Flipping Tables – Episode 42: The Family—Christian Nationalist Power
Host: Monte Mader
Date: November 19, 2025
Overview: Main Theme and Purpose
In this comprehensive and impassioned episode, Monte Mader investigates the origins, evolution, and contemporary influence of "The Family"—also known as the Fellowship Foundation. This secretive Christian nationalist network, which began in 1935 under Abraham Vereide, has quietly shaped U.S. policy, dismantled the boundaries between church and state, and justified power inequalities through a theology favoring the elite. Monte unpacks how this group transformed American faith and politics, enabling elite consolidation, influencing labor law, fomenting international connections, and fueling current expressions of Christian nationalism. The episode blends history, theology, and current events with Monte's personal insight as a former evangelical, challenging listeners to remain vigilant and seek justice-oriented faith.
Key Discussion Points and Insights
1. Origins: Abraham Vereide and the Inception of The Family
[02:12–13:15]
- Great Depression Context: Vereide, a Norwegian Methodist immigrant, saw poverty as divine punishment for “disobedience.”
- Spiritual Pivot: Claimed a vision to shift from helping the poor to “ministering” to America’s powerful—businessmen, politicians—believing they were God’s "key men."
- Doctrine of the Chosen Elites: “Some are chosen to rule, and others are chosen to serve.”
- Formation of the Prayer Breakfast: The 1935 meeting in Seattle for elites starts the network aimed at power consolidation, not poverty relief.
Quote:
“He believed his calling is to the powerful business leaders, civic officials, political figures... Not ministry to the down and out, but ministry to the quote 'up and out.'” —Monte Mader [05:14]
2. Theology of Christian Free Market Fundamentalism
[13:16–24:00]
- Twisting of Scripture: The Family transforms Christian teachings from service and sacrifice into a theology justifying elite rule and trickle-down charity.
- Economic Beliefs: Opposed FDR’s New Deal, equated government intervention with rebellion against God, and viewed free-market capitalism as divinely ordained.
- Hostility to Organized Labor: Saw labor unions and regulations as heretical threats to divine order and prosperity.
Quote:
“Government intervention, whether through welfare programs, labor unions, or regulatory oversight, was therefore viewed not just as economic meddling, but as spiritual rebellion.” —Monte Mader [17:27]
3. Labor Strife and Democracy Undermined
[24:01–34:40]
- Pro-Business, Anti-Labor Activism: The Family organized against workers’ rights and union recognition, supporting business leaders in protests and strikes.
- Contrasts with Social Gospel: The Fellowship rejects broader traditions of Christian justice and charity, focusing instead on hierarchical power.
Quote:
“He believed that God had placed these individuals of the business elites... in position of influence, and that the laborers should not have a say against these key men, these divine men.” —Monte Mader [30:15]
4. Expansion and Embedding in U.S. Power Structures
[34:41–43:40]
- Prayer Cells Grow: The Family expands to D.C., forms small “cells of power” and inner circles, leading to international Christian Leadership (ICL).
- Birth of the National Prayer Breakfast: By 1953, with Billy Graham’s help, The Family establishes the annual event, cementing faith as a tool for elite governance, and helping popularize “under God” in the Pledge and “In God We Trust” on currency.
Quote:
“It’s not a long shot to believe The Family is at its core hugely influential for adding ‘Under God’ to the Pledge of Allegiance in 1954 and ‘In God We Trust’ to currency in 1956.” —Monte Mader [43:15]
5. Erosion of Church-State Separation
[43:41–49:40]
- Undermining the First Amendment: Openly dismisses separation of church and state as a “myth”; seeks return to "original Constitution."
- Elite Pluralism and Anti-Democratic Bias: Promotes hierarchy—men and the powerful as God’s agents, with little concern for the masses.
6. International Power and Secrecy Under Douglas Coe
[53:20–1:04:00]
- Shift to Obscurity: Coe transforms the Fellowship into a virtually invisible “non-organization” (no members/staff), heightening influence.
- Global Meddling: Engages with authoritarian leaders (including dictators and war criminals) globally if it means advancing Christian nationalist power.
- Cult of Secrecy: “The more you can make your organization invisible, the more influence it will have.” —Doug Coe, quoted by Monte [1:00:13]
7. Scandals, Double Standards, and Abuse of “Instant Forgiveness”
[1:13:50–1:27:40]
- C Street Center: Fellowship’s unofficial D.C. “church” property used to house politicians, facilitating cover-ups of scandals (e.g., sex, bribery).
- Enabling Abuse: The doctrine of “instant forgiveness” is leveraged to excuse sexual crime, corruption, and unethical behavior by powerful men.
- King David Rationalization: Churches use Biblical stories like David and Bathsheba to justify the actions of abusive leaders.
Quote:
“They often use the story of David and Bathsheba as a justification for absolving powerful men of their sins... As long as they were willing to say they were so sorry, it was totally fine.” —Monte Mader [1:24:12]
8. Global Influence—Uganda, Russia, and the Export of Repression
[1:28:00–1:43:55]
- African Expansion: The Family backs Ugandan networks; its associates support anti-LGBTQ+ legislation that results in persecution and violence.
- Influence-Buying and Foreign Meddling: The Family’s connections reached Russia—hosting key figures such as Maria Butina and Alexander Torshin, later linked to NRA, money-laundering, and interference in U.S. politics.
Quote:
“The original ‘Kill the Gays’ bill was first written by a Fellowship associate called David Bahati. U.S. congresspeople have spoken at the Ugandan iteration of the prayer breakfast in support of the anti-LGBT legislation.” —Monte Mader [1:37:44]
“Through their connection with the NRA, they are alleged to have funneled money into Trump’s presidential campaign from Russia.” —Monte Mader [1:42:40]
9. Recent Shifts: Public Scrutiny and Cosmetic Reforms
[1:43:56–1:55:15]
- The Maria Butina Scandal: Russian spy’s use of the Prayer Breakfast prompts Congress to formally sever the link with the Fellowship in 2023.
- National Prayer Breakfast “Reforms”: Now limited in size and officially barred from direct political lobbying, but Monte argues the underlying power structures remain intact; The Family continues its work quietly.
- Trump’s Return: Even after reforms, Trump uses the event’s stage in 2025 to announce policies targeting “anti-Christian bias,” showing how the entwining of faith and politics persists.
Quote:
“If you follow the money... the Family didn’t vanish. IRS filings... show the Fellowship Foundation continued to raise and spend millions annually through 2022 and 2023, well after the split.” —Monte Mader [1:54:20]
“It’s not the spectacle that matters, it’s the continuity.” —Monte Mader [1:54:49]
10. Final Reflections: Why The Family Still Matters
[1:55:16–end]
- Faith as a Language of Power: The Family’s greatest success is teaching Washington to use faith as a private, elite language of influence.
- The Ongoing Threat: Until the model—not just the event—is dismantled, the boundary between church and state stays cracked.
- Call to Action: Monte urges listeners to learn, stay involved, and challenge the hijacking of faith for elite power.
Quote:
“The Family has come and is still one of the most important groups as far as being able to push Christian nationalism to the front. And they’re a very dangerous group because when we violate religious liberty it puts us all inherently at risk.” —Monte Mader [1:56:00]
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
| Timestamp | Speaker | Quote | |-------------|-------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 05:14 | Monte | “Not ministry to the down and out, but ministry to the quote ‘up and out.’” | | 17:27 | Monte | “Government intervention... not just economic meddling, but spiritual rebellion.” | | 30:15 | Monte | “Laborers should not have a say against these key men, these divine men.” | | 43:15 | Monte | “The Family... hugely influential for adding ‘Under God’ to the Pledge...” | | 1:00:13 | Doug Coe* | “The more you can make your organization invisible, the more influence it will have.” | | 1:24:12 | Monte | “They often use the story of David and Bathsheba as a justification...” | | 1:37:44 | Monte | “The original ‘Kill the Gays’ bill was first written by a Fellowship associate...” | | 1:42:40 | Monte | “Through... the NRA, they are alleged to have funneled money into Trump’s presidential campaign from Russia.” | | 1:54:20 | Monte | “If you follow the money... the Family didn’t vanish.” | | 1:54:49 | Monte | “It’s not the spectacle that matters, it’s the continuity.” | | 1:56:00 | Monte | “When we violate religious liberty it puts us all inherently at risk.” |
*As quoted by Monte
Segment Timestamps
| Segment & Topic | Start–End | |--------------------------------------------|----------------| | Introduction, Episode Theme | 00:00–02:11 | | Abraham Vereide & Family’s Origin | 02:12–13:15 | | Theology of Elite Rule | 13:16–24:00 | | Labor, Unions, and Democracy Undermined | 24:01–34:40 | | Family Network Expansion | 34:41–43:40 | | National Prayer Breakfast & Church/State | 43:41–49:40 | | International Influence and Secrecy (Coe) | 53:20–1:04:00 | | Sex Scandals & Cover-ups | 1:13:50–1:27:40| | Global Reach: Uganda, Russia, NRA | 1:28:00–1:43:55| | Butina Scandal & “Split” | 1:43:56–1:55:15| | Monte’s Conclusions & Call to Action | 1:55:16–end |
Tone and Style
Monte’s delivery is passionate, biting, and direct. She balances thorough research with personal conviction, adding historical context and connecting it to contemporary politics. Tones of exasperation and urgency pervade as she denounces hypocrisy, abuses of power, and the betrayal of Christ’s original teachings by nationalist and elite forces.
Final Takeaway
Monte Mader demonstrates how "The Family" serves as the backbone of American Christian nationalism, distorting the Gospel to justify elite control, undermining democracy, and perpetuating harms both domestically and abroad. The episode warns that these undemocratic, elitist theologies haven’t vanished—they’ve morphed and rebranded, and only public scrutiny and activism can guard pluralistic, just society.