House of Representatives Votes to Protect Churches!

Earlier this week I sounded the alarm about the attack at the State House on churches.
The situation looked pretty hopeless until people around the state started emailing and calling their Representative!

The Problem-Amendment to Senate Bill 305!

An Amendment with no public testimony, was added to Senate Bill 305 which would have destroyed the freedom churches now have! 
 
Here are just 3 things the Amendment would have done:

1. FSSA will be given new power to close a church child care ministry without a court order!
2. A new criminal penalty is created, whereby a pastor could be charged with a crime, go to jail and pay a fine if he doesn’t operate his church ministry the way the government tells him to! 
3. FSSA can force a church to pay a fine of up to $1,000 if the church does not operate the church ministry the way the government tells them to!

The People Got Involved!

Thousands of individuals contacted their Representatives on Monday, April 8 and Tuesday, April 9.  The phone calls and emails worked!

Vote To Protect Churches on April 10!

On Wednesday, April 10 an amendment was offered to take out all of the language that would have harmed churches.
 
After a lengthy debate on the floor of the House of Representatives, the Representatives voted 68-27 to stop this attack on churches!
 
(Click Here) to see how your Representative voted!

Victory Because People Got Informed and Got Involved!

Thank you for responding to our email alert!
 
Thank you for contacting your State Representative on the dangerous amendment added to Senate Bill 305!  Your phone calls and emails made a difference!

Special Thanks to WFRN Radio!

We are grateful for the assistance from WFRN Radio!  WFRN Radio used a variety of means to contact individuals in their listening area about the dangers to churches from Senate Bill 305!  Thank you for partnering with us!

The Battle Is Not Over!

The General Assembly will not adjourn until around April 29.  There may be other attempts to harm churches.  Advance America will continue to lead the effort at the State House to protect churches and we will sound the alarm if churches are attacked again!

Click Here to find out who your legislators are.

House of Representatives

1-800-382-9842     or     317-232-9600

Click Here to make a tax deductible contribution
of $35, $50, $100 or more to help Advance America
continue to lead the effort at the State House to protect families,
protect churches and defend traditional Values!

Advance America
101 W. Ohio Street, Suite 660  • Indianapolis, IN 46204
www.AdvanceAmerica.com
 
Telephone Numbers
House of Representatives 800-382-9842 & 317-232-9600
State Senate: 800-382-9467 & 317-232-9400
Governor: 317-232-4567 – Lt. Governor: 317-232-4545

PRIVACY POLICY: Advance America does not sell
or give our mailing list or email list to anyone!  Your privacy is a priority!

Please contact your Representative Immediately and ask them to protect churches!

Background:

For over 30 years churches have been free to operate child care ministries without government control or being licensed by the government!   Churches must still meet fire codes and sanitation regulations.

**This Freedom Is Under Attack!**

On April 3 the Family, Child and Human Affairs Committee amended Senate Bill 305 to give new massive and unprecedented power over churches to a state agency, The Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA)!

The state agency, FSSA, supports this attempt to harm churches in Indiana!

**Here are Just 3 Things the Amendment to SB 305
Would Do to Harm Churches!**

1. FSSA will be given new power to close a church child care ministry without a court order! 
2. A new criminal penalty is created, whereby a pastor could be charged with a crime, go to jail and pay a fine if he doesn’t operate his church ministry the way the government tells him to! 
3. FSSA can force a church to pay a fine of up to $1,000 if the church does not operate the church ministry the way the government tells them to!

Important Fact – If the government can control a church child care ministry then the next step could be to go after other ministries involving children including a summer camp, Christian school, Vacation Bible school or Sunday school!

The Churches of Indiana Need Your Help!

  Urgent Action Required!  
Please call or email your State Representative Immediately with the following message:

“Please help stop the attack on churches!  Vote to take out the language added to Senate Bill 305 on April 3 to give FSSA massive new power and control over church child care ministries.”

(Click Here) to find out who your legislators are.

House of Representatives
1-800-382-9842    or    317-232-9600

Click Here to make a contribution.  Make a tax deductible contribution
of $35, $50, $100 or more to help Advance America
continue to lead the effort at the State House to protect families,
protect churches and defend traditional Values!

On September 18th over 235 pastors and church leaders gathered at the Ritz Charles for Advance America’s Indiana Church Legal Conference!

Over 16 church denominations and associations were involved in the conference! This was the largest and most diverse gathering of pastors in the history of Advance America!

Information to Help Churches Legally and Impact the Upcoming Election!

Those in attendance heard from Advance America’s Founder Eric Miller about what churches can legally do in the political arena and the importance of the 2012 Election.

Practical legal tips were provided by Attorney Duane Martin of Miller, Water, Martin & Hall. Insurance specialist Marv Miller provided insurance information and CPA Jeff Donovan gave numerous tax and accounting tips for pastors and churches.

Be watching for future updates for churches!