March 2006 - Christian Coalition of Iowa Announces Name Change

A name change is not easy.  It is not done without a great deal of thought, counsel and prayer. The board met several times.  The members discussed the merit and the downside of a name change, but when the day ended, it was obvious that Christian Coalition of Iowa was to no longer subsist in the form in which it had for so long existed.

For years, the board of Christian Coalition of Iowa struggled with its “parent” organization, Christian Coalition of America.  For years the national organization reigned as the country’s premiere conservative organization, leading the fight against those who would tear down our Judeo Christian values.  Although in the early years, the national organization was a GREAT help, assisting us with financial support and political savvy, the past few years had been mired with dissent and distrust. Promises made were not kept and when confronted the typical response was to threaten. 

It seems that the eyes of the national organization lost focus.  It appeared to the board of Christian Coalition of Iowa, that the focus was no longer on our ultimate service, that of our Lord, but on those things of this world.  When the focus of a Christian organization becomes blurred, the organization is doomed.

After the national organization found itself riddled with lawsuits and unpaid bills, when the leadership appeared to be more interested in “looking good” than “being good,” your board members decided that in order to uphold their personal integrity and to stand firm in the face of the Lord, that the ties needed to be severed.

So on March 6, 2006 with sadness and with anticipation, with hope and renewed strength, President Steve Scheffler read the following statement to the 400-500 supporters gathered at the Spring Legislative Kick-Off held at Des Moines Christian School.

“Today Christian Coalition of Iowa announces a major change, the change of its name.  From this time forward, we will be known as Iowa Christian Alliance.

We are honored to be serving the Lord in a conscious effort to develop the integrity and leadership needed to guide our fellow citizens toward the traditional values on which our national strength and survival depends.  We will only be of service to our Lord and our fellow man if we uphold standards of moral integrity.

Due to certain situations that have happened with the National Christian Coalition organization, the board members of this organization, found it impossible to continue to carry a name that in any way associated us with this national organization.

We fully anticipate that there will be a time of adjustment.  The board felt that this was a prudent decision and would rather function as an independent organization than as an organization shrouded with perceptions contrary to its Christian commitments.

The Iowa Christian Alliance will carry the same board, the same staff, and the same mission statement as its predecessor.  We know this may present challenges in the short term, however, we believe our faithfulness will be rewarded in the long term.

We therefore covet your continued prayers as well as your volunteer and financial support.  We hope that you will continue to remember this organization in those quiet, personal times between you and your Lord.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart, and thank you from the board of Iowa Christian Alliance.”

So now we turn a new page.  We begin a new chapter.  We hope that you stay with us in this journey.  If you have questions, please do not hesitate to call.  Your questions are always welcome.  We will try our best to answer your questions as forthrightly as possible; however, we wish not to become overly vindictive with our former “parent” organization, for that too would be contrary to the commands of our Lord.  Thank you for your support.  We look forward to seeing each of you soon.