Some prominent evangelical leaders are criticizing the heads of the National Association of Evangelicals for signing a letter to Muslim leaders containing controversial language.

The critical leaders include Dr. Albert Mohler, Gary Bauer, and Dr. Patrick Sookhdeo who voiced opposition to the apology in the letter for the sins of Christians during the Crusades and for “excesses” of the global war on terror, without mentioning Muslim acts of violence.

Moreover, the leaders contend the letter compromises the importance of Jesus in Christianity in order to appease Muslims. more >>

The National Association of Evangelicals has formally named the Rev. Leith Anderson as its president nearly one year after a sex-drug scandal forced its former president, Ted Haggard, to resign.

Anderson, who serves as senior pastor at the 5,000-membered Wooddale Church in Eden Prairie, Minn., was unanimously approved by NAE board members on Oct. 11 during their fall board meeting held in conjunction with the NAE-Micah Challenge USA “Global Leaders Forum.”

“Leith Anderson is a man of astute mind and has a wealth of experience the NAE needs,” said Israel Gaither, National Commander of the Salvation Army and NAE Executive Committee member, in a statement. more >>

The new president of the National Association of Evangelicals has endorsed a hotly debated public school Bible textbook that was recently highlighted in Time magazine’s cover story about why the Bible should be taught in public school.

Leith Anderson, president of the evangelical association claiming more than 30 million people, described The Bible and Its Influence a work of “excellent scholarship” that explains the “value and relevance of biblical literacy for today,” according to the Bible Literacy Project, the textbook’s publisher.

“In The Bible and Its Influence, the Bible Literacy Project has produced an outstanding textbook that will both encourage literacy and open students’ minds to the significant role the Bible has played in shaping our modern civilization,” wrote Anderson, in a released statement. more >>

Correction appended

The National Association of Evangelicals named a former top official of The Salvation Army as its executive director this week.

Under new leadership at the NAE, W. Todd Basset, former national commander of the Army, was appointed as a well known and respected leader among evangelicals and other religious groups, according to NAE interim president Leith Anderson. more >>

The Rev. Dr. Leith Anderson, senior pastor at the 5,000-member Wooddale Church in Eden Prairie, Minn., was appointed as the Interim President of the National Association of Evangelicals on Saturday, Nov. 4, following the sudden resignation of the Rev. Ted Haggard, who stepped down amid allegations of drug use and sexual immorality.

The following are excerpts from an interview with Dr. Anderson on Tuesday, November 7, 2006:

CP: What does this presidency mean for you and for the NAE? more >>

The National Association of Evangelicals confirmed the selection of the Rev. Leith Anderson, senior pastor of a Minnesota megachurch, as its interim president on Saturday, temporarily filling the leadership position that was left vacant by the sudden resignation of its former president, the Rev. Ted Haggard.

"Dr. Anderson knows the evangelical world and is uniquely positioned to serve the National Association of Evangelicals at this time," said L. Roy Taylor, NAE Chairman of the Board. "He's a man of great personal integrity and spiritual leadership who can step into the president's role without missing a beat."

A 15-member Executive Committee made the selection at an emergency conference on Friday, during the same time they accepted Haggard’s resignation. The following day, Anderson agreed to serve for an indefinite period in order to give the Association time to find a permanent president. more >>