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"Because there's no central hierarchy in evangelicalism, the NAE has provided a convenient reference point for those outside of the community for a pulse on what evangelicals are thinking," said Lindsay, author of Faith in the Halls of Power: How Evangelicals Joined the American Elite. "In many ways, Rich Cizik has played that role. I think that has been fundamental for how evangelicals have been able to gain attention."

The organization has been under Anderson's leadership since Ted Haggard resigned as president in late 2006 following allegations of hiring a male prostitute and using methamphetamine.

The NAE is now associated with more than 50 denominations with about 45,000 churches. However, Larry Eskridge, associate director of the Institute for the Study of American Evangelicals, said that the rise of the Religious Right since the 1980s has made it harder for the NAE to speak for a whole subculture.

"The NAE's role for this diverse, Jell-O-like constituency was a lot easier 30 years ago when they could speak in Washington on bland 'religious' issues," Eskridge said. "But with the onset of the 'culture wars' as Falwell, Dobson, and the rest emerged, the whole ballgame changed, and the ambiguous role of the NAE as being some overarching evangelical spokes-organization began to unravel."

Note: Christianity Today editor-in-chief David Neff is on the executive committee of the NAE board. Reporting of this story was conducted independently of his involvement.

Copyright © 2008 Christianity Today. Click for reprint information.

Earlier Christianity Today articles about the NAE include:

Q&A: Leith Anderson | The new president of the National Association of Evangelicals speaks about galvanizing evangelicals, immigration, and the challenges ahead. (Oct. 29, 2007)

Climate Change Is Here to Stay | Debate over global warming has only intensified since conservatives targeted Cizik. (March 30, 2007)

NAE Endorses Statement Against Torture | Declaration calls for churches and individuals to act on "non-negotiable" issue. (March 16, 2007)

Dobson, Others Seek Ouster of NAE Vice President | Interim president Leith Anderson says he supports Richard Cizik's work on creation care. (March 2, 2007)

Life After Haggard | Leaders praise new NAE chief, debate direction. (November 17, 2006)

National Association of Evangelicals Sifts Through Ashes of Haggard Scandal | Leaders are distancing group from its former president. (November 7, 2006)

'I Am Guilty of Sexual Immorality … a Deceiver and a Liar,' Haggard Confesses | Also: Leith Anderson again named NAE interim president. (November 5, 2006)

NAE Rights Its Ship | Outgoing president put the association back in the black (June 1, 2003)

NAE Plans Move to Washington, D.C. | "We are increasingly convinced that we can do a better job having everything here as it once was." (May 3, 2002)

NAE President Resigns in Wake of Financial Woes | "In the process of change, you also create friction," says Kevin Mannoia. (June 15, 2001)

What Are We For?| The president of the NAE argues that a new day has arrived for the movement. (May, 21, 2001)

Breaking Up Isn't Hard to Do | Religious broadcasters quietly cut historic link to National Association of Evangelicals. (Mar. 21, 2001)

NAE Mulls Move to Azusa (September 6, 1999)

NAE Selects New President (April 5, 1999)

NAE Rethinks Mission (April 27, 1998)

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December (Web-only) 2008, Vol. 53