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What is the state of NAE as you come in as president?

Previous president Leith Anderson and NAE leadership turned this into a healthy organization. I don't see dark clouds on the horizon anymore. It's profitable, it's growing, and it's organized. NAE turned the corner of deciding to do practical things to strengthen evangelicalism. We will continue to get stronger each year.

Would I say we are in great shape compared to where we could have been without the difficult times we faced the last few years? I don't know, but we are in great shape compared to where we were two years ago.

Structurally, we've discovered an interesting new paradigm by selecting a practicing local pastor as president. The number one discipleship mechanism that God has chosen is the local church. It makes all the sense in the world for the president of the NAE to be a local church pastor.  It's very important that after I have an interview with a radio station in Washington D.C. to then have a marriage counseling appointment, and then a funeral. It's what happens at the wedding, the funeral, and in the teaching of Genesis 19 on Sunday morning that is the reason why NAE exists.

Our function is to help local churches and as a local church pastor I can tell if we're making the difference in individual people's lives.

What are some of the greatest needs or opportunities NAE needs to address?

Since evangelicalism has more resources than we've ever had, probably the biggest need is for evangelical leaders to communicate with one another and strategically capitalize on one another's resources to grow more efficient.

We also need to strengthen the weak areas of the body. I don't live in a fog. Evangelicalism has some sick areas. This is where NAE can step up to the plate and help the healthy portions of the body strengthen the struggling areas of the body. There's no reason for churches to be sick, anemic, or declining.

Would you describe your own beliefs as charismatic?

I have always said that I am a spirit-filled evangelical. I am a dispensationalist but I am not a cessationist dispensationalist. I believe the gifts do operate today, but the church I pastor does not reflect charismatic culture. But we do believe in the modern operation of the gifts. I believe that people should earnestly desire spiritual gifts, and I think the Holy Spirit is the one who decides which gifts people receive.

Kevin Mannoia got into trouble for advocating closer ties with the NCC. What is your position on building closer relationship with other networks of churches like the NCC?

I believe we need to have a respectful, civilized relationship with the NCC, but I believe that our differentiating chord is the emphasis on being born again, the integrity of the Bible as the Word of God, and that Jesus is the only way we can have eternal life. Many in the NCC do not embrace that. We are a distinct organization that needs to highlight the fact that those three issues are very important.

I am not interested in unity for unity's sake. I am interested in born-again Christian believers being in unity to advance the cause of Christ. The gospel is a dividing message. I'm really interested in going to the meetings where we strategize on advancing the cause of Christ.

We plan on participating in as many efforts as we can to help the body of Christ be more efficient. I am not, however, interested in NAE participating in every group that wants to get together to celebrate the brotherhood of mankind.

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June (Web-only) 2003, Vol. 47