A Step Forward For Religious Liberty
Last Thursday in the Rose Garden on the White House lawn, on the very same day as the National Day of Prayer, President Donald J. Trump signed the Presidential Executive Order, “Promoting Free Speech and Religious Liberty.” You can read this brief Presidential Executive Order here.
On the 107th day of his presidency, the President and his administration did more to promote religious freedom than the previous administration did in eight years. This step is a step in the right direction.
This is a Step Forward for Religious Liberty
This is a step forward for religious liberty in America. While some may be disappointed that it does not do more and go farther, please understand, at least it is a forward step. Usually, nothing is done easily or rapidly in Washington, DC. Leading people in a massive organization, government, corporation, or even church is a process.
This is a step forward in the right direction for preserving and forwarding one of our greatest freedoms, religious liberty. The President was more than clear in his speech in the Rose Garden that religious freedom comes from God, and is not granted to us by the government.
The overreach of government regarding religious liberty issues has not just been apparent, but accelerating. It has been a major and growing issue, concern, and threat for all people of faith. Therefore, I am more than hopeful that what occurred last Thursday will not be the end, but a new point of beginning for our future as a nation. At the very least, it is a reversal in our immediate past trajectory regarding the freedom of religion.
Why It Was a Personal Joy to Be Present in the Rose Garden
While in the Rose Garden experiencing this moment in American history, I was overwhelmed with personal gratitude. Why?
At one point a few years ago, I became a target because I took a stand for a biblical and Christian worldview about various moral issues. As I did then and always will in the future, I teach and lead our people to see moral issues through the lens and the authority of the Holy Scripture. That experience was a difficult and learning time for me personally and professionally.
It was also a personal joy because in the fall of 2014, I was invited to speak at a major rally in support of five pastors in Houston, Texas, whose sermons were subpoenaed by the Mayor of Houston. As I spoke that night to over 6,000 people present and to a live simulcast, it was a significant moment in my life. This overreach of government was apparent and demonstrated its acceleration in America. Since then, the acceleration has continued. I do hope these five pastors and others who have been targeted are encouraged by what occurred on Thursday.
This Presidential Executive Order is in clear support of religious liberty. It says, “It shall be the policy of the executive branch to vigorously enforce Federal law’s robust protections for religious freedom.”
While some prognosticate about whether this is needed, I want to assure you, it is. Whether a pastor knew about or felt influenced by the Johnson Amendment is not the issue. The issue is having the freedom to articulate the claims of Scripture in the pulpits in America without fear or intimidation. This is America, where freedom is celebrated. Therefore, this Executive Order is welcome.
The Next Step
I am more than hopeful that what happened on Thursday was the first step of many that will forward religious freedom to every American for decades to come. Prohibiting the free exercise of religion in any way is always an overreach of government and is against on what our country was founded.
The Constitution does make this provision so that every American can live out their faith wherever they are without wondering if they will be penalized for it. Whether you are in business or healthcare, in the military or pastoring a church, in education or in retirement, the free exercise of your religion should always be permitted. Yes, even to the atheist who does not believe there is a God.
The next step I pray will be another step forward for religious liberty in America.
Now is the Time to Lead,
Ronnie W. Floyd
Senior Pastor, Cross Church
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Dr. Ronnie Floyd is the Senior Pastor of Cross Church, Immediate Past President of the Southern Baptist Convention, founder of the Cross Church School of Ministry, and host of the Ronnie Floyd on Life and Leadership Today podcast.
To request an interview with Dr. Ronnie Floyd
contact Gayla Oldham at (479) 751-4523 or email gaylao@crosschurch.com.
Visit our website at http://ronniefloyd.com
Follow Dr. Floyd on Twitter and Instagram @ronniefloyd
Dr. Ronnie Floyd is the President & CEO of the Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee.
This Week at Cross Church | Pray for America Today
Pray for America Today on the National Day of Prayer
Cross Church, wherever you are geographically today, pray for America. Please discover one of the gatherings being held today somewhere in our own region, observing and participating in the National Day of Prayer. On this day, we need to unify together in a public way. Please take the time to read Monday’s article I wrote about the National Day of Prayer.
Jeana and I are in Washington, DC for the National Day of Prayer
Jeana and I are in Washington, DC today, participating with other believers in praying for our nation. First, I have received an invitation from the President to be a part of a prayer service held at the White House in honor of the National Day of Prayer today at 11:00 a.m. EST. Then, on Thursday evening, from 7:30-9:00 p.m. EST, I will be assisting in the National Day of Prayer observance being held in Statuary Hall of the United States Capitol Building in Washington, DC. This service can be live streamed at: http://www.nationaldayofprayer.org
Please pray with us for America and for us as we pray for America.
I Believe Nothing Can Hinder God’s Purpose for My Life
This Sunday, we will continue our series called Living With Purpose. If you missed last Sunday’s message entitled “I Will Pursue God’s Purpose For My Life”, you can see it here. Furthermore, this Sunday, we will be teaching “I Believe Nothing Can Hinder God’s Purpose For My Life.” Invite others and join us.
Senior Recognition Day is Sunday
Do not miss Senior Recognition Day this Sunday. Each campus will participate, so call your campus’ Student Pastor to plan your participation. This is for high school graduating seniors and collegiate graduating seniors or graduate students. We want to recognize you and celebrate with you.
The Miracle Continues: God Provides a New Campus Pastor for Our Neosho Campus
God has answered a major prayer in a very rapid manner. One month to the day following my initial conversation with Dr. Ed Upton about considering becoming the President of our Cross Church School of Ministry, we extended the invitation to the next Cross Church Neosho Campus Pastor.
Chris Deitsch has accepted the call of God to become our new Campus Pastor in Neosho. As soon as Ed made that first call to us, Dr. Nick Floyd remembered someone from his days at Liberty University who was being used by God in a great way. After reaching out to him through an initial conversation, days of dialogue via technology, and advancing with a visit here, God made it more than clear to us and to Chris and his wife, Rachel, the Lord was calling them to Neosho, Missouri. Their first Sunday in Neosho will be May 21. We are excited to welcome Chris and Rachel to the Cross Church Family. You can find out more about them here.
Reaching Our Mission Goal: $600,000 Above Our Ministry Budget Giving for the Next 52 Weeks
Reaching Our Mission funds several great ministries of Cross Church. The $600,000 over and above our ministry budget will help us do more to reach Northwest Arkansas, America, and the world for Jesus Christ. With this offering, we PREPARE the next generation of leaders through our Cross Church School of Ministry. As well, this program helps fund the SEND efforts of our church through supporting church planting in North America and around the world, and helps fund missionary support around the world. We also utilize the Reaching Our Mission offering to help FEED our community through our Blessing Basket ministries and the Feed the 479 ministry. Finally, these gifts help ADVANCE the Gospel of Jesus in Northwest Arkansas. So, please help us reach this crucial Reaching Our Mission funding goal during the next 52 weeks.
Thank you for all you are doing for the Kingdom of God. You are an amazing church. To God be the glory for you!
Now is the Time to Lead,
Ronnie W. Floyd
Dr. Ronnie Floyd is the President & CEO of the Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee.