Liberal or Conservative?
This past weekend we had a lively debate on our advanced leadership forum on liberal vs. conservative labels. It was a helpful discussion, but I’m really tired of all the talk about conservatives vs liberals. Labels have soooooo much baggage. I doubt if God cares much about such things. So here’s my take on the issue
Let’s do away with labels and just ask this question - “Are you passionate about bringing people to a saving relationship with Jesus Christ and transforming you city?”
Isnt this ALL that matters? You see if one can say yes to the above, I say “Give me your hand and let’s walk together. At least now we have some concrete way to evaluate ourselves.
I will tell you the one thing that pushes my button - the press who label any serious Christian as the “religious right.” I resent that. Im serious about transforming individuals and people taking responsibility for thier lives but I’m not in the religious right camp. I am a born again Christian, but not the kind that Barna always writes about and does ALL of his studies with.
But look, I’m the way I am because at the age of 16 I had never heard a bible story and easter was the only time we darkened the door of a church and we were Methodists. And guess what - when we did attend on Easter NO ONE from the church ever darkened our door or asks me about my spiritual well being.
I had to run into someone who cared about my soul on the golf course who wouldn’t let the issue rest until on the third hole of Hancock golf course I surrendered my life to Christ - surrender is the only workable term in my case.
So why don’t we drop the labels and just ask about people’s relationship with Christ and thier city?
September 28th, 2008 at 9:36 am
Yes, I know the labels Conservative and Liberal are problematic — and yet everyone keeps using them. I am a self-identified liberal. Anyone who knows me, knows I am one. AND I love Jesus. So I find that I strike up friendships with other lovers of Jesus (some who are identified by the world as “conservative) — and these friendships cause great confusion to others. Often, during the West Ohio Annual Conference session I am spotted at the coffee house at Lakeside chatting with a “mega church” pastor whom others think I must not have a thing in common with. So sad. Little do they know. We both love Jesus and are passionate about sharing the way of Jesus with people who do not know him. We have plenty in common! Thanks for the conversation, Bill.