Taylors First Baptist Church pastor Frank Page said he was “shocked” when he was asked to serve on President Obama’s advisory council on faith-based and community issues, and he says he will resign if he thinks he is “just a token conservative” appointment.
Frank PagePage, who completed two years as Southern Baptist Convention president in 2008, is one of 25 people who will be serving on the President’s Advisory Council on Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships. The council members will serve one-year terms. The advisers were named Feb. 5. The council will meet at least four times in the coming year, with other subcommittee meetings and conference calls along the way.
Although Page had met Obama a year ago when Obama was campaigning for president, “I certainly had no idea that he remembered me nor would wish for me to be part of his administration’s council,” Page said.
“I am honored to be able to serve my country, though I do so with great caution,” he said. “I am aware that I am one of the most conservative persons on this council and do so hope that I will not be seen just as a token conservative. I believe my role will be to bring a conservative, hopefully biblically based, viewpoint to help guide the work of this office.
“President Obama wants this office to lead the way in helping the hurting, hungry, and homeless during this time of economic recovery,” Page said. “I see this office’s role as one of great importance as faith-based organizations and government work together to help people who are struggling deeply.?
?”I do believe it is time for churches to step up to the plate even more so than before. I believe the government would not have to be involved in this if churches had done what we should do.? I’m glad that we can work together in this kind of partnership. There are going to be more people hurting than ever before who have lost homes, lost their ability to provide food, as well as health insurance. It is time for the churches to provide leadership in all of these areas.
“I do ask that South Carolina Baptists would pray for me. I have said to several that I will resign if I think that I am just being a token conservative on this council. However, I have been assured by the President as well as the director of this office that they want to hear from me and those who I might represent. I ask that South Carolina Baptists would lift me up to the Lord so that I might have the wisdom and boldness to do what I need to do.”
On the same day the advisory council was named, Obama signed an executive order making some significant changes in what was established by George W. Bush as the Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives. The order widens the revamped office’s assignment to four priorities that involve both religious and secular organizations:
? To give community groups a vital role in economic recovery and subsequently in alleviating poverty
? To help the administration “support women and children, address teenage pregnancy and reduce the need for abortion”
? To support “responsible fatherhood”
? To work with the National Security Council in promoting interfaith dialogue globally.
Page is encouraged because two of those priorities – reducing abortions and solving the crisis in fatherhood – “strike close to my heart,” he said.
“My hopes are that the council will help provide direction for the president as regards the faith issue and that he will truly honor faith-based groups and let them be who they are in relation to their hiring practices and service,” Page said.
– with BP reports