Leith Anderson

Arthur Gay, NAE leader who introduced Reagan’s ‘evil empire’ speech, dead at 86

By Adelle M. Banks — July 28, 2023
(RNS) — Gay led the National Association of Evangelicals during a time when Reagan was seeking the continuing support of U.S. evangelicals.

New NAE president calls for evangelicals to address ‘identity crisis’ without fear

By Adelle M. Banks — March 5, 2020
WASHINGTON (RNS) — Evangelicals are ‘compelled to transform by God’s grace our national narrative of racism into the gospel narrative of reconciliation,’ said the Rev. Walter Kim in his inaugural address.

Retiring NAE head Leith Anderson: Evangelicals not just white or political

By Adelle M. Banks — November 27, 2019
WASHINGTON (RNS) — ‘I want the standard to be what the Bible teaches, not what the polls report,’ said Leith Anderson, outgoing president of the National Association of Evangelicals.

Why the Johnson Amendment is always debated and never repealed

By Jacob Lupfer — December 21, 2018
(RNS) — Responsible actors, including the IRS, seek no change because the current law works in the best interests of churches, the government and society at large.

Survey: Evangelical leaders really don’t want to endorse politicians

By David Gibson — March 30, 2017
(RNS) Donald Trump vowed to change the law so clergy could promote candidates from the pulpit. Nine in 10 don't seem to want to.

Evangelicals soften death penalty stance

By Lauren Markoe — October 20, 2015
WASHINGTON (RNS) The resolution reflects a larger societal shift away from the practice, though it does not reverse the earlier support for the death penalty.

Thank God: Evangelicals shrink back from support of death penalty (COMMENTARY)

By Jonathan Merritt — October 20, 2015
(RNS) The NAE’s capital punishment resolution is a hopeful sign that evangelicals are catching up to the rest of America.

Evangelical group issues ethics code for congregations

By Adelle M. Banks — October 2, 2015
(RNS) “Deal fairly and openly with causes of scandal when they occur, within the framework of the law,” the guide says.

World Vision, recovering from gay policy shift, tries to shore up its evangelical base

By Sarah Pulliam Bailey — June 26, 2014
(RNS) The $1 billion relief agency has struggled since an earlier about-face on same-sex marriage, but recent moves signal a shift toward shoring up its evangelical base.

Christian leaders say Middle East Christians must not be forgotten

By Adelle M. Banks — May 7, 2014
WASHINGTON (RNS) “If history has any lesson to teach us about silence, it’s not a good one,” Cardinal Donald Wuerl said.

Is Francis the first Protestant Pope?

By Jonathan Merritt — April 10, 2013
Many Protestants are warming to Pope Francis. Could this newfound affection lead to mending fences between the estranged Christian bodies?

What do religious leaders want for Obama’s next four years?

By Adelle M. Banks — November 6, 2012

(RNS) Religious leaders already have their wish lists ready for President Obama's second term. Here are 10 officials' thoughts about what they’d like to see in the next four years. By Adelle M. Banks and Jeanie Groh.

Evangelical group proposes code of ethics for pastors

By Chris Lisee — June 15, 2012

WASHINGTON (RNS) The National Association of Evangelicals is urging pastors to unite under a consistent code of ethics. NAE leadership says the code will provide uniform guidance to church leaders across 40 denominations. By Chris Lisee.

Religious leaders ask HHS to broaden birth control exemption

By David Gibson — June 12, 2012

(RNS) A coalition of nearly 150 religious leaders, led by conservative Protestants, have petitioned the Obama administration to broaden the exemption that allows churches and some religious organizations to avoid the controversial policy mandating that all health care insurers provide free contraception coverage. By David Gibson.

Analysis: The unexpected evangelical silence on Mitt Romney’s Mormonism

By Jonathan Merritt — June 11, 2012

(RNS) The relative ambivalence among prominent evangelicals about this new "Mormon moment" -- and the fact that Mitt Romney's campaign could mainstream Mormonism right into the Oval Office – could radically shift the dynamics on America's political and religious landscape. By Jonathan Merritt.

Page 1 of 1