Christian Coalition of America: Difference between revisions

Christian Coalition of America
Abbreviation	CCA
Founded	30 April 1987 (37 years ago)
Founder	Marion Gordon "Pat" Robertson
Type	nonprofit
Tax ID no.	75-2372537
Legal status	501(c)(4)
Location	North Charleston, SC, US;
President	Roberta Combs
Secretary	Drew McKissick
Finance director	Neal Meyer
Revenue	$766,799 (2018)
Expenses	$730,918 (2018)
Employees	0 (2018)
Website	cc.org

Browse history interactively

← Previous edit

Content deleted Content added

VisualWikitext

Inline

Latest revision as of 04:08, 17 November 2024

The Christian Coalition of America (CCA), a 501(c)(4) organization, is the successor to the original Christian Coalition created in 1987 by religious broadcaster and former presidential candidate Marion Gordon "Pat" Robertson.^[4] This US Christian advocacy group includes members of various Christian denominations, including Baptists (50%), mainline Protestants (25%), Roman Catholics (16%), and Pentecostals (10% to 12%) among communicants of other churches.^[5]^[6]

History

Formation

On April 30, 1987, the Christian Coalition was incorporated in Richmond, Virginia.^[1] The following year, after a well-funded but unsuccessful campaign for President, Pat Robertson, a religious broadcaster and political commentator, used the remainder of his campaign resources to jump-start the formation of the Christian Coalition's voter-mobilization effort. Americans for Robertson accumulated a mailing list of several million conservative Christians interested in politics. This mailing provided the basis of the new organization.

The coalition had four original directors: Robertson, his son Gordon Robertson, Dick Weinhold, head of the Texas organization, and, Billy McCormack, pastor of the University Worship Center in Shreveport, Louisiana. McCormack had headed the Louisiana division of Americans for Robertson in 1988^[7] and was also the vice president of the coalition.^[8]

After its founding, the Christian Coalition applied to become a tax-exempt charitable organization with the Internal Revenue Service.^[9] Forty-nine state chapters formed as independent corporations within their states, including the Christian Coalition of Texas. A handful, including the Christian Coalition of Texas, successfully obtained tax-exempt status as social-welfare organizations. After ten years, the Internal Revenue Service declined the Christian Coalition's application for charitable status because it engaged in political activities.^[9] In response, the Christian Coalition of Texas was renamed the Christian Coalition of America, and the organization relocated in order to work nationwide.^[9]

Voter guides

In 1990, the national Christian Coalition, Inc., headquartered in Chesapeake, Virginia, began producing non-partisan voter guides which it distributed to conservative Christian churches. Complaints that the voter guides were partisan led to the denial by the IRS of the Christian Coalition, Inc.'s tax-exempt status in 1999.^[10] Later that same year, the coalition prevailed in its five-year defense of a lawsuit brought by the Federal Election Commission.^[11]

Ralph Reed, an Emory University Ph.D. candidate, whom Robertson had met when the younger man was working as a waiter at an inaugural dinner for George H. W. Bush in January 1989, took control of day-to-day operations of the coalition in 1989 as its founding executive director. He remained in the post until August 1997 when he left to enter partisan political consulting, founding his new firm Century Strategies, based near Atlanta, Georgia.^[12]

Political involvement

Robertson served as the organization's president from its founding until June 1997, when President Reagan's Cabinet Secretary Donald P. Hodel was named president of the CCA, and former U.S. Representative Randy Tate (R-WA) was named executive director.^[13]^[14] Upon announcement of Hodel becoming president of the CCA, Robertson expressed a desire to serve the grassroots activists that made up the coalition.^{[citation needed]}

Grover Norquist, Washington insider, president of Americans for Tax Reform, and an old Reed ally, said of the appointments: "What you've got is Reagan and Gingrich. Hodel is a Reagan Republican and Tate is a Gingrich Republican."^[15]

Late in 1997 the CCA was ranked by Fortune magazine as the 7th most powerful political organization in America.^[16]

After a disagreement with Robertson, Hodel left in January 1999^[17] and Tate soon followed. Robertson took over the presidency. Later in 2001 he turned it and the chairmanship over to Roberta Combs, the group's executive vice president and former state chairman of South Carolina, when he officially left the coalition.^[18]

2000s

In 2000, the coalition moved from Chesapeake, Virginia, to a large office on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. Combs is the current president and CEO of the Christian Coalition of America. She is a founding state director and has been the only woman on the board of directors in the history of the Christian Coalition of America. Since moving to the capital, Combs installed members of her family as high-ranking officials in the group, including her daughter Michele Ammons and son-in-law Tracy Ammons. Michele and Tracy Ammons later divorced. Combs fired her former son-in-law Tracy Ammons after her daughter received a judgement against him for alimony and child support. Combs had filed an affidavit on her behalf on Coalition letterhead.^[19]^[20]

Combs canceled a direct-mail fund-raising campaign run by fund-raiser Bill Sidebottom of Interact Response Communications aimed at fighting child pornography after a U.S. Supreme Court ruling. The cancellation of the campaign in the middle of its run led to nearly a dozen lawsuits by creditors and the bankruptcy of its fund-raising company. Without a fund-raising company supporting it, the Christian Coalition went into sharp decline financially.^[21]

In March 2001, the Christian Coalition of America was sued by its African-American employees, who alleged racial discrimination.^[22] The District Court issued an injunction against the Christian Coalition. The case was settled and the African-American plaintiffs received a payment.^[23]^[24]^[25]^[26]

In November 2002, Combs downsized the staff and moved the organization's offices from Washington, D.C., to a suburb of Charleston, South Carolina. The coalition reduced its lobbyists in Washington from a dozen to one.^[27] The Christian Coalition was later sued for $1,890 by Reese & Sons Enterprises of Maryland, the moving company it used for transporting its goods to South Carolina, because of failure to pay the wrapping and packing fee. The coalition lost in court in Richmond, Virginia, and finally paid the movers.^[25]^[28]^[29]

Other reported debts have been $69,729 owed to its longtime law firm, Huff, Poole & Mahoney PC of Virginia Beach, and Global Direct, a fundraising firm in Oklahoma, sued for $87,000 in expenses.^[20] From the time Robertson left the group in 2001 until 2006, the coalition's influence greatly declined. Revenue declined from a high of $26.5 million in 1996 to $1.3 million in 2004. The organization's 2004 income tax return showed the Christian Coalition to be technically bankrupt, with debts exceeding assets by more than $2 million.^[28]

In 2005, the coalition finally concluded a settlement agreement with the Internal Revenue Service, ending its long-running battle with that agency regarding its tax exempt status.^[30] As a result, the IRS has recognized the coalition as a 501(c)(4) tax-exempt organization, the first time in the agency's history that it has granted a letter of exemption to a group that stated in its application that it would distribute voter guides directly in churches. The consent decree enforces limitations on the terminology that may be used in the coalition's voter guides.^[30]

In late 2005, The Washington Post reported that the Christian Coalition was unable to pay its office postage bill to Pitney Bowes. In addition, it had not paid new lawyers in Virginia Beach; the law firm sued the coalition.^[25]

In March 2006, the Christian Coalition of Iowa renamed itself the Iowa Christian Alliance. In splitting from the national group, the Iowa Christian Alliance cited "the current problems facing the Christian Coalition of America". In August 2006, the Christian Coalition of Alabama split from the national group. It later renamed itself Christian Action Alabama.^[28]^[31]

In November 2006, the president-elect of the Christian Coalition of America resigned his post, citing a difference in philosophy over which issues the organization should embrace. Reverend Joel Hunter, currently the senior pastor of the Northland Church in Longwood, Florida, was to assume the presidency in January. However, Hunter stated the coalition's leaders resisted his calls to expand their issue base, saying it would not expand the agenda beyond opposing abortion and same-sex marriage. Hunter also said he wanted to focus on rebuilding the coalition's once powerful grassroots, an appeal he says board members rejected. "After initial willingness to consider these changes, the board of the CCA decided, 'that is fine, but that is not who we are'", Hunter said. Combs continues as the coalition's president.^[32]

As of December 31, 2018, the Christian Coalition reported that it had $274,920 of cash on hand, and that it owed $39,367.^[2] During 2018, it received $766,799 of contributions, and it had spent $133,000 on management; $7,500 on advertisement and promotion; $162,000 on conferences, conventions, and meetings; $29,500 on affiliate payments; and $133,418 on other expenses.^[2]

References

^ ^a ^b "Christian Coalition". Clerk's Information System. Virginia State Corporation Commission. Retrieved November 9, 2020.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h ⁱ "Form 990: Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax". Christian Coalition. December 31, 2018.
^ "About Us". Christian Coalition of America. Retrieved November 9, 2020.
^ Vaughan, Joel D. (2009-06-15). The Rise and Fall of the Christian Coalition: The Inside Story. Wipf and Stock Publishers. ISBN 978-1-60608-580-6.
^ Smidt, Corwin E.; Penning, James M. (1997). Sojourners in the Wilderness: The Christian Right in Comparative Perspective. Rowman & Littlefield. p. 49. ISBN 9780847686452. Thus far, this ecumenical appeal appears to be working. The limited evidence available suggests that the Christian Coalition has attracted members from across denominational lines. Ralph Reed revealed that an internal poll of Christian Coalition members indicated that 25 percent belonged to mainline Protestant churches, 10 to 15 percent attended Pentecostal services, half were Baptists, and 5 to 10 percent attended "other" churches, including the Catholic church (Rozell and Wilcox 1995). More recently, the Christian Coalition has reported that Catholics comprise 16 percent of its total membership.
^ Young, Neil J. (1 October 2015). We Gather Together: The Religious Right and the Problem of Interfaith Politics. Oxford University Press. p. 247. ISBN 9780199908868. In 1995, an internal survey of the Christian Coalition found that 16 percent of its 1.7 million members were Catholics.
^ "Pulpits and Politics: The Role of Religion in Elections, September 27, 2004". justicetalking.org. Archived from the original on September 23, 2013. Retrieved June 6, 2012.
^ "We've Come a Long Way, Baby, in Race Relations, March 16, 2008". demo.openlogicsys.com. Retrieved June 6, 2012.^{[permanent dead link‍]}
^ ^a ^b ^c Edsall, Thomas B.; Rosin, Hanna (June 11, 1999). "Christian Coalition, Denied Tax-Exempt Status, Will Reorganize". The Washington Post. p. A4. ProQuest 408482611.
^ "IRS Denies Christian Coalition Tax-Exempt Status". The Washington Post. June 12, 1999.
^ Vaughan, Joel D. (2009-06-15). The Rise and Fall of the Christian Coalition: The Inside Story. Wipf and Stock Publishers. p. 177. ISBN 978-1-60608-580-6.
^ E. J. Dionne, "The Religious Right Loses Its Most Skilled Tactician", (Norfolk) Virginian Pilot, 24 April 1997.
^ Vaughan, Joel D. (2009-06-15). The Rise and Fall of the Christian Coalition: The Inside Story. Wipf and Stock Publishers. p. 125. ISBN 978-1-60608-580-6.
^ Peter Baker and Laurie Goodstein, "Christian Coalition Rearranges Top Posts", The Washington Post, June 12, 1997.
^ Baker and Goodstein.
^ Jeffrey H. Birnbaum, "Washington's Power 25", Fortune, 8 December 1997, pp. 144-158.
^ Ralph Z. Hallow, "Christian Coalition President Resigns", Washington Times, 10 February 1999.
^ Vaughan, Joel D. (2009-06-15). The Rise and Fall of the Christian Coalition: The Inside Story. Wipf and Stock Publishers. pp. 151–163. ISBN 978-1-60608-580-6.
^ "Christian Coalition fights bitter lawsuit after divorce". The Washington Times. December 2, 2004. Retrieved February 21, 2013.
^ ^a ^b Cooperman, Alan; Edsall, Thomas B. (April 10, 2006). "Christian Coalition Shrinks as Debt Grows". The Washington Post. Retrieved February 21, 2013.
^ Sizemore, Bill (October 8, 2005). "Once-powerful group teeters on insolvency". The Virginian-Pilot. Archived from the original on October 11, 2013. Retrieved February 21, 2013.
^ "10 Blacks Allege Bias at Christian Coalition," Washington Post, 31 March 2001.
^ "Worldscan". Thelutheran.org. 1980-01-01. Retrieved 2015-04-07.
^ "Bishop Eddie Long and His Church Align with Others to Promote Anti-Gay Agenda | Southern Poverty Law Center". Splcenter.org. Retrieved 2015-04-07.
^ ^a ^b ^c "Christian Coalition falls on lean days". The Washington Times. 2005-10-13. Retrieved 2015-04-07.
^ [1] Archived 2001-03-08 at the Wayback Machine
^ Crowley, Michael (2011-03-08). "Religion, the Economy and 'Weird and Kinky' Lifestyles at a GOP 2012 Forum in Iowa". Time. Retrieved 2015-04-07.
^ ^a ^b ^c Cooperman, Alan; Edsall, Thomas B. (April 10, 2006). "Christian Coalition Shrinks as Debt Grows". The Washington Post.
^ "Christian Coalition sued for unpaid bill". The Washington Times. 2006-01-19. Retrieved 2015-04-07.
^ ^a ^b Cooperman, Alan; Thomas B. Edsall (2006-04-10). "Christian Coalition Shrinks as Debt Grows". The Washington Post. Retrieved 2007-03-10.
^ Kornhaber, Spencer (2007-11-08). "A Rebuke Of Robertson From Iowa's Powerful Christian Alliance". The Atlantic. Retrieved 2015-04-07.
^ Banerjee, Neela (November 28, 2006). "Pastor Chosen to Lead Christian Coalition Steps Down in Dispute Over Agenda". The New York Times.

External links

Official website
"Christian Coalition of America Internal Revenue Service filings". ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer.

32°58′2″N 80°2′47″W / 32.96722°N 80.04639°W / 32.96722; -80.04639

[corp-1] "Christian Coalition". Clerk's Information System. Virginia State Corporation Commission. Retrieved November 9, 2020.

[990-2018-2] ^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h ⁱ "Form 990: Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax". Christian Coalition. December 31, 2018.

[3] "About Us". Christian Coalition of America. Retrieved November 9, 2020.

[4] Vaughan, Joel D. (2009-06-15). The Rise and Fall of the Christian Coalition: The Inside Story. Wipf and Stock Publishers. ISBN 978-1-60608-580-6.

[SmidtPenning1997-5] Smidt, Corwin E.; Penning, James M. (1997). Sojourners in the Wilderness: The Christian Right in Comparative Perspective. Rowman & Littlefield. p. 49. ISBN 9780847686452. Thus far, this ecumenical appeal appears to be working. The limited evidence available suggests that the Christian Coalition has attracted members from across denominational lines. Ralph Reed revealed that an internal poll of Christian Coalition members indicated that 25 percent belonged to mainline Protestant churches, 10 to 15 percent attended Pentecostal services, half were Baptists, and 5 to 10 percent attended "other" churches, including the Catholic church (Rozell and Wilcox 1995). More recently, the Christian Coalition has reported that Catholics comprise 16 percent of its total membership.

[Young2015-6] Young, Neil J. (1 October 2015). We Gather Together: The Religious Right and the Problem of Interfaith Politics. Oxford University Press. p. 247. ISBN 9780199908868. In 1995, an internal survey of the Christian Coalition found that 16 percent of its 1.7 million members were Catholics.

[7] "Pulpits and Politics: The Role of Religion in Elections, September 27, 2004". justicetalking.org. Archived from the original on September 23, 2013. Retrieved June 6, 2012.

[8] "We've Come a Long Way, Baby, in Race Relations, March 16, 2008". demo.openlogicsys.com. Retrieved June 6, 2012.^{[permanent dead link‍]}

[reorganize-9] Edsall, Thomas B.; Rosin, Hanna (June 11, 1999). "Christian Coalition, Denied Tax-Exempt Status, Will Reorganize". The Washington Post. p. A4. ProQuest 408482611.

[10] "IRS Denies Christian Coalition Tax-Exempt Status". The Washington Post. June 12, 1999.

[11] Vaughan, Joel D. (2009-06-15). The Rise and Fall of the Christian Coalition: The Inside Story. Wipf and Stock Publishers. p. 177. ISBN 978-1-60608-580-6.

[12] E. J. Dionne, "The Religious Right Loses Its Most Skilled Tactician", (Norfolk) Virginian Pilot, 24 April 1997.

[13] Vaughan, Joel D. (2009-06-15). The Rise and Fall of the Christian Coalition: The Inside Story. Wipf and Stock Publishers. p. 125. ISBN 978-1-60608-580-6.

[14] Peter Baker and Laurie Goodstein, "Christian Coalition Rearranges Top Posts", The Washington Post, June 12, 1997.

[15] Baker and Goodstein.

[16] Jeffrey H. Birnbaum, "Washington's Power 25", Fortune, 8 December 1997, pp. 144-158.

[17] Ralph Z. Hallow, "Christian Coalition President Resigns", Washington Times, 10 February 1999.

[18] Vaughan, Joel D. (2009-06-15). The Rise and Fall of the Christian Coalition: The Inside Story. Wipf and Stock Publishers. pp. 151–163. ISBN 978-1-60608-580-6.

[Divorce-19] "Christian Coalition fights bitter lawsuit after divorce". The Washington Times. December 2, 2004. Retrieved February 21, 2013.

[Shrinks-20] Cooperman, Alan; Edsall, Thomas B. (April 10, 2006). "Christian Coalition Shrinks as Debt Grows". The Washington Post. Retrieved February 21, 2013.

[21] Sizemore, Bill (October 8, 2005). "Once-powerful group teeters on insolvency". The Virginian-Pilot. Archived from the original on October 11, 2013. Retrieved February 21, 2013.

[22] "10 Blacks Allege Bias at Christian Coalition," Washington Post, 31 March 2001.

[23] "Worldscan". Thelutheran.org. 1980-01-01. Retrieved 2015-04-07.

[24] "Bishop Eddie Long and His Church Align with Others to Promote Anti-Gay Agenda | Southern Poverty Law Center". Splcenter.org. Retrieved 2015-04-07.

[washingtontimes.com-25] "Christian Coalition falls on lean days". The Washington Times. 2005-10-13. Retrieved 2015-04-07.

[26] [1] Archived 2001-03-08 at the Wayback Machine

[27] Crowley, Michael (2011-03-08). "Religion, the Economy and 'Weird and Kinky' Lifestyles at a GOP 2012 Forum in Iowa". Time. Retrieved 2015-04-07.

[Cooperman-28] Cooperman, Alan; Edsall, Thomas B. (April 10, 2006). "Christian Coalition Shrinks as Debt Grows". The Washington Post.

[29] "Christian Coalition sued for unpaid bill". The Washington Times. 2006-01-19. Retrieved 2015-04-07.

[washpost06-30] Cooperman, Alan; Thomas B. Edsall (2006-04-10). "Christian Coalition Shrinks as Debt Grows". The Washington Post. Retrieved 2007-03-10.

[31] Kornhaber, Spencer (2007-11-08). "A Rebuke Of Robertson From Iowa's Powerful Christian Alliance". The Atlantic. Retrieved 2015-04-07.

[32] Banerjee, Neela (November 28, 2006). "Pastor Chosen to Lead Christian Coalition Steps Down in Dispute Over Agenda". The New York Times.

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]

[6]

[7]

[8]

[9]

[10]

[11]

[12]

[13]

[14]

[15]

[16]

[17]

[18]

[19]

[20]

[21]

[22]

[23]

[24]

[25]

[26]

[27]

[28]

[29]

[30]

[31]

[32]

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
+{{Short description|Christian organization}}
 {{update|date=April 2015}}
-{{Infobox non-profit
+{{Infobox organization
 | name            = Christian Coalition of America
-| image           = [[File:Christian Coalition of America Logo.png|135px]]
+| image           = Christian Coalition of America Logo.png
+| image_size      = 135px
-| caption         = Christian Coalition of America Logo
-| founder         = [[Pat Robertson|Marion Gordon "Pat" Robertson]]
+| abbreviation    = CCA
+| founder         = {{nowrap|[[Pat Robertson|Marion Gordon "Pat" Robertson]]}}
-| type            = non-profit 501(c)4 organization
+| type            = [[Nonprofit organization|nonprofit]]
+| status          = [[501(c)(4)]]<ref name=990-2018>"[https://apps.irs.gov/pub/epostcard/cor/521585899_201812_990_2020021817156850.pdf Form 990: Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax]". ''Christian Coalition''. December 31, 2018.</ref>
-| location        = [[Washington, D.C.]]
+| location        = [[North Charleston, SC]], US<ref name=990-2018/>
-| coordinates     =
+| founded_date    = {{Start date and age|1987|04|30|df=y|p=y}}<ref name= corp>"[https://cis.scc.virginia.gov/EntitySearch/BusinessInformation?businessId=141971&source=FromEntityResult&isSeries=False Christian Coalition]". ''Clerk's Information System''. Virginia State Corporation Commission. Retrieved November 9, 2020.</ref>
-| origins         =
-| founded_date    = {{Start date|1989}}
+| leader_title    = President
+| leader_name     = Roberta Combs<ref>"[https://cc.org/about-us/ About Us]". ''Christian Coalition of America''. Retrieved November 9, 2020.</ref>
-| key_people      =
+| leader_name2    = Drew McKissick<ref name=990-2018/>
-| area_served     =
-| products        =
+| leader_title2   = Secretary
+| leader_name3    = Neal Meyer<ref name=990-2018/>
-| services        =
+| leader_title3   = Finance director
-| focus           =
-| mission         =
+| tax_id          = 75-2372537
-| method          =
+| employees       = 0<ref name=990-2018/>
-| revenue         =
+| employees_year  = 2018
-| endowment       =
+| revenue         = $766,799<ref name=990-2018/>
-| num_volunteers  =
+| revenue_year    = 2018
+| expenses        = $730,918<ref name=990-2018/>
-| num_employees   =
-| num_members     =
+| expenses_year   = 2018
-| subsid          =
+| website         = {{official URL}}
-| owner           =
-| motto           =
-| former name     =
-| homepage        = {{URL|http://www.cc.org/}}
-| dissolved       =
-| footnotes       =
 }}
+{{Conservatism US}}
-The '''Christian Coalition of America''' ('''CCA'''), a [[501(c)(4)]] organization, is the successor to the original Christian Coalition created in 1989 by religious broadcaster and former presidential candidate [[Pat Robertson|Marion Gordon "Pat" Robertson]].<ref>Joel D. Vaughan, "The Rise and Fall of the Christian Coalition," Eugene, OR:  Wipf & Stock, 2009.</ref> This [[United States|US]] [[Christian]]  [[advocacy group]] includes members who are [[Christian fundamentalism|Christian fundamentalists]], [[Neo-evangelicalism|neo-evangelicals]] and conservative [[Charismatic movement|charismatics]].
+The '''Christian Coalition of America''' ('''CCA'''), a [[501(c)(4)]] organization, is the successor to the original Christian Coalition created in 1987 by religious broadcaster and former [[Candidate|presidential candidate]] [[Pat Robertson|Marion Gordon "Pat" Robertson]].<ref>{{Cite book |last=Vaughan |first=Joel D. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ExZMAwAAQBAJ&q=The+Rise+and+Fall+of+the+Christian+Coalition, |title=The Rise and Fall of the Christian Coalition: The Inside Story |date=2009-06-15 |publisher=Wipf and Stock Publishers |isbn=978-1-60608-580-6 |language=en}}</ref> This US [[Christianity|Christian]] [[advocacy group]] includes members of various [[Christian denomination]]s, including [[Baptist]]s (50%), [[mainline Protestant]]s (25%), [[Catholic Church|Roman Catholics]] (16%), and [[Pentecostal]]s (10% to 12%) among communicants of other churches.<ref name="SmidtPenning1997">{{cite book|last1=Smidt|first1=Corwin E.|last2=Penning|first2=James M.|title=Sojourners in the Wilderness: The Christian Right in Comparative Perspective|year=1997|publisher=Rowman & Littlefield|language=en |isbn=9780847686452|page=49|quote=Thus far, this ecumenical appeal appears to be working. The limited evidence available suggests that the Christian Coalition has attracted members from across denominational lines. Ralph Reed revealed that an internal poll of Christian Coalition members indicated that 25 percent belonged to mainline Protestant churches, 10 to 15 percent attended Pentecostal services, half were Baptists, and 5 to 10 percent attended "other" churches, including the Catholic church (Rozell and Wilcox 1995). More recently, the Christian Coalition has reported that Catholics comprise 16 percent of its total membership.}}<!--|access-date=5 April 2016--></ref><ref name="Young2015">{{cite book|last=Young|first=Neil J.|title=We Gather Together: The Religious Right and the Problem of Interfaith Politics|date=1 October 2015|publisher=Oxford University Press|language=en |isbn=9780199908868|page=247|quote=In 1995, an internal survey of the Christian Coalition found that 16 percent of its 1.7 million members were Catholics.}}<!--|access-date=5 April 2016--></ref>
 == History ==
 ===Formation===
-In 1988, following a well-funded but failed bid for the [[President of the United States|U.S. presidency]], Pat Robertson, a religious broadcaster and political commentator, used the remainder of his campaign resources to jump-start the creation of a voter mobilization effort dubbed the Christian Coalition. ''Americans for Robertson'' accumulated a mailing list of several million conservative Christians interested in politics. This mailing list was the basis of the new organization.
+On April 30, 1987, the Christian Coalition was incorporated in [[Richmond, Virginia]].<ref name= corp/> The following year, after a well-funded but unsuccessful [[1988 United States presidential election#Republican candidates|campaign for President]], [[Pat Robertson]], a religious broadcaster and political commentator, used the remainder of his campaign resources to jump-start the formation of the Christian Coalition's voter-mobilization effort. ''Americans for Robertson'' accumulated a mailing list of several million conservative Christians interested in politics. This mailing provided the basis of the new organization.
-The coalition had four original directors, including Robertson, his son Gordon Robertson; Dick Weinhold, head of the [[Texas]] organization; and [[Billy McCormack (Louisiana pastor)|Billy McCormack]], pastor of the University Worship Center in [[Shreveport, Louisiana|Shreveport]], [[Louisiana]]. McCormack had headed the Louisiana division of ''Americans for Robertson'' in 1988<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.justicetalking.org/ShowPage.aspx?ShowID=469|title=Pulpits and Politics: The Role of Religion in Elections, September 27, 2004|publisher=justicetalking.org|accessdate=June 6, 2012}}</ref> and was also the vice president of the coalition.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://demo.openlogicsys.com/cc/blog/we%C3%A2%E2%82%AC%E2%84%A2ve_come_long_way_baby_race_relations|title=We've Come a Long Way, Baby, in Race Relations, March 16, 2008|publisher=demo.openlogicsys.com|accessdate=June 6, 2012}}</ref>
+The coalition had four original directors: Robertson, his son Gordon Robertson, Dick Weinhold, head of the [[Texas]] organization, and, [[Billy McCormack (Louisiana pastor)|Billy McCormack]], pastor of the University Worship Center in [[Shreveport, Louisiana|Shreveport]], [[Louisiana]]. McCormack had headed the Louisiana division of ''Americans for Robertson'' in 1988<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.justicetalking.org/ShowPage.aspx?ShowID=469|title= Pulpits and Politics: The Role of Religion in Elections, September 27, 2004|publisher= justicetalking.org|access-date= June 6, 2012|archive-date= September 23, 2013|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20130923010558/http://www.justicetalking.org/ShowPage.aspx?ShowID=469|url-status= dead}}</ref> and was also the vice president of the coalition.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://demo.openlogicsys.com/cc/blog/we%C3%A2%E2%82%AC%E2%84%A2ve_come_long_way_baby_race_relations |title= We've Come a Long Way, Baby, in Race Relations, March 16, 2008 |publisher= demo.openlogicsys.com |access-date= June 6, 2012 }}{{dead link|date= November 2016 |bot= InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted= yes }}</ref>
-After its founding, the Christian Coalition applied to be a tax-exempt [[501(c)(3)|charitable organization]] with the Internal Revenue Service.<ref name= reorganize>{{cite news |title=  Christian Coalition, Denied Tax-Exempt Status, Will Reorganize |last1= Edsall |first1= Thomas B. |last2= Rosin |first2= Hanna |work= The Washington Post |date= June 11, 1999 |page= A4 |url= http://search.proquest.com/docview/408482611/14027E920E03F17F223/1?accountid=46320 }}</ref> Forty-nine state chapters were also created as independent corporations within their states, including the Christian Coalition of Texas. A handful, including the Christian Coalition of Texas, successfully obtained tax-exempt status as [[501(c)(4)|social welfare organizations]]. After ten years, the Internal Revenue Service declined the Christian Coalition's application for charitable status because it engaged in political activities.<ref name= reorganize/> In response, the Christian Coalition of Texas was renamed the Christian Coalition of America, and the organization was relocated in order to work nationwide.<ref name= reorganize/>
+After its founding, the Christian Coalition applied to become a [[Tax exemption|tax-exempt]] [[501(c)(3)|charitable organization]] with the [[Internal Revenue Service]].<ref name= reorganize>{{cite news |title =  Christian Coalition, Denied Tax-Exempt Status, Will Reorganize |last1 = Edsall |first1 = Thomas B. |last2 = Rosin |first2 = Hanna |newspaper = The Washington Post |date = June 11, 1999 |page = A4 |id = {{ProQuest|408482611}} }}</ref> Forty-nine state chapters formed as independent corporations within their states, including the Christian Coalition of Texas. A handful, including the Christian Coalition of Texas, successfully obtained tax-exempt status as [[501(c)(4)|social-welfare organizations]]. After ten years, the Internal Revenue Service declined the Christian Coalition's application for charitable status because it engaged in political activities.<ref name= reorganize/> In response, the Christian Coalition of Texas was renamed the Christian Coalition of America, and the organization relocated in order to work nationwide.<ref name= reorganize/>
 ===Voter guides===
-In 1990, the national Christian Coalition, Inc., headquartered in [[Chesapeake, Virginia]], began producing non-partisan voter guides which it distributed to conservative Christian churches. Complaints that the voter guides were partisan led to the denial by the IRS of the Christian Coalition, Inc.'s tax-exempt status in 1999.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/politics/daily/june99/christian11.htm |title=IRS Denies Christian Coalition Tax-Exempt Status | work=The Washington Post | date=June 12, 1999}}</ref> Later that same year, the Coalition prevailed in its five-year defense of lawsuit brought by the Federal Election Commission.<ref>Vaughan, p. 177.</ref>
+In 1990, the national Christian Coalition, Inc., headquartered in [[Chesapeake, Virginia]], began producing non-partisan voter guides which it distributed to conservative Christian churches. Complaints that the voter guides were partisan led to the denial by the IRS of the Christian Coalition, Inc.'s tax-exempt status in 1999.<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/politics/daily/june99/christian11.htm |title=IRS Denies Christian Coalition Tax-Exempt Status | newspaper=The Washington Post | date=June 12, 1999}}</ref> Later that same year, the coalition prevailed in its five-year defense of a lawsuit brought by the [[Federal Election Commission]].<ref>{{Cite book |last=Vaughan |first=Joel D. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ExZMAwAAQBAJ&q=The+Rise+and+Fall+of+the+Christian+Coalition, |title=The Rise and Fall of the Christian Coalition: The Inside Story |date=2009-06-15 |publisher=Wipf and Stock Publishers |isbn=978-1-60608-580-6 |pages=177 |language=en}}</ref>
-[[Ralph E. Reed, Jr.|Ralph Reed]], an Emory University Ph.D. candidate, whom Robertson had m     et when the younger man was working as a waiter at an inaugural dinner for George H. W. Bush in January 1989, took control of day-to-day operations of the coalition in 1989 as its founding executive director. He remained in the post until August 1997 when he left to enter [[Partisan (political)|partisan]] political consulting, founding his new firm Century Strategies, based near Atlanta, Georgia.<ref>E. J. Dionne, "The Religious Right Loses Its Most Skilled Tactician," ''(Norfolk) Virginian Pilot,'' 24 April 1997.</ref>
+[[Ralph Reed]], an Emory University Ph.D. candidate, whom Robertson had met when the younger man was working as a waiter at an inaugural dinner for George H. W. Bush in January 1989, took control of day-to-day operations of the coalition in 1989 as its founding executive director. He remained in the post until August 1997 when he left to enter [[Partisan (political)|partisan]] political consulting, founding his new firm Century Strategies, based near Atlanta, Georgia.<ref>E. J. Dionne, "The Religious Right Loses Its Most Skilled Tactician", ''(Norfolk) Virginian Pilot'', 24 April 1997.</ref>
 ===Political involvement===
-Robertson served as the organization's president from its founding until June 1997, when President [[Ronald Reagan|Reagan]]'s Cabinet Secretary [[Donald P. Hodel]] was named president of the CCA, and former U. S. Representative [[Randy Tate]] (R-WA) was named executive director.<ref>Vaughan, p. 125.</ref><ref>Peter Baker and Laurie Goodstein, "Christian Coalition Rearranges Top Posts," Washington Post, June 12, 1997.</ref> Upon announcement of Hodel becoming president of the CCA, Robertson expressed a desire to serve the grassroots activists that made up the Coalition:  "...I am here. Not only because I felt God's call on me but that I knew of God's call on you."{{Citation needed|date=September 2012}}<!--needs cite because it was obviously missing a word and I had to guess what the word was. I guessed 'on' -->
+Robertson served as the organization's president from its founding until June 1997, when President [[Ronald Reagan|Reagan]]'s Cabinet Secretary [[Donald P. Hodel]] was named president of the CCA, and former U.S. Representative [[Randy Tate]] (R-WA) was named executive director.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Vaughan |first=Joel D. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ExZMAwAAQBAJ&q=The+Rise+and+Fall+of+the+Christian+Coalition, |title=The Rise and Fall of the Christian Coalition: The Inside Story |date=2009-06-15 |publisher=Wipf and Stock Publishers |isbn=978-1-60608-580-6 |pages=125 |language=en}}</ref><ref>Peter Baker and Laurie Goodstein, "Christian Coalition Rearranges Top Posts", ''[[The Washington Post]]'', June 12, 1997.</ref> Upon announcement of Hodel becoming president of the CCA, Robertson expressed a desire to serve the grassroots activists that made up the coalition.{{Citation needed|date=September 2012}}<!--needs cite because it was obviously missing a word and I had to guess what the word was. I guessed 'on' -->
 [[Grover Norquist]], Washington insider, president of [[Americans for Tax Reform]], and an old Reed ally, said of the appointments: "What you've got is Reagan and [[Newt Gingrich|Gingrich]]. Hodel is a Reagan Republican and Tate is a Gingrich Republican."<ref>Baker and Goodstein.</ref>
-Late in 1997 the CCA was ranked by ''[[Fortune (magazine)|Fortune]]'' magazine as the 7th most powerful political organization in America.<ref>Jeffrey H. Birnbaum, "Washington's Power 25," ''FORTUNE,'' 8 December 1997, pp. 144-158.</ref>
+Late in 1997 the CCA was ranked by ''[[Fortune (magazine)|Fortune]]'' magazine as the 7th most powerful political organization in America.<ref>Jeffrey H. Birnbaum, "Washington's Power 25", ''[[Fortune (magazine)|Fortune]]'', 8 December 1997, pp. 144-158.</ref>
-After a disagreement with Robertson, Hodel left in January 1999<ref>Ralph Z. Hallow, "Christian Coalition President Resigns," ''Washington Times,'' 10 February 1999.</ref> and Tate soon followed. Robertson took over the presidency. Later in 2001 he turned it and the chairmanship over to Roberta Combs, the group's Executive Vice President and former State Chairman of South Carolina, when he officially left the Coalition.<ref>Vaughan, pp. 151 - 163.</ref>
+After a disagreement with Robertson, Hodel left in January 1999<ref>Ralph Z. Hallow, "Christian Coalition President Resigns", ''Washington Times'', 10 February 1999.</ref> and Tate soon followed. Robertson took over the presidency. Later in 2001 he turned it and the chairmanship over to Roberta Combs, the group's executive vice president and former state chairman of South Carolina, when he officially left the coalition.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Vaughan |first=Joel D. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ExZMAwAAQBAJ&q=The+Rise+and+Fall+of+the+Christian+Coalition, |title=The Rise and Fall of the Christian Coalition: The Inside Story |date=2009-06-15 |publisher=Wipf and Stock Publishers |isbn=978-1-60608-580-6 |pages=151–163 |language=en}}</ref>
 === 2000s ===
-In 2000, the Coalition moved from Chesapeake, Virginia, to a large office on Capitol Hill in [[Washington, D.C.]]  Combs is the current president and CEO of the Christian Coalition of America. She is a founding state director and has been the only woman on the board of directors in the history of the Christian Coalition of America. Since moving to the capital, Combs installed members of her family as high-ranking officials in the group, including her daughter Michele Ammons and son-in-law Tracy Ammons. Michele and Tracy Ammons later divorced. Combs fired her former son-in-law Tracy Ammons after her daughter received a judgement against him for alimony and child support. Combs had filed an affidavit on her behalf on Coalition letterhead.<ref name=Divorce>{{cite news |url=http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2004/dec/02/20041202-111826-4444r/ |title=Christian Coalition fights bitter lawsuit after divorce |date=December 2, 2004 |newspaper=The Washington Times |accessdate=February 21, 2013}}</ref><ref name=Shrinks>{{cite news |url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/04/09/AR2006040901063_2.html |title=Christian Coalition Shrinks as Debt Grows |first1=Alan |last1=Cooperman |first2=Thomas B. |last2=Edsall |date=April 10, 2006 |newspaper=The Washington Post |accessdate=February 21, 2013}}</ref>
+In 2000, the coalition moved from [[Chesapeake, Virginia]], to a large office on Capitol Hill in [[Washington, D.C.]]  Combs is the current president and CEO of the Christian Coalition of America. She is a founding state director and has been the only woman on the board of directors in the history of the Christian Coalition of America. Since moving to the capital, Combs installed members of her family as high-ranking officials in the group, including her daughter Michele Ammons and son-in-law Tracy Ammons. Michele and Tracy Ammons later divorced. Combs fired her former son-in-law Tracy Ammons after her daughter received a judgement against him for alimony and child support. Combs had filed an affidavit on her behalf on Coalition letterhead.<ref name=Divorce>{{cite news |url=http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2004/dec/02/20041202-111826-4444r/ |title=Christian Coalition fights bitter lawsuit after divorce |date=December 2, 2004 |newspaper=The Washington Times |access-date=February 21, 2013}}</ref><ref name=Shrinks>{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/04/09/AR2006040901063_2.html |title=Christian Coalition Shrinks as Debt Grows |first1=Alan |last1=Cooperman |first2=Thomas B. |last2=Edsall |date=April 10, 2006 |newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date=February 21, 2013}}</ref>
-Combs canceled a direct-mail fund-raising campaign run by fund-raiser [[Bill Sidebottom]] of Interact Response Communications aimed at fighting child pornography after a U.S. Supreme Court ruling. The cancellation of the campaign in the middle of its run led to nearly a dozen lawsuits by creditors and the bankruptcy of its fund-raising company. Without a fund-raising company supporting it, the Christian Coalition went into sharp decline financially.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-137358243.html |title=Once-powerful group teeters on insolvency |last=Sizemore |first=Bill |date=October 8, 2005 |newspaper=The Virginian-Pilot |accessdate=February 21, 2013}}</ref>
+Combs canceled a direct-mail fund-raising campaign run by fund-raiser [[Bill Sidebottom]] of Interact Response Communications aimed at fighting child pornography after a U.S. Supreme Court ruling. The cancellation of the campaign in the middle of its run led to nearly a dozen lawsuits by creditors and the bankruptcy of its fund-raising company. Without a fund-raising company supporting it, the Christian Coalition went into sharp decline financially.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-137358243.html |title=Once-powerful group teeters on insolvency |last=Sizemore |first=Bill |date=October 8, 2005 |newspaper=The Virginian-Pilot |access-date=February 21, 2013 |archive-date=October 11, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131011162713/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-137358243.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>
-In March 2001, the Christian Coalition of America was sued by its African-American employees, who alleged racial discrimination.<ref>"10 Blacks Allege Bias at Christian Coalition," ''Washington Post,'' 31 March 2001.</ref> The District Court issued an injunction against the Christian Coalition. The case was settled and the African-American plaintiffs received a payment.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thelutheran.org/article/article.cfm?article_id=4634 |title=Worldscan |publisher=Thelutheran.org |date=1980-01-01 |accessdate=2015-04-07}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author= |url=http://www.splcenter.org/get-informed/intelligence-report/browse-all-issues/2007/spring/face-right |title=Bishop Eddie Long and His Church Align with Others to Promote Anti-Gay Agenda &#124; Southern Poverty Law Center |publisher=Splcenter.org |date= |accessdate=2015-04-07}}</ref><ref name="washingtontimes.com">{{cite web|author= |url=http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2005/oct/13/20051013-121940-9083r/?page=all |title=Christian Coalition falls on lean days |publisher=Washingtontimes.com |date=2005-10-13 |accessdate=2015-04-07}}</ref><ref>[http://www.washingtontimes.com/national/default-200135222537.htm/ ]{{dead link|date=April 2015}}</ref>
+In March 2001, the Christian Coalition of America was sued by its African-American employees, who alleged racial discrimination.<ref>"10 Blacks Allege Bias at Christian Coalition," ''Washington Post,'' 31 March 2001.</ref> The District Court issued an injunction against the Christian Coalition. The case was settled and the African-American plaintiffs received a payment.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thelutheran.org/article/article.cfm?article_id=4634 |title=Worldscan |publisher=Thelutheran.org |date=1980-01-01 |access-date=2015-04-07}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author= |url=http://www.splcenter.org/get-informed/intelligence-report/browse-all-issues/2007/spring/face-right |title=Bishop Eddie Long and His Church Align with Others to Promote Anti-Gay Agenda &#124; Southern Poverty Law Center |publisher=Splcenter.org |date= |access-date=2015-04-07}}</ref><ref name="washingtontimes.com" /><ref>[http://www.washingtontimes.com/national/default-200135222537.htm/ ] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010308053913/http://www.washingtontimes.com/national/default-200135222537.htm/}}</ref>
-In November 2002, Combs down-sized the staff and moved the organization's offices from Washington, D.C., to a suburb of [[Charleston, South Carolina]]. The Coalition reduced its lobbyists in Washington from a dozen to one.<ref>{{cite web|last=Crowley |first=Michael |url=http://swampland.time.com/2011/03/08/social-issues-the-economy-and-weird-and-kinky-lifestyles-at-a-gop-2012-forum-in-iowa/ |title=Religion, the Economy and “Weird and Kinky” Lifestyles at a GOP 2012 Forum in Iowa &#124; TIME.com |publisher=Swampland.time.com |date=2011-03-08 |accessdate=2015-04-07}}</ref> The Christian Coalition was later sued for $1,890 by Reese & Sons Enterprises of Maryland, the moving company it used for transporting its goods to South Carolina, because of failure to pay the wrapping and packing fee. The Coalition lost in court in Richmond, Virginia, and finally paid the movers.<ref name="washingtontimes.com"/><ref name="ReferenceA"/><ref>{{cite web|author= |url=http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2006/jan/19/20060119-105804-6857r/ |title=Christian Coalition sued for unpaid bill |publisher=Washingtontimes.com |date=2006-01-19 |accessdate=2015-04-07}}</ref>
+In November 2002, Combs downsized the staff and moved the organization's offices from Washington, D.C., to a suburb of [[Charleston, South Carolina]]. The coalition reduced its lobbyists in Washington from a dozen to one.<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Crowley |first=Michael |url=https://swampland.time.com/2011/03/08/social-issues-the-economy-and-weird-and-kinky-lifestyles-at-a-gop-2012-forum-in-iowa/ |title=Religion, the Economy and 'Weird and Kinky' Lifestyles at a GOP 2012 Forum in Iowa |magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]] |date=2011-03-08 |access-date=2015-04-07}}</ref> The Christian Coalition was later sued for $1,890 by Reese & Sons Enterprises of Maryland, the moving company it used for transporting its goods to South Carolina, because of failure to pay the wrapping and packing fee. The coalition lost in court in Richmond, Virginia, and finally paid the movers.<ref name="washingtontimes.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2005/oct/13/20051013-121940-9083r/?page=all |title=Christian Coalition falls on lean days |work=The Washington Times|date=2005-10-13 |access-date=2015-04-07}}</ref><ref name="Cooperman"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2006/jan/19/20060119-105804-6857r/ |title=Christian Coalition sued for unpaid bill |work=The Washington Times|date=2006-01-19 |access-date=2015-04-07}}</ref>
 Other reported debts have been $69,729 owed to its longtime law firm, Huff, Poole & Mahoney PC of Virginia Beach, and Global Direct, a fundraising firm in Oklahoma, sued for $87,000 in expenses.<ref name=Shrinks/>
-In the years since Robertson and Reed left the group, the Coalition's influence has greatly declined. The revenue has declined from a high of $26.5 million in 1996 to $1.3 million in 2004. The organization's 2004 income tax return showed the Christian Coalition to be technically bankrupt, with debts exceeding income and a negative net worth. The group now owes more than $2 million in debt and is struggling to retain state chapters.<ref name="cephas-library.com"/>
+From the time Robertson left the group in 2001 until 2006, the coalition's influence greatly declined. Revenue declined from a high of $26.5 million in 1996 to $1.3 million in 2004. The organization's 2004 income tax return showed the Christian Coalition to be technically bankrupt, with debts exceeding assets by more than $2 million.<ref name="Cooperman"/>
-In 2005, the Coalition finally concluded a settlement agreement with the [[Internal Revenue Service]], ending its long-running battle with that agency regarding its [[tax exempt status]].<ref name="washpost06">{{cite news |last=Cooperman |first=Alan |author2=Thomas B. Edsall |title=Christian Coalition Shrinks as Debt Grows |publisher=The Washington Post |date=2006-04-10 |url =http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/04/09/AR2006040901063.html |accessdate=2007-03-10}}</ref> As a result, the IRS has recognized the Coalition as a 501(c)(4) tax-exempt organization, the first time in the agency's history that it has granted a letter of exemption to a group that stated in its application that it would distribute voter guides directly in churches. The consent decree enforces limitations on the terminology that may be used in the Coalition's voter guides.<ref name="washpost06"/>
+In 2005, the coalition finally concluded a settlement agreement with the [[Internal Revenue Service]], ending its long-running battle with that agency regarding its [[tax exempt status]].<ref name="washpost06">{{cite news |last=Cooperman |first=Alan |author2=Thomas B. Edsall |title=Christian Coalition Shrinks as Debt Grows |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=2006-04-10 |url =https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/04/09/AR2006040901063.html |access-date=2007-03-10}}</ref> As a result, the IRS has recognized the coalition as a 501(c)(4) tax-exempt organization, the first time in the agency's history that it has granted a letter of exemption to a group that stated in its application that it would distribute voter guides directly in churches. The consent decree enforces limitations on the terminology that may be used in the coalition's voter guides.<ref name="washpost06"/>
-In late 2005, the ''[[Washington Post]]'' reported that the Christian Coalition was unable to pay its office postage bill to [[Pitney Bowes]]. In addition, it had not paid new lawyers in Virginia Beach; the law firm sued the Coalition.<ref name="washingtontimes.com"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://archive.frontpagemag.com/readArticle.aspx?ARTID=7488 |title=FrontPage Magazine - War Blog |publisher=Archive.frontpagemag.com |date= |accessdate=2015-04-07}}</ref>
+In late 2005, ''[[The Washington Post]]'' reported that the Christian Coalition was unable to pay its office postage bill to [[Pitney Bowes]]. In addition, it had not paid new lawyers in Virginia Beach; the law firm sued the coalition.<ref name="washingtontimes.com"/>
-In March 2006, the Christian Coalition of Iowa renamed itself the Iowa Christian Alliance. In splitting from the national group, the Iowa Christian Alliance cited "the current problems facing the Christian Coalition of America". In August 2006, the Christian Coalition of Alabama split from the national group. It later renamed itself Christian Action Alabama.<ref name="ReferenceA">{{cite news| url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/04/09/AR2006040901063.html | work=The Washington Post | first1=Alan | last1=Cooperman | first2=Thomas B. | last2=Edsall | title=Christian Coalition Shrinks as Debt Grows | date=April 10, 2006}}</ref><ref name="cephas-library.com">[http://www.cephas-library.com/church_n_state/churchnstate_christian_coalition_shrinks_as_debt_grows.html ]{{dead link|date=April 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Kornhaber |first=Spencer |url=http://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2007/11/a-rebuke-of-robertson-from-iowas-powerful-christian-alliance/50934/ |title=A Rebuke Of Robertson From Iowa's Powerful Christian Alliance — The Atlantic |publisher=Theatlantic.com |date=2007-11-08 |accessdate=2015-04-07}}</ref>
+In March 2006, the Christian Coalition of Iowa renamed itself the Iowa Christian Alliance. In splitting from the national group, the Iowa Christian Alliance cited "the current problems facing the Christian Coalition of America". In August 2006, the Christian Coalition of Alabama split from the national group. It later renamed itself Christian Action Alabama.<ref name="Cooperman">{{cite news| url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/04/09/AR2006040901063.html | newspaper=The Washington Post | first1=Alan | last1=Cooperman | first2=Thomas B. | last2=Edsall | title=Christian Coalition Shrinks as Debt Grows | date=April 10, 2006}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Kornhaber |first=Spencer |url=https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2007/11/a-rebuke-of-robertson-from-iowas-powerful-christian-alliance/50934/ |title=A Rebuke Of Robertson From Iowa's Powerful Christian Alliance |work=The Atlantic |date=2007-11-08 |access-date=2015-04-07}}</ref>
-In November 2006, the president-elect of the Christian Coalition of America resigned his post, citing a difference in philosophy over which issues the organization should embrace. Reverend [[Joel Hunter]], currently the senior pastor of the Northland Church in [[Longwood, Florida]], was to assume the presidency in January. But Hunter said the Coalition's leaders resisted his calls to expand their issue base, saying it would not expand the agenda beyond opposing abortion and same-sex marriage. Hunter also said he wanted to focus on rebuilding the Coalition's once powerful grassroots, an appeal he says board members rejected. "After initial willingness to consider these changes, the board of the CCA decided, 'that is fine, but that is not who we are,'" Hunter said. Combs continues as the Coalition's president.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.nytimes.com/2006/11/28/us/28pastor.html?ref=joelchunter | work=The New York Times | first=Neela | last=Banerjee | title=Pastor Chosen to Lead Christian Coalition Steps Down in Dispute Over Agenda | date=November 28, 2006}}</ref>
+In November 2006, the president-elect of the Christian Coalition of America resigned his post, citing a difference in philosophy over which issues the organization should embrace. Reverend [[Joel Hunter]], currently the senior pastor of the Northland Church in [[Longwood, Florida]], was to assume the presidency in January. However, Hunter stated the coalition's leaders resisted his calls to expand their issue base, saying it would not expand the agenda beyond opposing abortion and same-sex marriage. Hunter also said he wanted to focus on rebuilding the coalition's once powerful grassroots, an appeal he says board members rejected. "After initial willingness to consider these changes, the board of the CCA decided, 'that is fine, but that is not who we are'", Hunter said. Combs continues as the coalition's president.<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.nytimes.com/2006/11/28/us/28pastor.html?ref=joelchunter | work=The New York Times | first=Neela | last=Banerjee | title=Pastor Chosen to Lead Christian Coalition Steps Down in Dispute Over Agenda | date=November 28, 2006}}</ref>
+As of December 31, 2018, the Christian Coalition reported that it had $274,920 of cash on hand, and that it owed $39,367.<ref name= 990-2018/> During 2018, it received $766,799 of contributions, and it had spent $133,000 on management; $7,500 on advertisement and promotion; $162,000 on conferences, conventions, and meetings; $29,500 on affiliate payments; and $133,418 on other expenses.<ref name= 990-2018/>
 ==See also==
+{{Portal|Christianity|Conservatism}}
+*[[Family Research Council]]
+*[[Focus on the Family]]
 *[[Secular Coalition for America]]
@@ Line 82: / Line 84: @@
 ==External links==
+* {{Official website}}
-*[http://www.cc.org/ Christian Coalition of America]
+* {{ProPublicaNonprofitExplorer|752372537}}
+{{conservatism US footer}}
+{{conservatism footer}}
+{{authority control}}
+{{WikidataCoord}}
 [[Category:Political advocacy groups in the United States]]
 [[Category:Political party factions in the United States]]
-[[Category:Political organizations in the United States]]
+[[Category:Political organizations based in the United States]]
-[[Category:Organizations that oppose same-sex marriage]]
 [[Category:Christian organizations based in the United States]]
 [[Category:501(c)(4) nonprofit organizations]]
 [[Category:Organizations established in 1989]]
-[[Category:Organizations based in Washington, D.C.]]
+[[Category:1987 establishments in the United States]]
+[[Category:Organizations based in South Carolina]]
+[[Category:Conservative organizations in the United States]]
+[[Category:Pat Robertson]]