The Associated Press reports that Rev. Joel Hunter, tapped to lead a revitalized Christian Coalition earlier this year, has resigned because the organization would not allow him to expand the organization’s agenda beyond abortion and gay marriage:
Hunter, who was scheduled to take over the socially conservative political group Jan. 1, said he had hoped to focus on issues such as poverty and the environment.
“These are issues that Jesus would want us to care about,” Hunter said.
He resigned Tuesday during an organization board meeting. Hunter said he was not asked to leave.
“They pretty much said, ‘These issues are fine, but they’re not our issues, that’s not our base,’” Hunter said.
A statement issued by the coalition said Hunter resigned because of “differences in philosophy and vision.” The board accepted his decision “unanimously,” it states.
The organization, headed by President Roberta Combs, claims a mailing list of 2.5 million.
“To tell you the truth, I feel like there are literally millions of evangelical Christians that don’t have a home right now,” Hunter said.
I don’t know Rev. Hunter, although a dear friend was considering working with him at the Coalition and assured me he was a different kind of Christian leader. I was dubious. But clearly I was wrong. Rev. Hunter is to be applauded for doing the right thing. And the conservative Christian political power brokers and the Republican party should be very afraid. God is on the move in the hearts of those who want to serve him and serve him alone. What great news.
posted November 28, 2006 at 12:02 am
Why can’t the Evangelicals have other issues than being concerned about abortion and dreading homosexuality? Homosexuality and abortion are settled issues.And the poor and the needy should have always been placed as a priority in front of debating gays and lesbians.You can help the poor. They want to change.
posted November 28, 2006 at 3:11 pm
If you want to focus on a new agenda, then form a new coalition rather than banging heads against a fanatical wall of stubborness. I agree with your observations, and there has to be change…now what are we all going to do about it? Less talk, more action.
posted December 1, 2006 at 8:14 am
This site is so refreshing. I am tired of the narrow Christian right and pastors creating church loads of cookie cutter Christians all talking and thinking the same. Focusing on aids and poverty is to be commended. Opening the discussion up to everyone is to be commended. God gave us minds to think critically with. Judging others from a church pew is easy. What’s hard is rolling up your sleeves and accomplishing some good in this world because you love God, not because it encourages fear and brings more money to the base.