Mid-City Christian: NAE UPDATE

Thursday, April 9, 2015

NAE UPDATE - April 2015

April 2015

NAE Stands With Persecuted Church

At its semiannual meeting on March 5, the NAE Board of Directors expressed collective grief and profound concern for the suffering of Christians around the world. “Our brothers and sisters in Christ are being persecuted, uprooted from their ancestral homes, and even martyred because of their faith,” the motion states. (read more)

What People Look for in Churches

Americans evaluate churches based on their friendliness, children’s programs, worship music, sermons and pastors, according to the February Evangelical Leaders Survey. U.S. evangelical leaders were asked to list three criteria that Americans prioritize when choosing a church. While there was a variety of answers, 80 percent of the responses fell into the categories of friendliness (19 percent), children’s programs (19 percent), worship music (16 percent), sermons (14 percent) and pastors (12 percent). (read more)

When God and Science Meet

New NAE Resource — "When God and Science Meet: Surprising Discoveries of Agreement” is a collection of 10 essays from leading evangelicals and scientists working to build understanding between the two communities by exploring questions that arise at the intersection of faith and science. (pre-order a copy)

Evangelicals Want Immigration Reform

A new LifeWay Research poll, sponsored by the Evangelical Immigration Table and World Relief, found strong support among evangelicals for immigration reform that increases border security and also provides an opportunity for earned citizenship. Nine out of 10 evangelicals want more border security. Six in 10 support a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants. (read more)

Pray for Supreme Court Decision on Marriage

The Supreme Court will likely hear oral arguments this month in a case that that will determine whether states have the right to define marriage and to decide whether to recognize same-sex marriages as performed in another state. The NAE has joined an amici brief encouraging the Supreme Court not to impose a redefinition of marriage on every state. Please uphold our Supreme Court Justices as they consider this historic case. A decision is expected at the end of June.

Member Spotlight: Autumn Ridge Church

Located in Rochester, Minnesota, Autumn Ridge Church’s mission is “Loving God, Serving People.” They exist to celebrate God’s presence through worship, to educate God’s people through discipleship, to communicate God’s word through evangelism and missions, and to demonstrate God’s love through service. The church will host its annual men’s and women’s retreats this month. (learn more)

Article Spotlight: How a Twitter Feud Over Same-sex Marriage may Doom Payday Lending

Christianity Today — Payday lending in South Dakota may become greatly curtailed, thanks to the unlikely friendship between an evangelical pastor and a former Obama campaign official. Steve Hickey, a state legislator and pastor of The Church at the Gate in Sioux Falls, is an outspoken opponent of same-sex marriage. Steve Hildebrand, owner of Josiah's Coffee House and Café, is openly gay and served as former deputy national campaign director for President Obama in 2008. (read more)

Event Spotlight: The Justice Conference

World Relief’s The Justice Conference has emerged as a premier gathering for Christian leaders, justice practitioners, students and learners from all over the world. The conference features internationally acclaimed speakers, hundreds of humanitarian organizations and pre-conference workshops. This year’s conference is in Chicago, June 5-6. (learn more)