Once a powerhouse political lobbying organization, the Christian Coalition is experiencing some very troubling times these days. This is the group co-founded by Ralph Reed, the subject of my post yesterday, and the now infamous Pat Robertson.
According to this Washington Post article via MSNBC, the "once-mighty" Christian Coalition is now $2 million in debt and dealing with lawsuits from creditors. I guess the current leadership didn't go to all of those Christain seminars about how the Godly way of financial management is not to dig a deep hole of debt.
Perhaps even more troubling is the fact that some of the local chapters, the true grass-roots strength of the Christian Coalition in previous years, are distancing themselves from the organization. The Iowa chapter has completely cut its ties and renamed itself the "Iowa Christian Alliance."
Stephen L. Scheffler, The Iowa affiliate president since 2000, told the Post "The credibility is just not there like it once was.....There's a trail of debt....our board believes any Christian organization has an obligation to pay its debts in a timely fashion."
I don't recall reading about Jesus running up a large Visa card bill during His time on earth, which, since he knew when he was going to ascend to heaven, would have made sense--enjoy the benefits then let somebody else pick up the tab. If anybody could have pulled that off, it would have been Him.
Fortunately, the examples of His ministry show the complete opposite approach as being acceptable. If the Christain Coalition is going to linger and not have the decency to just go away, couldn't they at least change the name and take Christ out of it--at least that would be more representative of the orgainzation's actions.
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Surprise surprise... an organization manipulates, uses, and lies to people long enough, those people finally realize what is happening and remove themselves (and their financial support) from said organization. Seems like a no-brainer to me. They got what was coming to them.
ReplyDeleteI'm reminded of a bumper sticker I saw on the car of a Jewish co-worker many years ago. It read:
ReplyDeleteThe Moral Majority is Neither
Perhaps we need to update that now:
The Religious Right is Neither
Oh, well.
Bill,
ReplyDeleteI remember that bumper sticker well and like your idea for a new one. I'd be surprised if it isn't already being made.
@Bill Ware
ReplyDeleteBumper sticker wisdom is great. So much said with so few words. I would SOOOOO put that bumper sticker on my car, but in this town.... that would probably get my car vandalized. Oh well :)
The Iowa Chapter of the Christian Coalition has broken away from the national Christian Coalition.
ReplyDeleteThe Iowa Christian Coalition announced on March 7, 2006:
"After the national organization found itself riddled with lawsuits and unpaid bills, when the leadership appeared to be more interested in "looking good" than "being good," your board members decided that in order to uphold their personal integrity and to stand firm in the face of the Lord, that the ties needed to be severed."
And:
"It appeared to the board of Christian Coalition of Iowa, that the focus was no longer on our ultimate service, that of our Lord, but on those things of this world. When the focus of a Christian organization becomes blurred, the organization is doomed."
And: "...the past few years had been mired with dissent and distrust. Promises made were not kept and when confronted the
typical response was to threaten."
(YES, the national often THREATENED the Chapters, Iowa's statement says.)
http://www.iowachristian.com/news/christian%20coalition%20of%20iowa%20announces%20name%20change%20.htm
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http://www.radioiowa.com/gestalt/go.cfm?objectid=6587E9D3-CB52-4E96-9A90C6044BFCC4C6&dbtranslator=local.cfm
http://www.tbo.com/news/nationworld/MGBZ5U4S8LE.html
http://www.gwu.edu/~action/2008/iaphotos06/huckiach030606.html
http://www.iowachristian.com/press/030706.htm
Scheffler Statement on Name Change
Today Christian Coalition of Iowa announces a major change, the change of its name.
From this time forward, we will be known as Iowa Christian Alliance.
We are honored to be serving the Lord in a conscious effort to develop the integrity and leadership needed to guide our fellow citizens toward the traditional values on which our national strength and survival epends. We will only be of service to our Lord and our fellow and if we uphold standards of moral integrity.
Due to certain situations that have happened with the National Christian Coalition organization, the board members of this organization, found it impossible to continue to carry a name that in any way associated us with this national organization.
We fully anticipate that there will be a time of adjustment. The board felt that this was a prudent decision and would rather function as an independent organization than as an organization shrouded with perceptions contrary to its Christian commitments.
The Iowa Christian Alliance will carry the same board, the same staff, and the same mission statement as its predecessor. We know this may present challenges in the short term, however, we believe our faithfulness will be rewarded in the long term.
We therefore covet your continued prayers as well as your volunteer and financial support. We hope that you will continue to remember this organization in those quiet,
personal times between you and your Lord.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart, and thank you from the board of Iowa Christian Alliance.
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And further:
http://www.iowachristian.com/news/christian%20coalition%20of%20iowa%20announces%20name%20change%20.htm
A name change is not easy. It is not done without a great deal of thought, counsel and prayer. The board met several times. The members discussed the merit and the downside of a name change, but when the day ended, it was obvious that Christian Coalition of Iowa was to no longer subsist in the
form in which it had for so long existed.
For years, the board of Christian Coalition of Iowa struggled with its “parent” organization, Christian Coalition of America. For years the national organization
reigned as the country’s premiere conservative organization, leading the fight against those who would tear down our Judeo Christian values. Although in the early years, the national organization was a GREAT help, assisting us with
financial support and political savvy, the past few years had been mired with dissent and distrust. Promises made were not kept and when confronted the typical response was to threaten.
It seems that the eyes of the national organization lost focus. It appeared to the board of Christian Coalition of Iowa, that the focus was no longer on our ultimate service, that of our Lord, but on those things of this world. When the focus of a Christian organization becomes blurred, the organization is doomed.
After the national organization found itself riddled with lawsuits and unpaid bills, when the leadership appeared to be more interested in “looking good” than “being good,” your board members decided that in order to uphold their personal integrity and to stand firm in the face of the Lord, that the ties needed to be severed.
So on March 6, 2006 with sadness and with anticipation, with hope and renewed strength, President Steve Scheffler read the following statement to the 400-500 supporters gathered at the Spring Legislative Kick-Off held at Des Moines Christian School.