At the very least, they appear to have been pessimistic about a strong vote for the resolution and were evidently so worried about the alternatives that they were unwilling to trust the Lord for the outcome. A close vote for or against the resolution should not embarrass the Confessing Movement, but instead make it obvious that work is required to convince people of the need for a clear, unambiguous confession of Jesus Christ. The UMC leadership worships the idol of Unity, and works to convey the notion that unity is more important than our need to be true to our Lord Jesus Christ. Recent writings of many of the UMC bishops are dominated by admonitions for unity regardless of differences of theological opinion. Unity keeps the UMC Connection together.
Unity keeps apportionments flowing and keeps the connectional superstructure funded.
Unity keeps careers in the connectional leadership going. Unity subsidizes special interest agendas. A vote indicating serious division among Methodists regarding fundamental beliefs of the UMC would legitimize efforts by congregations to dissent effectively against UMC leadership policies and erode support for the church connection as now constituted. It would also demonstrate to Methodists and to the world that the United Methodist Church could not make a clear biblical confession of faith in Jesus Christ, with the result that the denomination would no longer be considered Christian in the eyes of many believers. I do not believe so.