News

Obama breaks from Trinity Church

Pastors’ remarks cause Obama to end his longtime membership with a Chicago church.

Christianity Today May 31, 2008

Sen. Barack Obama has ended his membership at Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago, attempting to disassociate himself from comments pastors have made in the church’s pulpit.

Trinity was where Obama had his conversion experience, his marriage, and his children’s baptisms.

The resignation comes one month after he broke ties with Rev. Jeremiah Wright. Rev. Michael Pfleger recently made racially charged comments where Pfleger pretended he was Clinton crying over “a black man stealing my show” in a guest sermon at Obama’s church.

“It’s clear that now that I am a candidate for president, every time something is said in the church by anyone associated with Trinity, including guest pastors, the remarks will be imputed to me, even if they totally conflict with my long-held views, statements, and principles,” he said today.

Religious leaders have made campaigning difficult for Obama and Sen. John McCain. Last week, McCain rejected endorsements from Texas pastor John Hagee and Ohio pastor Rod Parsley.

Our Latest

What to Expect at This Year’s Church Conventions

SBC, LCMS, ACNA, CREC, and Global Methodist gatherings in 2026 will weigh issues including abuse investigations and sexual ethics.

Gospel Matriarch Lucie Campbell Looked To God

Daylan Woodall

Her songs spoke to life’s uncertainties and God’s presence—and taught me how to hope.

The Just Life with Benjamin Watson

Johnny Joey Jones: What Do We Owe the Men and Women We Send to War?

Trauma, Responsibility, and the Honor of Being Needed

Review

‘The Faithful’ Celebrates the Women of the Bible

The first episode—and a set visit in Italy—introduced a me to a thoughtful new drama about multidimensional women in Scripture.

News

From ‘O for a Thousand Tongues’ to ‘The Blessing’

The first Wesleyan hymnal in 30 years seeks to reflect the movement’s history and present.

News

Iranian Christian Freed Nine Months After Border Patrol Arrest

Video of agents arresting him and his wife in Los Angeles went viral, and their church has been praying for his freedom.

Public Theology Project

Why John Perkins Stood (Almost) Alone

The civil rights leader treated love of God and love for others as inseparable.

The Russell Moore Show

Doug McKelvey on Rites of Passage and the Sacredness of Ordinary Life

Every Moment Holy author Douglas McKelvey on writing prayers for the moments both sacred and mundane.

Apple PodcastsDown ArrowDown ArrowDown Arrowarrow_left_altLeft ArrowLeft ArrowRight ArrowRight ArrowRight Arrowarrow_up_altUp ArrowUp ArrowAvailable at Amazoncaret-downCloseCloseEmailEmailExpandExpandExternalExternalFacebookfacebook-squareGiftGiftGooglegoogleGoogle KeephamburgerInstagraminstagram-squareLinkLinklinkedin-squareListenListenListenChristianity TodayCT Creative Studio Logologo_orgMegaphoneMenuMenupausePinterestPlayPlayPocketPodcastprintRSSRSSSaveSaveSaveSearchSearchsearchSpotifyStitcherTelegramTable of ContentsTable of Contentstwitter-squareWhatsAppXYouTubeYouTube