Written by Don Byrd
Exciting news today! Former Baptist Joint Committee General Counsel Melissa Rogers, who has chaired President Obama’s council of faith-based leaders, has been named the new head of the White House Office of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships, following Joshua Dubois stepping aside after spending the first term on the job.
The BJC released a statement today on the announcement. An excerpt is below. A few of my thoughts follow that.
[BJC Director Brent] Walker lauded Rogers’ selection.
“I am so happy for Melissa, and proud of her, too,” Walker said. “Her leadership in the church-state field — as the BJC’s general counsel and as chair of the task force charged with reforming the office — has made her the perfect choice to fill this important position in the Obama administration.
“Melissa possesses a keen understanding of the First Amendment’s religion clauses and is sensitive to practical issues of their application,” Walker said.
BJC General Counsel K. Hollyn Hollman, who succeeded Rogers, said she looks forward to Rogers’ leadership in the White House office.
“Since the opening of the faith-based office, the Baptist Joint Committee’s focus has been safeguarding the standards that make private-public partnerships successful and consistent with constitutional standards that protect the religious liberty of individuals and social service providers,” Hollman said. “As a proven leader and expert on church-state law, Melissa is the most knowledgeable and capable person I can imagine to lead at this time.
“I am hopeful she will be able to provide leadership throughout the implementation of the Obama administration reforms as well as offer thoughtful consideration for any additional reforms,” Hollman said.
Indeed. Her experience qualifies her well for this post. I would only add this: Melissa knows how to speak of the values of church-state separation without degrading or diminishing faith. And she knows how to speak of the role of religion in society while being respectful of those of different faiths, or those who choose no faith at all. Who better to lead this office? Congratulations, Melissa!
