, it's an easy decision to say that the Discipline should be reformed.

To be clear, the reverse is true too. Liberal Methodists generally were in favor of the Worldwide Nature amendments. My rant is to those on the right because they spend more, are more outspoken, and are more blatant in their exageration of reality.

If you think I'm off base here let me know. I'd be glad to take back my words if I'm missing something.