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W hat if we could fast-forward to AGRMs 200th anniversary in 2113 assuming the Lord tarries What will AGRM and rescue mission ministry look like How will they be different Will they be ministries The current trajectory of rescue mission min- istry is healthy and exciting. At the same time our national culture is changing. New social dogmas are gaining momentum and beginning to challenge Christians ability to express and exercise genuine faith in public ways. Nearly two-thirds of rescue mission executives and boards reported last year that religious liberty is one of our biggest concerns or in their list of top 10 concerns. Some have already been pres- sured and attacked. If rescue missions are going to weather the coming storms we must be clear about what we stand for. In the area of public policy we stand for civic plural- ism the ability of diverse peoples and groups to co-exist within a nation by peacefully resolving conflicts without disregard for their differences or malice toward each other. Civic pluralismE Pluribus Unum Out of many oneis an ideal that Americas early leaders aspired to. Without it todays rigid ideolo- gies and social dogmas will sow division not unity and drive out our ability to express and exercise our faith. Radical individualism has little use for other peoples convictions or rights. How do we respond to these threats as individual ministries and an association Here are some action steps AGRM will address more throughout 2016 1. Pray. 2. Consider civic pluralism our public policy long game. We have to encourage and strengthen civic pluralism at the federal state and local levels and engaging decision-makers is a priority. 3. Keep serving people in Jesus name and tell more people about it. Humility is an admirable trait among rescue mission leaders but you will need all the public support and goodwill you can get when new challenges arise. 4. Get involved in state policymaking. Oppo- nents of religious exemption laws are training state-level activists to counter any new policy pro- posals that protect your First Amendment rights. 5. Strengthen your rescue missions religious identityits core documents policies and prac- ticesto withstand legal scrutiny. Lawsuits or the threat of lawsuits can be effective weapons against unprepared or weak defendants. Let me know if you want more information I am happy to talk and send you relevant materials. 60 WWW.AGRM.ORG MARCHAPRIL 2016 DAY-TO-DAY HALLS OF GOVERNMENT Rhett Butler Civic Pluralism AGRM stands for an important concept woven into the fabric of the United States Rhett serves as AGRMs government liaison and previously served as director of special projects for the White Houses Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives. You can email him at rbutleragrm.org.