Chuck Baldwin
Liberty Church Project update
By Chuck Baldwin
As faithful readers of this column know, last year, I launched the Liberty Church Project. For several years, patriot Christians around the country had corresponded with me about their frustration with not being able to find a patriot pastor or liberty church in their area. Like me, these folks have grown weary with establishment 501c3 churches that refuse to take a stand – and they are desperate to find a patriot church and pastor.
The two biggest reasons why pastors and churches have become either silent and submissive serfs or, in some cases, shills for government propaganda are the egregious misinterpretation of Romans 13 and the 501c3 non-profit organization status under which most churches operate. The result is an American church that, for all intents and purposes, is completely incapable of being the "salt" and "light" for our country. These squeamish and compliant churches have left our nation virtually void of moral and spiritual leadership.
As I recently noted in this column: True Christianity has never been associated with, supported by, or underneath Caesar's (civil government's) auspices or benevolence. For most of the 2,000+ years of Church history, true believers met in non-state-sanctioned or even underground churches and fellowships. In fact, the Early Church was birthed in a baptism of persecution from both the civil government (Rome) and established religion (Judaism) at the time. Not until the unholy union of the Church and State under Theodosius I (almost 400 years after Christ) did Christians accept official sanction from government. And for many centuries to follow, the official merger of Church and State led to the persecutions and deaths of untold thousands of believers deemed heretics and outlaws because their religious beliefs contradicted those of the official state-sanctioned church.
Even in early America, state-approved denominations and churches were guilty of horrific persecutions against independent-minded Christians who refused to submit to the doctrines and liturgies of state-sanctioned churches. These state-church persecutions ultimately led Roger Williams to found the colony of Rhode Island and John Leland to convince James Madison that religious liberty must be the first in our Constitution's Bill of Rights.
After the acceptance of our Bill of Rights, America's churches enjoyed complete independent status, being answerable only to their Creator and their own conscience. All of that changed in 1954 when then-Senator Lyndon Johnson (D-Texas) successfully introduced the Johnson Amendment to the code of the Internal Revenue Service: the now-infamous 501c3 nonprofit organization status for churches. This designation made churches a creature of the state – answerable to the direct dictates of government – even regarding speech and activity.
By accepting 501c3 status, America's churches have effectively become state-licensed or state-sanctioned organizations. In much the same way that churches in Communist China risk vindictive state sanctions for not complying with state control, so, too, churches in the United States risk vindictive IRS sanctions for not complying with state control.
What is more than interesting is the comparison between the churches in China and the churches in America. In China, Christianity is growing exponentially. In fact, there are now more Christians in China than there are communists. Please carefully read this report:
"Though the Chinese Communist Party is the largest explicitly atheist organization in the world, with 85 million official members, it is now overshadowed by an estimated 100 million Christians in China. It is no wonder Beijing is nervous and authorities are cracking down on Christian groups.
"Christianity is growing so fast in China that some predict that it will be the most Christian nation in the world in only another 15 years. By far, the greatest growth is coming outside the official state-sanctioned churches, which are rightly considered subservient to the Communist Party. Numbers are increasing, rather, in unofficial Protestant 'house churches' and in the underground Catholic church."
See the report here:
Christians Now Outnumber Communists In China
Did you get that? Let me repeat it: "By far, the greatest growth is coming OUTSIDE [emphasis added] the official state-sanctioned churches, which are rightly considered subservient to the Communist Party [state]. Numbers are increasing, rather, in UNOFFICIAL [emphasis added] Protestant 'house churches' and in the UNDERGROUND [emphasis added] Catholic church."
But what do we see happening in the United States? Christianity is waning BIG TIME. On the whole, churches are in steep decline. For the most part, only the entertainment-oriented, circus variety churches are growing. The numbers of Americans professing Christianity in general and expressing loyalty to a specific church or denomination are at historic lows. And the trend for 2015 and beyond is more of the same.
So, what is the difference? Why is Christianity proliferating in China and declining in America? China has an openly atheistic government. For all intents and purposes, the government in Washington, D.C., is equally atheistic. The federal government in D.C. is responsible for virtually every single attack against the expression of the Christian faith at every level of society. It is the federal government that attacks Christian expression in our local public schools. It is the federal government that attacks Christian expression in local governing bodies. It is the federal government that has all but permanently dismantled the expression of Christianity throughout our country's public institutions. But so does the government in Beijing. Yet, in China, the Church is mushrooming, while in America, the Church is dying. What's the difference?
The difference is, in China, Christians understand that to be loyal to Christ, they MUST NOT SUBMIT to state-sanction or license. And they are willing to defy Beijing authorities in order to be faithful to that conviction. However, in America, pastors and churches insist that they MUST SUBMIT to state control – even using Romans 13 to justify this preposterous position. Bottom line: state-sanctioned churches in America are withering, while non-state-sanctioned churches in China are mushrooming. There is no doubt that the trend in both countries will continue into and beyond 2015.
Until America's pastors and churches "see the light" and consciously withdraw themselves from Caesar's grasp (at whatever cost), Christianity in this country will continue to evaporate.
The Liberty Church Project was born out of the pleas of thousands of believers nationwide who desire to break free from the establishment 501c3-controlled and misapplied Romans 13-brainwashed churches.
Last year, I announced the vision of the Liberty Church Project to readers of this column. Within two months, the financial goal was met and we made the appeal for people who wished to be part of a liberty church to begin contacting us. As a result, my team and I were able to travel from Montana to Texas (twice), to North Carolina, to South Carolina, and to Idaho. In each case, either a brand new non-501c3 church or fellowship was launched or an existing 501c3 church began the process of withdrawing from the tentacles of Caesar's clutches.
My video crew was able to record much of the meetings that the Liberty Church Project conducted around the country. We now have an edited version of those video recordings uploaded online so people can see for themselves the impact that the LCP is having in the lives of people nationwide.
Many of you folks sent financial contributions to the Liberty Church Project. I want you to watch the video and see what your support is helping to accomplish. Many of you folks have been praying for the Liberty Church Project. I want you to watch the video to see how God is already answering your prayers. Perhaps you are contemplating the establishment of a liberty church in your area. I want you to watch the video to see if the Liberty Church Project can assist you.
In the video, you will see many of the pastors and lay people alike who were the recipients of the help and assistance that the Liberty Church Project was able to provide. I believe you will both see and sense the enthusiasm and excitement in the hearts of these folks as they are now, most of them for the first time, able to be part of a real liberty church and sit under the ministry of a real patriot pastor. Plus, you will see and hear the testimony of the patriot-preachers themselves as they share what the Liberty Church Project has meant to them.
To watch this video-report of the initial meetings of the Liberty Church Project, go here:
Liberty Church Project Video Update
We are already talking with dozens of groups all over the country who also desire to break out of the 501c3 government matrix. I expect that we will be taking the Liberty Church Project to even more cities and communities during 2015.
Obviously, as requests for us to share the Liberty Church Project with people around the country continue to mushroom, so will our need for financial resources. I ask you to watch the video, and if God lays it on your heart to help us take the message of the liberty church across America, to please consider a financial contribution.
Also, I am still praying for God to provide a financially-independent pilot, who owns a twin-engine turbo-prop airplane to come on board and help us. The time and wear and tear that could be circumvented with such an asset would help us to double or triple our effectiveness. Folks, please pray with me about that.
Furthermore, after watching the video, if you are serious about helping to start a new non-501c3 church, or are a pastor who desires to help restore the patriot pulpit to your church, please fill out the online application on the website. That is the thing that gets the entire process rolling.
I, again, remind folks that only people who are serious about this project should apply. This is a very serious commitment by me, my family, the people of Liberty Fellowship, and my team. It involves much planning, labor, time, and effort. Restoring liberty churches and patriot pulpits to America is serious business.
At the same time, if a small group of people is dedicated and determined to being part of a liberty church, they should not be discouraged by the smallness of their numbers. We have pastors around the country who are standing by, ready to relocate, if necessary, in order to be the local shepherd of a liberty church. I encourage you, if you are the leader of even a small group of folks, who are seriously dedicated to being part of a liberty church, to please fill out the online application. The significant factor is not the size of the group, but the dedication and seriousness of the group.
To learn more about the Liberty Church Project, to fill out the online application, or to contribute to the LCP with a credit card, the website is:
Liberty Church Project
To go directly to the LCP update video, go to:
Liberty Church Project Video Update
If you already know God wants you to support the Liberty Church Project, and you prefer to write a check or money order, the postal address is:
Liberty Church Project
P.O. Box 610
Kila, Montana 59920
If nothing else, I hope you will watch the Liberty Church Project update video.
I am more convinced than ever that the ONLY remedy for America's collapse will be found in patriot pulpits and liberty churches. Right now, it is a Gideon's 300-type number. But, if God gives us time, and allows us to continue to take this message across the country, think of what could happen in five, ten, or fifteen years if hundreds and even thousands of such pulpits and churches were to spring up. Just imagine! That is my dream; that is my vision.
Again, to watch the Liberty Church Project update video, go here:
Liberty Church Project Video Update
P.S. As the 42nd anniversary of the ignoble Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision legalizing abortion-on-demand is again upon us, I brought a message last Sunday at Liberty Fellowship entitled, "Abortion And The Conscience Of America." That message is archived online. I hope you watch it and share it. Watch the abortion message video here:
Abortion And The Conscience Of America
© Chuck Baldwin
January 23, 2015
As faithful readers of this column know, last year, I launched the Liberty Church Project. For several years, patriot Christians around the country had corresponded with me about their frustration with not being able to find a patriot pastor or liberty church in their area. Like me, these folks have grown weary with establishment 501c3 churches that refuse to take a stand – and they are desperate to find a patriot church and pastor.
The two biggest reasons why pastors and churches have become either silent and submissive serfs or, in some cases, shills for government propaganda are the egregious misinterpretation of Romans 13 and the 501c3 non-profit organization status under which most churches operate. The result is an American church that, for all intents and purposes, is completely incapable of being the "salt" and "light" for our country. These squeamish and compliant churches have left our nation virtually void of moral and spiritual leadership.
As I recently noted in this column: True Christianity has never been associated with, supported by, or underneath Caesar's (civil government's) auspices or benevolence. For most of the 2,000+ years of Church history, true believers met in non-state-sanctioned or even underground churches and fellowships. In fact, the Early Church was birthed in a baptism of persecution from both the civil government (Rome) and established religion (Judaism) at the time. Not until the unholy union of the Church and State under Theodosius I (almost 400 years after Christ) did Christians accept official sanction from government. And for many centuries to follow, the official merger of Church and State led to the persecutions and deaths of untold thousands of believers deemed heretics and outlaws because their religious beliefs contradicted those of the official state-sanctioned church.
Even in early America, state-approved denominations and churches were guilty of horrific persecutions against independent-minded Christians who refused to submit to the doctrines and liturgies of state-sanctioned churches. These state-church persecutions ultimately led Roger Williams to found the colony of Rhode Island and John Leland to convince James Madison that religious liberty must be the first in our Constitution's Bill of Rights.
After the acceptance of our Bill of Rights, America's churches enjoyed complete independent status, being answerable only to their Creator and their own conscience. All of that changed in 1954 when then-Senator Lyndon Johnson (D-Texas) successfully introduced the Johnson Amendment to the code of the Internal Revenue Service: the now-infamous 501c3 nonprofit organization status for churches. This designation made churches a creature of the state – answerable to the direct dictates of government – even regarding speech and activity.
By accepting 501c3 status, America's churches have effectively become state-licensed or state-sanctioned organizations. In much the same way that churches in Communist China risk vindictive state sanctions for not complying with state control, so, too, churches in the United States risk vindictive IRS sanctions for not complying with state control.
What is more than interesting is the comparison between the churches in China and the churches in America. In China, Christianity is growing exponentially. In fact, there are now more Christians in China than there are communists. Please carefully read this report:
"Though the Chinese Communist Party is the largest explicitly atheist organization in the world, with 85 million official members, it is now overshadowed by an estimated 100 million Christians in China. It is no wonder Beijing is nervous and authorities are cracking down on Christian groups.
"Christianity is growing so fast in China that some predict that it will be the most Christian nation in the world in only another 15 years. By far, the greatest growth is coming outside the official state-sanctioned churches, which are rightly considered subservient to the Communist Party. Numbers are increasing, rather, in unofficial Protestant 'house churches' and in the underground Catholic church."
See the report here:
Christians Now Outnumber Communists In China
Did you get that? Let me repeat it: "By far, the greatest growth is coming OUTSIDE [emphasis added] the official state-sanctioned churches, which are rightly considered subservient to the Communist Party [state]. Numbers are increasing, rather, in UNOFFICIAL [emphasis added] Protestant 'house churches' and in the UNDERGROUND [emphasis added] Catholic church."
But what do we see happening in the United States? Christianity is waning BIG TIME. On the whole, churches are in steep decline. For the most part, only the entertainment-oriented, circus variety churches are growing. The numbers of Americans professing Christianity in general and expressing loyalty to a specific church or denomination are at historic lows. And the trend for 2015 and beyond is more of the same.
So, what is the difference? Why is Christianity proliferating in China and declining in America? China has an openly atheistic government. For all intents and purposes, the government in Washington, D.C., is equally atheistic. The federal government in D.C. is responsible for virtually every single attack against the expression of the Christian faith at every level of society. It is the federal government that attacks Christian expression in our local public schools. It is the federal government that attacks Christian expression in local governing bodies. It is the federal government that has all but permanently dismantled the expression of Christianity throughout our country's public institutions. But so does the government in Beijing. Yet, in China, the Church is mushrooming, while in America, the Church is dying. What's the difference?
The difference is, in China, Christians understand that to be loyal to Christ, they MUST NOT SUBMIT to state-sanction or license. And they are willing to defy Beijing authorities in order to be faithful to that conviction. However, in America, pastors and churches insist that they MUST SUBMIT to state control – even using Romans 13 to justify this preposterous position. Bottom line: state-sanctioned churches in America are withering, while non-state-sanctioned churches in China are mushrooming. There is no doubt that the trend in both countries will continue into and beyond 2015.
Until America's pastors and churches "see the light" and consciously withdraw themselves from Caesar's grasp (at whatever cost), Christianity in this country will continue to evaporate.
The Liberty Church Project was born out of the pleas of thousands of believers nationwide who desire to break free from the establishment 501c3-controlled and misapplied Romans 13-brainwashed churches.
Last year, I announced the vision of the Liberty Church Project to readers of this column. Within two months, the financial goal was met and we made the appeal for people who wished to be part of a liberty church to begin contacting us. As a result, my team and I were able to travel from Montana to Texas (twice), to North Carolina, to South Carolina, and to Idaho. In each case, either a brand new non-501c3 church or fellowship was launched or an existing 501c3 church began the process of withdrawing from the tentacles of Caesar's clutches.
My video crew was able to record much of the meetings that the Liberty Church Project conducted around the country. We now have an edited version of those video recordings uploaded online so people can see for themselves the impact that the LCP is having in the lives of people nationwide.
Many of you folks sent financial contributions to the Liberty Church Project. I want you to watch the video and see what your support is helping to accomplish. Many of you folks have been praying for the Liberty Church Project. I want you to watch the video to see how God is already answering your prayers. Perhaps you are contemplating the establishment of a liberty church in your area. I want you to watch the video to see if the Liberty Church Project can assist you.
In the video, you will see many of the pastors and lay people alike who were the recipients of the help and assistance that the Liberty Church Project was able to provide. I believe you will both see and sense the enthusiasm and excitement in the hearts of these folks as they are now, most of them for the first time, able to be part of a real liberty church and sit under the ministry of a real patriot pastor. Plus, you will see and hear the testimony of the patriot-preachers themselves as they share what the Liberty Church Project has meant to them.
To watch this video-report of the initial meetings of the Liberty Church Project, go here:
Liberty Church Project Video Update
We are already talking with dozens of groups all over the country who also desire to break out of the 501c3 government matrix. I expect that we will be taking the Liberty Church Project to even more cities and communities during 2015.
Obviously, as requests for us to share the Liberty Church Project with people around the country continue to mushroom, so will our need for financial resources. I ask you to watch the video, and if God lays it on your heart to help us take the message of the liberty church across America, to please consider a financial contribution.
Also, I am still praying for God to provide a financially-independent pilot, who owns a twin-engine turbo-prop airplane to come on board and help us. The time and wear and tear that could be circumvented with such an asset would help us to double or triple our effectiveness. Folks, please pray with me about that.
Furthermore, after watching the video, if you are serious about helping to start a new non-501c3 church, or are a pastor who desires to help restore the patriot pulpit to your church, please fill out the online application on the website. That is the thing that gets the entire process rolling.
I, again, remind folks that only people who are serious about this project should apply. This is a very serious commitment by me, my family, the people of Liberty Fellowship, and my team. It involves much planning, labor, time, and effort. Restoring liberty churches and patriot pulpits to America is serious business.
At the same time, if a small group of people is dedicated and determined to being part of a liberty church, they should not be discouraged by the smallness of their numbers. We have pastors around the country who are standing by, ready to relocate, if necessary, in order to be the local shepherd of a liberty church. I encourage you, if you are the leader of even a small group of folks, who are seriously dedicated to being part of a liberty church, to please fill out the online application. The significant factor is not the size of the group, but the dedication and seriousness of the group.
To learn more about the Liberty Church Project, to fill out the online application, or to contribute to the LCP with a credit card, the website is:
Liberty Church Project
To go directly to the LCP update video, go to:
Liberty Church Project Video Update
If you already know God wants you to support the Liberty Church Project, and you prefer to write a check or money order, the postal address is:
Liberty Church Project
P.O. Box 610
Kila, Montana 59920
If nothing else, I hope you will watch the Liberty Church Project update video.
I am more convinced than ever that the ONLY remedy for America's collapse will be found in patriot pulpits and liberty churches. Right now, it is a Gideon's 300-type number. But, if God gives us time, and allows us to continue to take this message across the country, think of what could happen in five, ten, or fifteen years if hundreds and even thousands of such pulpits and churches were to spring up. Just imagine! That is my dream; that is my vision.
Again, to watch the Liberty Church Project update video, go here:
Liberty Church Project Video Update
P.S. As the 42nd anniversary of the ignoble Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision legalizing abortion-on-demand is again upon us, I brought a message last Sunday at Liberty Fellowship entitled, "Abortion And The Conscience Of America." That message is archived online. I hope you watch it and share it. Watch the abortion message video here:
Abortion And The Conscience Of America
© Chuck Baldwin
The views expressed by RenewAmerica columnists are their own and do not necessarily reflect the position of RenewAmerica or its affiliates.
(See RenewAmerica's publishing standards.)
