After more than 25 years with the National Association of Evangelicals, longtime lobbyist and spokesman Richard Cizik has resigned over comments he made about same-sex unions.

It was "a difficult but appropriate decision," Leith Anderson, NAE president said about the resignation.

Earlier this month, Cizik spoke about his changing views on same-sex marriage and global warming, during an interview on National Public Radio's Fresh Air program.

During the show, he also said he voted for President-elect Barack Obama during the Virginia primary - hinting strongly at how he cast his vote during the general election.

Some Christian leaders said Cizik had lost credibilty by representing views the NAE does not hold.

The NAE was formed in 1942. There are some 45,000 churches currently a part of the organization.