Dear Pastor,

I am writing this letter on behalf of the Coalition for Authentic Marriage (C-FAM), "a local organization of pastors and concerned citizens from the Inland Northwest that formed as a result of the growing trend to redefine marriage." Please note the enclosed brochure that explains more of what C-FAM is about. We have been meeting for the past 2 months seeking God's heart regarding what He would have us do locally to impact our community, state, and the nation concerning this issue.

Through these meetings and networking with other organizations in our state, we have learned that others from the western side of the state have already led the charge by holding a rally at Safeco Field called "Mayday for Marriage" (see web site www.maydayformarriage.com). Out of this, an organization called "Sound the Alarm" was developed to network the churches in Washington State to help them become aware of critical cultural issues in our nation.

I don't want to sound like an alarmist, but it has become very apparent to us that our culture has been impacting our church, rather than the church impacting our culture. There is a catch phrase these days, "Don't impose your morality on others!" that was originally written to Abraham Lincoln in opposition to his fight against slavery. I'm glad that it didn't silence him. It is our prayer that this would be the wakeup call for us to see the condition of our church today. Every major spiritual revival has had a component that challenged the morality of the day.

Today more than ever we need to hear a clear trumpet sound. "If the trumpet does not sound a clear call, who will get ready for battle?" 1 Corinthians 14:8. It is time for the body of Christ to gather together to encourage and motivate one another to take a stand. In the words of Martin Luther:

If I profess with the loudest voice and clearest exposition every portion of the truth of God except precisely that little point which the world and the devil are at the moment attacking, I am not confessing Christ, however boldly I may be professing Christ. Where the battle rages, there the loyalty of the soldier is proved and to be steady on all the battle front besides [where the battle rages] is mere flight and disgrace if he flinches at that point.

When the Lord looks at this nation, may He find leaders standing in the gap. May He find His church ready to stand for righteousness in the land, and may we look and be amazed at what He accomplishes in His church through a people willing to obey His call. "When righteous people succeed, the city is happy. Righteous people bless and build up their city." Proverbs 10:10-11.

I am calling on you as the shepherd of your church to lead the charge and encourage your flock to participate in something that is bigger than our individual churches. We need the boldness of the entire body of Christ to influence our culture. Harvard sociologist Pitirim Sorokin found no culture surviving once it ceased to support marriage and monogamy.

We have scheduled our own "Mayday for Marriage Rally Inland Northwest - Affirming Authentic Marriage" for Sunday, October 10, 2004, from 2-4pm at the Spokane Veterans Arena.

We will have a time of praise and prayer, and hear from local pastors challenging us with information on how we can have an impact on our culture. We are not meeting to bash sinners, but to challenge the church to be salt and light and to take back this nation.

Enclosed you will find the following information:

Endorsement Form - please prayerfully consider adding your name to the list of churches who are endorsing this prayer rally. Your church name will be printed in an advertisement in the Spokesman-Review that will promote the event citywide. This form must be returned no later than September 27th.
Brochure - we would like to supply your church with the Mayday brochures to hand out to your congregation. Let us know how many you would like.
5- minute DVD - is available to show to your congregation on Sunday, September 26th and October 3rd.
Bulletin Insert - can be used for copying or design your own.
Poster/flier- can be used for copying or design your own.

Lastly, we have had several local businesses eager to sponsor the expenses of the event by donating at least $1000 each. To date we have received 1/3 of the amount needed. We are looking for 25 sponsors. If you would like to be a sponsor, please call 232-2099 so we can list your church in the program. NOTE: endorsement and sponsorship are two different things.

My prayer is that you will make this event on October 10th a priority for your church and congregation to attend. Let us not be silent and allow the next generation to live with the consequences of our silence.

On behalf of the Coalition for Authentic Marriage and local pastors,

Phil

Phil Altmeyer

Bulletin Insert (download MS Word file)
Poster/flier (download MS Word file)
C-FAM Brochure (download PDF file)
Endorsement Form (download MS Word file)