Ministry Friends

“And how are they to believe in Him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching?”

— Romans 10:14-15

Across America today, the doors of the Church are being bound, preventing pastors and church leaders from boldly proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

It is hard to believe that in a nation that enjoys so many precious freedoms, the religious liberty secured by our Founding Fathers is at risk.

But the truth is that American government officials are moving actively – in some places, even aggressively – to suppress the Church’s right to the free exercise of religion … to silence pastors and church leaders … and to block the proclamation of the Gospel.

In recent years, a number of pastors and church leaders have faced IRS investigations, the threat of losing their churches’ tax-exempt status, and other legal reprisals, just for speaking to their congregations from a scriptural perspective about political candidates’ stated positions. They’ve also been investigated for addressing the biblical view on moral issues – like abortion or homosexual behavior – that have now been labeled “political.” Sometimes complaints are filed for nothing more than adhering to scriptural precepts in decisions affecting the employment and/or discipline of staff members.

That’s not all. Many churches find themselves blocked from (or unfairly charged for) using public facilities that are freely available to other groups. Some find themselves evicted from their own property because of zoning laws and land-use ordinances specifically designed and enforced to restrict religious activities. Others find access to their property and facilities blocked by protestors, and even their worship services disrupted by those hostile to the Gospel message.

Whether instigated by individuals, secular organizations, or government officials, these activities are too often prompted by a desire to intimidate pastors and other ministry leaders and to silence the Truth of Jesus Christ.

The future of religious liberty in America hinges in large part on the willingness of courageous pastors and ministry leaders to speak up boldly for the God-given freedoms protected by our Constitution.

Unleashing the Voice of the Church

As a Ministry Friend of the Alliance Defending Freedom, your generous support is enabling Alliance Defending Freedom to foster and defend an environment where pastors and church leaders are free to speak, act, and minister in accordance with biblical principles without fear of facing government censorship, punishment, or unlawful regulation. Alliance Defending Freedom has created www.SpeakUpMovement.org to inform pastors and ministry leaders across America of their constitutionally protected rights, and to encourage and equip them to stand boldly with their members against government intrusions and intimidations.

Join the Fight

If you know of a pastor or church leader facing aggressive actions by the government or secular, anti-Christian groups, encourage him or her to visit www.SpeakUpMovement.org and take action with Alliance Defending Freedom and other Christian leaders nationwide to protect our religious liberties, including:

• the right of churches and pastors to freely speak to their congregations from a biblical perspective on political matters;
• the right of churches to object to, and refuse to participate in, scripturally repugnant practices;
• the right of churches and ministries to freely exercise their beliefs in appropriate locations; and
• the right of churches to keep the identity of members and donors confidential for protection against retaliation.

Encourage your pastor and church leaders to visit www.SpeakUpMovement.org and take advantage of the free online resources provided by the Alliance Defending Freedom.

Tell them these materials will help them stay informed not only about their own legal protections, but about what is happening with other churches across the country and beyond.

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