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In response, the White House is developing super one-stop shopping centers for federally funded faith-based social services. A. R. Bernard of the Christian Cultural Center in New York City said one-stop shopping means that poor people don't have to go all over town to every bureaucracy. "This is the way to do it," he said.

Finally, some observers argue that the White House itself is part of the problem. They say the administration sometimes seems befuddled as it tries to lobby most effectively. One political adviser close to the White House, for example, said the administration hasn't figured out how to mobilize local people to pressure Congress to pass significant legislation.

Danny Cortes directs Nueva Esperanza in Philadelphia, which gives grants to local projects. "Maybe it is a hope on their part, but there is no effort on this," Cortes said. "If we don't go out and convince corporate and local people that the faith-based initiative is something to support, it will probably die on the vine."

Copyright © 2003 Christianity Today. Click for reprint information.

Past Christianity Today articles on charitable choice and faith-based initiatives include:

New Rules, More Money | Bush levels playing field for faith-based groups. (Oct. 08, 2003)

Charitable Choice: It's Still About Ending Discrimination | A new study claims to bring bad news for Bush's faith-based initiative. Does it? (June 10, 2003)

Faith-Based Lite | Administration still seeks 'revolutionary' change (May 14, 2003)

Faith-Based Initiative Bill Isn't So Faith-Based Anymore | Senate guts faith-based initiative bill (Mar. 28, 2003)

Charitable Choice Battle Brewing | Jewish group sues over Americorps support for religious groups (Feb. 26, 2003)

Faith-based Legislation Stalled | White House moves ahead on regulatory, funding fronts (Nov. 1, 2002)

New Study Answers Many Criticisms of White House's Plans | Hudson Institute's "Fruitful Collaborations" underscores the need for hiring freedom (Nov. 1, 2002)

'I Am a Realist' | U.S. Rep. J.C. Watts Responds to Weblog. (Oct. 28, 2002)

Congress's Charitable Choice Expansion Is Dead | Senate may not pass "faith-based" bill, but Watts says he won't oppose it. (Oct. 16, 2002)

Will the Faith-Based Initiative 'Explicitly Prohibit Hiring Discrimination'? | Barney Frank says current bill will lead to discrimination and racism. (Sept. 26, 2002)

Faith-Based Initiative Is Republican Ploy, Says Washington Post | But are Democrats really interested in explaining White House plans to their constituents? (Sept. 17, 2002)

House's Faith-Based Initiatives Bill May Not Be Dead Yet | Rep. J.C. Watts pushes for better faith-based initiative bill in Senate. (March 28, 2002)

Faith-Based Give-in | Compromise bill for religious nonprofits gains grudging support. (March 14, 2002)

Shortchanging Charities | Americans will surrender their constitutional values if nobody acts to expand Charitable Choice. (March 7, 2002)

Court Strips Faith Works of State Funds | Wisconsin vows to appeal setback of Bush-supported initiative. (Feb. 20, 2002)

Bush Backs Senate Faith-Based Initiative Bill | Allowing folks who don't itemize deductions on their tax returns to deduct for charitable giving is apparently huge. (Feb. 2, 2002)

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January 2004, Vol. 48, No. 1