FTE "On Call" Blog

Dr. Sharon Watson Fluker

Former FTE Vice President for Doctoral Programs and Administration

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August 20, 2009

Reverend Doctor Joseph E. Lowery:  A Mission and Medal

The praise service ended, the scripture had been read, and the way was clear for the sermon.  Reverend Doctor Joseph Lowery walked slowly to the pulpit with his cane.  He was scheduled as the guest preacher for the Sunday morning worship service---there to help celebrate a local Atlanta pastor’s 22 years of service to the church and community.  Dr. Lowery wore a dark suit (a preacher’s suit) and white shirt.  Peering down from the balcony where I was sitting,   I could see there was something different about his attire--- around the collar of his shirt hung the 2009 Presidential Medal of Freedom he had just received from President Obama at a White House ceremony just a few days ago.

Mission
As a co-founder and President Emeritus of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC),   Dr. Lowery is no stranger to mission and advocacy work.   He began in the early 1950’s in Mobile, Alabama fighting for the desegregation of public transportation and accommodations as head of the Alabama Civic Affairs Association and in 1957, along with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., was one of the co-founders of SCLC serving in a number of roles including vice president, chair of the board, and president.   In addition, he has travelled to many countries around the globe working for social justice.
Aside from his national standing, Dr. Lowery’s role as local pastor bears special mention here.  As a minster of the United Methodist Church, he has served as pastor to churches in Mobile and Birmingham before coming to Atlanta.  Anyone who has observed him throughout his career or listened to his sermons and speeches would know he views the church as a connector in helping to identify the next generation of leaders and pastors.  In this regard, The Fund for Theological Education is a partner with him in its mission to identify and support young people interested in ministry. 

Medal of Freedom
We all remember Dr. Lowery’s benediction at the inauguration ceremony of  President Barack Obama in January 2009 on the National Mall in Washington, DC.  But I think Dr. Lowery will remember most his recognition as one of 16 recipients of the 2009 Presidential Medal of Freedom.  The Presidential Medal of Freedom is the highest civilian honor one can receive----and we join a host of others in congratulating Dr. Lowery on this prestigious honor.

While we do not offer medals at FTE----we do award fellowships to students who are recognized for their commitments to pastoral ministry and their excellent academic credentials as they pursue graduate degrees.    Achievement, hard work, and ability are attributes that define our selected fellows and certainly define Dr. Lowery’s work and legacy to emerging leaders of the future.