Robertson’s Christian Coalition Stumbles Again

The Christian Coalition of America used to be one of the most powerful conservative groups in the country. Founded in 1989 by religious broadcaster Pat Robertson and later led by Ralph Reed, the group became the national voice of Christian conservatives in a nation increasingly divided along political lines of morality and values.

But in recent years the Christian Coalition has suffered a number of setbacks, including mounting debts and the departure of some chapters from the ranks of the national organization. One of the largest chapters, the Christian Coalition of Iowa, left the fold last spring and renamed itself the Iowa Christian Alliance. The outspoken political rants and antics of Robertson haven’t helped the organization’s image, either. Stephen L. Scheffler, president of the Iowa affiliate since 2000, told the Washington Post, "The credibility is just not there like it once was."

The Rev. Joel Hunter was elected to take over the conservative group, and he had planned to step up to the post in January from Roberta Combs. But the president-elect has chosen to decline the job after learning that the Christian Coalition would not let him expand the group’s agenda outside of opposing abortion and gay marriage.

Hunter had hoped to broaden the group’s focus to include other important issues such as caring for the environment and ending poverty in America. "These are issues that Jesus would want us to care about," said Hunter, a senior pastor at Northland Church in Longwood, Florida. But the organizational board of the group didn’t share Hunter’s vision for the future.

Hunter announced his decision not to take the job during a board meeting on November 21. The group issued a statement saying that Hunter had decided to leave because of "differences in philosophy and vision." Hunter said the choice was his, and he was not asked to leave, but he had no choice. "They pretty much said, 'These issues are fine, but they're not our issues, that's not our base,’" Hunter said.

According to Scheffler, the organization’s troubles aren’t just limited to political issues. "The budget has shrunk from $26 million to $1 million," he told the newspaper. "There's a trail of debt. . . . We believe, our board believes, any Christian organization has an obligation to pay its debts in a timely fashion."

Several members of the organization have failed in the political arena as well. Robertson, who still leads the Christian Broadcasting Network, once ran unsuccessfully for the presidency of the United States. Former leader Reed lost the Republican nomination for Lieutenant Governor of Georgia earlier this year, and he was linked unfavorably to Jack Abramoff because of e-mails that revealed his financial ties to the disgraced former lobbyist.