Obama's Pastoral Circle

Earlier today I was reading an article in the Detroit Free Press about the Obama family searching for a church home. There is plenty of speculation as to where he might go -- whether to a predominantly Black Church or one that is more multi-ethnic (though these are difficult to find). Having left Trinity UCC, I'm sure that the Obama's will look for a church whose pastor's sermons will be less likely to cause him problems. We won't know for a bit longer what he'll choose, and I won't venture to guess -- although I still think that a Disciples congregation like National City Christian Church would be a good fit. For one thing, they've already had a President as a member (Lyndon Baines Johnson).

With that article putting things in perspective, it's interesting to read Laurie Goodstein's article about the circle of pastors that Barack Obama has turned to for pastoral guidance -- since he doesn't currently have a pastor.

The names of these five are interesting for several reasons. Three are black -- Otis Moss, Jr., the father of the current pastor of Obama's former church; T.D. Jakes, the Texas mega-church pastor, and Kirbyjon Caldwell, a Methodist pastor from Houston, who was G.W. Bush's former pastor and confidant (now there's an interesting move). All three are pretty centrist, moderate, pastors -- although Jakes is known for his flamboyant style and prosperity teachings. The other two -- Joel Hunter, a Florida pastor who for a short time was head of the Christian Coalition, and Jim Wallis, head of Sojourners, are white.

Although Wallis is known for his social justice focus, in many ways he is a moderate, and is evangelical, and apparently Obama has known Wallis the longest.

What is interesting about this report, if true, is that Obama has chosen to surround him with pastors who are evangelical, centrist, and pretty safe (no Jeremiah Wrights in this bunch).

I think a President should have every right to pick out who he/she will turn to for pastoral care, so I can't and won't criticize his choices. But, I might suggest that he expand this circle just a bit. First of all, it would be helpful to add a woman pastor into the mix. Of course, I'd suggest Sharon Watkins, the General Minister and President of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), who preached at the Inaugural Prayer Service -- but there are others. I think he could add in a more theological progressive voice into the mix as well. I don't have anyone in particular to suggest, but there are plenty of us out there who are to the left of this quintet.

Ultimately, the Obama's will choose a church, and that pastor will, I would assume be the one they turn to for pastoral care. For now, it appears this is the group who will guide him.

Comments

C Ryan said…
Frankly, I am no Obama fan, but he is very politically shrewd in his choices. Rick Warren would clearly be a little over the top for his circle, but pulling in G W Sr's pastor is a smart and calculated move. This is a way of heading off one of the more electrifying charges to Obama in regard to Rev Wright.

I really don't know much about the positions of these pastors, so I won't get too excited about them one way or another. T D Jakes I have heard of and know he is associate with the prosperity Gospel. Its simply how amazing how silly that Gospel looks during a recession! :)

That said.. Bravo to Team Obama and Mr. Emmanuel for making a good political move around a firestorm issue.

Chuck
Anonymous said…
Except for Wallis all these pastoral guides are too timid on social justice issues. Wallis' moderation/conservatism is on theology. He's strong on social justice and peacemaking--and that's the kind of pastoral advice we need a president to get.
But that's only one voice.

Where are the women?

I think your adding Sharon Watkins is a good choice. I'd include Eugene Rivers (a black Pentecostal from Boston with a Harvard degree whose passion for social justice if 5X that of T.D. Jakes--with no tolerance for health and wealth crap), Miguel de la Torre (Latino Baptist liberation theologian).

But there is no substitute for a regular church home.
Anonymous said…
"But, I might suggest that he expand this circle just a bit."

I agree. I think he should at least strongly consider a pastor who believes in the Bible, like Pastor Dever. It certainly would be a brave and very unsafe choice for him among his far left friends, but could result in good things as he would actually here the Gospel preaches from a point of view of it being true.
Robert Cornwall said…
Botwinck, what you are saying here is that you'd like to see a pastor on the list who interprets the Bible as you do. For many of us on the left, this seems like a fairly conservative group. Jim Wallis is as progressive as the list gets.
Anonymous said…
Bob,

I am not stating anything more than what you are, except in reverse. Whereas you would like to see Obama to continue in a non Bible believing liberal church, I would like to see the exact opposite. But, thanks for emphasizing the obvious. :-D
Anonymous said…
You have no idea what a distraction having POTUS at church actually is, not to mention the thousands of dollars in expense to the church staff for overtime for security and electricians, you name it. By the time you add the Secret Service, their dog sweeps, the magnetometers, the motorcade, the fire trucks and ambulance, the snipers on the roof, the shutting down of traffic in the community, plus "worshipers" who come to see the Prez with their cameras, it is no longer a worship service, just a side show. Believe me, been there, done that - thrice. Sad, but in this environment, it is just not possible for a regular congregational environment. He's better off at Camp David at the Chapel there, where he can take a quiet walk alone. And these pastors are the worst when it comes to looking for presidential stardust to fall on their shoulders. They talk too much, and have been known to become totally unbalanced after a president leaves office (and their church).

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