This prayer service has a long history -- dating back all the way to George Washington's time. Now, whether this choice is more important than that of the invocator or not, or what it means for understanding the President-Elect's theological proclivities, I can not say. I can say, I understand why he would have been impressed by her. She is a person who can draw people together in a way that leaves people with a sense of hope and purpose.
Sharon became General Minister and President of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in July 2005 at our Portland General Assembly. In many ways her ascent to this position came as a surprise -- she was after all the pastor of a medium sized church in Oklahoma. She wasn't part of the bureaucracy nor had she been a Regional Minister (our equivalent to a diocesan bishop). But we were ecstatic at the choice. In her inaugural sermon she gave us a sense of vision and hope for the future. And the Disciples, who had been in decline for some time finally had a sense of vision, and we're seeing gains.
Sharon brings to this service a heritage that affirms freedom, diversity, and unity. As the reports of this choice have pointed out, she's not well known. That's not surprising -- you have to be a TV preacher or a big time author to get much attention. The Disciples are a relatively small denomination, though we count among our number three former Presidents, James Garfield, Lyndon Johnson, and Ronald Reagan. Yes, Ronald Reagan may have been hanging out with Presbyterians in the last decades of his life, but his roots are definitely Disciple. With Obama in need of a new church home, we are, of course, hoping he'll choose the Disciples. Despite our lack of name recognition, Sharon is an important figure in her own right. She was, after all, the first woman to lead a Mainline Protestant denomination.
Now, I don't know Sharon personally. I've met her and I've heard her speak and preach on several occasions, but I don't think that counts as knowing her as a person. But, I can say that I'm friends with her father, who taught for many years at Christian Theological Seminary. I have great regard for Keith, so, I know where she comes from. It's good stock!
So, as we reflect on this choice, let me say again that as Disciple pastor, I am thrilled by this choice. I also think America will be pleased and blessed by this choice, for she is a voice of inclusion and grace -- and that's something we need to have in this day and age!
