The liberals want a split so they can leave
“The liberals want a split so they can leave”
My understanding is just the opposite
The liberals know they are in the minority and if there were a split, they would not be able to fund the denomination
Historically, although owned by the conference, the church has been pretty reasonable with allowing local congregations that wanted to leave to purchase the real estate for a token fee ($1)
This is because, if there is a mortgage, the conference is ultimately responsible for it
I’m sure there would be specific instances of property fights, but overall, conservative churches pulling out would either start over with less overhead (apportionments would be removed) or continue in place
There are relatively few (number wise) financially healthy congregations that foot the overhead bill for the weak, dying congregations
The left CANNOT allow a split or they will own nothing but debt and largely run down real estate
That’s why the call for unity is being heralded
But the truth is simple
If the left gets their way at general conference (and I don’t think they will) there WILL be a split
Further, if the left continues their disobedience to the discipline, and sanctions and penalties ore overturned or non existent, there WILL be a split in the next 18 to 24 months
Of course, the longer the left can stretch it out, the more people who will be co-opted by our western culture as opposed to the Bible
In either case, within 2-4 years (before the next general conference) I expect that trying to leave the denomination because of the radical homosexual agenda will be considered a hate crime