(By Julie Zauzmer, The Washington Post.) Every four or eight years, after the nation goes through the ritual of picking a president, some of Washington’s churches go through another ritual — getting a president to pick them.
When Bill and Hillary Clinton came to town in 1993, preachers from Baptist (his denomination) and Methodist (hers) churches across town picked up their phones and their pens to invite the new first couple to their pews. After hearing from at least half a dozen congregations, the Clintons picked Foundry United Methodist Church on 16th Street NW, where they became active members.
George W. Bush, like Ronald Reagan before him, opted for the convenience of St. John’s Episcopal Church, just across from the White House. Ministers from numerous denominations tried to woo the Obamas, but the first family never picked one church, instead visiting many churches over the course of their eight years in the White House.
And now it’s time to ask: Will President Trump go to church in Washington?
It may not be likely. Trump has previously been affiliated with Presbyterian churches, and he identifies as a mainline Protestant, but he is not a regular churchgoer. …
… The response from most of these churches was essentially: Trump will be very welcome, if he thinks a church like this is his cup of tea.
- Capitol Hill Presbyterian’s Rev. Scott Wilson: “Our doors are open to everyone to worship with us and listen to the words of Jesus on love and compassion. Capitol Hill Presbyterian Church is a welcoming and inclusive church, and our doors are always open to anyone who wishes to join us in our community exploring faith, joyfully sustained by the love of God, caring about each other, and the needs of a broken world.”
- Fifteenth Street Presbyterian’s Rev. Robert Bell: “I think Mr Trump would be welcome at any Presbyterian Church USA in the city. I know he, like everyone is, would be welcome at ours. He doesn’t seem like the type of guy that finds the gospel challenging and meaningful or likes to rub elbows with a diverse group, not all [of whom] are materially successful. But God works in mysterious ways.”
- Georgetown Presbyterian’s Rev. Camille Cook Murray: “We have not reached out to Donald Trump. Our congregation is a politically diverse church, unified by our common faith in Jesus Christ. … Our community is open and welcome to all so yes, if Donald felt called to join our church then he would be welcome.”
- National Presbyterian’s Rev. David Renwick: “National Presbyterian has a long legacy of serving presidents, appointed officials, and elected officials on both sides of the aisle, as well as those who serve our nation in both military and civilian capacities. This is clearly a tradition we want to honor and carry forward — and therefore we warmly welcome our president-elect to join with us in worship. … With regard to membership — membership is open to any person who knows their need of a savior, who places their trust in Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord, and who commits to be faithful in worshiping and serving God together.”
- New York Avenue Presbyterian’s Rev. Robert Gench: “We would, of course, invite the President-Elect to worship with us. Our logo declares that we are a ‘just-seeking and inclusive church,’ so we welcome people from varied points of view, race, and sexual orientation.”
Bell and Gench said they would probably send Trump a letter to welcome him in writing.
To read the entire Washington Post article, click here.
6 Comments. Leave new
One warm and heartfelt invitation out of 5? Shameful!
Since Trump worships the ‘prince of this world’ is there a congregation in Washington D. C. where he would feel comfortable?
How would one know who President-Elect Trump worships? I think that the pot just called the kettle black.
Yes Dianne it is shameful. Surprising, no. The NCP churches left in the PCUSA are viewed primarily as a subdivision of the DNC so it’s not at all surprising.
Herbert, no one speaking for the PCUSA should have such a righteous claim to even be a church of Jesus Christ since the last several General Assemblies; it’s merely a left wing cult that has thrown the Bible, The Book of Confessions and in 2014 the Book of Order under the bus with the phoney AI attempting to interpret something that didn’t exist. Merely a social club trying to do good works like the Rotary or the Lions but advocacy for all left wing agendas. No disrespect to those 2 intended.
Well National Presbyterian is a moderate-conservative congregation, and they do have the Eisenhower Chapel where President Eisenhower used to worship so as not to disturb the normal service.