The Rev. Dr. Leith Anderson, senior pastor at the 5,000-member Wooddale Church in Eden Prairie, Minn., was appointed as the Interim President of the National Association of Evangelicals on Saturday, Nov. 4, following the sudden resignation of the Rev. Ted Haggard, who stepped down amid allegations of drug use and sexual immorality.
The following are excerpts from an interview with Dr. Anderson on Tuesday, November 7, 2006:
What does this presidency mean for you and for the NAE?Anderson: For me, personally, this means working harder. I already had a pretty busy schedule before taking on this role. As far as the NAE is concerned, it means looking to the future and reaffirming its mission and purpose.
How long do you expect your term to last?
Anderson: It's open-ended, but I have asked for a meeting with the Executive Committee on the 13th of December, and I've requested that we have a written plan in place by the first of January to find a long-term president. We'll figure that out then.
I have served as the interim president before, and that lasted a couple of years. That is not my intention this time around.
The NAE offices were mostly housed in Rev. Haggard's New Life Church. Will the offices move into Wooddale Church or elsewhere?
Anderson: The offices have been in Wooddale in the past, and certain functions will move back in. Some of our people and staff have already dedicated themselves to provide multiple services to the NAE, and we will be doing that temporarily.
