Mid-City Christian: NAE UPDATE DECEMBER 2013

Tuesday, December 10, 2013

NAE UPDATE DECEMBER 2013

December 2013

Alternative Punishment for Nonviolent Crimes

American evangelical leaders overwhelmingly support alternatives to incarceration for nonviolent offenders, according to the November Evangelical Leaders Survey. Only 2 percent of respondents do not support alternative measures. (read more)

Wreath Laying Ceremony

Members of the NAE Chaplains Commission will lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery on Jan. 16, 2014 at 3:15 p.m. At the ceremony, chaplains will honor our brothers and sisters in arms and our Savior Jesus Christ. If you would like to participate or receive more details, email Russell Gunter .

Hitting the Radio Waves

NAE President Leith Anderson recorded a radio ad that will play on stations across the United States. The ad urges Christians to pray for Speaker Boehner and for immigration reform that reflects biblical values. (listen to the ad)

Prayer for Syria

In the last three years, Syria has been ravaged by a civil war that has left more than 100,000 dead, and as Christianity Today reported, created a refugee crisis that is historic in size. Join us in praying for a peaceful resolution and that Christians would continue to provide help and hope to those in need. Many have set aside Dec. 18 as a Day of Prayer for Peace in Syria. A devotional guide is available here.

Philippine Typhoon Relief

Typhoon Haiyan lefts thousands dead, hundreds of thousand houses destroyed and millions of families affected. Several Christian organizations are responding, including the NAE’s humanitarian arm, World Relief , and NAE member organizations such as Compassion International, Convoy of Hope , Christian & Missionary Alliance, Christian Reformed Church , Church of the Nazarene, Converge Worldwide, Evangelical Free Church in America, Free Methodist Church, Presbyterian Church in America, The Salvation Army and The Wesleyan Church.

Catalog of Hope

Giving from World Relief’s Catalog of Hope empowers local churches and communities around the world, and in your own back yard, to serve the world’s most vulnerable. As you consider giving gifts to those you love this Christmas season, we hope you will also consider giving to the least of these. (give a gift)

Member Spotlight: Evangelical Environmental Network

The Evangelical Environmental Network seeks to equip, inspire, disciple and mobilize God’s people in their effort to care for God’s creation. This Christmas, EEN and New Vision Renewable Energy are bringing solar lights to families in Malawi and Honduras through local church partners. They also have an Advent guide available. (read more)

Article Spotlight: Judge Strikes Down Housing Tax Break for Pastors

Christianity Today – One of the most important tax breaks available to American pastors is unconstitutional.

At least, according to a federal judge's assessment of an atheist group's complaint that the IRS's clergy housing allowance – which will save pastors $700 million this year in income taxes – violates the establishment clause of the First Amendment. (read more)

The NAE’s take – "The United States has a long and strong tradition of tax free housing allowances for our military and ministers. Let's expect that one judge will not be able to end this valuable way of blessing those who serve so many and are often paid so little. The Court of Appeals can uphold the present long term law." -Leith Anderson, NAE President

Event Spotlight: National Weekend of Prayer to End Slavery and Trafficking

Human trafficking is the second largest and fastest growing criminal activity in the world. The Weekend of Prayer to End Slavery & Trafficking, which the NAE is co-sponsoring, is Jan. 10-12, 2014. Organize a prayer time for your small group, church or community. (read more)