“They are now holding these more conservative churches hostage.”
I don’t see the problem. Just don’t go, don’t give any money, and if it suits you, get in touch with the people like yourself and start meeting somewhere else. It’s only a building, not a prison. Mathew 18:20
wy69
“..It’s only a building...”
No, it much more. Most of those churches are old, going back generations. The congregation has met, worshiped, fellowshipped, served, played together for most of their lives. The “building” was built by their parents and kin folks. The cemetery is where their family over the years is buried. In that “building” they, their friends and family have been baptized, married and buried. The local church is family.
One of the problems is that if they leave without their say so, they lose their retirement plans, the church property and any funds. They’re holding them hostage. We’re talking millions of dollars in most cases. Of course, those things are as dross when compared to eternity, but they should be able to leave without losing any of those things.
It’s only a building and property the church wants to keep to sell so the head church can pocket millions of dollars for itself.
The issue is that the congregations have a lot of personal assets invested in the church, and the pastor is likely on a retirement plan with the UMC. All that goes away and assets get confiscated, probably hundreds of thousands if not millions of dollars.
Yes, I agree that integrity is more important. But there is a cost that needs to be counted. And when they played by the rules when congregations were allowed by the denomination to separate, and then they were denied, that is a matter of principle.
The only problem with telling people just to leave is that Deep State is buying off Big Religion with taxpayer dollars.
Who needs parishioners when Deep State can collect and distribute for you.
Don’t believe me, check out the billions in PPP money churches got for submitting to the lockdown.
And how much Big Religion is getting now for helping Deep State flood the nation with migrants.