Evangelical leaders rally behind Rich Cizik
Having had the privilege of working with Rich Cizik on many occasions, we were deeply saddened by the news of his departure from his position as Vice President for Governmental Affairs at the National Association of Evangelicals. (Rich was a member of the Compassion Forum board and asked President-elect Obama a question about climate change at the event, and he spoke at our post-election analysis press conference in November.) After 28 years of service to the NAE, Rich was asked to resign after saying in a radio interview that evangelicals can vote for pro-choice candidates and that he favored civil unions.
Rich’s role in broadening the evangelicals agenda is hard to overstate, from his leadership on climate change to his work on the Millenium Development Goals to his shepherding of a new NAE issue platform in 2004 — For the Health of the Nation –that includes justice for the poor, human rights and creation care. His energy is contagious and we can’t wait to work with him in his next venture whatever that may be. God’s certainly not done with Rich yet.
Today, a group of 60 evangelical leaders released a letter to NAE president Leith Anderson expressing support for Rich’s leadership and moral vision, and calling for a successor who shares a commitment to the broad moral agenda Rich championed. Christianity Today’s Sarah Pulliam posted the letter here. The range of signatories — conservatives, liberals, NAE board members, pastors, nonprofit leaders, academics — reflects the magnitude of respect for Rich in the evangelical community. It’s a fitting tribute for a great person. Our prayers are with him.