Many Americans are looking forward to the inauguration of President-elect Barack Obama, but already the event has generated some controversy.
The controversy raised by some individuals is related to Obama’s selection of Pastor Rick Warren to conduct the invocation for the inauguration, and Rev. Joseph Lowery to close out the ceremony with a benediction.
Warren, pastor of Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, California, is best known as author of the popular inspirational book, The Purpose Driven Life. He also hosted a historic forum at his church in August where Obama and Sen. John McCain answered questions related to moral and spiritual issues.
Lowery is a long-serving activist who, along with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., founded the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC), a civil rights organization. Lowery led the SCLC from 1977 to 1997, and continues to speak out on issues of injustice.
Some liberal groups, including abortion rights and gay rights organizations, have spoken out against Obama’s selection of Warren due to what they view as his “ultra-conservative” positions on political issues.
Lowery’s selection, though less controversial, has sparked questions from conservatives who dislike his candid statements on the war in Iraq and poverty. A smaller number of observers say Lowery, at age 87, is out of touch with a generation that is trying to work with Obama to create change.
Church leaders across the country, however, have had a mostly favorable reaction to both selections.
Bill Leonard, professor of church history at Wake Forest University School of Divinity, believes the choice of Warren and Lowery to pray at the inaugural ceremony reflects important dynamics in public religion, past and present.
“Lowery represents the prophetic, civil rights ministerial presence in the US, a powerful symbol of how far the nation has come since the days of segregation and Jim Crow,” said Leonard. “Rick Warren’s presence reflects issues related to bridging the gap between evangelicals and Democrats — a considerable divide across the last two or three decades.”
Most church leaders in Indianapolis also agree that the selection of Warren and Lowery is a sound choice.
Dr. Frank Moore, pastor of University United Methodist Church, believes Obama is simply trying to represent a wide spectrum of beliefs to satisfy Americans on both the left and right of the political spectrum.
“He’s trying to be as inclusive as possible,” said Moore. “So he’s including pastors that should be acceptable to people with all views, without choosing extremists. That’s my take on it.”
Dr. Philip Shobe, pastor of St. John Missionary Baptist Church, said Obama was making both a political and strategic decision when he chose Warren and Lowery.
“I believe Obama and Rick Warren are friends, but the new president is also reaching out to evangelicals who support Warren,” said Shobe. “Although he’s been accused of being an extreme conservative, Warren is actually a moderate. Obama wanted to bring in Lowery so that he could showcase someone from the civil rights era, and Lowery is probably the best living person to represent that era.”
Shobe plans to attend the inauguration ceremony in Washington D.C. next week.
Moore won’t be attending inauguration activities, but his church, located at, will host a special Inaugural Gala on Jan. 20 from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. The black-tie affair will include fellowship and dinner.
“We’ve already sold over 100 tickets,” Moore said.
Shobe added that by selecting Warren and Lowery for his inauguration, Obama is also making a move to attract both white and Black Christians.
“Those choices cover a lot politically and socially,” Shobe said. “They keep in line with Obama’s theme of bringing the country together.”
