Shaw made the comments in the wake of the inquiry launched by U.S. Sen. Charles Grassley (R-Iowa) of six prominent televangelist ministries for possible financial misconduct.  The ministries have been asked to submit financial statements and records to the Senate Finance Committee by Dec. 6.

     Douglas Shaw & Associates is a fundraising and communications agency that serves national and international nonprofit organizations and ministries.

       Shaw urged ministries to join accountability organizations, such as the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability (ECFA) (www.ECFA.org), and monitoring and watchdog groups like GuideStar (www.Guidestar.org) – or even the Better Business Bureau (www.BBB.org) – to make sure their financial integrity is unquestioned.

       How all nonprofit organizations will be judged as the Grassley inquiry continues "depends on the openness of the nonprofits and their perceived integrity and reputation," Shaw said.

       "Nonprofit organizations must realize their moral obligation exceeds their legal requirements.  They must constantly keep in mind their own mission statements and the donors' intent," he said. "If they don't do what they have promised to do, they'll face justified scrutiny."

       Shaw warned that ministries involved in the inquiry, as well as some ministries similar to those Grassley is examining,  "may take a hit," particularly in the acquisition of new donors, as happened in the 1980s, when the PTL scandal occurred.  If Grassley does find wrong-doing, the impact on the six organizations and those like them could be "devastating."

       "Nonprofits that are accountable and share power internally should have nothing to worry about as far as how they are viewed by their donors and the public at large," Shaw said.

       However, all nonprofits could face increased regulation as a result of the Grassley probe.  And the inquiry could further threaten the separation of church and state, Shaw warned.

       As for fundraising agencies that assist nonprofits, they must make sure they represent organizations that have both internal and external safeguards, Shaw said.

       "We prefer they are a member of an accountability group, such as ECFA or GuideStar," he said. "Our responsibility and reputation are tied to those organizations we assist."

       Visit Douglas Shaw & Associates online at www.douglasshaw.com.

The Christian Music Festival for Renewed Faith, a two-day event which includes live music and other activities for children, has been launched by attorney C. Daniel Harry, with the goal of inspiring thousands of people to come together in peace and worship to enjoy some music and family fun in the outdoor, pastoral setting of Northern Oakland County in Michigan.

      The festival takes place August 1st and 2nd, 2008 in Springfield Oaks Park in Davisburg, Michigan. The event is expected to draw 13,000 with a packed entertainment schedule that includes Vickie Winans and Marvin Winans, Jr.

       In addition, Michael King, smooth-jazz musician Tim Bowman, The Calvarymen Quartet, The Cassens-Murphy Band, the original "Michigan Man" Mike Ridley, hip-hop artists Bro L.A. and Apostle J, Christian funnyman Horace H.B. Sanders, comedian Phenecia Banks, Pat Dunn, and minister Frank Turner, are also scheduled to appear.

Marvin Winans, Jr.

        Artist Management LLC produces the festival. All proceeds from the event will be contributed to the Michigan Christian Music Festival for Renewed Faith Foundation, a regulated nonprofit whose purpose is to support the elderly and children in need.

       Tickets to the event are available at Ticketmaster outlets, ticketmaster.com or by calling the festival box office at (248) 620-3652. Adult one-day tickets will cost $70 if purchased before April 30th; children will be admitted for $25 if tickets are purchased before April 30th. Church and group discounts are available, as well as a family-pack for $240.00 that admits two children and two adults for two days.

       For more information about the Christian Music Festival for Renewed Faith, visit http://www.renewedfaithfestival.com.

      Higher education received nearly half of the dollars from gifts of $10 million or more. Gary A. Tobin and Aryeh K. Weinberg, the study's authors, analyzed over 8000 gifts of $1 million or more made between 2001-2003.
  
      "Mega-gifts are very concentrated in a few types of organizations. Religious organizations, human services for the needy, and umbrella campaigns like the United Way are the big losers in attracting the largest gifts. Colleges and universities are the biggest winners," according to Gary A.Tobin, president of IJCR.
  
      The IJCR's report, Mega-Gifts in American Philanthropy: Giving Patterns 2001-2003, examined over 8000 gifts to 4000 organizations, the largest sample ever collected of gifts of $1 million or more. IJCR's mega-gift research is ongoing and reports will be issued every two years. The full report with 14 detailed charts is available for download on IJCR's web site: www.jewishresearch.org.
  
Among the findings:
 
o Higher education is by far the largest recipient of mega-gifts, taking in 37% of gifts and 44% of dollars.
o For gifts of $10 million or more, higher education receives an even bigger share with 46% of gifts and 47% of dollars.
o Health and medical causes received 14% of gifts of $10 million or more, up from 11% in 1995-2000, and 19% of dollars, up from 14% in 1995-2000.
o Religion and federated appeals received the lowest proportion of gifts, 3% each, and dollars, 2% each. Of the 110 largest gifts, none went to religion or federated appeals.
o About 55% of dollars came from private foundations, 28% from individuals, 8% from corporations, and the remainder from community foundations, donor advised funds, anonymous gifts and miscellaneous sources.

      Also included are writers, like the spirited poet Nikki Giovanni, Pulitzer Prize-winner Gene Patterson, and journalist John Seigenthaler. In addition, Nobel Peace Prize- winners Jimmy Carter and Archbishop Desmond Tutu added their thoughts on King, who "believed in the power of love over hate, the power of nonviolence over violence, and the power of peace over war," said Congressman Lewis.
 
      Dr. King considered music to be the soul of the Civil Rights movement, embracing protestors in companionship and a common cause. "The freedom songs are playing a strong and vital role in our struggle," he once said. "I think they keep alive a faith, a radiant hope in the future, particularly in our most trying times."
 
      The Voices CD features one of the country's finest symphonic choirs, The Choral Arts Society of Washington. Members lift their voices in songs such as "Goin' Up to Glory," "Lift Every Voice and Sing," and Dr. King's favorite hymn, "Precious Lord, Take My Hand." Music was selected from the Society's annual tributes to Dr. King at the Kennedy Center.
 
      The year 2008 marks the 45th anniversary of Dr. King's "I Have a Dream" speech and the 40th anniversary of his death. The legendary Civil Rights leader was assassinated in Memphis on April 4, 1968.
 
      Visit http://www.mlkvoices.com/ for more information.

      Now, Integrity Music has signed the praise and worship leader to an exclusive, long-term recording and publishing contract.
 
      Nelson and his ensemble, Purpose, will release their first Integrity CD "Right Now Praise" on February 5, 2008 worldwide.

      The uplifting radio single "My Name is Victory" has been one of the most added new singles at gospel radio the last two weeks according to Radio & Records magazine.

      The stellar collection is rounded out with a dozen other songs featuring gospel luminaries such as Sheri Moffet-Jones on "Yes, Out There", William Murphy on "Great and Mighty", Nikki Ross on "Already Mine" and Nelson's twin brother Jason on "Right Now Praise."
 
      Nelson has either written or co-written such modern day gospel smashes as Youth for Christ's "The Struggle is Over" which was #1 on Billboard magazine's Hot Gospel songs chart for a dozen weeks in 2007. He also penned other chart hits such as Donald Lawrence's Top 10 smash "Healed", Rudolph McKissick Jr.'s "The Right Place", "Melonie Daniel's "Praise is My Weapon" and both "Destiny" and "Great Praise" for Stephen Hurd. He also wrote, "Manifest" from Bishop T.D. Jake's Grammy-winning "A Wing and a Prayer" CD.
 
      "I think that Integrity is the perfect label home for Jonathan because of his strength and proven success as a songwriter in Gospel music and because of his amazing gift as a worship leader," says Integrity Music Artist Development Director Chris Springer.
 
      Nelson grew up in church and earned his first professional singing gig when he assembled some singing friends to back Karen Clark Sheard when she performed at Baltimore's Greater Bethlehem Church (where his father was the pastor) in 2000. Following the concert, Nelson and his friends formed Purpose. They have since backed a who's who in music, ranging from BeBe & CeCe Winans to Michael McDonald. Their debut CD, "Everything You Are: Live in Baltimore," was released in 2003 and featured the regional hit "Healed," which was eventually picked up by Donald Lawrence and made into a national hit.

Contact: Loralei Coyle 202-682-4131, 202-905-6852 cell, lcoyle@ird-renew.org; Radio Interviews: Jeff Walton, jwalton@ird-renew.org; both with the Institute on Religion and Democracy

WASHINGTON, Dec. 14 /The Gospel News Wire/ -- Fighting to keep its doors open, a struggling United Methodist congregation in Baltimore has partnered with a collective of radical anarchists in a space-sharing agreement.

The tiny St. John's United Methodist Church, still not fully restored after a 1981 fire, now hosts meetings of Red Emma's collective, a self-described anarchist group. Payments from the anarchists have allowed the church to continue paying its utility bills. Red Emma's speakers at the church have included a former Black Panther imprisoned for armed robbery and the Northeast Federation of Anarchists-Communists.

St. John's garnered attention earlier this year when its pastor, Ann Gordon, announced her change of gender identity from female to the male Drew Phoenix, sparking an ongoing controversy over transsexual pastors in the 7.9 million-member United Methodist Church.

UMAction Executive Director Mark Tooley Commented:

"Supporters of St. Paul's transsexual pastor, including the local bishop, have praised the radical church's supposedly thriving congregational life. But in fact, the small congregation's preference for identity politics and radical causes has been a poor substitute for the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

"That a United Methodist congregation would have to rely on Red Emma's anarchist collective to survive speaks to the complete failure of liberal theology to attract a vibrant membership.

"Why are churches that boast most loudly about their 'inclusivity' almost always dying?

"St. John's dwindling flock starkly contrasts with thriving United Methodist churches in the U.S. and even more so overseas, where an emphasis on evangelism and discipleship fuels massive growth."

The Institute on Religion and Democracy, founded in 1981, is an ecumenical alliance of U.S. Christians working to reform their churches’ social witness, in accord with biblical and historic Christian teachings, thereby contributing to the renewal of democratic society at home and abroad.

www.ird-renew.org

WASHINGTON, Dec. 14 /The Gospel News Wire/-- The following text is of remarks by President Bush after meeting with his cabinet:

Rose Garden
10:32 A.M. EST

THE PRESIDENT:  Good morning.  I just finished meeting with members of my Cabinet.  I am proud of this team; I appreciate their service to the country.  We discussed the priorities that we're working on to meet for the needs of the American people; we're talking about the business that remains on Capitol Hill.

I want to thank the Senate and congratulate the Senate for passing a good energy bill -- and now the House must act.  Congress also must move quickly to pass legislation to protect middle class families from the burden of the Alternative Minimum Tax -- without raising taxes.  And Congress must pass legislation to ensure our intelligence professionals can continue to effectively monitor terrorist communications.

Congress must also move forward with spending legislation to fund the day to day operations of the federal government -- so that the Cabinet departments can provide essential services for the American people.

Because Congress did not pass any spending bills by the end of the fiscal year -- with the exception of one -- many essential services are now being funded under what is called a continuing resolution.  This is a bill that keeps the federal government running on a temporary basis while lawmakers work out their differences.

In recent days, lawmakers have made some important progress in working out such differences.  I'm pleased to hear that they are close to reaching agreement on a budget.  There are a lot of details left to be worked out, and I hope they will pass a bill that is fiscally responsible and does not raise taxes.  I also understand that Congress may provide a down payment on the war funding I requested -- without artificial timelines for withdrawal.

These are encouraging signs.  Unfortunately, members of Congress have not been able to complete their work by today, when the current continuing resolution expires.  So last night Congress passed another continuing resolution that will fund the government for one more week -- and I just signed the resolution.

I hope that Congress will use the additional time productively.  I urge them to pass a clean spending package that meets the reasonable spending levels I have put forward -- without gimmicks, without policy riders that could not be enacted in the ordinary legislative process, and with much needed funding for our troops in combat.

It would be disappointing if members of Congress did not finish their work by the holidays.  But if they don't, they should not carry the unfinished business of 2007 into the new year.  Instead they should pass a one-year continuing resolution that does not include wasteful spending or higher taxes.  And they must ensure that our troops on the front lines have the funds and resources they need to prevail.

I'll take a couple of questions.  Deb.

Q    Mr. President, on the Mitchell report, sir, do you think that the baseball players actually mentioned in the report should be punished?

THE PRESIDENT:  A couple of reactions to the Mitchell report.  As you know, I'm a baseball fan; I love the sport, I love the game.  Like many fans, I've been troubled by the steroid allegations.  I think it's best that all of us not jump to any conclusions on individual players' name, but we can jump to this conclusion:  that steroids have sullied the game, and players and the owners must take the Mitchell report seriously.  I'm confident they will.

And my hope is that this report is a part of putting the steroid era of baseball behind us.  You know, I -- in the State of the Union a couple of years ago, I addressed the issue of steroids, and the reason I did so is because I understand the impact that professional athletes can have on our nation's youth.  And I just urge our -- those in the public spotlight, particularly athletes, to understand that when they violate their bodies, they're sending a terrible signal to America's young.

Toby.

Q    Mr. President, what was Kim Jong-il's message to you in response to your letter to him?  And what was -- what is your response to him?

THE PRESIDENT:  Well, first I'm -- you know, I got his attention with a letter, and he can get my attention by fully disclosing his programs, including any plutonium he may have processed and converted -- into whatever he's used it for; we just need to know.

As well, he can get our attention by fully disclosing his proliferation activities.  We have laid out a way forward -- and I say "we" -- there's four other countries that have joined us; we've got what's called the six-party talks.  And the five of us agree that there's a way forward for the -- Kim Jong-il, and an important step is a full declaration of programs, materials that may have been developed to create weapons, as well as the proliferation activities of the regime.

Thank you very much.

Q    Oh, don't stop now.

THE PRESIDENT:  I had a -- well, I've got freezing Cabinet members out here.  (Laughter.)  They're whispering; you can't hear their whispers.   (Laughter.)  I can just feel their vibe saying, I'm envious, they're all wearing these expensive coats, and here we are.  (Laughter.)

I hope you enjoyed the holiday bash as much as I did.  I noticed some of the silverware is missing.  (Laughter.)  We'll be taking a full inventory.  (Laughter.) Happy holidays.

ARLINGTON, Virg. Dec. 14 /The Gospel News Wire/ -- The St. Gabriel Possenti Society, Inc. this week awarded Jeanne Assam of New Life Church in Colorado Springs its Medal and Certificate of Honor, Society Founder/Chairman John M. Snyder announced here today.

Snyder recalled that during last Sunday's church services Assam, an armed private citizen voluntarily guarding the congregation, fired her weapon effectively to stop a reportedly anti-Christian madman. The madman apparently was bent on mass murder after he had killed two of the innocent worshippers.

According to news reports, Assam, armed with a handgun for which she has a concealed carry permit and from which she fired 10 rounds, faced down the murderer armed with two semiautomatic handguns and two semiautomatic rifles and carrying 1,000 rounds of ammunition. Assam later said that "God was with me" during the incident and that she had prayed to the Holy Spirit, the Third Person of the Blessed Trinity, before placing herself in the path of the murderer and shooting him. He then committed suicide.

Snyder said that "Assam is a true heroine who manifests the qualities of personal courage, faith in Almighty God, and genuine charity towards one's neighbors valued so highly by our Society. She certainly is most deserving of this Award. I sent it to her in care of Rev. Brady Boyd, her church's Senior Pastor who said that she probably had saved the lives of a hundred people by her action."

The interdenominational Society is named for St. Gabriel Possenti, a Catholic seminarian who used a handgun to rescue villagers of Isola del Gran Sasso, Italy from a gang of 20 marauders in 1860. After rescuing a young woman from a rapist, Possenti's single-shot shooting of a running lizard so impressed the gang that they willingly obeyed his orders to disarm and leave town. Possenti died a couple of years later of natural causes and was canonized by Pope Benedict XV in 1920. The international Society seeks Possenti's official Vatican designation as Patron of Handgunners.

The Society's Medal of Honor features an image of Possenti flanked by silhouettes of a lizard and a handgun and surrounded by appropriate lettering. Snyder also sent Assam an autographed copy of Gun Saint, his biography of the Saint, as well as a lapel pin featuring an image of the Society's emblem. A picture of the Medal of Honor may be obtained on request by email to gundean@aol.com.

MEDIA ADVISORY, Dec. 14, /The Gospel News Wire/ -- On Dec 17-19 and Jan 4-8 - in New Hampshire - Randall Terry and other pro-life volunteers will hold vigils, literature drops, pickets and more to expose the agenda of Rudy Giuliani.
 
"Real Solutions for the Negro Problem" is one slightly controversial tract. In it, Rudy Giuliani is taken to task...
 
Click here to see the entire flyer.
 
An "Anti-Devil" [Rudy] bumper sticker will also be distributed.
 
Click here to see bumper sticker.
 
Teams will be handing out the "Slavery Tract" and the Bumper Sticker in several cities in New Hampshire on the dates listed above.
 
To schedule an interview with Mr. Terry, call 904 461 0834

Sony Pictures is looking for the best gospel choir in America! If you think your choir has what it takes, come out and compete in the FIRST SUNDAY Gospel Challenge the weekend of December 15th. Participating markets are listed below. Choirs will have to perform an original three minute version of either “O Holy Night", "O Come All Ye Faithful" or "Joy To The World." The winning choir will qualify for a chance to win $10,000!

For complete rules and more details about events in your city please contact the market representative listed below and be sure to check out FIRST SUNDAY starring Ice Cube, Tracy Morgan, Katt Williams, and Loretta Devine, when it opens January 11th in theaters everywhere!

FIRST SUNDAY Gospel Challenge Markets:
New York Contact: Michelle Vale 646-436-2820	Los Angeles Contact: Kathlyn Albright: 323-857-7609
Atlanta Contact: Linda Crane: 404-239-5455	Baltimore Contact: Sharon Weiss: 410-753-4573
Chicago Contact: Amanda Wehr: 312-376-8572	Cleveland Contact: Kim Moss: 216-291-0500
Dallas Contact: Roderick Stocker: 214-520-5633	Detroit Contact: Melissa Blum: 248-594-5321
Houston Contact: Jason Price: 713-223-2796	Kansas City Contact: Anita Lackey: 816-474-9995
Little Rock Contact: Diana Allen: 504-833-8399	Miami Contact: April Darby: 954-200-8011
Philadelphia Contact: Monica Montalvo: 267-765-3724	St. Louis Contact: Pete Maniscalo: 314-266-1100
Washington DC Contact: Brandi Dunnegan: 202-742-8743

Nashville, TN - Central South Distribution is stepping up its game in the gospel music field with several big gospel music happenings during Gospel Music’s biggest week of the year on Friday, January 11, 2008 at the Gibson Showcase, 161 Opry Mills Drive, Nashville, TN 37214. Gibson phone number: 615-514-2200.

Central South will open the day with a jazz brunch featuring music by the Bernard Harris Trio and Kevin Turner at 10:30 a.m. It’s an exclusive meet and greet for radio announcers and retail personnel.  

Then, from 12:00 to 2:30 p.m., there will be an educational workshop featuring a who’s who in behind-the-scenes music industry power players. The panel discussion will cover strategies for breaking into gospel announcing, the benefits of brokering a radio program, and how pivotal radio is to the overall music industry and the public at large.

The biggest news of all is that Central South is hosting its first annual Gospel Announcers’ Spotlight Awards where they will honor the industry’s best radio announcers with awards. The program will be hosted by David Mann (Mr. Brown from the Tyler Perry plays) and comedian Akintunde. Either performing or presenting will be Vickie Winans, Martha Munizzi, Bryan Wilson, Micah Stampley, Mary Alessi, William Murphy and Tamela Mann. Program runs 3:00 to 5:30 p.m. For more information on how to nominate an announcer or other details, email: awards@csouth.com

At 7:30 p.m., Central South will fill the night with festive worship and praise music as their annual Praise Party showcases Myron Williams, Marvin Winans Jr., Norman Hutchens, William Murphy, Mary Alessi, Jason Nelson, David & Tamela Mann, Bishop John Francis, Jerard Woods, Dave & Nicole Binion and Tarralyn Ramsey.

Finally, they close the evening with an Urban Soul Summit featuring a collaborative performance by Canton Jones, Lisa McClendon and Mr. Del. IROCC will open the program with a set.

Mobile, Alabama – December 7, 2007 – Integrity Gospel recording artist Israel & New Breed received two nominations today during The Recording Academy’s announcement of nominees for the 50th Annual GRAMMY® Awards.

This GRAMMY, Dove and Stellar Award-winning group were recognized for their current critically-acclaimed and best-selling A Deeper Level. Israel and New Breed earned GRAMMY® Award nominations for Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album and for Best Gospel Performance for the song “With Long Life” (featuring T-Bone), from A Deeper Level.

Today’s nominations make a total of eight GRAMMY Award nominations received thus far by this ground-breaking group which defies categorization, winning over fans and critics of Gospel, Praise and Worship and Contemporary Christian music. Last year, Israel & New Breed won their first GRAMMY for Best Traditional Gospel Album for Alive in South Africa.

“I’m still riding high from our Grammy win earlier this year, so to receive an additional two nominations is beyond exciting. What a way to end the year!” remarked Israel Houghton.

In addition to their GRAMMYs, Israel & New Breed is also the winner of four Dove Awards, two Stellar Awards, a Soul Train Award and a NARM Award. The 50th Annual GRAMMY Awards will be held on Feb. 10, 2008, at Staples Center in Los Angeles and once again will be broadcast live in high definition TV and 5.1 surround sound on CBS from 8 – 11:30 p.m. (ET/PT).

Israel & New Bre