Dear Friends,

About a year ago, I was contacted by three men from the Macon, GA area, who wanted to form a "Middle Georgia" chapter of the Christian Coalition of Georgia. I was thrilled to have their offer to help organize the middle part of our state to increase our grassroots effectiveness. To that end one of the men, David Johnston signed a Chapter Leader Agreement that is quite specific in what a chapter can and cannot do.

Last week, I got several phone calls from people who had received an automated phone call from David Johnston, identifying himself as the Chairman of the Middle Georgia Christian Coalition endorsing a political candidate.

In the almost ten years that I have been the State Chairman of the Christian Coalition of Georgia, I can count on one hand the times I have given a candidate a personal statement of support. And, I have never used my title nor the name of the organization in the statements that I have given.

Those candidates have respected the many reasons why our organization cannot and does not endorse candidates.

As the state leader of an organization such as this, I understand there are people who support our work that may be on opposite sides of a campaign. I recognize and respect the individual right and opinion of those who help us further our cause, and know that they certainly have the ability to think for themselves regarding who they choose to support for political office.

Unfortunately Mr. Johnston, in his enthusiasm to support the candidate of his choice, failed to abide by the terms of the Chapter Leader Agreement. Regrettably, for legal reasons the agreement between the Christian Coalition of Georgia and the Middle Georgia Christian Coalition had to be terminated.

I apologize to those of you who received these calls and were offended.