September 30, 2009

Non-Profits & "Crazy" Christians Targeted
By Craig Parshall, Sr. VP and General Counsel

Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA) is mounting another attack against non-profit groups and religious ministries, this time in an amendment to America’s Healthy Future Act of 2009, the bill proposed by Senate Finance Committee chair Max Baucus (D-MT). Senator Grassley’s amendment asks Congress to give the IRS specific authority to demand detailed information from non-profit groups about their internal “governance and management practices.” Yet once again, the Senator has not recognized the unique constitutional protections for religious non-profits, which have a First Amendment right to autonomy from intrusive government oversight.

In 1970 the Supreme Court noted that exempting religious groups from taxation was an effective way to avoid unconstitutional government “surveillance” over faith-based organizations. Senator Grassley’s amendment, which uses tax-exempt status as a lever to force unconstitutional disclosures, would squeeze religious groups into a Catch 22: keep your tax exemption but give up your First Amendment rights by yielding up excessive information about your internal policies, or demand your constitutional liberties but forget about your 501(c)(3) status.

On the broader political and media landscape, conservatives and Christians are in the proverbial cross-hairs again. Last week I testified before the House Education and Labor Committee in opposition to the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA), the bill that would require employers, including some Christian organizations, to hire homosexuals, lesbians and transgender persons. Repeatedly, supporters of the bill used buzz words like “irrational” and “fear” to label those of us in opposition (like NRB) as blinded by bigotry and emotions. And also, last week Dr. Frank Wright, our President & CEO, told NRB’s Washington, D.C., Media Summit attendees that the liberal culture tries to kill good ideas by marginalizing the opposition – sometimes viciously. Now there’s more evidence of that tactic, this time by the press. On the cover of this week’s New York magazine, opponents of President Obama’s more stunning policies were labeled as “crazies.” In the inside article by Philip Weiss, the massive Washington “tea party” (full of stroller-pushing moms, elders, and respectful citizens who, in contrast to the typical DC march, left no trash behind) was described this way: “Now the mob was back on the street in full throat …” In an editorial in last week’s New York Times, conservatives were charged with having “twisted” the health care debate to play on public fear. In Salon.com, opponents of the President’s health care plan were said to be living in an “alternate reality.” Perhaps all of this shows that the liberal media is suffering from its own brand of “fear,” namely the scary recognition that Lincoln was right after all: you can’t fool all of the people all of the time.

Member News

NRB Members are helping flood victims in Georgia.

Disney's abrupt change of leadership may signal a shift away from traditional family values.

One year later, Christians in Orissa, India, are still hurting, but NRB and others are helping them rebuild.

Et Cetera

Spotlighting Focus on the Family® - helping people navigate the challenges of family life for over 30 years.

MEMBER NEWS

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Rapid Response in Georgia
The Billy Graham Rapid Response Team of crisis-trained chaplains is helping the recovery process in North Georgia after a recent flood left death and destruction in its wake. Deployed in coordination with Samaritan’s Purse, both groups are working to meet the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of individuals affected by the flooding. “Many families have lost everything that they’ve worked for, and it’s very common to feel devastated and hopeless during this time of great loss,” said Jack Munday, director of the Billy Graham Rapid Response Team. The Team is a nationwide network of more than 3,000 chaplains in 40 states, who have been specially trained to deal with crisis situations. They deploy nationally, and in some cases internationally, as a ministry of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association. Click here to learn more about the work of the Billy Graham Rapid Response Team.

PHOTO ABOVE: The Whitmire home in Austell, Georgia, after recent flooding. Photograph courtesy of David O’Dell.

Family Leader Leaves Disney
Dick Cook had his fingerprints on everything that was “family friendly” at Walt Disney Studios, until his abrupt and unexpected departure from Disney earlier this month. All reports indicate that Hollywood, which is surprised by very little, was in shock as sources indicated that Cook was shown the door after being with Disney for 38 years. This change may signal a shift in direction for Disney, which is disquieting for those who laud family entertainment. Two years ago, NRB’s President’s Council was given a VIP tour of the Disney Studios and a personal greeting by then-Chairman Cook, who emphasized his commitment to family and moral values in entertainment. We will miss the direction this family oriented leader gave to Disney, and hope that the entertainment industry will find creative ways to capitalize on his accumulated wisdom and knowledge in the years ahead.

One Year Later
In the summer of 2008, Hindu radicals in Orissa, India, began a “bloody rampage that left 50,000 Christians fleeing for their lives into the state’s forests,” reports Gospel for Asia (GFA). Many Christians were killed, homes were destroyed, and churches were burned. One year later, 20,000 Christians are still living in refugee camps and many are afraid to return to their home villages. They have been warned, says GFA President Dr. K.P. Yohannan, “that if they return, they must convert to Hinduism or…suffer the consequences.”

Gospel for Asia has stepped into that gap, partnering with NRB and other Christians around the globe to provide the money to build 240 homes – with a commitment to build 1,000. "NRB's Strategic Partnership division has been honored to work with Gospel for Asia in telling the story of the persecution in Orissa,” says Dr. Ron Harris, NRB’s Senior Vice President of Strategic Partnerships. “Having been in India with GFA, I have high confidence of the spiritual impact they will have even as they rebuild homes and churches.” Please continue to pray for those Orissa residents who are still in refugee camps, and for the GFA missionaries who are enduring frequent beatings and persecution as they offer the refugees food, clothing, and encouragement. Click here for more information about Gospel for Asia, and here for information about NRB’s ongoing partnership to rebuild homes in Orissa.

PHOTO ABOVE: A damaged church in Orissa, India. Photo courtesy of Dr. Ron Harris and Gospel for Asia.

ET CETERA

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Member Spotlight: Focus on the Family

For over 30 years, Focus on the Family® has been inviting people on a journey home.

In 1977, Dr. James Dobson began the ministry of Focus on the Family with a 15-minute broadcast heard once a week on 36 radio stations. Today in the United States, 1.6 million people tune in daily to the Focus on the Family® broadcast; each week, 238 million worldwide view or listen to one of Focus on the Family’s programs.

In addition to its flagship broadcast – still hosted by Dr. Dobson – the ministry produces several other programs, including Focus on the Family Weekend Magazine™, Adventures in Odyssey®, Family News in Focus®, Plugged In Movie Reviews®, James Dobson Family Minute™ and Focus on the Family Commentary™, a 90-second feature for general market radio stations. Spanish versions of Focus on the Family and Plugged In Movie Reviews are also available.

Focus on the Family is also home to such ministries as Focus on the Family’s The Truth Project®, a biblical worldview training; Option Ultrasound™, which provides ultrasound equipment and services to pregnancy medical clinics around the world; and the Adoption & Orphan Care Initiative™, dedicated to helping churches and families carry out the mandate to “care for orphans and widows.”

Read More…

SPEAKER HIGHLIGHT
Chuck Colson

The NRB 2010 Convention & Exposition will feature Chuck Colson, founder of Prison Fellowship Ministries, during the Closing Banquet on March 2, 2010. Chuck Colson is a popular and widely known author, speaker, and radio commentator. A former presidential aide to Richard Nixon and founder of the international ministry Prison Fellowship, he has written several books, including Born Again, Loving God, How Now Shall We Live?, The Good Life, and The Faith Given Once, For All, that have shaped Christian thinking on a variety of subjects. His radio broadcast BreakPoint airs daily to two million listeners. In 1993, Colson was awarded the prestigious Templeton Prize for Progress in Religion; the one million dollar prize—all speaking fees and book royalties—were donated to Prison Fellowship. In 2008, President Bush conferred on him the second highest civilian award of the U.S. government, the Presidential Citizens Medal, for his humanitarian work with Prison Fellowship. He is a graduate of Brown University and George Washington Law School, receiving his juris doctor with honors. He also served in the United States Marine Corps, attaining the rank of Captain.

EXHIBITOR HIGHLIGHT
SALVATION ARMY - BOOTH 801
The Salvation Army has been serving humanity and communicating the gospel of Jesus Christ since 1865. Through the years, methods have changed but the message has remained the same. Today, communication is instantaneous—24/7. Yet more than ever, people feel alone, that no one understands. So now, more than ever, we are committed to DOING THE MOST GOOD through various communications, including the personal kind—a smile, a hug, a listening ear—all in the name of Christ. People remain our priority. Join us! Our radio ministries and other media reps will be on site at NRB 2010 to talk with you.

EDUCATION SESSION HIGHLIGHT
Navigating New Technology and Social Media: Finding The Correct Direction for Your Ministry

Saturday, February 27th, 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

From mobile tithing to creating custom social networks, the changing dynamics of technology and social media provide new options for ministries. The opportunities are endless and continually evolve. As television, radio, and the Internet are viewed across different media devices, it is important to leverage diverse media and engage constituents with multiple technology options. Learn how to implement new strategies and develop an interactive road map for your ministry. From case studies to practical applications, listen to experts share success stories from radio, television, and traditional ministries. In particular, learn how to collaborate and engage your ministry with other ministries, organizations and constituents. You will leave with an understanding of new technology options and strategies for your ministry.

FURTHER CONVENTION DETAILS...

The President's blog considers the factors that influence our efforts to use electronic media for the cause of Christ.
Read on...

Does Your Organization Deserve the least Legal Protection or the BEST?

NRB’s new legal resource, The Guardian Group, is designed specifically with the NRB member organization in mind. We know in the past you’ve probably used a system to minimize legal liability and avoid costly mistakes, but these are extraordinary times, with unprecedented threats ahead. Membership in The Guardian Group will entitle you to breaking news and information about those threats, free representation on NRB-related legal cases and issues, and pro-active ways to avoid legal “land mines."
Further details...

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