Author: Alyssa Lofggren

At the time in history when Matthew 5:13 was penned, salt was infinitely more valuable than gold, partly because of its preservative abilities. God says in this verse that, “Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? It is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot 

of men.”

As children of  God, by the divine appointment of God, we are the salt of the earth. And God says He has a special function for us as salt. How salty are you today, Christian?

If you use bad salt in an effort to preserve, decay and rot will set in. Verse 13 is clear; salt that has lost its savor becomes useless. If we want to be the salt God desires us to be, He has five commands for us, found in 2 Chronicles 7:14—“If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” In this verse, we find the five benchmarks of 

salty Christians. 

First, we must be called by His name. When the world looks at your life, would they call you by His name or would you have to tell the world that you are a Christian? In 

John 13:34, Jesus says if we want the whole world to know who we belong to, it begins with loving the way we have been loved. 

The second command is that we humble ourselves.

 James 4 is clear that we are to humble ourselves under the mighty hand of God. The opposite of humility is pride—and we are either humble or proud. There is no middle ground. And the Bible tells us in both James 4:6 and 1 Peter 5:5 that God resists the proud. If we are proud, we have God opposing us—which makes humbling ourselves so critical. When God gave us the seven sins that He particularly hates and despises, pride made the list. 

The third condition if we are to be salt in the world is to pray.God says we have not because we ask not. He tells us that nothing is impossible with Him—but that hinges on us asking. And we can ask God for as many miracles as we want in our lifetime—there is no limit! What’s on your list of impossible asks today? 

Fourth, we must seek His face. When is the last time you went to the Lord just to get Him? Not to get something from Him—but to get Him? Too often we want something from God’s hand, but we don’t want His face. 

The fifth requirement is that we must turn from our wicked ways. The problem is not sin with our leaders, or sin among those we know. It’s sin in our own lives. But when we turn from our wicked ways, God moves. We must not just pray to be cleaner…but to be clean. 1 John 1:9 promises that we can be cleansed from all unrighteousness. When God’s people get clean and then they pray, that is when “the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” Do we truly want to see what God can do? God wants us to be the salt! And if we will be the salt, He will do miracles for His honor and glory when we ask.

Bus ministries are vital. They have been responsible for bringing millions of children to Christ over many decades in America, children who likely might otherwise have never seen the inside of a church. We strongly believe that if any church has the resources and manpower to operate some aspect of a vehicle ministry, then it is absolutely something they should prayerfully consider.

At the same time, vehicle ministries are legal landmines fraught with extreme liability. No other aspect of your ministry can place so many lives at risk—even if the driver is virtually perfect. Because of this, never cut corners with your vehicle ministry! Please remember the following important information as your church serves others through this much-needed outreach. 

1. Federal law regulates the use of Commercial Motor Vehicles.

Definition. A Commercial Motor Vehicle (CMV), is a vehicle used on a highway, in interstate commerce, that, (1) is designed to transport 8 or more passengers (including the driver) for compensation, or 16 or more passengers (including the driver) not for compensation, or, (2) has a gross vehicle weight rating of 10,001 pounds or more.

If your ministry operates a CMV, such as a school bus, you must comply with federal regulations. This means you need to know and comply with all regulations regarding Commercial Driver’s Licenses (CDLs), as well as the regulations regarding drug and alcohol testing.

If your ministry uses a vehicle designed to transport 15 or fewer people (including the driver) not for compensation, you are exempt from these requirements. If your ministry can effectively operate vehicles of this size, it may be less expensive to use them instead of being subjected to the expenses associated with alcohol and drug testing.

2. Every CMV driver is subject to federal law requirements. 

Regardless of whether you ever cross a state line, every driver with a CDL who operates one of your CMVs is subject to federal requirements, including proper pre-employment screening, multiple alcohol and drug testing requirements, proper training, and the driver’s requirement to notify you of any traffic citation other than a parking violation.

These regulations are extensive, and they can change! Because of their complexity, it is very difficult for any ministry to know for sure if they are fully compliant with the law. At CLA, we believe there is great wisdom in finding an outside company that specializes in driver training and CMV/CDL compliance so you can be sure you are meeting all federal regulations.

3. Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSR) can also apply. 

If your ministry vehicle is designed to transport more than 15 passengers (including the driver) and goes out of state even one time, then Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations can apply to your vehicles. These regulations are extensive and include vehicle registration and marking, driver qualifications, vehicle maintenance and inspections, and record-keeping requirements.

Software designed to assist with FMCSR recordkeeping requirements can be purchased, and it would likely be worth the investment. There are also companies that specialize in FMCSR compliance that can assist your ministry in following all of these regulations.

4. Avoid 15-passenger vans if possible.

While advancement in safety technologies, particularly Electronic Stability Control, have made 15-passenger vans safer today than they were in years past, they are still more prone to rollovers than practically any other vehicle. So many safety advisories have been issued regarding this risk in 15-passenger vans that insurance companies generally charge more to cover these vans, and lawsuits over rollover accidents are all but guaranteed. Additionally, some states restrict the use of 15-passenger vans as school transportation.

At the very least, contact your insurance company first for their advice and policy requirements before ever considering purchasing a 15-passenger van or accepting one as a gift. If at all possible, we recommend purchasing a different type of vehicle, such as a minibus.

5. Maintain adequate insurance coverage.

The majority of states have incredibly low legal minimums for automobile insurance coverage, but that does not mean your ministry should ever consider carrying those minimums. Maintaining sufficient insurance coverage is essential. CLA recommends that you have an automobile policy with at least one million dollars in coverage, and even more if your ministry can afford it.

It is vital to sit down with your insurance agent and specify all of your planned uses for your ministry vehicles. This ensures the agent will offer your ministry all appropriate coverages as well as helping to avoid the insurance company denying coverage later.

6. Add the vehicle ministry into the church’s annual budget.

A successful and legally safe vehicle ministry is not cheap. Don’t skimp on vehicles, insurance, or routine maintenance. Follow all maintenance recommendations meticulously. If an accident is caused by a malfunctioning part—and it turns out that your ministry had the option to change it and chose not to—that choice can result in severe adverse consequences if you are ever in a lawsuit.

7. Choose your drivers carefully.

Your drivers are not just volunteers or employees. They potentially hold the entire future of your ministry in their hands. Remember that whoever you choose to drive is the person responsible for keeping more than a dozen people alive at any one time. In addition to requiring drivers to meet basic federal requirements, do not be afraid to  limit drivers to those who seem to have the experience or maturity necessary for such an important role.

CLA is following several ongoing pieces of legislation that raise concerns for churches and Christians alike. While framed as promoting public order, portions of the language in this legislation could be interpreted to restrict open-air preaching, public witnessing, and even the distribution of Gospel tracts and pamphlets in certain settings. 

Such legal challenges are surfacing all across America. The Christian Law Association is actively preparing for upcoming issues in states like North Carolina, Tennessee, Arkansas, and California. Each case represents a critical stand to ensure that believers retain the right to fulfill the Great Commission in their communities. As Acts 5:29 declares, “We ought to obey God rather than men.” If we lose these freedoms, our ability to share the Gospel in public spaces may be severely hindered for future generations.

We urge Christians everywhere to pray fervently for these legal battles. The freedom to hand out a tract, share a Bible verse, or speak the name of Jesus on a street corner is not merely a cultural right—it is a God-given command. As Mark 16:15 reminds us, “Go ye into all the world, and preach the Gospel to every creature.”

Let’s ask the Lord for wisdom for our attorneys, courage for those facing opposition, and His mighty hand of protection over our constitutional freedoms. The time to pray and act is now.

When the Christian Law Association recently posted a message publicly—beyond its normal audience of supporters and followers—the response was eye-opening. While many Christians were encouraged and thankful for the ministry’s stand, the sheer flood of hateful comments directed against God, the Bible, and those who love Him was absolutely staggering. It wasn’t a small handful of critics; it was an overwhelming outpouring of anger and hostility toward even the mention of Jesus Christ.

This experience is a sobering reminder of the spiritual climate in America today. Many of us, faithfully attending our churches and surrounded by fellow believers, can begin to feel insulated from the growing opposition to Christianity in our culture. We live and serve in communities where the Bible is respected, where prayer is normal, and where faith in God is woven into the fabric of daily life. But the reality outside those circles is very different. There is a deepening resentment toward God’s Word and those who stand for Biblical truth.

As Christians, we must not let this discourage us but rather drive us to our knees in prayer. America desperately needs revival. 

The angry words and vicious attacks we see are not just against us—they are against the Savior we serve. Our response must be one of love, truth, and unwavering commitment to intercede for those who oppose the Gospel. Scripture reminds us that “all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution” (2 Timothy 3:12), but it also reminds us to “love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you” (Matthew 5:44).

This moment should shake us out of complacency. It should remind us that our nation’s spiritual battle is very real, and the need for Christians to stand boldly and pray fervently has never been greater. Let us pray for America, for our leaders, and even for those who are hostile to the Gospel—that their hearts might be softened and turned to Christ. May we refuse to retreat into silence and instead continue to let our light shine in a world that desperately needs it.

When they are used effectively, computers can streamline work and make churches much more efficient. But mistakes happen, and not all of these are innocent errors. CLA recommends that churches adopt an Incident Management Procedure when there are issues with technology, including theft and data corruption.

Proper management procedures can help legally protect the church. These procedures include identifying the scope of the incident, creating an Incident Management Form, notifying the supervisor of the person who caused the incident, and defining a resolution.

If you need additional information about this important topic, contact our offices today.

Though it is thankfully rare, ministry workers need to know what to do when they come across an unknown substance in a suspicious package. Staff members need to be trained to put down the package immediately without attempting to clean up any released powder or liquid, and without attempting to brush off the substance from clothing or skin. Then turn off all HVAC systems immediately to prevent a potentially harmful substance from getting into the air circulation system and being spread throughout the building. These procedures seem like simple common sense, but because they occur so rarely, staff members should be periodically reminded of these actions to keep them at the top of their minds. 

If you need to establish emergency response policies for your ministry, please contact our offices for further information.

Through the years, the Christian Law Associationhas been blessed to win an unbelievable number of cases, defending the rights of churches and individual Christians to practice the religious liberty promised in the United States Constitution. But we can never make the false assumption that once something is settled, it is settled forever.

Courts tend to follow precedent.

If the courts allow one church in a state to have a 

Christian school, it is likely that they will allow all churches in the same state to have Christian schools because courts tend to follow precedent.

Attorneys tend to show distinctions.

In order to get a ruling that goes against established precedent, attorneys try to show how the present case is somehow different from cases in the past. They may argue something as simple as, “The cases in the past dealt with larger churches that were more likely to have qualified teachers, but the present case deals with a smaller church that is less likely to have such resources.”

The United States Supreme Court sometimes changes its mind.

In the matter of abortion, the Supreme Court for many years ruled that every state must allow abortions. In recent years, the Court ruled that it is acceptable for abortion rights to vary from state to state. Even long-established precedents can be overturned with a single case.

A recent Supreme Court decision has created some confusion.

In most cases involving public schools, if one group of students is allowed to express their thoughts, then all groups are. But when a school on the East Coast allowed some students to wear shirts that said, “He, She, They. It’s All OK” but disallowed one student to wear a shirt that said, “There are only two genders,” the Supreme Court refused to hear the case, thereby allowing the school to exercise viewpoint discrimination.

Please continue to pray for the Christian Law Association.

Because of the nature of the law in the United States, our work defending Christian liberty is never done. We are determined to continue winning cases in the future, just as we have in the past; but we know we cannot do so without God’s help. We humbly ask all our supporters to keep us in their prayers.

Here are some surprising and thought-provokingstatisticsabout Christians in the United States, based on recent studies from sources like Pew Research, Barna Group, Lifeway Research, and Gallup:

Christianity Is Declining Rapidly

Only 63% of Americans now identify as Christian (Pew Research, 2021), down from 90% in the 1970s. If trends continue, Christians could be a minority by 2070.

Church Attendance Is Even Lower Than Belief

While 63% say they are Christian, only about 28–30% attend a church service once a week. That means over half of self-identified Christians don’t go to church regularly.

Fewer Than 10% Hold a Biblical Worldview

According to Barna (2023), only 6% of U.S. adults—and just 19% of born-again Christians—have a Biblical worldview, meaning they believe in core Biblical principles like absolute moral truth and salvation through Christ alone.

Evangelicals Are a Small Minority

Though often highly visible, evangelical Christians make up only 23–25% of the population, and that number is shrinking, especially among young people.

Gen Z Christians Are Doubting More

Among Gen Z (ages 10–25), over 45% of those raised in a Christian environment say they have serious doubts about their faith, and many cite the church’s stance on social issues as a reason.

Bible Reading Is Shockingly Rare

Only 11% of Americans read the Bible daily (American Bible Society, 2023). More than half of self-described Christians say they rarely or never read Scripture.

Half of Pastors Are Seriously Considering Leaving Ministry

According to Barna (2023), 42% of pastors have seriously considered quitting full-time ministry in the past year due to stress, isolation, and pressure.

Christian Persecution Is Increasing Domestically

Legal pressure against Christian individuals and ministries is rising.

A Majority of Christians Can’t Define the Great Commission

A Lifeway Research study found that 51% of U.S. churchgoers have never heard of the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19–20), or can’t explain what it means.

When I think of America, I think of a land birthed in liberty—liberty not only to speak and assemble, but liberty to worship the Lord without fear of government interference. Our Founding Fathers were not perfect men, but they understood a perfect truth: that all men are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights. Chief among these is the right to worship freely.

We at the Christian Law Association are privileged to witness this freedom in action every day. We speak to pastors seeking to proclaim the Gospel boldly. We advise teachers disciplined for quietly living out their faith in public schools. We help Christian business owners who refuse to compromise their beliefs, even when it costs them financially. These believers are not making headlines—but they are the heartbeat of the American church.

And yet, we also see another side of America—one that grieves our hearts. We see government officials who treat churches unequally. We see Christians told to remove Scripture verses from their workspaces, students barred from bringing their Bibles to school, and ministries targeted for holding to Biblical truth. This is not the America our founders envisioned.

But we are not discouraged. We are resolved.

When I think of America, I think of Christians who still kneel in prayer, families who still gather around the dinner table to read God’s Word, churches who still preach the truth without compromise. I think of our attorneys—fighting daily, often behind the scenes, to ensure the next generation has the same religious freedoms we’ve enjoyed.

Our freedom is not free. It has been paid for by the blood of patriots—and by the sacrifice of those who stood for truth when it wasn’t popular. The Christian Law Association stands with them.

Let us not take these freedoms for granted. Let us continue to speak, to serve, and to stand. Let us remember that this liberty is not man’s idea—it is God’s gift. And with His help, we will preserve it.

About two years ago, an employee in the medical industry worked within the rules of his company to establish a Bible study with some of his fellow employees. This, however, was strongly opposed by some of his superiors, and they began to develop a plan to shut down the Bible study.

Without any notice and without being given any reason, the employee was sent home. Because he knew his bosses well, he knew that—regardless of what anyone might state publicly—the real reason for this was their desire to disband the Bible study. He also knew that he would likely lose his job.

When he contacted the Christian Law Association, our experienced attorneys were able to provide sound legal guidance. After all this time, the Bible study is still going. One man who attends the Bible study has now become a Christian.

Because of God’s goodness, the man who operates the Bible study still has a career that is on track. In fact, it appears that his superiors can perceive the value of his work, and they have even continued to provide him with customary increases of salary.

The Christian Law Association is committed to fighting for religious liberty. Whether that is handling cases that appear before the highest courts of the land or helping a good-hearted Christian man keep his Bible study going, we are privileged to defend the rights of Bible-believing Christians.